A User-Centered Cabin Design Approach to Investigate Peoples Preferences on the Interior Design of Future Air Taxis

Various manufacturers express the vision of using air taxis for passenger transport in cities within a few years. However, current research shows that the society is still sceptical about air taxis. There are numerous factors influencing acceptance and willingness to use air taxis. One of them is a pleasant and comfortable cabin design. Within a user-centered-approach, this research investigates, what preferences people have on the interior design of future air taxis. For this purpose, a focus group study was conducted within the project HorizonUAM, including different demographic groups. On the one hand, a differentiation was made based on age, with a group of 18-39- year-olds and another of 40-65-year-olds participating. On the other hand, a distinction was made according to residential location in two additional groups. One group entailed small- and medium-town residents and the other group entailed metropolitans. In a first step, the participants were asked to name their requirements on vehicles and its cabin. In a second step, they were asked to develop a design concept for an air taxi cabin according to their preferences. The findings indicate, that the notion of air taxis meets the participants’ basic transportation requirements like flexibility and short travel times. In terms of cabin design, aspects that are significant to all participants have been discovered. These include noise, windows and room temperature. However, in the design concepts of the individual groups the main emphasis differs. The group of the 18-39-year-olds emphasizes modern technologies and eco-friendliness. The 40-65-year-olds prefer a modular cabin-set-up. Residents from small- and medium-towns favor a cabin design, which includes different groups of people such as families or cyclists. Finally, metropolitans put their focus on individuality. Consequently, future cabin design concepts of air taxis should consider the identified preferences and requirements.