Dinagat Island is one example among many. Across Southeast Asia, developing economies (e.g. Indonesia) follow the same pattern, where mineral demand drives excessive extraction that leaves coastlines more exposed.
AGIS_01
Strategic Design (TD1)
2026
AGIS_01 is a compact, amphibious, autonomous field vehicle developed as part of the AGIS system for remote operations and disaster resilience. Designed to operate in challenging and hard-to-reach environments, it supports everyday construction and mining activities through site mapping, sample collection, and real-time data gathering that feed into digital twin models managed by AGIS_02. When disasters strike, AGIS_01 seamlessly transitions into a rescue and reconnaissance platform, navigating flooded, damaged, or densely populated areas that larger vehicles cannot access. Working in tandem with the larger AGIS_02 support platform, it helps locate people, assess conditions, and guide rescue efforts, demonstrating how autonomous mobility can strengthen both industrial operations and community resilience.
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:
In a participatory design workshop, we presented 3D-printed models demonstrating multiple concepts and a timeline of situations, and designers from Volvo CE and class peers helped identify where the design could have the most impact.
In daily operations, AGIS_01 maps the site and samples the soil to monitor site quality, ensuring the site remains environmentally responsible.
Before landfall, AGIS_01 guides people and shares real-time information to direct them to the correct emergency shelter.
After landfall, AGIS_01 serves mainly as a rescue vehicle, operating across mixed terrain. Operators can take manual control when delicate operations are required, such as moving injured people.
AGIS_01 & AGIS_02
AGIS_01 concept video.
