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

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

This electrically powered futuristic concept vehicle houses two passengers and includes four motors, one for each wheel, which will let the wheels to swivel on its center by inverse rotation. These motors are located inside every wheel and the wheel rims are designed to act like a propeller to keep the system cool. Besides, another motor exists in the center pivot that provides the required power to change the appearance of the car, like opening the trunk door or modifying the seat arrangements.

The dimension of this car is 1.75 x 1.75 meters approx. when it is in compact mode. By using a geometry stimulated from the ‘bioarchitecture’ of a moving cat, this hybrid formed car changes its attitude with his postures.

Designer : David Vega

Adam explanations about A.R.C :

The ‘A.R.C’ (Amphibious Rescue Craft) is a rugged all terrain vehicle that can be used to deliver vital aid and supplies anywhere required including flooded areas which are inaccessible to most other vehicles. Variable height ground clearance combined with large wheels and all terrain tyres provide excellent off road capabilities, whilst a boat hull and retractable wheels enable the A.R.C to plane at high speeds across water with minimal friction and uncompromised performance.

The high output diesel engine powers the wheels when on land and the water jet propulsion system when waterborne which can deliver up to one tonne of thrust. Once landed at its destination, the A.R.C uses an on-board crane (known as a ‘Multilift’ system) to rapidly deploy a supply unit containing anything from medicine or food to a water purification system. The water filtration units can be deployed at the site of a mass flood and used to purify contaminated flood water, returning it to life-saving drinking water which is otherwise scarce in flooded third world environments.

Supply units can also be opened to form mobile shelters for distribution of supplies or temporary living quarters/command centres etc. An unfoldable canopy marked with an ID symbol and number (e.g. Red Cross, Supply Unit number etc.) provides shelter from the rain and can be easily identified by passing rescue helicopters. The name A.R.C not only stands for Amphibious Rescue Craft but also identifies with Noah’s Arc which was believed to have been used as rescue / refuge craft during a mass flood.

Designer : Adam Schacter

Although both the MMVs are light and small, they can attain a maximum altitude of around 10,000 foot above sea level. The overall size and strong structure around the riders ensures passenger safety and can be spotted easily by other vehicles in traffic. The front shock absorber, a side door protection and ballistic shaft recovery system are few safety features of these three-wheelers. Both models include air conditioning and heating, rear view video monitor, automatic vehicle leaning, dual lighting system for ground and air, and stereo MP3 input CD player.

Unlike the conventional aircraft engines, the engines of these MMVs have emission controls, therefore, motorcycle engines and transmissions are being used after modification to provide power reverse to the propellers for both the models. From the test result of the current pre-production engines, it’s been predicted that they would pass the ultra-low emission vehicle standards of California without exhaust treatment.

Designer : Samson Motorworks via Gizmag

Designer : Kim Sung Uk and Ju Ho Young

Designer : Norio Fujikawa

Designer : Alan Kravchenko

Designer : Omer Sagiv

Nicolas explanations:
Utilizing a new energy model, the vehicle uses the electricity to stimulate a central water tank, splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen gets stored in special reserve tanks, while the oxygen gets expelled into the air as exhaust. With this model, the vehicle functions like a plant, only needing the sun and water to create its own fuel. The sleek, mono-volume design allows for optimal interior space and utility. Special design features also include layered body panels, unique headlight/side mirror units, and offset seating to allow elbow room for all occupants.

Since the principle material used to construct the exterior functions by re-directing light to the edges, I wanted to accentuate this feature in the design. To do so, I designed the roof panel to act like a canopy, suspended over the roof pillars mimicking a shade or visor. The rear lights themselves are packed into the edge of the “glass sleeve” composing the exterior, to seem as if the brake lights are being emitted from the glass edges.

Using this technology, there were key issues that had to be solved in the revision stage. While the solar panels use highly saturated dyes, this color cannot be used on the entire exterior because it would disorient the driver. To solve this, I broke up the material into three different shades (clear/smoked/colored) and strategically placed them around the vehicle in order to maximize driver visibility

Technology aside, it was important that I attempt to break the stigma against small cars in North America. To do this, I used long lines that stretch across the form, visually elongating the vehicle and providing an athletic stance. In order to maximize the use of such a small package, I used a mono-volume approach to open-up the interior space as much as possible. Another important feature to small vehicles is character… so besides a traditional “happy face”, I designed the headlights and side mirrors to be integrated into one unit that extends out from the body like eyes.

Designer : Nicolas Stone