Silver A' Design Award Winner 2022
Zijie Liu's Multifunction Steering operates as a sophisticated symbolic synthesis of contemporary mobility aspirations, where the circular form itself carries profound archetypal significance as an emblem of wholeness, cyclical motion, and continuous journey that has characterized wheel symbolism across human cultures for millennia. The material vocabulary communicates through carefully calibrated signifiers of premium quality and technological advancement: brushed metallic surfaces denote precision engineering heritage, textured grip zones suggest athletic capability and confident control, while the integrated digital displays signal connectivity to broader information ecosystems. The chromatic restraint employing neutral gray tonalities functions within automotive design semiotics as indicators of sophistication and timelessness, deliberately avoiding trend-dependent color statements in favor of enduring elegance. The warm amber illumination of the instrument displays introduces symbolic warmth within the cool material environment, potentially evoking associations with hearth, guidance light, or the warm glow of trusted instrumentation. The tripartite organization of display elements may suggest completion and balanced functionality, while the concentric circular motifs reinforce themes of centered focus and radiating capability. The textured grip pattern communicates through tactile semiotics, promising secure connection between human hand and machine control in a symbolic handshake of collaborative agency. The overall formal language participates in broader cultural narratives surrounding progressive mobility, where vehicle interfaces increasingly mediate between human intention and technological capability. The design suggests a philosophy of human-centered technology, where advanced systems remain subordinate to driver primacy while enhancing experiential quality through thoughtful material and formal choices.
The design of Wheel X future steering wheel is based on the different needs of the driver under different driving scenarios and motives. The steering wheel will automatically extend and rotate the grip to realize the switching of three modes of unmanned driving, natural driving and sports driving. The inner surface of the grip will transform into a bump texture when in motion, and the outer side has dynamic lighting.