Text from Fabiano :
There are over 25 million legally registered vehicles on the UK’s roads today. Car manufacturers supply the basic tools that are required to perform the task of changing a wheel with every new car; these tools should be sufficient to complete the task successfully but is this really the case? Research suggests that people are reluctant to perform this task themselves.
Flat Tyres were the AA’s 3rd highest reason for call-out in 2005, beaten only by flat or faulty batteries and Lost keys.

Several user centered analyses were performed with volunteers who matched our key user profiles most closely. Existing products available for purchase were used. Many problems were highlighted in particular:
•  Safety, low posture is often required, particularly in removing wheel studs and jacking the car. If the flat is on the drivers sided, the task must be performed in the road as traffic passes. This posture hides the user from passing traffic and also makes it hard for the user to see the traffic approaching. This problem is increased at night.
•  Visibility of tools is poor at night. Existing tools tend to be black or grey in colour.
•  Clear instructions required, particularly for those who have never performed the task before. They serve to increase the users confidence in completing the task successfully and safely.
•  Psychological issues were also a key factor, many users remarked that they fear of failure would likely prevent them even attempting the task.

In every case we found that it was not possible to complete the task using the tools provided by the car manufacturer, a telescopic wrench was needed to increase the torque applied to the wheel studs.

The design concept behind the product changes the paradigm of how the most problematic task of changing a flat tyre is performed. The product minimizes the steps of changing a flat tyre by undoing the 4 studs of a wheel instead of undoing individually, using the motion force of the car.

• Utilizes the weight and motion of the car to release the 4studs, reducing required effort
• Does not rely on physical strength of user
• Improves road safety in reducing time spent in path of traffic

CONCLUSION

The final developed product is an innovative solution to the problems witnessed when changing a wheel. By loosening all four studs simultaneously, using the forces generated by the turning of the car wheel, the task becomes less demanding for the user while also reducing the time taken.

Designer : Fabiano Pottes

Designer : Dulyawat Wongnawa

Designer : Seonkeun Park

BeoTime can make every morning an enjoyable one with its discreet own chime or customizable wake up sounds from your favorite radio station, TV program or a piece of music and can be switched off at a preset time when you are leaving the house. It also includes a built-in sleep timer which is able to switch all the Bang & Olufsen apparatuses in the room to standby mode after a chosen time interval of up to 120 minutes. This feature is very much convenient for those who want to stay up late to watch TV, or fall asleep with a preferred music without worrying about turning off the music. Aside from the alarm and sleep timer features, you can use this gadget for basic functions of the bedroom loudspeaker, television or light control.

The ease of handling and operating of BeoTime is really noteworthy; you can hold it in one hand and can operate it with your thumb. The built-in tilt sensor shows the information and button functions modify orientation as per the BeoTime is held by the user.

BeoTime is a magnificently polished and anodized aluminum tube, with a trumpet-shaped button that protrudes from one end when you will activate the alarm by pressing it. The tube’s other end comprises a cover that conceals the battery chamber for three batteries that can last around one year. Two rubber feet ensure steady footing to BeoTime when lying on the table and the almost unseen magnetic wall brackets are used to mount it on the wall. The square navigation button along with three separate displays with dark text on a vivid background performs the navigation when setting the alarm time.

From : Bang and Olufsen via Dvice

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 : Kevin O’Doherty

Anton says :
“With increasing demand on an already over-stretched transport infrastructure it makes sense to shift the way that we move, by taking up less space per individual while in transit. The energy required to move the individual is also greatly reduced by reducing the size and weight of the vehicle.

The device also removes direct emissions away from the city and with the addition of environmentally sustainable power generation off-site, the device has the potential to have no net emissions.”

Designer : Anton Grimes

Designer : MadeByMakers

From : Ooma

Designer : STC via TreeHugger