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Rural Transportation Is Especially Designed for Rural Areas

TheFuture — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:16 +0000

Rural concept is a clean, practical and efficient transportation concept specially designed to be used in rural areas by focusing on minimalism and functionality at the forefront. The wheel hubs of the concept wrap the electric motors which provides quieter driving, keeping the calmness of rural nature intact. The passenger’s pod is located on the singular carbon fiber chassis on the top of the vehicle. The most amazing thing about the vehicle is that it doesn’t require any mechanical joints since it uses wire to drive and steer which can be adapted or modified during purchasing the car according to the user’s need.

Designer : Matt Bradbury

Honda Native is 3 Seated Vehicle Powered By Lithium-Ion Battery

TheFuture — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:47:48 +0000

The Honda Native concept comprises an electric engine which is powered by heavy-duty lithium-ion battery and can house 3 persons including the driver. This ultra compact car with great aerodynamic features has been designed for the massively congested future traffic where speed will be ignored over low space riding efficiency. Its down to the ground design will allow the car to offer smooth riding experience to the riders. The exterior parts of the vehicle are made of photocromic materials that make it possible for the car to change its color according to the light, temperature and other surrounding environmental factors.

Designer : Liviu Tudoran

EEL Three-Wheeler Lightweight Vehicle with Bio-ethanol Engine

TheFuture — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:33:21 +0000

The EEL concept is a compact and lightweight vehicle that features functional aerodynamic construction for great energy efficiency. The compact shape of this three-wheeler allows it waving through busy traffic and in between other cars and houses only one passenger and the driver. When turning, it has been designed to lean to the particular direction allowing better control for the driver. This electric vehicle comprises bio-ethanol engine which is completely eco-friendly. When charging through a traditional power point, the covered scooter shaped vehicle looks much like a mobile phone getting charged through its charger.

Designer : Muhammad Imran

Nissan Land Glider with Innovative Computer Controlled Steering System

TheFuture — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:11:54 +0000

The Nissan Land Glider is a compact electric vehicle concept that features an innovative computer controlled steering system, allowing the car lean into the turns for better balance. The driver seat is placed centrally inside the narrow cabin of this two-seater car and another seat for the passenger is located directly behind the driver’s seat. The steering wheel has been designed like a flight yoke and cameras and monitors have replaced the rear view mirrors. The dashboard is one more thing of the car that you have never seen in any other cars. With the potentially lighter weight and narrow profile, this electric car is being expected to hit the crowd soon.

Designer : Nissan

Vestige Car Design Proposal with Sleek Metallic White Body and Black Tinted Roof for Aston Martin

TheFuture — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:41:17 +0000

Vestige is car design proposal for Aston Martin with representative scarab wings, cooperatively driven by Fincato, Magrini and Bernardi, keeping the design similar with Khepri, the Egyptian God. The unique cutting edge outlook of the car will get added attention of people with its superb combination of sleek metallic white body along with black tinted roof along with windows. Besides, the extraordinary rims are another highlighted feature that is worth noticing during the first look. This concept vehicle comprises four electric motors and powerful Wankel engine with supercharging abilities. This supercar can house three passengers including the driver and ensures completely silent movement as a result of using silent electric motors.

Designer : Bernardi, Fincato, and Magrini

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

E-Board Tracker Bike : A Small, Funny, and Eco Friendly Motorbike

TheFuture — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:43:30 +0000

The Eboard Tracker concept doesn’t focus on just a transport vehicle, rather the designer has envisioned it as an eco-friendly, small and funny motorbike that can run at up to 30 mph and ensures better twisting around the corner of the street with its compact and light design. This bike contains hand throttle instead of traditional electric pedaling and features light, simple and optical flowing frame. A beam girder from section-I and hydro-formed tubes welded together in order to strengthen the steering head. The handlebar is shaped like an ace-bar which is fully adjustable and includes a cycle computer on top with speed, battery status and estimated remaining battery capacity readings.

This bike features a very close to “vintage racer” look with its regenerative breaking and a hub battery since they are similar to a set of drum brakes. The chain is swapped for a carbon shaft, bevel drive and nylon hypoid gears enclosed in right swing arm. Behind the pedal shafts, a small six speed cassette type remains hidden and comes operational if the battery becomes flat any time. Both pedals are lockable at 180 degrees and can be used as foot pegs

Designer : Jean François Vicente

Future Melbourne Taxi Design for 2020

TheFuture — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:16:51 +0000

Melbourne Taxi 2020 is a vehicular and systematic TAXI design concept which is proposed for Melbourne city for the year of 2020. The concept utilizes an electric TAXI vehicle and supported infrastructure with recharging booths placed at vital points around the city. The design of the vehicle is mainly focused on safety of the driver and passengers, reliability, ease of use, iconic design and minimal environmental footprint. The highlighted features of the vehicle are GPS and mapping system for passengers and driver, Smart card system, passenger info and entertainment hub, hydrogen fuel cell, solar panel system including recharging hubs and battery generators.

