Skylink
Client
Year
Company
Research
Our research focused on how an autonomous mobility hub could seamlessly connect UC's Uptown campus and Innovation Corridor with the greater Cincinnati area. We studied urban transportation patterns, user expectations, and infrastructure constraints to identify opportunities for a system that balances efficiency, safety, and comfort. Insights from this research guided the development of The Skylink Mobility Hub.
Skylink System Design
The Skylink system is made up of a gondola unit, a ground unit, and a multi-use hub acting as a central point of community infrastructure.
Autonomous vehicles operate within a dedicated routing framework, ensuring reliable service while reducing congestion. Passenger experience was central to the design — with intuitive wayfinding, accessible layouts, and seamless transfers shaping the system architecture.
In designing the Skylink hub, I began by digitally terrain mapping the topography of Burnet Woods Park using city data to establish a realistic site model. I then used Gravity Sketch in VR to prototype architectural concepts directly within that environment, exploring how massing and flow could shape the passenger experience. Early sketches informed these iterations, while Twinmotion was used to visualize and refine the landscape design, testing circulation patterns, scale, and environmental integration in.
Skylink Infrastructure Animation
To communicate the system clearly, I created animations that visualize Skylink in action. These scenarios demonstrate how vehicles interact with hubs, how traffic flows adapt to peak and off-peak times, and how infrastructure integrates into urban contexts. The animations serve as both a design tool and a way to immerse stakeholders in the concept.
Vehicle Design
The Skylink vehicle design, developed by my teammates, prioritizes accessibility, adaptability, and comfort. The Zoox inspired exterior form language emphasizes safety and autonomy, while still presenting a welcoming presence in the city.
