Depicts the vehicle in the larger destruction of a post-earthquake urban landscape. Vehicle render made in blender. The environment is VIZCOM AI. Retouched in Photoshop.
Terra Wayfinder
Strategic Design (TD1)
2026
Terra Wayfinder is an amphibious rescue vehicle developed as part of VOLVO TERRA, a proposal for a dedicated humanitarian and disaster-relief division within Volvo. Responding to the challenge of reaching affected communities in the critical hours following an earthquake, Wayfinder is designed to navigate damaged infrastructure, debris, and flood conditions that can prevent conventional rescue vehicles from operating. Working alongside Terra Mover, a ground-based vehicle for transport and route-clearing operations, Wayfinder enables search-and-rescue teams to access isolated areas, support emergency response efforts, and improve coordination on the ground through real-time data sharing. Together, the two vehicles form a complementary system that demonstrates how Volvo's expertise in mobility, logistics, and human-centred design could help create more resilient and effective disaster-response operations.
Mission: Coordinated Mobility
Strategic Design | 2026
In this project, students were asked to propose brand-led vehicle concepts for crisis logistics as part of Volvo Construction Equipment's future vision for 2036. Working as strategic design teams, students explored how mobility solutions could support disaster response and recovery while acting as positive brand ambassadors in crisis-affected contexts. The aim was to identify meaningful opportunities where Volvo CE's expertise, sustainability ambitions, and brand values could create value for customers, communities, and society through resilient and scalable mobility systems.
Process
The course began with team-building activities and the establishment of team contracts to support collaboration throughout the project. Students then immersed themselves in Volvo CE's brand, products, and strategic ambitions through a study visit, lectures, and workshops. This phase focused on understanding real-world challenges in disaster response, identifying stakeholder needs, and defining key project parameters.
During the Sense-Making & Strategy phase, each team developed its own strategic framework, design brief, and work plan, outlining target users, design opportunities, project goals, and milestones. This foundation enabled teams to explore distinct directions while ensuring alignment with Volvo CE's values and long-term vision.
The Exploration & Presentation phase encouraged a design workflow that combined 2D and 3D development. Students engaged stakeholders throughout the process to validate requirements and ensure concepts reflected both brand identity and practical needs. Supported by tutoring, lectures, and collaborative ideation sessions, teams developed and communicated their proposals through visualisations, presentations, and design narratives.
Outcome
The outcome was a series of speculative vehicle concepts and coordinated mobility solutions designed to strengthen disaster response and crisis logistics in 2036. Each proposal aimed to demonstrate how Volvo CE could extend its role beyond construction equipment by contributing to resilient, sustainable, and human-centred mobility systems. Final concepts were presented through team pitches, supported by slides, posters, and high-quality 3D visualisations, making a compelling case for further development and future implementation.
In collaboration with:
The vehicle main HERO image. Vehicle render made in blender. The environment is VIZCOM AI. Retouched in Photoshop.
Shows the vehicle rushing through rough terrain towards rescue. Vehicle render made in blender. The environment is VIZCOM AI. Retouched in Photoshop.
Shows the vehicle arriving to victims and showcasing the different terrain capabilities. Vehicle render made in blender. The environment is VIZCOM AI. Retouched in Photoshop.
The vehicle can be transported on standard rail and truck platforms as it fits the standard container. Vehicle render made in blender. The environment is VIZCOM AI. Retouched in Photoshop.
The vehicle can also be airdeployed and will be self sustainable from launch. Vehicle render made in blender. The environment is VIZCOM AI. Retouched in Photoshop.
Dimensions and main views.
Shows ingress and egress and layout.
Sketches and keysketch.
