What cars can teach us about designing for the future

Ever since the Ford Model T debuted in 1908, we’ve had a pretty good idea of what the frame (or chassis, in automotive terms) looks like: four wheels, connected by axles, with the gas engine and other driving components on top.

Of course, cars have evolved a lot since 1908, but for the most part, new iterations have been built off of that same basic frame. But what happens when we take a step back and consider how we can literally innovate from the ground up?

The answer to that question might look something like the electric vehicles described in the article below. Several manufacturers are working on alternative platforms that essentially look like large, electric skateboards.

Without the limitations of a clunky engine and drivetrain resting on top of this frame, developers are envisioning all sorts of creative possibilities, such as a self-driving car that looks like an office on wheels or trips to the mechanic that simply involve popping off the top part of the car.

Many of these ideas wouldn’t be feasible with a traditional chassis. By literally changing the framework, automakers have opened up new possibilities.

Think about how this concept can apply to your mobility program or other parts of your business. You might not be building cars, but you can still consider how you’re framing day-to-day challenges. If your frame is outdated, you could be limiting yourself when it comes to finding innovative solutions. Design thinking encourages us to frame a question or challenge every time we set out on a new project. For automakers, this can mean using a revolutionary chassis to re-imagine what a car can look like. What might it mean for you?