Buick Smart Pod Concept Vehicle

ADVANCED CONCEPT DESIGN + INNOVATION

PROJECT TITLE / Buick Smart Pod Concept Vehicle

COMPANY / General Motors

STUDIO LOCATION / Michigan, US + Melbourne, Australia

DURATION/ January 2019 - November 2021

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project focused on pioneering a new design language for Buick’s luxury business vehicles, blending digital innovation with premium materials to deliver a fully immersive, intelligent experience.

The Buick Smart Pod advanced the brand’s electric and autonomous portfolio in the China market, emphasizing world-class comfort, safety, and connectivity.

  • Senior Design Lead - CMF Concept Direction

    • Led two global teams in translating CMF vision into a full-scale, functional vehicle prototype

    • Conducted in-depth research on China’s luxury market to define Buick’s future material direction

    • Guided external vendors and fabricators through prototyping and execution

    • Adobe Creative Suite, Blender, VRED, Gravity Sketch, CAD

    • hand sketching, 3D printing, rapid prototyping, sample development, hard & soft trim fabrication

    • Final visual design, renderings and video animation

    • Prototypes of materials and color development

    • Interactive full scale 1:1 physical model

    • Presentation deck and assets for investors and public release

    • Defined strategic CMF vision to elevate brand identity and design coherence across programs

    • Created a halo autonomous vehicle, positioning Buick as an innovation leader

    • Developed pipeline of production-ready innovations, bridging concept and implementation

    • Expanded product portfolio and market growth in China through localized CMF strategies

1:1 scale working prototype model. Designed in Michigan, created in Australia utilizing in-house with fast fabrication, rapid prototype 3D printed parts

full size model

micro-LED lighting technology replace traditional headlamps. Its dynamic wake-up lighting animation and sliding door welcome passengers when they approach, delivering a personalized experience

front + rear light details

the Smart Pod’s airy roof and innovative glass lattice maximize visibility, blending the interior and exterior environments seamlessly

innovative roof

premium materials with a luxurious look and feel: soft surface materials comprised of silk, wool and plant-based soft trim; hard trim feature hand polished re-purposed engineered wood

interior hard and soft trim

featuring a 50-inch retractable retina LED screen, the latest-generation virtual cockpit system provides a highly intuitive AI-enabled experience for in-car virtual assistance and seamless connectivity with the outside world.

interior tech and innovation

mood + inspiration

color + materiality

/ hand finished material samples for hard and soft trim

/ detail of hand crafted leather pleating /topography detail of flooring carpet

material palette