Car design teams, GMC ( General Motors Advanced Design ) came up with the GMC PAD concept, a “flat on wheels” ( won the 2006 Design Challenge, hosted by the Los Angeles Auto Show). An urban loft with mobility, a concept for living in the ever-changing cultural landscape. It’s a home ownership concept that enables cultural & geographic freedom for the modern city dweller. It’s a concept that represents a reasoned solution to the problems of urban sprawl, development, and it’s damaging effects on the region’s environment.”
With the PAD, your Adventure is your next stop. It’s where you live, where you work, or merely where you want to be. Whether located in walking distance from your job with the GMC PAD, home is where you want it. And commuting is what other people do. The GMC PAD features a Diesel-Electric hybrid system, which acts as a generator for the onboard power grid as well as propulsion for DriveMode. With the PAD’s resource management technology, onboard fuel & water supplies would last for weeks or even months on end.
During daylight hours, the PAD’s SkyDeck features 6 M-Sq of photovoltaic cells that collect and store the sun’s natural energy. An electromagnetic suspension aids in leveling & stabilization when the PAD is being used in the LifeMode as well as remarkably easy handling while in DriveMode.“This challenge embodies the aspects which make this show unique,” said Chuck Pelly, Design LA conference director. “The ever-changing trends of Southern California allow for fresh thinking, and we saw something truly unique with this year’s winner.” Besides Reed, the jury included design experts Imre Molnar, dean of the College for Creative Studies, and Tom Matano, director of Industrial Design for Academy of Art University.“This is the true all-around vehicle,” said Matano. “This creates a new segment between the RV and the SUV. The future of this Living Activity Vehicle would appeal to many buyers including corporations, future home-owners, traveling business people and constant travelers looking to go beyond the stereotypical RV.” We have to confirm that this project is one of the most interesting we have seen in this category. So even if was designed in 2006 can be the starting point for production of mobile houses, classrooms or offices. We invite industries to pay attention on this idea and wish our best regards and compliments to GMA design team consisted of Steve Anderson, Senon B. Franco III, Jay Bernard, Phil Tanioka, Sidney Levy, Brian Horton, Alessandro Zezza, Christine Ebner and Frank Saucedo.