Prototyping ‘Mood Bursts’ to Shift the Senses

Micro experiences are delivered through ‘Mood Bursts,’ creating a variety of physical and mental responses. If vehicle sensors detect that a driver is losing concentration, an ‘Alert Burst’ can be triggered to engage them. If sensor data indicates that a driver is in traffic or experiencing elevated stress levels, a ‘Calm Burst’ can be activated to boost their relaxation. Sensory ‘bursts’ create distinct, contrasting moments rather than prolonged environmental change. Mood bursts are personalized, choreographed experiences that combine two or more micro-experiences to create various driver responses, including posture, scent, light, temperature, and sound.

An immersive and multi-sensory virtual reality experience was included Hyundai’s Health + Mobility CES exhibition.

Client Perspective

 
“For many the daily commute leads to stress, frustration, and the feeling of wasted time. In addition to automating the driving task, technology can also be used to shift a driver’s state of mind by creating conditions that cultivate a safer and healthier mental state, boosting their focus or helping them relax while traveling so that drivers might be less fatigued when arriving at their destination.”
— John Suh, Vice President & Founding Director of CRADLE at Hyundai Motor Group
 

Virtual Reality Experience

A virtual reality booth blended mood bursts with a rich, immersive driving and storytelling experience, demonstrating how sensory inputs, such as scent, temperature, and lighting, can be orchestrated to influence and elevate a driver’s emotional state. This multi-sensory showcase highlighted the potential of experiential design to enhance in-vehicle well-being and transform the journey into a more personalized and emotionally responsive experience.

Mood Burst Stations

Visitors could activate a “mood burst” at designated stations, each offering a multisensory experience designed to evoke a specific emotional response. These bursts combined scent, temperature shifts, and changes in ambient lighting to create immersive moments that engaged the senses and transformed the surrounding atmosphere.

 

Early Sacrificial Concepts

During early research sessions, a variety of initial concepts were shared with a diverse group of drivers, each designed to explore how vehicles could play a more active role in supporting driver health. These sessions uncovered key opportunity areas—ranging from stress reduction and posture support to mood regulation—highlighting the potential for future mobility experiences to contribute meaningfully to overall well-being.

Early Concept Visualization

Initial vehicle interface concepts aimed at influencing driver mood were first visualized as low-fidelity wireframes to explore a range of ideas quickly. Based on user feedback gathered during early testing, these concepts were iteratively refined into richer, more detailed user interface sequences, enhancing both visual appeal and emotional resonance while maintaining a focus on driver well-being.

 

Setting Context

A moment-by-moment overview of a driver’s journey was crafted, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of how mood bursts would be integrated and experienced through a vehicle’s main display. This visualization demonstrated how sensory cues, such as lighting, sound, and ambient changes, could seamlessly enhance the driving experience by adjusting in real-time to influence the driver’s emotional state.

The Bigger Picture

The summary screen provides a comprehensive view of a person’s life, highlighting key moments and activities that may impact their well-being. It also illustrates how the health-focused car system can influence their health in real-time, providing insights into how mobile experiences can seamlessly integrate with and enhance their overall health journey.

 

Setting the Stage

In the VR booth, users were transported into a virtual environment that placed them in familiar, real-world contexts, such as navigating stressful, congested urban commutes. This immersive experience enabled them to experience the emotional and physical impacts of various driving scenarios, providing valuable insights into how in-vehicle interventions can enhance well-being during challenging situations.

Experiencing a Transformation via Mood Bursts

Once placed in a familiar context, such as a traffic jam, users were immersed in a soothing mood burst, accompanied by a refreshing cool breeze and the calming scent of mint. These sensory stimuli were designed to shift their mood, helping to alleviate stress and enhance their emotional well-being during the virtual experience.

Hyundai Motors Health and Mobility CES Exhibition Gallery