Citroen SM Redesign All Images: © 2001 Tim Cameron Design. All Rights Reserved

Profile The original Citroen SM was a rolling piece of art. A Maserati-powered flagship for one of the world's most innovative car builders, its stunning bodywork was the product of Robert Opron. For a French car, there is a curious big American car sentiment to its lines, and that is what I chose to focus on in my redesign. I also wanted to take the opportunity to draw a Citroen that looks like a Citroen - dramatic, with timeless curves and a different stance from any angle.

Interior I wanted to use the single spoke steering wheel motif that is a part of Citroen lore, for a new and very different purpose.

Steer-by-Wire Have you ever played on a PlayStation with a "Dual Shock Controller"? The feedback experienced ("rumble") shows that feedback - albeit in this case quite basic -is entirely capable of being reproduced as a software function. The concept shown here takes the idea of "rumble" or more correctly Haptic feedback, to a new level and brings it to the automotive realm. Imagine steering with infinitely variable "feel" and incredible precision - no longer determined by purely mechanical factors. Obviously, such an innovation would be right at home in a car as revolutionary as the SM.

1-Optical motion pickup (similar to computer mouse ball) transmits steering input via processor to steering mechanism. 2-Haptic feedback ("rumble") is created from signals sent from sensors at the front wheels and suspension. The sensations are reproduced "realtime" by these rollers vibrating back and forth and also creating friction and drag on the steering wheel by virtue of stepping motors. 3-Signal processor. 4-The steering wheel rolling on its circumfrence requires a curved guide running in a groove cut into the rear of the wheel to prevent rotation fore and aft. 5-"Rumble Box" - Haptic feedback generator.

All images: Copyright © Tim Cameron Design. All rights reserved.