The ocean is a fascinating environment, which attracts curious minds all over the world. And with the majority left unexplored, there is a lot of potential for new underwater vehicles to fill this niche. This is exactly the brief designer Markus Krautter set for himself when he created his Mercedes-Benz H2O MA thesis project for Pforzheim University’s transportation design program.
Connecting Entertainment and Science
“In our modern times, it is increasingly necessary to take care of natural treasures, which are a fundamental part of our existence,” Krautter explains. To support the exploration of the ocean, he therefore created a vehicle he defines as a “symbiosis of science and ecotourism”.
The Mercedes-Benz AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) applies high-tech standards in propulsion, communication and interface. With its reduced and self explaining aesthetic the four-passenger vehicle targets a user who has an innate curiosity for underwater exploration.
Living and working underwater
Krautter’s project not only aims to cater to mankind’s growing awareness for the ocean, he also proposes ecotourism as an activity to generate income and boost further exploration projects. “Living and working underwater is a well-known dream of mankind,” he contends, and so he proposes to “connect entertainment and science” in one vehicle.
The AUV’s unique shape enables it to cut through the water at extreme depths while the lounge-like environment of the interior and expansive glazing above provides its occupants with a 360-degree view of their surroundings. A central HMI display screen identifies and provides information on passing sea creatures, adding to the exploration theme.
