Future Technology » Search Results » personal transport

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

Muecke Single Seater LightWeight Helicopter

TheFuture — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:41:23 +0000

The Muecke, name driven from mosquito, is a concept single seater easily transportable lightweight helicopter which is actually a combination of lower weight and fewer flying costs. The design comprises three stands instead of wheels to balance the chopper when grounded and a short tail without the conventional rotor. This small chopper will meet the need of ultimate personal aviation, proposed to be powered through a turbine driven by the shaft and features counter rotating blades. Therefore, a tail rotor is no longer required for this chopper to change directions; rather it utilizes the movable paddles at the tilt of the rotor blades. With the production of this helicopter, the recreational aviation market surely will boost up to an extraordinary level.

Designer : Daniel Kocyba

MO:BEN is A Portable Food Container That Can Heat-Up Your Food

TheFuture — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:22:20 +0000

Mo:Ben is a handy food container that includes a built-in film heater component that can heat up foods to a pre-heated temperature. Mo:Ben’s main mechanism of maintaining the heat is the combination of foam-filled cavity insulation and the built-in heating factor. There are two main parts of the device; one is the external box that features a carry grip, slip protective rubber base and cutlery storage, and another is the temperature sensitive substance for food preparation indication. The internal box holds the food and can be detached for convenient dish-washing. The arrangements inside the box are designed to encourage variety of food and mixing of food is prevented by different available compartments.

This design has been inspired by traditional Japanese ideals of functionality and simplicity of the bento box while fusing it with modern technology of heating, insulation and materials.

Customizable lunch options
- Compartmentalization to 2 different portion sizes.
- Variety and visual appeal.
- Healthier options with the relationship to food consumption.

Takeaway waste
- Negates takeaway waste as product can be reused.
- Food contact parts easily removed for easy cleaning.
- Ease of use and cleaning encourages users to reuse the product.

Aesthetics
- The product and user interface is designed with a simple and clean sense of quality.
- Retractable handles are flushed with surface when not in use.
- Overall package compacts into a single unit.
- Silicone rubber is reminiscent of traditional rubber band around a box.
- Silicone rubber acts as a non-slip base when eating with one hand.
- Band colour choices allow for personality customization.

Functionality
- Designed for usability, the product has been considered through the process from preparation to transport, idle period, eating experience, and cleaning.
- Tested ergonomically through a series of models and prototypes.

Standards
- Australian Standard for Plastic Materials for Food Contact Use, AS 2070-1999.
- Food Safety Standards – Temperature control requirements.
- Australian/New Zealand Standard for Safety of household and similar electrical appliances, AS/NZS 3350.2.15:2002.
- ISO 20282: “Ease of Operation of Every Day Products”.

Materials
- Internal Box is made of Polycarbonate for its durability.
- External Box is made of A.B.S for its availability and strength in appliance applications.
- Foam is used for insulation, ease of manufacture, availability and cost.

Technology
- Film heaters embedded at the base of the product, heating the internal box from bottom up.
- Food is heated to 75 degrees Celsius, controlled by an internal thermostat.
- Electronics are divided up into an active unit – electronic control adapter and a passive unit – lunch box unit to enhance safety.

To conclude, the product seeks to address a culture through design and present a new and satisfying experience for the user.

Designer : Alex Cheong

Urban Personal Transporter from CHANEL

TheFuture — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:47:49 +0000

CHANEL has given a vision of more glamorous shopping experience to the enthusiasts with its Urban Personal Transporter design. This segway is very much capable of giving more fun than riding a bike with its crazy roller blade look. The rich rider can run at a speed of around 20kph in the riders leaning direction. Adapting the famous CHANEL 2.55, everyone can retain the attraction of the surrounding crowd and will surely enjoy their flabbergasted look. Check out the website if you want to order this.

Designer : Karl Lagerfeld via [Yatzer]

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

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

LIFT Car Concept : Hang Your Car in The Parking Lots

TheFuture — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:09:51 +0000

This is a small city car offering a combination of public and personal transportation. This car has been designed for people who suffer from inadequate parking space in their area. Now the time has to come to day goodbye to parking lots and get ready to say hello to hang outs. This stylish LIFT car concept can adjust itself in the aerial parking without demanding any extra space. Once you are done with your work, you can just drop it down and simply drive home. There is only one street smart solution to the soaring traffic problems and that is LIFT car concept.

Designer : Roberto Vackflores

“Personal Mover” : Personal Transportation for Traveling in Short Distances

TheFuture — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:10:36 +0000

Now you can have your own “Personal Mover” for traveling in short distances to and from destinations away from stations and bus stops. It is designed to meet the standard to provide sufficient door to door service. Personal Mover is a system of small vehicles having independent control and run on fixed guide ways. Basically this system is specifically designed to as a pedestrian enhancement device. There is an adjustable handle rail which can fit as per individual’s shape and sizes. Overall, this private motor offers maximum flexibility, expense, travel time and comfort to everyone.

Designer : Tong Shan Wong