Sonic Rider

PROJECT DESCRIPTION + CHALLENGES

The SonicRider Car Kit design challenge was to create a beautiful, compact product that simplifies communications and gives superior sound quality and entertainment while behind the wheel. To give a readout of incoming texts with an option to call back via voice commands, and enable users to easily answer and place phone calls safely while keeping their eyes on the road.

SOLUTIONS

SonicRider is designed to feel Comfortable, Approachable, Seamless, and Balanced, while enhancing the overall CMF to compete at a premium tier and blend into almost any car interior.

Individual buttons have been clustered into a group and positioned closest to the user. These controls include all functionality related to calls and messaging.

Efforts were made to optimize the layout of internal components to achieve a very thin Z dimension. Both the front and rear housings taper to the front and sides to hide overall thickness.

Button icons are raised proud of the surface to create tactile high points, which enable the user to quickly and blindly locate buttons. These easy to locate, dedicated physical controls prove functional while encouraging interaction. 

Inspired by high-end home audio speakers, 1 speaker hides behind an acoustically transparent fabric grille. This large fabric grille helps to enhance the perceived size, quality, and performance of the speaker at retail. 

The microphone port is located directly in front of the user to optimize performance and give the user confidence that the person on the other end can hear them clearly.

SonicRider offers the proper balance of dedicated buttons and VR functionality to give the user easy access to all buttons related to important tasks. The power button and USB charging port have been moved to the side of the product to visually clean up the overall physical interface.

High contrast, high visibility button icons are optimized for driving during the day or night. The mute icon lights up when pressed to reassure the user that a call is muted.

The spring metal wire clip design allows users to easily attach to any automotive visor.

Consumers who don't have an automobile with a built-in Bluetooth + VR system feel like they own a more luxurious automobile with SonicRider.