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Toyota LINK Transportation System for Students

TheFuture — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:57:30 +0000

The Toyota LINK is a customizable, affordable and mass transit vehicle concept for students with high demands of social networking. In the less appealing and more expensive transportation system of the year 2030, students with little-to-no income will be able to enjoy their commute in style through this vehicle. There will be different HUBs for the students to pick a LINK. Once taken, the vehicle will link seamlessly onto a transportation social network, through which the drivers can share their commute, listen to music or compare class timetables. The car allows the driver to personalize the exterior design with the help of Toyota’s latest electro fiber technology. Moreover, the electro conductive material can convert friction into energy that recharges the batteries while keep the environment save.

(Click the image for bigger view)

Designer : Miljan Jevremovic

Pholeum Transportation Unit with Efficient Next Generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

TheFuture — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:39:52 +0000

The idea of Pholeum transportation unit concept is based on the living cell tissue structure of a plant that can carry organic nutrients to any part of the plant where required. This vehicle has been designed as a personal mobility unit based on an ideal transportation means for mega-cities, which has made riding this eco-friendly car just equivalent to a bike down the street.

The minimalist interior features control steering pod, a mimicking game like control where brake and gas paddles embedded close to the steering wheel, offering next generation driving environment. The wheels are fully immersed with rubberized tire with independent spoke arrangement that allows the wheels to absorb the road bumps without having used the suspensions. Moreover, the out of the body wheel base has added few extra with the innovative look that the car already has with its clear body shell and green house like design.

The technology aspect of Pholeum includes a composition of memory plastic body work, allowing the material to be deformed back to its original shape under application of heat from scratches and dents. These plastic can be recycled further and remolded again into the same component if the damage is irreparable. The chassis is made of durable aluminum alloy, making the vehicle strong and lightweight. Comprehensive safety for the driver has been ensured with three external airbags, designed to deploy by sensing a fast automobile within a few meters of its radius through motion sensors. Each wheel contains quad electric motors empowered with efficient next generation hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Designer : Alexei Mikhailov

Exocar for Future Personal Transportation : Run, Walk, Roll, or Just Drive

TheFuture — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:31:02 +0000

Exocar is a concept transportation unit that enhances the user’s capability to travel through his or her environment in a more flexible and natural way as opposed to traditional means of transport. Whether you want to run, walk, roll or drive, this transportation unit will let you to move the mode you want to move. The vehicle has four wheels and, can fit and adapt the body of the rider easily in an effective way. When the user decides to drive it vertically, it will stand on its rear wheels and can run keeping you standing. The vehicle features a removable windshield for the driver to protect from wind and rain.

Designer : Joshua Saling

Electropositive Three Wheeler Concept Vehicle as Urban Transportation

TheFuture — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:07:43 +0000

This Electropositive three wheeler concept vehicle was derived from the need of a personal electric vehicle for urban transportation. It features a brushless electric motor in every wheel which acts as a generator also when braking. The body panels of this superb vehicle are made of photovoltaic transparent polycarbonate and carbon fiber “exoskeleton”. Normally, this is a single-seater vehicle but the luggage compartment behind the driver can easily accommodate a passenger if needed. When it’s time to lean, the driver can drag the handlebar towards him, so an electro-hydraulic servo will elevate the center of gravity of the vehicle by working on the piston that attaches the swing arm. Releasing the handlebar will stabilize the vehicle by reducing center of gravity.

Designer : Ionut Predescu

IPSE Futuristic Individual Mobility Concept Will Let You Drive in Underwater Mode

TheFuture — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:52:34 +0000

IPSE is an advanced individual mobility concept that uses cutting-edge display technology and offers an innovative driving experience to the driver. The iconic and unique design of this concept car was driven from the VW logo which has a giant circle enfolded with a mesh frame. The virtual environment system of IPSE recognizes outside surrounding and then translates the same into virtual living things and objects. For instance, in “underwater” mode, the driver sees other vehicle as sea creatures and while it is driving through the city street, the driver never sees any buildings, cars and usual road but stunning trees and wild animals marching on the grass land. The real-time transformation mechanism has unlimited database and generates new data by combining different factors.

