Kia Claims Two Accolades During 2024 Red Dot Design Awards
The Red Dot Design Award, one of the world’s most influential design authorities, puts the spotlight on companies across various industries that demonstrate creativity and innovation in the design of their product. Earlier this year, the Hyundai Motor Group won three accolades during the 2024 Red Dot Design Awards. Now, Kia Corp joins the group with two prestigious accolades at the 2024 Red Dot Design Awards. These are due to the company’s 80th-anniversary stationery design and its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) exhibition video.
Celebrating 80 years in the business, the Kia Corp is further embracing its “Opposites United” design philosophy on a corporate scale. One material that all companies use at some point is paper, and a lot of it. To combat paper waste and integrate the brand’s design philosophy into the business world, Kia introduced its recyclable New Year’s stationery in 2024. Red Dot recognized Kia’s anniversary stationery as a testament to the brand’s development as a mobility pioneer over the last 80 years.
The other Red Dot Design Award was for a video about platform-based vehicles (PBVs), now called a “platform-beyond vehicle”. Kia just can’t seem to commit to the right name – PBVs were one “purpose-built vehicles”. Now focusing on the platform side of things, Kia is designing PBVs that can transform into a variety of builds, depending on the purpose of the vehicle and the consumer’s needs using EasySwap technology. With four core models already in concept mode, check out the video down below for a good look at EasySwap technology (2:10).
We can also see mobility for all missions with a van that has an automatic lift for people in wheelchairs, powered by an always-on panoramic solar roof. When we first heard of platform-based vehicles from Kia, EasySwap technology introduced a whole new way to look at automobiles. Once upon a time, Kia was playing with the idea of creating real-life transformers, but they wouldn’t turn into robots. They could transform based on their purpose, such as an emergency vehicle, a delivery service, or even a mobile entertainment pod. This is the idea that platform-beyond vehicles are based on.
EasySwap technology uses fixed cabs and interchangeable upper bodies to change the size and shape of the PBV. With hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology, a vehicle can be a taxi during the day, a delivery van at night, and a more personalized recreational vehicle for days off. This is all possible because of EasySwap technology and an integrated rail system.
Customizable with modular parts, any interior space of the vehicle can also be customized, whether being used as a public transportation service, lounge space, or mobile office. The rail system is installed along the vehicle’s ceiling, floor, and exterior, including the side panels, to make it possible to fully customize the vehicle, not just in size and shape. With the rail system, consumers can move around cabinets and frames as well as the modular pieces of platforms. Called “tiles”, functional accessories can also be moved around the vehicle, kind of like a widget on a website.
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