IS THIS THE
TAXI OF
THE FUTURE?
DAMIAN
NOW TA IS
HIS DES KING
NEXT S IGN TO THE
SEEKIN TAGE AND IS
INPUT –G TAXI DRIVER
CON
DIRECT TACT HIM
LY ON
DM_LU
CACIU@
HOTMA
IL.COM
0415 2
93 889
CONGRATULATIONS TO STUDENT
DESIGNER DAMIAN LUCACIU WHO
RECEIVED AN AUSTRALIAN DESIGN
AWARD FOR HIS DESIGN OF THE
2020 MELBOURNE TAXI.
INTERIOR FUNCTIONALITY
Rear Compartment
His design looks at implementing a taxi vehicle which runs only on electric power and is supported
by infrastructure with recharging stations placed at strategic points around Melbourne. The vehicles’ main focus
is on; safety of passengers/driver, ease of use, reliability, minimal environmental footprint and iconic design.
EXTERIOR
FUNCTIONALITY
• K
erbside access only for passenger
ingress/egress safety.
• A
ll doors use a slider system for
minimising the overall footprint of the
vehicle while it is in operation.
• A
ccess for wheelchair-bound
passengers is catered for by providing
a platform that extends to the
curbside to allow access. All rear
compartment seats tuck away to
open-up maximum floor room for
wheelchair access.
• R
ear trunk also operates on a slider
system. This allows luggage to be
loaded and unloaded with less effort.
Again, kerbside access only ensures
safety of passengers and driver.
4
CUSTOMER
INTERFACE FOR
ACCESS TO FEATURES
Heads-up display shows maps, places of
interest, advertising, and also has internet
connectivity. Fares are paid through this
system and passengers can access and
top-up their account online.
Driver and taxi driver information are
also provided.
The rear compartment is split-up to
allow for better communication for the rear
occupants. The 1 X 3 configuration is such
that the front passenger is facing rearward
and so is also facing the driver. This allows
for better communication between both the
driver and the passenger. This configuration
plays on the unique cultural idea of sitting in
the front seat of taxis as opposed to just in
the rear like many other countries. Rear
seats fold away to allow access and floor
clearance for wheelchair access.
Drivers Compartment
Driver to passenger split is driven by two
factors – safety and privacy. Safety of drivers
is especially important for those on night
shift. The split ensures security of the drivers
while also providing a more private
booth-type environment for passengers.
The plastic separator is lowered for daytime
use and only the heads-up display remains
in position.
Access
Doors split open at the centre to allow
for maximum operating opening distance.
The unique ‘V’ of the opening area is
important for passenger ingress/egress to
ensure minimum effort is required
for access.
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