Text from designer :

Airliner

This long distance transport vehicle is actuated by superconductive magnets. Superconductors produce frictionless levitation avoiding any mechanic resistance. The vehicle hover above the street. The superconductor is cooled down by electric condensers so the particles of the material nearly stop moving. A rail embedded in the street creates a magnetic field which will be written in the superconductors, positioned at a set distance from the magnetic rail. No mechanic fixation between rail an vehicle will be required. The electromagnetic field generated by the rail also speed up the vehicle. The magnetic field is only generated under the moving vehicle and wont be of any danger for other moving vehicles crossing the rail.

The airliner consists of a drivers cab and several modules which float autonomously, so the shipping volume is expandable. If no cargo is carried the drivers cab ally with the closing module to reduce the volume. At a logistic centre close by a freeway and a city, the cargo gets unload, stored and upload to the cityloader.

Cityloader

This compact transport vehicle is designed for distances up to 400 km and the city traffic. It is powered by electric engines and wheel hubs which can be recharged via plug`n`ride concept at the logistic centre or city stations. A modifiable loading space allows a wide spectrum of use.

Designer : Tobias Förtsch

Designer : Maverick

Designer : Harsha Vardhan via [EcoFriend]

Igor explanations:
The CB750 features a full on, front and rear electro-magnetic suspension. It’s less maintenance and can be electronically adjusted for best performance. Bikes sensors will give out a read out every 1/10 of a second and will adjust everything from suspension to the rider’s seat height giving best and safest performance you can get.

The safety, everything you would expect in a motorcycle from 2015. Electronically controlled ABS, Airbag, Traction Control and Steering Damper. The system will also feature a radar technology to sense an upcoming head-on collision and will automatically slow the bike. Of course some of these features can be electronically disabled to suit the rider.

Now the onboard computer, which can be controlled through a 5″ OLED multi touch display positioned right on the fuel tank. There are 3 menus: GPS, Drive modes, diagnostics mode. GPS mode is like your standard GPS that will give you directions and etc, but it will be connected to the internet through Wi-Fi and 3G. This will enable you to find information on the go and implement it to your rout.

Designer : Igor Chak

Primavera Helmet, designed by Sebastian Hess, is a key product of the latest high quality helmet array for the recent scooter generation. This open face, easy and casual helmet provides 180° visor that meets classic elegance. The clearly defined design has reduced to the essential components only and the style combines the legendary past with latest appearance. Innovation and vision, tradition and future, engineering and design are the main factors of this sustainable product. The main goal of designing this product is to provide excellent safety to the new generation scooter riders with a brilliant outlook that will attract the attention of all range of bikers.

[Press Release]

The Primavera helmet revives a legendary past and represents the birth of the new brand NZI by Hess Design. In its design and performance the helmet plays with citations and references to the exceptional Vespa 50 Special, the style icon of the 70`s. The minimalistic aesthetics of the Primavera refers directly to the mystic Vespa-models of the 70`s. These style icons were the base for the new developed helmet with its innovative features and its easy and safe use. New standards in terms of urbanity and innovation are set by creating a complete Primavera edition containing helmet, gloves and scarves.

Quality is no longer enough. Today a product or a brand is perceived as new only if its functionality and its materials are innovative. Tradition and future, innovation and vision, engineering and design unify and peak in an “honest” and sustainable product without loosing the base of creating innovative, technical and protective apparel. The ambition of the cooperation between NZI and Hess Design is to develop and create new charming products. Essential elements therefor are the intensive investigation of user scenarios and the vision of creating sustainable and innovative products. NZI and Hess Design develop products for seekers of beauty, for people with consciousness looking for high quality products.

Sportiness, dynamic and elegance in all their plainness are the key features of the Primavera. Clearly defined lines that are reduced to the essence underline the character and style consciousness. Their forms and their flow give hints to some new key features. The front of the Primavera with its playful swinging lines and the decorative air-inlets refer to hairstyles and hat fashion of the 60`s. The rear section with its metallic air-outlets rather speaks an automotive language and makes sure the helmet in its appearance is well-balanced. The 180° rotatable visor marks the heart of the helmet. Different shaped and toned visors can be attached to the patented helmet fixation tool-free via magnetic system in just a second.

The fusion of traditional, classical elegance with young, fresh and easy streetwear effects an exciting and charming impression. Deep satisfaction and intimate gratification will be experienced by every Primavera user. Desire of spring, desire of style awakes in all seekers of beauty. Primavera represents the initial of a new lifestyle that can be lived. Primavera, the helmet for the high tech community of tomorrow.

Designer : Sebastian Hess
Photography: Jörg Baumann

Designer : Apostol Tnokovski

[Press Release]
Thousand Oaks, California, April 7, 2009 – World-recognized strategy, innovation, and design consultancy RKS is proud to announce the introduction of the Neuma Hybrid Tattoo Machine, as RKS helps Neuma revolutionize the tattoo industry and usher in a new age of artistry, comfort, and safety. The superior technology of Neuma tattoo machines benefits tattoo collectors and artists alike – with the lighter-weight, fully-autoclavable tattoo machine delivering a less painful tattoo experience and drastically reduced healing times.

Dissatisfied with traditional coil machines, award-winning tattoo artist and inventor Carson Hill set out to create a completely new kind of tattoo technology – the first air-powered tattoo machine. Carved out of solid aluminum years before the MacBook made it cool, the original pneumatic tattoo machine, known as the Neuma2, was light-weight and fully-autoclavable.

The latest evolution of the Neuma, the Neuma Hybrid, is the result of Hill’s desire to constantly push for improvements. Hill listened carefully to suggestions from artists and engaged RKS to re-engineer and re-design the Neuma2. The result is the Neuma Hybrid. At only 3.7 ounces in its pneumatic configuration, the Hybrid still weights less than half as much as traditional coil machines. Packed inside this small but powerful package is an improved pneumatic design for greater efficiency and less air consumption, a larger impeller for more torque, a cushioned armature for compliance, a variable stroke-length, an improved collet, and optimized cycle timing for less drag on the skin when lining.

The “hybrid” part comes in when Neuma tattoo artists want to take the show on the road. Year-round and world-wide, tattoo artists travel to expos to create their art right before their fans’ eyes. With the baggage restrictions now in force by airlines, it’s becoming more of a challenge to travel with an air compressor. The Neuma and RKS teams brainstormed an ideal solution… a motorized module that magnetically-couples with the Neuma to transform it into an electric-powered tattoo machine. This means that Neuma artists can have the Neuma performance they love in an electric configuration that still weighs a full third less than traditional coil machines. And, most importantly, the pneumatic machine is still fully-autoclavable.

Whether you’re an artist, a long-time collector, or someone who’s been tempted but afraid to get a tattoo, the Neuma Hybrid represents a breakthrough in delivering a safer, less-painful, tattoo experience. And as for Carson Hill, perhaps Rosenau said it best, “He’s developed something that’s changing the way tattoos are done and the look of tattoos. He has his own little place in tattoo history.” Hearing that makes Hill squirm a little.

Designer : RKS Design for Neuma

Patrick’s own words :

Due to the growing number of private hand research facilities, the erratic spread of innovation in nanotechnologic increases, before ethic guidelines can be set up by governments. I use a critical and critical picture to point out a topic-related vision of our world in 40 years. The study’s fundamentals in technology and science are based on literature and ongoing science forecasts by well known scientists, to not drift off into science fiction but to create a reliable vision.

Because one can still argue about assets and drawbacks, this topics needs to be displayed as transparent as possible, in order to encourage designers to look into the subject and deal with it in a responsible way.

The nDoo’s powerful (autonomous) capacity to act represents not only the subject of nanotechnology, but also every new and extreme kind of innovation. The contrast within this concept is the nDoo’s medical ability to heal. On the basis of this gap, the concept aims to show the explosiveness and ethical-moral arguments of the subject.

The nDoo is a medical, autonomous communication device which serves as an interface between humans and nanobots in their bloodstream, constantly monitoring all body functions and keeping up a steady exchange with an up to date database of all diseases and therapies. The nDoo forwards commands to the nanobots or writes his own code. Humans can access information about their state of health and the nanobots’ activities via a three-dimensional hologram. The visualization happens in nDoo’s floating position. While in passive mode, the nDoo can be carried like a hand-held computer.

Nanobots act as a self-organized swarm, swimming through the body’s bloodstream – powered by a nano-engine – able to localize, reprogram, destroy or mark cells, viruses etc. The nDoo serves as an extension to the immune system, detecting possible viruses at an early stage and preventing diseases. Even the emotional situation and human senses can be analyzed and influenced autonomously. Humans are accompanied by nDoos from the cradle to the grave. Energy is transfered by an electromagnetic field.

Designer : Patrick Decker

FWD vehicle can also be used in rental system, once rented by means of a monthly payment, the bicycle/tricycle (fwds) can be obtained in any of several stations spread out through the city. Returning the vehicle to the station after each use is not required, but eliminates the need to either store or carry the bi/tricycle all the way across town (in a car, or bus) when you need to cover a greater distance. With fwd, you can take a bus to go to school, rent a fwd there to move across town, and return it before taking the bus back home. fwd is specifically targeted to college students, to which its existence is most beneficial, but can be rented by anyone.

Finally, in the ‘cruiser’ mode, the back wheels converge to the ground, effectively changing fwd into a highly mobile bicycle, suited for places where there isn’t a rail and for more adventurous uses.

Designer : Eric Pautz, Carolina Defferrari, Leo Joas and Patrícia Campiol

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