TEAM
For this project there were 5 of us: 3 transport designers, 1 digital designer and me in ux.
What could be the output of putting the Café Racer spirit and philosophy in an N electric car ?
3 transportation designers, 1 digital designer & 1 UX
4 months
So what is café racer and how will it guide the project? So we had to start by looking up the philosophy on the internet
RESEARCH
CAFÉ RACER
DOWNSIZING
Radical Approach
LEGISLATION
Required pieces
SENSATION
Feel everything
CONNECTION
The same entity
FOCUS
On the moment
STANDARDISED
The spirit
HERITAGE
Of independence
UNIQUE
No commercial standars
CONTRADICTS
Manufactured bike
FREE
No commercial standars
So, based on this research, what do actual Café Racer users think? Is the mentality still as strong as ever? Is the motorbike community open despite the strict entry criteria?
TUNING CAR MEETING
THE SEATS
THE SEATS
THE SEATS
USER RESEARCH
BIKE MEETING
PRIDE
Who you are on a visible object
KNOWLEDGE
Know their bike and
when it had an issue
UNIQUENESS
Every user or motorbike
are different
OWN RULES
Bike and respect
OPEN
Free to talk about
their passion
Is there an equivalent of the Café Racer community in the car world ?
DIFFERENT
ATTITUDE
Loud & spontaneous
SHOW OFF
Lights, burn and yell !
SAME PASSION
Open to talk about
their cars and
modification
PERFECT PARALLEL
Same as Café Racer but
with 4 wheels
PERSONA
PAUL
PAUL
PAUL
NEWCOMER
PLEASURE COMMUTE
SHARE HIS
PASSION
GAMER
LIKE TO
CHANGE
How can Hyundai rethink sharing through
digital innovation by giving a new mean of
expression for the young generation ?
THE CONCEPT
THE CONCEPT
With STRIDE, you can personalize your car as you progress through different levels. Unlock various car features to enhance both its style and your track performance. From the front spoiler to the rear winglet, every detail reflects your unique style. Thanks to a connection with your video games, the E-ink bodywork adapts dynamically to your personal style.
You can also experience new sensations in bike mode, where the rear seat lifts, allowing you to feel like you’re floating in the air.
To advance through the levels, complete missions tailored to your skills.
MISSIONS
Tame the beast
1.
Connexion
2.
Fusion
3.
Final symphony
4.
INTERIOR
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
The missions evolve: as you progress through the levels, they become increasingly challenging.
At Level 1, the goal is to discover the vehicle and everything it can do, exploring its initial power and aerodynamic grip.
Level 2 introduces a social and ecosystem aspect, where you receive feedback from other STRIDE pilots on your driving, helping you identify their strengths and learn how to adapt your style accordingly.
At Level 3, you’ll need to refine your driving style using the configurator, experiment with different setups, and aim to be as fast as possible on Hyundai tracks.
Finally, Level 4 is reserved for the regional “bosses,” where the goal is to be the fastest and top the leaderboard.
WELCOME ON BOARD
The first thing you notice when you open the door is the seat. At first glance, it looks like a classic sports car seat. But once you get in and press the button, everything changes. The seat rises, lifting your back until you're suspended in the air. Your feet adjust with the pedals, while your knees are held in place by a section of the lower seat that lifts up to support you.
Welcome to bike mode.
We conducted extensive bodystorming to determine the most ergonomic position—one that limits unnecessary movement for precise driving, while maximizing physical sensations for an immersive experience.
DASHBOARD
DASHBOARD
DASHBOARD
On the driver’s side of the dashboard, you’ll find the steering wheel—an essential component, of course. But what makes it unique is its design: at the center, a main screen displays the Human-Machine Interface, while smaller integrated screens on the sides show a real-time road view. This setup offers a perspective display of your immediate surroundings.
The steering wheel also adapts during the transition to bike mode—moving toward you to ensure perfect control and an intuitive driving experience.
On the passenger’s side, things are different. Here, you’ll discover the vehicle’s new mechanical brain: a visible graphics card, highlighting the power behind the system, alongside the traditional motors that keep everything running. There are also dedicated handles for the passenger, allowing them to hold on securely while experiencing bike mode.
HMI
HMI ANIMATION
HMI ANIMATION
HMI ANIMATION
The Human-Machine Interface, or HMI, in STRIDE is a dynamic and evolving experience. It adapts to you and can be customized to reflect your current mood or context. Whether you're in the mood for something sleek and minimal or vibrant and expressive, the interface offers a wide range of styles to choose from. One of the most distinctive is the “Miami Vice” theme, which introduces bold colors and retro-futuristic vibes that make every drive feel like a unique, cinematic experience.
This level of personalization isn't just cosmetic. It turns your vehicle into a true extension of your identity, allowing you to feel more connected to both the car and the road.
When it comes to the UI, we’ve designed it with a strong visual identity inspired by pixel art, which is deeply rooted in Hyundai’s design DNA. This choice creates a bridge between the precision of automotive technology and the playful, immersive world of gaming. The pixels aren’t just visual effects—they help define a new language that feels familiar to digital natives and gamers, while staying intuitive and elegant.
Crucially, the interface preserves all the essential driving information. No detail has been overlooked. It combines creative expression with functional clarity, ensuring that the driver always remains in full control without distraction.
ERGONOMICS
To test the ergonomics of the steering wheel as well as the driving position, I created 3D-printed prototypes.
For the steering wheel, the goal was to ensure proper handling, verify that its size did not interfere with maneuverability, confirm clear visibility of the dashboard, and assess its adaptability to motorcycle mode. We also tested these prototypes with users to gather their feedback. After printing the full steering wheel, it turned out to be too bulky, so we decided to reduce its size.
For the seating position, a scaled-down model was printed, allowing a small mannequin representing the proportions of an average person to be placed inside. This helped evaluate whether the driving position was both feasible and comfortable
THANK YOU FOR
READING THIS PROJECT !
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Nowadays, vehicles are being pushed towards electrification, making them increasingly technology-dependent. This is also leading to more and more automated tasks, with screens everywhere. Driving sensations are no longer the same. That's why Hyundai asked us to take the minimalist, sensation-focused philosophy of the café racer.
CONTEXT