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Nobo : Futuristic Electric Radiator System by Christopher Lavelanet

TheFuture — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:23:47 +0000

Nobo is an electric radiator system that gives a feel of an indoor campfire made with ice and fire over a coffee table. This handy heater includes “Pits” that emits heat to make the room warm and is controlled by an iPod-shaped touch wheel and features a built-in projector that makes an excellent environment by illuminating its glass log with flickering flames video. Moreover, you will have a plenty of space on the base for placing the drinks and snack plates of your guests. Right now, Nobo is quite expensive, $2800, but considering the elegance your living room may achieve with it, you can certainly go for it.

Designer : Christopher Lavelanet

Audi Avatar 3-Seater Electric Supercar for 2032

TheFuture — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:23:46 +0000

The Audi Avatar is a 3-seater electric supercar concept specially designed for the drivers of 2032 to enjoy the pleasure of driving that they experienced playing racing games during their childhood days. The appearance of the car is much identical with the science fiction flying cars we used to watch. This futuristic car concept features 4 extremely powerful in-wheel electric motors powered by supercharge-ion batteries. The ultra lightweight aerodynamic body along with the powerful backend, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and can achieve the top speed of over 360km/h with responsive handling.

Some explanation from Edwin :
The exterior desing of the car is inspired by the form of fabric blown in the wind. The form also carries traces of the historical Auto Union Type C Streamline race.

There are no conventional doors on the car, but instead, inspired by the jet fighters, there are three glass canopies. The main canopy opens forward together with the steering wheel and the dashboard; the two passengers’ canopies open backwards; and a side panel on the bodywork opens downwards to act as a step, making the event of getting in and out of the cockpit very special and easy.

The interior is simply one continuous sheet, starting from the dashboard, then being folded and bended to create floor carpet and seat.

The interior of the car is as simple and futuristic as the exterior. Single sheet transparent LCD dashboard displays all the essential data such as speed and mileage. The screen in the center of the steering wheel displays digital map. The information can also be projected on the canopy by a head up display. The
whole driving experience would be like flying a fighter jet. There is a small but handy luggage space behind the driver seat for handbags and suitcases. It is also an arm rest for the passengers.

Four wheels are housed inside the car’s four “legs”. Each wheel contains an Audi In-wheel Electric Drive Unit, making the car an evolution in Audi’s trademark “Quattro” all time four-wheel-drive system. The long range Supercharge-ion battery which powers the in-wheel motors are separated into two packs located in front of as well as behind the cockpit, creating a perfect 50:50 weight distribution of the car for excellent handling.

Specifications:
Length: 4480 mm
Width: 1900 mm
Height: 1060 mm
Wheel base; 3048 mm
Weight: 800 kg
En Engine: 4 Audi In-wheel Electric Drive Units
Power: 544 hp (4 X 100 kW)
Torque: 4500 Nm (3319.03 lb-ft)
0-100km: 2.9 s
Top Speed: 360 km/h

Designer : Edwin Conan

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

Artistic Taxius Animalus Electric Vehicle by Francis Gomes

TheFuture — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:51:08 +0000

Usually, a taxi continuously runs 12 hours everyday, including the standing time when they wait for passengers, resulting huge wastage of fuel and harm to the environment. The Taxius is a small and light built taxi concept that uses electric power to transport people over different areas of busy cities or countryside towns. This taxi comprises an organic inspired sculpture which is simplified using tough fabric, strengthened chords and welded hollow tubes, forming a functional volume with great visibility. The diverse functionality of the taxi concept includes structural interior on an electric architecture, which runs on a six wheel track over diverse terrains and the visual aesthetic has been boost with transparent exterior skin with composite panels.

Designer : Francis Gomes

Renault Picnic Zero-Emissions Concept Car Provides Room for Social Gathering

TheFuture — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:26:05 +0000

When people goes for a picnic, a car that can provide room for social gathering parked in an urban landscape is always desirable, which was the main inspiration of designing the Renault Picnic concept car. This car can become an urban furniture, where people can re-acquaint themselves with the surrounding natural environment with its various functionalities. It features LED-impregnated DOL that allows adjustable and customizable tinting patterns that will make the car’s surface a public art. The easy access sliding doors allow convenient entrance. You can attach a bicycle with the rear bumper and can arrange some extra sittings with tailgate rumble seats that slides-out from the front trunk. The Renault Picnic features low-cost and minimalist dashboard with i-pod compatibility which is ideal for new drivers. The modular seating arrangement of this car ensures equal comfort to be enjoyed for all passengers either inside, on atop the rear bumpers or on the front tailgate.

Gabriel says :
The Renault Picnic seeks to augment rather than detract from the health of it’s surrounding environment. It is a Zero-emissions vehicle that provides a social function to the parked car within in the urban landscape. When parked, the Picnic transforms into urban furniture, becoming a social space for people to re-acquaint themselves with the surrounding environment. LED-impregnated, glass-coated polycarbonate windows project customized images when the vehicle is parked, transforming the vehicle into a form of public art.

Further considering the environment, the exterior panels are composed of hemp-based composites, and the vehicle is powered by Lithium Ion batteries and two rear-mounted in-wheel hub motors.

In order to reduce cost, complexity and weight, the simple interior is constructed of modular components, with four identical, soy-foam seats and an i-pod doc replacing most of the functions, including sound system and GPS on the dashboard.

