Zero emissions autonomous vehicles are not new but have you heard of zero emissions, autonomous Social Riding EV? Well, zero emissions, autonomous Social Riding EV is exactly what the Agora E by Ponti Design Studio is. It is a concept of autonomous EV designed to promote social interactions in the post-Covid future, in Hong Kong.
Agora E‘s aim is to reiterate the importance of physical human interactions. It starts with the name Agora, which literally means “assembly area” in Greek. The boxy, yet futuristic urban mass transportation has an interior with a continuous, circular seat.
The seat on the perimeter leaves an open space in the middle for standing passengers, wheelchairs, or luggage. It is supposed to be a mobile square for human interactions in person. It is a good intention design but good luck in making people look up from their mobile phones. Just saying…
Anyhoo, in keeping with its green objective, recycled and upcycled materials are used throughout the cabin with space for up to 10 people. Not going to lie, the passenger capacity is not great but this also allows Agora E to be compact and thus making it ideal in congested urban settings.
The interior is predominantly in deep calming green to “convey a sense of comfort while reflecting the concept of sustainability.” Agora E is designed with large glass panels to allow natural light to infiltrate the interior during the day. The glass panels also afford a good view of the lovely Hong Kong nightscape.
The Agora E Autonomous Vehicle is a conceptual design by Hong Kong-based design company, Ponti Design Studio.
All images courtesy of Ponti Design Studio.
