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Collapsible Bicycle Concept by Blair Hasty

TheFuture — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:50:08 +0000

The collapsible bicycle concept designed by Blair Hasty was primarily designed as a vehicle for daily transport usage. Featured in the 2004 International Bicycle Design Competition in Taiwan the concept has the pedals shifted to behind the driver so the overall weight transfers from the lower back to forearms and pelvic bone and the posture while the rider is prostrate while riding the bike. The designer has utilized the space by placing a large bag at the creating a thus creating storage space for the rider. Also to add on it is collapsible and the bag comes handy then. So no need to look for parking space, take it straight to your workstation, plus it is healthier for your body by using bicycle for daily activities.

From the designer :

This project started for me in the broad category of personal transportation. Having seen numerous recreational products win previous design competitions, I resolved to develop a product that would not only be ecologically friendly but also offer health benefits to travelers. After some strong consideration it occurred to me that the large majority of unhealthy, polluters in our society were the millions of people sitting in their cars going to and from work every day. Perhaps many of them would like to commute via man-powered vehicle but simply haven’t found the right solution. I immediately set out to try and found what problems people had with the existing products.

It began by keeping the product parameters in as general a terms as possible so as not to limit myself creatively. I then commenced with the researching of existing bicycle commuters to try and understand what they liked and disliked about it. From there I went on to conduct some local surveying of non-bikers. In doing this I learned of several key problems that could be solved through better design. These concerns included lack of storage capacity, poor positioning, and size and bulk of the conveyance. I feel that after hundreds of hours of thought and months of hard work that my proposed solution resolves these issues

I began my design by solving the problem of user posturing. In traditional bike designs the rider’s feet are underneath them causing their torso to hunch forward in order to reach the handles. This results in unnecessary strain on the lower back, arms, and buttocks, not to mention poor aerodynamics. As illustrated I resolved these issues by moving the position of the pedals behind the rider and moving some of the pressure of their body weight onto the front of the hip bones, using a broad front section of the seat and onto their forearms with supports protruding from the handles. The new riding position helped solve the storage problem by freeing up plenty of useable space beneath the rider. In this newly acquired gap I decided to suspend a large bag for cargo. And as for the storage of the bicycle, after the destination has been reached and the cargo contained within the bag has been removed, it can be expanded and the bike can be folded and placed inside.

By trying to promote bicycle commuting this product not only benefits the user by making them happier and healthier but also society as a whole by reducing the amount of automotive emissions.

Designer : Blair Hasty

Elliptigo Glide Bike

TheFuture — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:07:45 +0000

The “Elliptigo” is the new concept in bicycle designs that combines best aspects of running and cycling in the process creating a fun and effective outdoor exercise device. The overall device is quite innovative and different from the conventional bicycles that we have been used to. The user is in standing position and the pedaling motion is elliptical which is like running without impacting the body. It strengthens bones and muscles and is comfortable and safer compared to sitting and riding the bicycle. Unlike other bike designs, this bike is actually closer to reality. The device has eight different gears which enable a top speed of 25 miles an hour. So if you are in a mood to explore, go cycling!

Designer : ElliptiGo

Slimbus : Slim Urban Passenger Bus

TheFuture — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:30:57 +0000

The problems in our urban transportation are the overburdened infrastructure and the urban traffic that cause critical landscape. The Slimbus is short distance mid capacity ferrying vehicle or urban passenger bus concept for highly crowded situations. The Slimbus is extremely narrow, 1.2m and meant for only short distance travel, so all passengers stand, thereby allowing for much more capacity. Slimbus in-wheel motors power all the five wheels, with the front and rear two being held via hydraulically actuated wishbones, thereby allowing the vehicle to lean into turns.

Designer : Abhishek Biswas

4WD Quark Peugeot’s Futuristic Quad Prototype

TheFuture — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 13:27:35 +0000

Let’s take a look at peugeot’s futuristic prototype two-seater. This 4WD Quark has removable interactive interface, innovative PDA concept, still serves the same purpose as ignition key which combine with instrument panel. 4WD Quark is also protected with small transparent and waterproof cover. Enough said, this 4WD Quark prototype has competed successfully at Michelin Bibendum challenge.The vehicle create its own class in four wheeler, which actually similar with 4WD machines that are selling so well in America at present, yet created low-emission inner-urban fuel-cell vehicle. To drive each of four 17″ diameter wheels, this 4WD Quark is using electric motor which connected to the chassis by means of triangular wishbones.

The fuel cell supplements electrical energy supplied by a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery consisting of 40 individual cells, each with a voltage of 7.2 volts. The battery can therefore provide a nominal overall voltage of 288 Volts. In parallel, PSA Peugeot Citro’n have also developed new solutions to simplify the fuel cell and reduce its size to help integration into more compact vehicles.The fuel cell of Quark is no longer water-cooled, but air-cooled, this could avoid the need for bulky water-cooling system and this means we can also avoid freezing point because of ambient temperature that could cause damage to water-cooled cell. So you don’t have to put 4WD Quark in garage in any weather conditions.