Designer : Gabriel Wartofsky

Bowler Raptor 4WD Vehicle Design is Powered by Lithium-Titanate Batteries

TheFuture — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:47:00 +0000

Raptor is an extreme all-terrain vehicle designed for the British brand Bowler, features unique exposed chassis, a whole electric drivetrain and minimal bodywork to run up to 130mph and was inspired by the vehicles that compete in the Baja and Dakar rallies. Although the design contains the elements of a traditional four-wheel drive vehicle, it also incorporates echo-conscious materials and modern-day technology to create an exceptional off-road buggy.

The angular bodywork of this vehicle takes inspiration from both superbikes and modern architecture which results this unique vehicle, from both in aesthetic aspects and highly functional body panel mechanism. The body panels are independently attached onto the vehicle with hex-head bolts and can be replaced easily when damaged. The tires were designed to form a contrast by combining digital technology and dune buggy paddle tires, and both the alloys and tires are interlocked to create a strong image.

Raptor is based on an exposed carbon fiber chassis that provides closer sense of speed to the occupants, whilst providing comprehensive safety. The cantilever roof offers an unrivalled view from the front seat, giving a close panoramic view of the landscape. The vehicle is powered by Lithium-Titanate batteries that can be recharged through a standard wall socket or dedicated high powered outlets. It features unique “hot-swap” battery system that allows the user to replace the batteries easily and quickly.

Designer : Ryan Skelley

STEM Lightweight and Small Electric Concept Vehicle for Urban Environment

TheFuture — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:35:25 +0000

STEM is a lightweight and small vehicle concept aimed for urban use which is ideal for short distance rides like commuter traffic, shopping-tours or the way to work. This three wheeled city-vehicle is a perfect alternative of the traditional cars that are being used in the city area. This vehicle has a modular case located in the front side of the vehicle which can be used as a storage unit for small and light loads, moreover, you can remove this if you want. STEM is envisioned to be publicly used and therefore, an additional rental station infrastructure has also been developed where people will be able to rent this vehicle for short period of time from all over the city. When you will reach your destination, you can return it to another rental station that is nearest from where you are.

To enrich the alternative mobility, this vehicle is empowered with an electric engine and lithium-based batteries to accumulate the energy located under the seat and charging can be done by plugging-in any standard power socket. The uniquely forward lean main body is designed against the driving direction and the precise edges and clean surfaces add up to an important impression of the design.

Designer : Tobias Bexten

Metromorph Futuristic Concept Car with Balcony Mode Option

TheFuture — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:49:37 +0000

To address the ever-growing metropolitan city problems associated with real estate and parking place, many innovative ideas are constantly coming up from various designers and Metromorph is one of the most functional concept cars in this regard. It has been designed with the ability to ride up just like an elevator and turn into a balcony, eliminating the harassment of parking and paying for additional space in the apartment. This vehicle is powered with two in-wheel motors placed in the back of the car along with two battery cases.

Rotating arms have been used in order to keep the seats level for both vertical and horizontal drive. When the vehicle is in balcony mode, the seats are positioned on a rolling base which allows them to become lounge chair for lying down and relax. The exterior design of this car never seems like a car that is mounted vertically with a building but still it looks like a vehicle on the road. The wheels are hidden towards inside and doors are designed to rotate closely around the car, instead of the usual pulling out or sliding up doors, allowing the entrance to freely open in narrow area like a garage.

Designer : Roman Mistiuk

CarGo Vehicle One Seater Car Concept for Inner City Deliveries

TheFuture — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:51:47 +0000

CarGo is a unique concept vehicle with variable wheelbase, track and load carrying designs aiming to overcome the increasing urban traffic congestion problem which affects numerous delivery companies everyday. Primarily, the battery powered CarGo is designed in a compact mode for inner city deliveries which allows the driver to adapt the vehicle quickly to suit both busy traffic conditions and load volume/type. This one seater concept car has three standard configurations, compact mode for busy city use, constricted mode with banking corner action and pick-up mode for carrying larger volume supplies in more efficient way.

From Adam :
Urban traffic congestion is an increasing problem which affects countless delivery companies every day. The unique “CarGo” concept addresses this issue with its variable track, wheelbase and load carrying configurations.

Due to its inherent flexibility, the CarGo would be an invaluable addition to any urban delivery company’s fleet by offering:
- Enhanced versatility for use in congested areas due to variable mode options.
- Faster delivery time in heavy traffic as narrow mode gives reduced width and higher maneuverability.
- Easier parking due to compact size.
- Eco-friendly status as a zero-emission electric vehicle.
- Reduced running costs i.e. lower fuel and road tax costs, congestion charge exempt.
- Clip-On composite body panels allow for corporate branding and low repair costs.

Designer : Adam Schacter

Foldable Skateboard, Is It A Good Idea ?

TheFuture — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:24:19 +0000

The need of space-use efficiency has directed the designers to many innovative concept products ranging from bicycles to full fledged cars. But folding skate board is quite an exceptional idea for user convenience, portability and space minimizing. The board is actually a combination of two parts connected with a clump at the middle. The combination of black upper surface with a led direction indicator and the white under surface has given the skate board a fabulous look. The movable rear wheel base will allow you to place the wheels in an organized way when you will fold the board. Foldable skateboard might look cool, but the real skateboarders don’t seem to agree with this idea.

Designer : Jin-Seok Hwang via ngboards