BUNI

Project Description

BUNI is a fully autonomous ride service designed to support individuals with mobility needs through simplicity, accessibility, and built-in AI companionship. More than just transportation, BUNI offers continuous support to help riders feel safe, confident, and in control throughout their journey. At every stage—from booking to drop-off—the AI companion provides real-time assistance, personalized guidance, and reassurance. This thoughtful integration removes common barriers found in traditional ride services and ensures a seamless, inclusive experience for users who often face challenges with mobility and accessibility. Key Features: Fully autonomous vehicles for efficient, human-free rides. AI-powered ride companion offering continuous support and assistance. Barrier-free experience designed for accessibility and ease of use. BUNI reimagines mobility as more than just getting from point A to B—it's about empowering every rider with a sense of independence and trust in the journey.

Problem

People with mobility challenges often face ride services that feel frustrating, inaccessible, or dehumanizing. This project set out to change that by designing an autonomous ride experience that is both accessible and emotionally supportive. We focused on removing the practical and psychological barriers that make travel difficult—from confusing interfaces to impersonal service—by rethinking how interactions, environments, and brand touchpoints can offer simplicity, care, and dignity. Central to this solution is a built-in AI companion that provides continuous support and reassurance, helping riders feel safe and in control throughout the journey. The main challenge was designing a system that supports real needs without adding complexity. We asked: How might we design an autonomous ride that is both accessible and supportive for individuals with mobility challenges? Our goal was to restore a sense of independence, ease, and emotional comfort to a group often underserved in transportation design.

Insights

We discovered that older adults with physical limitations often find current ride service technologies confusing, inaccessible, and emotionally unsupportive. True accessibility requires not only physical accommodation, but also intuitive and reassuring design. Our process included: Field Research & Interviews – We learned firsthand how traditional ride services fail to meet the needs of older users. Personas & Journey Mapping – These tools helped visualize emotional and functional pain points. Physical Prototyping – We created a dashboard that projects essential trip info onto the windshield, removing the need for a smartphone. AI Companion Simulation – We tested how a voice-based assistant could reduce anxiety and increase confidence. Vision Video – A short film demonstrated how the full experience could work in real-world scenarios. These insights guided our design of a ride experience that prioritizes simplicity, support, and dignity for people with mobility challenges.

Solutions

Our final design centers on three key themes: Trust & Companionship, Multisensorial Communication, and Accessibility & Autonomy. To build trust and comfort, we created an AI companion with a warm, familiar tone that guides and supports users throughout the ride. The system offers multiple ways to communicate, catering to different needs and preferences. Key features include augmented reality information projected onto the windshield, reducing reliance on smartphones; a physical start button to begin the ride; and a tactile dashboard with menu controls and a fun temperature gauge. The AI also “talks back” using a conversational language model, creating a responsive, engaging interaction. By combining visual, tactile, and voice interactions, our solution empowers riders to receive and process information in the way that feels most natural, enhancing accessibility and independence while fostering safety and emotional reassurance throughout the journey.