Participants were invited into AVA’s car by 'brand ambassadors,' outfitted in logo embroidered fleeces and armed with flyers suggesting conversation starters (such as, 'Can you take me to a drive-in movie?'). I designed AVA a logo and brand identity I used to market the experience via posters, flyers, and email.

Once inside, participants were greeted by AVA’s disarmingly childlike voice, which quickly opened them up to playful conversation. AVA engaged them by asking about their experiences with mobility and thoughts on the future of transportation.

AVA wasn’t an AI at all—she was voiced in real-time by an improvisational actress hidden from view, interacting via a live video feed. (This project was completed before large language models made a real AI voice assistant feasible.) I hired the actress and provided her with a loose script to guide conversations toward my design research inquiries. A hidden iPad embedded within a false steering wheel I designed allowed her to interact with passengers.

AVA’s youthful persona helped reduce the natural skepticism toward new technology, encouraging participants to let their guard down. Many expressed curiosity, excitement, and even concerns about the future of autonomous vehicles.