The Lineage of Mobility Design

Abstract

Mobility design, which includes not only cars and motorcycles, but also public transportation such as railways, buses, and taxis, is deeply involved in our lives. The design behind that mobility as well exerts great influence as a portion of living environments, city spaces, and townscapes. Mobility design emerges from the complex entanglement of such factors as social situations and technical innovation, the considerations and thoughts of developers, and the lifestyles and needs of users. It is a mirror that reflects the era, and it moves beyond the simple category of "vehicles" to reveal various things. While tracing the lineage of mobility design from the perspective of each discipline, I will also unravel the direction in which Japanese mobility design is heading in terms of its prospects and possibilities.