Theme
FRI
Vehicle Concept Design (TD1)
2025
FRI is a compact, fully autonomous, on-demand vehicle designed for short-distance transport of people. It features a flexible interior layout that adapts to a wide range of user needs, while the exterior is shaped to project an approachable yet capable image, helping to build trust in autonomous technology. From everyday travel to spontaneous trips in sparsely populated areas. Built on a robust platform suited for harsh Nordic conditions, the project addresses the lack of accessible transport options in rural regions. These areas are often overlooked in conventional vehicle design. By prioritising sustainability, safety, and user-centered design, FRI aims to give people in rural Norrland the same freedom of movement as those in cities, through an accessible on-demand transport system.
About the course
Designing the Future of Rural Mobility invites students to act as designers addressing the transport needs of sparsely populated regions. Across ten intensive weeks they explore how compact, electric and potentially autonomous vehicles can support sustainable mobility in northern Sweden. The work is guided by several UN Sustainable Development Goals and encourages students to consider how new solutions can improve accessibility, energy efficiency and quality of life in rural areas.
Students begin with a compact platform designed for efficiency and tough Nordic conditions, then develop vehicle concepts that support people, goods and public services. The proposals are also intended to be adaptable for future urban use. The course combines hand sketching, Photoshop rendering and CAD with AI supported visualisation, allowing students to compare traditional and emerging tools while reflecting on creativity, reliability and ethics in design workflows.
Five opportunity areas shape the project work: on demand rural transport, feeder services to public transport hubs, first and last‑mile goods distribution, healthcare and public service vehicles, and farm to market logistics. Team based scenarios ensure a clear link between user needs and design outcomes.
Collaboration with Rural Living Lab, Luvly and Scania strengthens the connection to real‑world challenges. These partners provide insight into rural mobility systems, lightweight modular platforms, manufacturability, micro mobility regulations, sustainable transport and autonomous logistics. Their involvement ensures that students receive professional feedback and work with relevant and credible contexts.
The course aims to support students in developing sustainable, people centred and forward‑thinking mobility concepts, encouraging curiosity, collaboration and critical reflection throughout the process.
Anna Lucca Hviid
Master's Programme in Transportation Design
Patipol Khempimook
Master's Programme in Transportation Design
Package
Ideation sketches
Seating
Overview
Enhanced user experience
Layout opportunities
Form development
Key sketch
The Fri isn’t designed to be flashy, it’s designed to be useful. The exterior shows a capable yet approachable look, reflecting Scania’s strong presence with a friendly twist.
While the Fri takes up about the same parking space as a small SUV, it stands much taller, giving you a bright, airy cabin where you can sit up straight and enjoy plenty of headroom.
The doors open wide with no center pillar in the way, and a ramp slides fully out to make it easier for anyone with mobility challenges to get on board. As you enter the vehicle, the side window information bar guides you on where to go and where to place your belongings.
To keep things easy, every handle or feature you need to use is marked in bright orange, so you never have to guess. On the back, you’ll find a simple rack for two bikes and a storage space tall enough for things like skis.
