# Shuttered Vehicle Designs The Touch Effect Concept Car Takes Virtual Reality to the Next Level By Meghan Young | Published 2011-07-23 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touch-effect-concept-car References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/07/21/the-future-of-thrill/) & [cardesignnews](http://www.cardesignnews.com/site/designers/portfolios/display/store5/item176777) The Touch Effect Concept Car isn't your typical vehicle proposal; it marks a revolutionary digital design that will change the way we interact with virtual technology forever. Making the experience much more real than ever before, by 2030 the Touch Effect Concept Car hopes to engage users in a thrilled [race event](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-99x) in addition to simply letting owners sit in and drive the [futuristic sports car](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/theory-1). Designed by Marco Sweston, the Touch Effect Concept Car is impressive even if solely based on its looks. Inspired by the [Mercedes-Benz](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mercedesbenz-concept-vehicle) W25 from 1933, it is also influenced by the human body. Made from a flexible synthetic with exterior acrylic glass surfaces that partially surround its 'muscles,' this concept car becomes one with the driver, moving as though it were an extension of his or her own body. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 75% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Virtual Reality Integration:** The Touch Effect Concept Car showcases the potential for virtual reality integration in automotive design, opening up opportunities for immersive driving experiences in the future. - **Flexible Material Applications:** The use of flexible synthetic materials in the Touch Effect Concept Car presents innovative possibilities for creating vehicles that seamlessly adapt to the driver's movements and enhance comfort. - **Bio-inspired Designs:** The Touch Effect Concept Car's incorporation of human body influences serves as a reminder of the potential for bio-inspired designs in the automotive industry, offering avenues for creating more intuitive and ergonomic vehicles. ### Where This Applies - **Automotive Design:** The Touch Effect Concept Car highlights the need for automotive designers to explore new ways to incorporate virtual reality technology and flexible materials into their future vehicle concepts. - **Virtual Reality Entertainment:** The immersive race event experience envisioned by the Touch Effect Concept Car suggests potential opportunities for virtual reality entertainment companies to create interactive and thrilling driving experiences. - **Synthetic Materials Manufacturing:** The Touch Effect Concept Car's use of flexible synthetic materials opens up possibilities for manufacturers to explore the production of adaptable materials that can be used in various industries, including automotive and beyond. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Semi-Transparent Concept Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/renault-twingo-concept.md) - [Emoting-Grille Car Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-vision-dee.md) - [Color-Changing Concept Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bmw-i-vision-dee.md) - [Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-imobility.md) - [Ultra-Futuristic Modern Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mercedesbenz-vision-oneeleven.md) - [Sleek Sustainable EV Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/opel-experimental.md) - [Shifting Knob Infotainment Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-car-dashboard-concept.md) - [Touch-Sensitive Steering Wheels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cercle-steering-wheel-concept.md) - [Retrofuturism Split-Body Race Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traroca-v1.md)