Ashish Kaushik
Mr. Balaji Rengarajan
ashish_kaushik@nid.edu
This graduation project reimagines riot control vehicles for the year 2050, focusing on humane, responsive, and adaptable solutions for complex urban emergencies. Through interviews with police and military personnel, the project identified critical gaps in visibility, operator safety, terrain adaptability, and escalation control within existing systems. Historical analysis of emergency vehicles, firsthand operator insights, and material experimentation with lightweight, impact-resistant surfaces informed the design process. The resulting concepts prioritize 360-degree situational awareness through transparent armour, modular non-lethal systems adaptable to varied scenarios, and hybrid mobility that transitions seamlessly between streets and rubble. Strong emphasis was placed on operator ergonomics, stress-responsive interfaces, and rapid entry-exit mechanisms. Moving beyond militarised aesthetics, the project positions design as a preventive tool—supporting protectors while minimizing harm and de-escalation through thoughtful, human-centered mobility solutions.