The GM CARousel is the expression and exploration of the interior of the Reinvention of the Automobile follows the GM AUTOnomy and the GM Hy-Wire developments. It offers extensive interior flexibility and explores various drive, steer, and braking controls that enable users to drive with either or both hands.


The GM CARousel offers a vision of how to create an extremely flexible car interior that includes the freedom of selecting where to sit, where to drive, and how to drive. It has selectable driving positions and driving controls, and offers quick and easy customization possibilities. Based on the Hy-Wire Skateboard, the GM CARousel possesses all of the Hy-Wire’s technological advancements, including the flat floor, wheel motors, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, by-wire controls, and zero emissions.

GM Carousel

 
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SELECT WHERE TO SIT: The seats are affixed to a rotating base, which offers variable driving positions in either the left-hand, right-hand, or front-and-center positions.  Selecting a seating position is simple and can be done with a remote control.  Once a position is selected, the rotating base swivels to the desired orientation, with the front two seats synchronized to pivot and face forward.


SELECT HOW TO DRIVE: Two selectable and innovative driving controls without conventional foot pedals provide for universal use with either the right hand, left hand, or both hands.  The system is completely by-wire without mechanical linkages, which also benefits disabled drivers. Either control moves into position by making a selection on a remote-control device.  Research indicates that hand-braking has proven to yield a faster response time than that of braking with the feet. 


BY-WIRE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS: A modified steering wheel stowed under the seat enables acceleration by pressing downwards with your thumb, braking by pulling pack on the steering wheel paddle, and steering right or left with limited steering rotation. Neither hand has to come off the steering wheel to drive, and the system can be driven with the right hand,  the left hand, or with both hands. 


BY-WIRE ROTARY HAND CONTROLS: Pivoting into position from each side of the drivers seat is an armrest pocket and a joystick-type hand controller that swivels in a rotary motion. Steering is achieved by turning the wrist right or left, accelerating by pulling back the index finger, and braking by squeezing the remaining three fingers.  If the user inadvertently squeezes the acceleration toggle and the brake grip at the same time, the system will trigger the braking function. Each hand controller is synchronized with the other and can be driven with the right hand, the left hand, or with both hands. 


UNVEILING: The GM CARousel was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in 2004 and has also been referred to as the Bertone CARousel, and the General Motors CARousel. It made an early appearance at the TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) conference in Monterey, California in 2003 and has also been shown at the Essen Motor Show in Germany in 2007.


DESIGN: Ed Welburn, the VP of General Motors Design oversaw and was responsible for the design development with Executive Director Anne Asensio and Lead Designer: Julien Montousse.

BERNE University utilizes the CARousel driving system

Sponsored by VW, Berne Univeristy of Applied Science in Switzerland has developed a drive-by-wire steering system with joystick like handles called Joysteer (video link).  The system is identical to the GM CARousel rotary hand controls and has taken several years to develop.  This system has been incorporated into a vehicle for use with disabled people.  Over 20 people with disabilities has utilized this system and found it to be an excellent way to navigate a vehicle.   They system has won the Swiss Technology Award in 2006 and it may be the future of mobility.  In 2009, Joysteer a spin off from the University,  is targeted to go into limited production with a market size of over 300,000 users in Europe.