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 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars' Newsroom The Volvo YCC |
Ergovision
When you buy a YCC, your body is scanned at the dealership. Your proportions (height, leg length, and arm length) are used to define a customized driving position. This information is stored in your digital key. When you insert the key on the center console, the seat, steering wheel, pedals, driver's seat, head restraint and seat belt adjust automatically to give you the line-of-sight best suited for you. You can alter the custom settings, using the car's computer system and then save the new settings on your key.
When you buy a YCC, your body is scanned at the dealership. Your proportions (height, leg length, and arm length) are used to define a customized driving position. This information is stored in your digital key. When you insert the key on the center console, the seat, steering wheel, pedals, driver's seat, head restraint and seat belt adjust automatically to give you the line-of-sight best suited for you. You can alter the custom settings, using the car's computer system and then save the new settings on your key.
 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars' Newsroom The accelerator is equipped with an adjustable heel support. |
Autopark
Parallel parking assistance is a two-stage system. Press the parking assistance button to determine if there's enough room between two cars. Sensors measure the space. If there is enough space, press the Autopark button again. The car then helps you maneuver into the parking space, but you control the accelerator, brakes, and gear shifter. Toyota unveiled a similar technology in its 2003 Prius.
Parallel parking assistance is a two-stage system. Press the parking assistance button to determine if there's enough room between two cars. Sensors measure the space. If there is enough space, press the Autopark button again. The car then helps you maneuver into the parking space, but you control the accelerator, brakes, and gear shifter. Toyota unveiled a similar technology in its 2003 Prius.
 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars' Newsroom Inside the YCC |
Auto-Open
If you have a lot of bags to carry to the car, press the Auto-Open button on your key ring prior to picking up the bags. As you stand by either rear wheel, the closest side door automatically opens. If you stand directly behind the car, the trunk opens.
If you have a lot of bags to carry to the car, press the Auto-Open button on your key ring prior to picking up the bags. As you stand by either rear wheel, the closest side door automatically opens. If you stand directly behind the car, the trunk opens.
Now let's meet the women responsible for designing the YCC.
 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars' Newsroom Photo credit: Tim Bishop for Volvo Volvo reveals the new Volvo YCC concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. |
The idea for an all-female design team responsible for all decisions in developing a concept car was initiated in the fall of 2001. In June 2002, a small group of female Volvo
employees delivered the concept and pre-sketches to Hans-Olov Olsson, Volvo President and CEO, and the executive management team, who gave the project a green light at the end of that same year.
For Volvo, and the auto industry, the YCC project marked a new way of thinking. Men typically dominate the car industry, and the YCC was the first project to employ a design team on which women made all of the development decisions.
"Of course, we're not doing anything that men couldn't do - we're all professionals in the car industry," said Maria Widell Christiansen, Design Manager of the YCC project.
However, this project was historical in its all-female approach. Let's take a closer look at the team.
Designing Women
 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars' Newsroom The nine women behind the YCC: Maria Widell Christiansen, Eva-Lisa Andersson, Elna Holmberg, Maria Uggla, Camilla Palmertz, Cynthia Charwick, Anna Rosén, Lena Ekelund and Tatiana Butovitsch Temm. |
Camilla Palmertz, Project Manager
Palmertz joined Volvo in 1995, and her positions with the company have included responsibility for the biomechanical aspects of crash-test analysis. Projects she has worked on include the inflatable curtain safety system and the development of a pregnant crash-test dummy.
Palmertz joined Volvo in 1995, and her positions with the company have included responsibility for the biomechanical aspects of crash-test analysis. Projects she has worked on include the inflatable curtain safety system and the development of a pregnant crash-test dummy.
Eva-Lisa Andersson, Project Manager
Andersson has been with Volvo since 1995, and was the co-manager of the YCC project, along with Palmertz. Prior to working on the YCC, she was the project director for a concept model that is still in development.
Andersson has been with Volvo since 1995, and was the co-manager of the YCC project, along with Palmertz. Prior to working on the YCC, she was the project director for a concept model that is still in development.
Elna Holmberg, Technical Project Manager
Dr. Holmberg was responsible for the technical development of the YCC. Previously, she had worked on aerodynamics and chassis development for new Volvo models.
Dr. Holmberg was responsible for the technical development of the YCC. Previously, she had worked on aerodynamics and chassis development for new Volvo models.
Maria Widell Christiansen, Design Manager
Christiansen joined Volvo in 1986, and managed the overall administrative responsibility for the YCC design team of 25 people.
Christiansen joined Volvo in 1986, and managed the overall administrative responsibility for the YCC design team of 25 people.
Tatiana Butovitsch Temm, Communications Manager
Temm has been with Volvo since 1989, and has previously worked in the safety communication department. For the YCC project, Temm coordinated communications within the project. She's also tasked with ensuring that the world sees the YCC.
Temm has been with Volvo since 1989, and has previously worked in the safety communication department. For the YCC project, Temm coordinated communications within the project. She's also tasked with ensuring that the world sees the YCC.
 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars' Newsroom The Volvo YCC has a practical, yet aesthetically pleasing design. |
Lena Ekelund, Deputy Technical Project Manager
Ekelund joined Volvo in 1986, working as a design engineer and project manager. For the YCC, she was responsible for assisting in the technical side of the project and for coordinating the design engineering team with Holmberg.
Ekelund joined Volvo in 1986, working as a design engineer and project manager. For the YCC, she was responsible for assisting in the technical side of the project and for coordinating the design engineering team with Holmberg.
Anna Rosén, Exterior Designer
A relative newcomer to Volvo, Rosén joined the company in 2002, working with the Volvo design strategy prior to joining the YCC project. On this project, she was responsible for the YCC's exterior design
A relative newcomer to Volvo, Rosén joined the company in 2002, working with the Volvo design strategy prior to joining the YCC project. On this project, she was responsible for the YCC's exterior design
Cynthia Charwick, Interior Designer
Charwick started at Volvo in 1981, and has worked on interior designs of concept and production models. She used that experience to design the YCC's interior.
Charwick started at Volvo in 1981, and has worked on interior designs of concept and production models. She used that experience to design the YCC's interior.
Maria Uggla, Color and Trim Designer
Uggla began work at Volvo in 2001, and designed the color and trim for the new Volvo S40 model and the V50. She also has worked on design and trim for other concept models in development.
Uggla began work at Volvo in 2001, and designed the color and trim for the new Volvo S40 model and the V50. She also has worked on design and trim for other concept models in development.
