The OLOID.FD introduces a revolutionary concept: an eVTOL designed for sustainable, high-performance flying transportation on short-haul routes. Its futuristic design not only embodies the synergy between art and science but also showcases the collaborative technical innovation facilitated by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Collaborating with Takumi Yamamoto, a distinguished Japanese industrial designer, Dassault Systèmes embarked on a journey to explore the limitless possibilities of their applications.
“Imagining the future of mobility in 2050 is an almost insurmountable challenge. With this project, I aimed to break boundaries, not through the lens of science fiction, but by envisioning something truly groundbreaking to inspire the future of transportation,” shares Takumi Yamamoto, leveraging over 25 years of experience in automotive design for brands like Peugeot and Citroën, in an exclusive interview with designboom.
Conceived and realized on Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, OLOID.FD serves as a testament to the exploration of design and technology possibilities. Dassault Systèmes approached Takumi with the understanding that the OLOID.FD would never materialize in our skies; rather, it was conceived as a technological showcase. The project aimed to discern emerging trends in mobility design and technology, serving as both an experiment in imagination and a test of the manufacturer’s software capabilities.
“The project brief was intentionally open-ended, fostering an exploration of boundless possibilities — a journey we embraced wholeheartedly,” elaborates Xavier Melkonian, CATIA Design Portfolio. “To deliver optimal design solutions to our user community, it's imperative to understand two critical aspects: prevailing trends in industrial design, such as style, shape, and sustainability, and the evolving role of technology, including AI, virtual reality, modeling and simulation, and collaborative workflows in a mobile society.”
Leveraging VR, the initial design phase focused on human-scale experiences within CATIA Creative Design Experience. OLOID.FD's evolution beyond its conceptual stage owes much to international, multidisciplinary collaboration, facilitated by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
“With dispersed teams across different locations, our project witnessed remarkable collaborative innovation around the virtual twin. Harnessing the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud, we ensured seamless connectivity, providing all stakeholders with a unified source of truth. It was truly magical — dashboards, communities, and 3D spaces enabled real-time collaboration, allowing us to witness the genesis, progress, and evolution of OLOID.FD throughout the project,” Xavier reflects.
With the 3D model in hand, the virtual twin underwent iterative testing and refinement until perfection. Aerodynamic simulations enabled rigorous evaluation of each design iteration's performance, while a continuous pursuit of lightweight materials aimed to enhance sustainability.
OLOID.FD's destiny was never to soar in physical skies; rather, its essence lies in its creative odyssey. With its futuristic design and cutting-edge materials, the eVTOL stands as a testament to the boundless possibilities of mobility, thanks to Dassault Systèmes. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enabled designers, modelers, and stakeholders to proactively assess performance and make iterative improvements, ensuring the project's evolution aligned with updated insights.
“In essence, we require a vehicle that ensures safety and speed from point A to B. The future of mobility transcends geographical constraints. While current focus remains on local and regional travel, future vehicles will redefine personal mobility. That's the promise of OLOID.FD,” concludes Takumi.