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Entrain CPU

Degree Project 2026

What happens to the interior of a vehicle when the driver hierarchy dissolves? As autonomy removes the need for control, passengers are often left in a passive role, disconnected from both the system and each other. This project explores how the vehicle interior can be redefined as a social architecture, where participation, interaction, and shared experience become central. Through an open and adaptable task system, powered by a visible CPU, passengers are invited to take part in shaping the journey together. Rather than hiding intelligence, Entrain CPU makes it understandable, interactive, and shared, transforming travel from passive transport into active participation.

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Background

As vehicles become increasingly autonomous, many current solutions rely on hidden systems and screen-based interactions, often reinforcing passive behavior and individualization. At the same time, research indicates a growing need for reduced digital distraction, increased transparency, and more meaningful social interaction.

This thesis investigates how interior design can respond to this shift by creating the conditions for participation rather than control. Through workshops, user research, and scenario-based design, key user needs were identified and translated into an open-source task ecosystem. These tasks allow passengers to engage with the journey through shared activities, emotional input, and collaborative interaction.

At the center of the concept is the Entrain CPU, a visible and adaptable system that distributes interaction across passengers, enabling flexibility over time. The result is an interior that evolves through use, where value is created not only through function, but through shared experience, connection, and participation.