Designer : Jeongche Yoon and Hoyoung Kihl

Foiljet MR1 Recreation Hydrofoils Vehicle Concept

TheFuture — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:18:37 +0000

Many of the auto concept designers are trying to create best of both worlds by being inspired and transforming one means of transport to another one thereby deriving exciting results. Like the new Foiljet MR1 which on the look of it seems to have been designed for sheer fun as it has taken the best of the features of motocross bike and jet ski along with two hydrofoils and a silent energy efficient electric motor all of which together create a mind blowing effect. The motor helps the bike to be raise out of water thereby giving maximum fun to the rider. A nice and cool concept for fun in the waters!

Designer : Matt De Bellefeuille

iMo is The Next Generation Urban Vehicle

TheFuture — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:24:47 +0000

It is quite evident that with the passage of time the designs and shapes of the vehicles, commonly used by people will change drastically. They will become environment friendly and also much safer than the current ones. iMO is a great vehicle that is designed to accompany the users as it seems alive with the insertion of several organic parts. It is round in shape and available in colors like yellow, blue, red and black. They have a transparent shield to cover the interior which makes it a fully secured car. The wheels are small, smoothly polished by immensely efficient at the same time. iMo is only a student project for Coventry University with no commercial means.

Anthony says:
Apple iMo is a city car, using advanced form-changing material, exploring the possibility of robotics to bring a new and simplified approach to personal mobility. The design ofiMo is based on the Apple philosophy which consists in applying a process of elimination to come up with simple and elegant solutions, by means of cutting edge technology. The result is a two-wheel robot designed to assist you throughout your daily life. There is no need to wonder where to park iMo, it takes you where you want and go to park by itself using specific parking systems called iPark. In fact, having no stationary vehicle in the streets to liberate ground space, is the main concept of iMo+iPark. To do so iMoparks against building walls, underground or even in the sky. Amongst other originalities, iMo features form-changing seats and wheels made of Nitinol and a holographic gesture-recognition driving system.

Designer : Anthony Jannarelly

Colim Concept : A Cool Combination of A Car and A Caravan Camper

TheFuture — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:20:27 +0000

The new vehicle design by Christian Susana is a nice combination of car and a caravan camper. Christian has called it Colim (Colors of Life in Motion), which might not win many points on looks department, but still is quite useful given the kind of flexibility it offers. Colim provides the advantage of detaching the front part if one does not have a usage for the home part. Design wise it reminds more of geometric shape, which one can say to be a welcome change from the regular designs, but the designer has really explored a possibility using different shapes which may pave way for better shaped cars.

The designer says : “The Colim concept – an acronym meaning ‘colors of life in motion’ – is an intelligent mobility concept which stretches primarily the bridge between caravans, camper, lifestyle and business. Dubbed a ‘lifestyle motor home’, the cockpit can be disconnected from the usable living space. The livable area is flexible, with individually applicable multi function modules. Designed for two people (max. four persons), the motor home offers the possibility to personalize its four mobile ‘walls’ according to the present life situation of the user. This flexibility is not only limited to the living area, but also features in the cockpit.”

Designer : Christian Susana

Scarab is Delivering a Sense of Personal Space and Independece to Its Users

TheFuture — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:22:40 +0000

In this daily clogging of road and parking space it’s always the space for parking that seems to be the main issue. In such a scenario, the new urban vehicle design by David Goncalves is something that’s what the doctor ordered. The design called as Scarab by the designer is not only a concept that is aimed at occupying least road space, but also it occupies very little parking space too. The vehicle is completely collapsible and the complete process ensures that the vehicle is parked on just two wheels. A very nice thought that surely will find many takers.

Text from David:
Transportation is a key factor in our urban environments and most of our cities are now developed to match the scale and needs of cars, and car users. This reality raises issues regarding sustainability and environment, energy consumption and quality of life.

So, “How can public and personal transports be redefined in a sustainable way, delivering a sense of personal space and independence to its users?” This was the title of my Master of Science in Design and Transport Thesis, concluded in Coventry University, UK, with Distinction, in September 2008.

