Intelligent Mobility Design Centre

Intelligent Mobility Design Centre
Name	Intelligent Mobility Design Centre
Established	2016
Director	Dale Harrow
Parent	Royal College of Art
Location	London, United Kingdom
Website	https://www.rca.ac.uk/research-innovation/research-centres/intelligent-mobility-design-centre/

Intelligent Mobility Design Centre. It is a dedicated research centre within the Royal College of Art in London, focused on the future of transport and mobility systems through the lens of design. Established in 2016, the centre investigates how emerging technologies, human behaviour, and urban environments converge to shape new forms of movement. Its work spans from vehicle interiors and exteriors to broader systemic thinking about how people and goods navigate cities and regions.

Overview

The centre operates at the intersection of automotive design, human-computer interaction, and urban planning, positioning design as a critical discipline for addressing complex mobility challenges. It is led by Professor Dale Harrow, who also chairs the university's renowned Intelligent Mobility programme. Situated within the Royal College of Art's Battersea campus, the centre leverages the college's legacy in art and design education to foster innovative, human-centred research. Its mission is to anticipate and influence the societal impacts of trends like electrification, autonomous vehicles, and shared mobility.

Research and Projects

Research initiatives are often conducted in partnership with major industry and governmental bodies, exploring themes such as user experience for autonomous vehicles, sustainable materials, and mobility for ageing populations. Notable projects have included collaborations with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, studies on the future of London's transport ecosystem, and investigations into lightweight vehicle architectures. The centre frequently exhibits its conceptual and prototype work at major international events like the Dubai Design Week and the Geneva International Motor Show, showcasing speculative designs for future mobility scenarios.

Academic Programs

The centre is intrinsically linked to the Royal College of Art's postgraduate academic offerings, primarily the Master of Arts and Master of Research programmes in Intelligent Mobility. These programmes, among the first of their kind globally, train designers to tackle mobility issues through a combination of studio practice, technical research, and theoretical study. Students engage directly with live research projects, often working alongside partners from Jaguar Land Rover, Samsung, and Transport for London. The curriculum emphasises a systems approach, preparing graduates for leadership roles in automotive firms, tech startups, and consultancies.

Facilities and Resources

Housed in the Royal College of Art's state-of-the-art Battersea campus, the centre benefits from dedicated design studios, workshops, and digital fabrication labs. These resources include advanced virtual reality and augmented reality systems for prototyping immersive user experiences, as well as traditional and digital modelling tools. The proximity to other Royal College of Art centres, such as those focused on computer science and material science, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. The centre also maintains a specialised library and archive of mobility-related design research.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The centre maintains a robust network of partnerships with global industry leaders, research institutions, and public sector organisations. Key collaborators have included Ford Motor Company, Hitachi, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, and the UK Government's Department for Transport. These partnerships often take the form of sponsored research projects, joint workshops, and guest lectureships, ensuring that academic inquiry is grounded in real-world challenges. The centre also participates in European Union-funded research consortia and contributes to policy discussions with bodies like the International Transport Forum.

Publications and Impact

Researchers and students regularly disseminate findings through peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and public exhibitions. Output is featured in publications such as *The Design Journal*, presentations at the International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces, and displays at the London Design Festival. The centre's impact extends beyond academia, influencing design language in the automotive sector, contributing to public discourse on future cities, and shaping educational paradigms for mobility design. Its speculative projects often receive coverage in international media, including *Dezeen* and *Wallpaper*.

Category:Research institutes in London Category:Royal College of Art Category:Transport research Category:Design research Category:2016 establishments in the United Kingdom