Infiniti Synaptiq Concept Car

Feb 9, 2015

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Infiniti Design Team Dreams Big with Futuristic Concept Car

The theme of this year’s L.A. Design Challenge – an annual car industry design competition between the world’s best design teams – encouraged participants to think beyond the limits of today’s technology. The theme: “Sensing the Future: How will cars interact with us in 2029?”

That question alone opens the door for a myriad of possibilities, from flying cars to futuristic dune buggies. Infiniti Design San Diego didn’t disappoint. Infiniti’s team put together a design called the the Infiniti Synaptiq Concept Car

This isn’t your average sedan. Instead, the Synaptiq is a three-in-one concept that can be configured quickly into a race car, buggy or aircraft. Essentially the vehicle’s driver sits in a wearable “universal fuselage pod,” the Synaptiq suit. Then, that wearable pod – which is an almost egg-shaped pod that fits the entire body – can be placed into three different vehicles, a Formula One-type racing car, a Moon Rover-type buggy and even a small jet aircraft. That’s right: The Synaptiq can fly.

Really, the Synaptiq looks more like something out of a comic book; it’s the Batmobile and then some, completely outside the box and original. That’s the point of the L.A. Design Competition at the annual auto show; designers were asked to put together concepts without limits. That’s why many of the concepts look more science fiction than possible using today’s technology.

In other words, don’t expect the Synaptiq to hit showrooms anytime soon. In fact, 2029 – just 15 years away – might be a little soon for the concept to even become a prototype. Who knows though? As they say, anything is possible.

The Infiniti Synaptiq: A Human-Machine Interface

Not only was the exterior pod design of the Synaptiq something other-worldly, the concept incorporates a truly imaginative system that connects the driver with the vehicle. Drivers of the Synaptic car wear a special suit, which the team dubbed the S.U.I.T. or Symbiotic User Interface Technology. That even sounds like something from the future, right?

Essentially, the idea is that the S.U.I.T. is equipped with special biometric sensors and even synthetic muscles. These sensors then monitor the body in real time and interact with the vehicle. Plus, the suit uses a “spinal lock attachment” that links the driver and vehicle, so really the driver becomes completely integrated into the car. That linkage of car and driver includes other futuristic technologies, including augmented reality and the suit is capable of reading your mind. For instance, if the driver wants to slow do around a corner, he or she just needs to think about slowing down.

Overall, the concept is certainly imaginative. But is it the future of automobiles? Do you think that’s how we’ll be interacting with cars in 2029?

Infiniti Draws Headlines at LA Design Competition

Infiniti Design turned some heads at the Design Competition. That makes sense due to the Infiniti Synaptiq’s three-in-one design. In fact, the design team imagined the vehicle competing in a new type of race, a unique triathlon competition, called the A.R.C race or Air, Rally, Circuit.

While the Honda concept car won first place with the judges, the Infiniti concept car was a fan favorite at the event, winning the People’s Choice Award through online voting. That was an impressive feat considering the competition. Design studios representing Acura, BMW and Nissan also competed.

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