This proposal is focused around providing an alternative view of what the future of the Taxi might be. The vehicle is designed around the user and this is reflected in the safety of ingress/egress, the passenger/driver compartment split and features for ease of use by passengers. Features include, split for driver safety when used as night rider, GPS and mapping system for driver and passenger, passenger entertainment/info hub, Smart card system, disability access and focus on curb side access only. Technological features include the hydrogen fuel cell, battery generators, solar panel system and recharging hubs.

The overall aesthetic of the vehicle is influenced by the Australian environment; space, relaxed ambience, unique identity, comfort, security, and a ‘can do’ attitude. These unique characteristics immediately identify the vehicle as special purpose and also set it apart from other vehicles on the road. The curb-side DLO captures the essence of the Taxi in that it is inviting passengers inside for an experience.

The footprint is emphasized by the wheels being in the outermost corners of the vehicle which allows for greater volume and also a very level and balanced stance. The roof features an acrylic opening area to allow for a greater sense of space while also allowing a great vantage point for passengers. The solar panel is also cleverly housed on the roof to harness the most energy from beating Australian sun.

Curb side access only for passenger ingress / egress safety. All doors use a slider system for minimizing the overall footprint of the vehicle whilst it is in operation. Access for wheel-chair bound passengers is catered for by providing a platform that extends to the curbside to allow access. All rear compartment seats tuck away to open-up maximum floor room for wheelchair access. Rear trunk also operates on a slider system.

The rear compartment is split-up to allow for better communication for the rear occupants. Rear seats fold away to allow access and floor clearance for wheelchair access. Heads-up display on split window for accessing features such as map, places of interest, fares and also for advertising. Driver to passenger split is driven by – safety and privacy. The split ensures security of the drivers whilst also providing a more private booth-type environment for passengers. Doors split open at the centre to allow for maximum operating opening distance.

Polycarbonate is used throughout the vehicle due to its impact resistance, relative lightweight, optical qualities and high temp resistance. The chassis comprises of aluminum to minimize weight.

Curb-side access only for passenger safety, bright orange livery for visual impact, safety-cell for passengers and driver all contribute to overall safety. Optimized seating configuration allows greater interaction, comfort and ease of use – especially the fold away seats for wheelchair access.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology coupled with electric generators / batteries propel the vehicle. The solar panel is used to harness extra energy as well as the recharging hubs when the vehicle is used to pick up passengers.

Designer : Damian Lucaciu

Artistic Taxius Animalus Electric Vehicle by Francis Gomes

TheFuture — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:51:08 +0000

Usually, a taxi continuously runs 12 hours everyday, including the standing time when they wait for passengers, resulting huge wastage of fuel and harm to the environment. The Taxius is a small and light built taxi concept that uses electric power to transport people over different areas of busy cities or countryside towns. This taxi comprises an organic inspired sculpture which is simplified using tough fabric, strengthened chords and welded hollow tubes, forming a functional volume with great visibility. The diverse functionality of the taxi concept includes structural interior on an electric architecture, which runs on a six wheel track over diverse terrains and the visual aesthetic has been boost with transparent exterior skin with composite panels.

Designer : Francis Gomes

BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics with Sleek and Smooth Design

TheFuture — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:26 +0000

The Vision EfficientDynamics is a concept vehicle for future by BMW which is a low carbon hybrid supercar aiming to achieve the premium end of the auto market with its fuel-efficient design. A three-cylinder turbodiesel engine is empowering this vehicle supported by a couple of electric motors. This car can go 0-100 kilometers per hour in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 250 kmph and consumes 3.76 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. It features an electric mode for day to day use that can be charged through plug-in module. The vehicle stores the power it lithium polymer cells, allowing it to drive for roughly 50km on a single charge, which can be extended through its regenerative breaking system.

The sleek and smooth design of this car with a visage can easily call out for anyone’s attention. It can house 4 people and natural materials have been utilized to design the interior. Both the drag coefficient and weight of the vehicle is optimized by redistributing and reducing the weight to maximize the energy efficiency and improve driving ability. Both the door and roof inserts become opaque as a final touch, which reduces the amount of glare coming to the vehicle.

Designer : BMW via Inhabitat