driverless vehicle by stavros mavrakis redefines the way we explore while traveling

stavros mavrakis has designed a sustainable, shared-use autonomous vehicle that hopes to offer users a unique, original local experience while traveling. challenging traditional automotive design, zephyr is created as a piece of moving architecture, and not just as a means of transport, as it provides a flexible ephemeral space of living, making it the key part of the experiential adventure.

all images courtesy of stavros mavrakis
background photo © renee lusano

mavrakis‘ final project at the RCA (royal college of arts), zephyr is named after the greek mythology god of west wind and messenger of spring-bringing summer breezes. with the driverless vehicle, the architect-engineer attempts to restore the attribute of explorer to the human being, a characteristic that tends to be eliminated within the current digital and virtual environment we inhabit. zephyr turns the user, which could be anyone of us, into a modern explorer, enhancing our physical experiences of mediterranean regions, such as the island complex of cyclades, greece. the use of local, traditional materials combined with the use of new composite materials, made by recycled sea waste, and renewable energy (the vehicle takes advantage of the islands’ wind turbine parks and its deployable wind turbine) completes the proposal for a vehicle ‘born from that place, destined for that place.’

zephyr helps you create your own authentic experience

sustainability & renewable energy

extend the physical experience out of the vehicle

flexible interior space

blueprint of zephyr

a piece of moving architecture
background photo © serge anton

‘designed from the place, destined for the place’
background photo © renee lusano

a vehicle to capture the whole experience

have a moment in the wind and recharge

why not to use the roof not only for shading but also as a sunbed?

display of the project at the graduation show at royal college of art, london 2018

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom