Designer : Harsha Vardhan via [EcoFriend]

Designer : Apostol Tnokovski

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

Text from designer :
“There is No doubt the car which is belong to tomorrow should be faster and safer while it’s compatible with nature. Also as a result of Fossil Fuels Limitation and generated pollution by this kind of fuel, another propulsion should be replaced: “Electromagnetic”.

Propulsion that moves “Maglev” trains With high speed and incredible safety because of very low friction(almost zero) and central controlling. By improving this idea, it will bring us to appropriate velocity, safety and pleasure compatible with our environment and no damage to nature. Auxiliary propulsion has been placed from three caterpillar rubber track wheels which is 360 degree turnable for situations there is no magnetic road. Also the car cells will be charged while the car is parked on the road.

Exterior:
As you can see I’ve tried to make a curved body without any sharp part. The main body has inspired from feline body while peugeot features are sensible.

Interior:
Followed by Exterior body, Interior is a combination of continuous parts. Multimedia and navigation systems are touch screens which their themes are changeable. The main screen shows a perfect view from behind and help you to drive the car reversely by inverting steering wheel without looking back.”

Designer : Hossein Ghahramani

Paul Howse words :
Luxury doesn’t have to mean expense or extravagance. Moreover, in the fragility of 21st century consumerism, exclusivity could go much further, where its perceptual value increases over time and through an experience of the product. Just as classic watches and historic cars develop a story and history over time, the owner of a vehicle should feel this experience. A patination of material such as bronze, that is hand-crafted or develops over time and is unique to each ownership situation would bring a valid ‘local quality’ that could be argued as being lost in today’s globalized world.

Technology was also an important part of the project, in that being at the forefront of technology would allow an entirely new, exclusive proportion of vehicle. By using bio-electric hybrid technology in situated low down in the chassis, I was able to celebrate the lack of an internal combustion engine and create an entirely new proportion of vehicle. The use of cameras and projections on the interior allows for the deletion of the traditional windscreen and allows the long, low, sculptural bonnet to run up over into the roof, uninterrupted. Again, something only exclusively possible with this car. I also wanted to emphasize the interior element, to show that it is cradled in the structure, a precious entity much like a Faberge egg. By suspending the interior in magnetic levitation it further separates it from the technical elements of the car whilst providing a truly serene ride quality.

As it is intended to be used only on special occasions and cosseted, it will be kept in a specifically designed building from which you can control the atmosphere the car is kept in and thus control the patination, much like a cigar humidor. The building will be covered in photo-voltaic solar panels and will be able to store up solar energy to be used to power the car. If energy levels drop, then it will run off the national grid, but otherwise it will be solely self-sufficient.

All of these factors should add up to truly unique, exclusive ownership experience, while a creating a mystique about the car, the like of which may not have been seen since the art deco period.

Designer : Paul Howse

Text from the designer :
MoVille consists of a single passenger capsule over an electric drive train. Three magnetic ball wheels are rotated without frictionless through electromagnets. Passenger capsule is shaped in an aerodynamic teardrop shape for maximum efficiency. It also tilts up and down for saving space in urban streets and become more aerodynamic on highways.

MoVille’s compact size takes up less space in dense urban cities. Because it has a sliding window door, it is easy to get in and out of in tight spaces. The passenger capsule tilts vertically to save space on the road and pivots for getting in and out.

MoVille features wireless road networking that allows for it to communicate with other cars and the road network. It is aware of where it is on the road and where other cars are. This allows for reduced traffic jams since cars can accelerate/decelerate synchronously. It also reduces the possibility of accidents.

MoVille’s small size and omni-directional wheels means it is easy to park. Equipped with proximity sensors, cameras, and GPS, MoVille can drive and park automatically.

MoVille features an organic led display on the façade that allows passengers to communicate and personalize their own cars. Because MoVille doesn’t need any headlamps, the OLED “eyes” are used for displaying vehicle status (running/charging/turn signal/etc).

MoVille has an artificial intelligence which allows it to act more like a robot than a car. MoVille recognizes its owner and opens its doors when you approach it. MoVille can drive itself allowing the passenger to save time.

Although MoVille can drive itself, it can be manually controlled with your digital devices like cellphones and portable game consoles. MoVille communicates with these devices which allow the car to be driven wirelessly. The dashboard can be retracted on demand.

MoVille has an electric drive train that uses electromagnets to rotate the ball wheels. Because there is no mechanical transmission and internal combustion engine, it is more efficient, and more reliable. MoVille’s compact body is built out of unpainted biodegradable plastic.

MoVille’s unique form factor allows it to integrate a second sliding door with integrated photovoltaic solar cells which can recharge the car’s batteries.

Designer : Woo-Ram Lee

The automatic lighting feature of the hyperbolic locus as well as the indexes in dark environment provides both decorative light effect and continuous time telling feature in any circumstance.

Designer : Stephen Mok