Apsis
Apsis is a solution designed to solve delivery problems for people living in rural areas in northern Sweden. The concept involves smart boxes, each equipped with a robot and storage space for parcels. These boxes, along with their contents, are placed by a crane truck in the centre of specific areas where the different parcels will be delivered. The idea behind this concept is to make deliveries ‘invisible’ to users: no more waiting hours for your parcel. But also to solve problems of isolation, cost of living and time wasted travelling to shops and pick-up points. The idea behind the aesthetics of this solution is to reassure and comfort people who will encounter the box and the robot. Round, natural shapes accompanied by a warm orange light emitted by the latter help to create a sense of serenity and a somewhat enchanting atmosphere. And, of course, the look of robustness reassures users about the safety of their deliveries.
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.
Ronggang Bao
Mathéo Jamain