In other words, the aim of this project was to develop guidelines and a holistic solution for a new system of urban transport, composed of vehicle and infrastructure, in a sustainable way and adaptable to various urban environments.

To develop the project I needed information about: user’s behaviors and explanations for them; main trends; analysis of existing solutions and identification of their problems; definition of applicable technologies in a sustainable manner in a near future. This information was gathered through an online questionnaire, statistical data from several sources, literary research, internet articles, pictures, video and expert interviews and then compiled in my final report.

Preliminary research indicated that several attempts to tackle the issue of mass transportation are being tested and implemented throughout the biggest cities on Earth. Several solutions exist already, but people always seem to give preference to a personal vehicle of some kind to move, commute or make quick trips. Only when there is no other choice, people seem to engage in public transportation. Personal transport is the preferred mode of use and this is a trend that keeps increasing.

The conclusion of the thesis report was composed of guidelines and design specifications that served as basis for the development of a new type of transportation that is truly sustainable and that meets people’s requirements. This generic solution was exemplified through a typical design project that will act as future reference and that goes by the name of “SCARAB”.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
VEHICLE:
- The vehicle allows users to have freedom of use much like a motorcycle but with the convenience of having an enclosed private space and luggage compartments.
- The vehicle can be operated in several different positions depending on speed. It is parked vertically for easy ingress and egress and optimization of public space. When in speed position, the vehicle also tilts when curving or changing direction.
- When circulating in dedicated pathways, the SCARAB is controlled by a centralized computer or by a traffic management centre. Outside of the dedicated pathways the SCARAB is controlled by the user just like any other vehicle.

VEHICLE SPECS:
-The vehicle is composed of interchangeable modules that can be customized by the potential buyer/user.
-Powerpack module composed of a permanent battery plus 3 options for the main energy pack (battery, biofuel ICE or a fuel cell).
-4 wheel drive through electric brushless in-wheel motors with directdrive.
-Wheels with regenerative braking through EW Brakes.
-Drive by wire and tactile HUD embedded in the Lexan canopy.
-Structural elements in Carbon-Aramid composite.
-Embedded sensors, Lidar, radar, transponders, GPS. These serve to exchange information with the system, with other drivers and to have precise location data.

INFRASTRUCTURE:
-Communication nodes spread through roadways and traffic management centres in major conurbations.
-Dedicated paths with electromagnetic transponders embedded in the road.
-Parking facilities with solar/wind power generators.
-High speed/long distance travel provided through a railroad interface (not yet developed).

SYSTEM:
-Renting of the vehicle or modules that allows for a private/public/mixed utilization and transport access for people with less financial resources.
-Doesn’t need new infrastructures (uses the existing roads).
-Is backward compatible with current transport systems and uses current day technologies.

Designer : David Miguel Moreira Gonçalves

Insecta, Futuristic Car Inspired By A Grasshopper

TheFuture — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:09:37 +0000

Insecta, as the name suggests is something related to insects, exactly what the designer Shao Yung Yeh thought of while designing this new revolutionized car. Inspired by a grasshopper he designed this car with such a unique combination of colors and design. This is a battery powered personal vehicle that looks much like a grasshopper with its legs connected to the central chassis as a thorax. Just as the abdomen of the grasshopper, a battery pack is fixed at the bottom pretending it more like an insect. With zeal to create something alive, the designer has developed this product that is light weight, agile and eco friendly.

Yeh is a 22-year-old designer who studied industrial design at Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. The technology he envisions for Insecta is as advanced as its styling. The battery pack shifts according to the car’s direction to maintain balance and handling. It uses hub-mounted wheel motors. And the adjustable suspension is one part bug-leg, two parts Citroën, changing the height of the car to suit traffic conditions.

Yeh doesn’t see someone like General Motors or Toyota building the car of the future in the future. “I think there would be more and more independent companies building unique electric cars,” he said. “They will be looking for innovative design languages and building up their own brand identities.”

Designer : Shao Yung Yeh via Wired