Conceptual modular design within platform engineering

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the development of a conceptual and modular, prototype car chassis design. This study triangulates desk research, interviews and more importantly, practice-based research methodologies. The prototyping model is used extensively in this study in order to create a fully functional prototype. The prototype’s functionality is explored in order to discover which industries it may satisfy due to its customizability capabilities. A professional automotive concept designer was chosen to participate in an in-depth interview. The scope of this interview was to reach a better understanding of the conceptualisation phase during the production of an automotive vehicle. This knowledge would allow this study to be part of the ecosystem of the automotive industry. In this study the prototype is also explored further to satisfy other industries involving the use of modularity in design. The study serves as a foundation for further research into the conceptual phase of an automotive vehicle together with other conceptual and modularity applications.