AIRO EV AND HEATHERWICK STUDIO DESIGNING "A CAR THAT ACTIVELY DOES GOOD"
Heatherwick Studio, the British studio led by Thomas Heatherwick, known for its architectural works, has introduced its first car design with the Airo concept developed for the Chinese car manufacturer IM Motors. This vehicle, which is electric and also cleans air pollution while in motion, is described as "a car that actively does good."
Airo is not only an eco-friendly transportation vehicle; it can also transform into a relaxation area, acting like a wheeled lounge when the vehicle is stationary, thus becoming a multifunctional living space. The Airo EV, with its sleek and elegant lines, is Heatherwick Studio's first attempt at car design. The studio was previously known for striking structures such as the massive honeycomb structure Vessel in New York, the public park Little Island located on water in New York, and the Google Bay View Campus in California.
Famous British designer Thomas Heatherwick says:
“When IM Motors invited us to design a new car, it sparked an exciting thought process for us. Because we are not traditional car designers. Working on the idea of a fully electric car with autonomous features was thrilling. However, just designing a 'clean and harmless' vehicle didn’t seem sufficient — we asked, could this vehicle do more than that?”
This statement reflects Heatherwick Studio's approach that questions the classic understanding of cars and transforms it into an experiential object intertwined with architecture. Airo stands out as a groundbreaking design that not only cleans the environment but also proposes a new way of life in urban living.