Single Person Transportation System

Designed for single person, this futuristic transportation concept is a round shaped vehicle that uses two wheels with unique angle to balance and support the man body. It certainly provides unique experience to its driver. There’s no steering wheel. User will drive this car using a joystick, similar to the way someone plays a video game. The designer, Sanu K R, bet your kids can drive this vehicle easily, due to its body design. To get in and out of the solo pod, one must open the circular doors, which resemble that of a submarines. This futuristic electric car is small and slim, so it will not take much space on the road. [via]

MONO: Electric Single-Driver-Vehicle

MONO is an electric single-driver-vehicle that occupies a very small amount of space in its lane and embodies a handful of additional intelligent features. It is the smallest car-unit of a differentiated car-sharing system. In the rush-hour mode MONO becomes shorter to save driving space in the city. It may not assist in speed but in those situations when lane-changing is necessary amidst a gridlock scenario, Elena Gerber's concept car can draw its back wheel closer to its front two. This adjustment allows its vaguely egg-shaped cabin to stand upright and effectively reduce its footprint. The driving pod itself accommodates just one person, consistent with the popular commuting practice of avoiding the economic and eco-friendly carpool. The MONO Electric Vehicle is light and efficient and would suit well as a personal transportation scheme in the future. [via]

Gyroscopically-Stabilized Electric Motorcycle

The C-1 by Lit Motors, Inc is the world’s first gyroscopically-stabilized electric motorcycle. This vehicle combines the efficiency and freedom of a motorcycle with the safety and convenience of a car. Influenced by Scandinavian design, the exterior of the C-1 is both approachable and simple, enveloping the human in subtle curves, softened volumes, and lots of glass. The overall design foundation is based on its waist line, which wraps around the vehicle’s circumference, and is grounded by the swooping rocker panel, highlighting its unique gyroscopic components. Offering the “alternative to alternatives” on an exciting and safe platform, the C-1 transforms your daily commute into something to look forward to.

Due to its numerous layers of connectivity, you can think of the C-1 as a “rolling smart phone”. The device will employ H2V, H2C, V2I, and V2V connectivity. As a small example: traffic, construction, and adverse weather conditions will be transmitted to the vehicle, thus informing both you and the C-1 about the current situation and advising different routes.

Using electronically-controlled gyroscopes located under the floor – generating over 1,300 ft.-lb. of torque – the C-1 balances at a stop and stays upright, even in a collision. In-hub, direct-drive electric motors (20 kW) provide power and regeneration, while center-hub steering keeps you pointed in the right direction. With a top speed of 100+ MPH and battery packs providing up to 200 miles per charge, the C-1 is perfect for commuters. [via]

db0 7: Electric Bike with Iconic V Shape

The db0 (divided by nothing) 7 is an electric bike with a rear mounted motor designed by Rob Brady and team. The main focus was to design purposely for universal usage - male and female riders – and this dictated the purpose of the down-tube and the overall structure. The frame needed to allow for ease of mount and dismount for all riders. Designing around this universal purpose, the basic V shape becomes an iconic element of the design – using the central hub as the focal point of the bike. The center hub houses all of the electronics. The designers of db0 7 kept the overall read simplified – the design remains clean and not fussy. This clean focal point allows bike to stand out in the crowd.

The db0 7 equipped with the hub with stylized lights to show battery strength and power assist strength. These lights are not meant to be visible to the rider, they are more to highlight to the onlookers that this bike is something more than a traditional bike. Riders will gain information on their bike’s performance through a Bluetooth unit that will relay information to a db0 application on the rider’s smart phone. The rider can place their smart phone into a mount in the handlebar area for ease of use. The circular hub is the iconic element of the db0 7, in this case highlighting not only the technology but the overall lightness and simplicity of the bike by focusing on the empty space of the circle. This also stays within the db0 family aesthetic of elevating the electronic hub as the design focus.

The db0 7 has a distinct boldness to the tubing design. The tube design is purposeful in its cross-sections. While maintaining the bold aesthetic of the bike, they are functional in that the rear tube is much wider to allow for the housing the 36v battery pack and also as a structural support for the seat, while the front tube is much more slender, allowing for ease of entry onto the bike while still allowing room for necessary cabling through the tube. The seat adjustment is also unique. The seat support travels on the support tube within a rail, allowing for unique articulation points. As shorter riders lower the seat, the design also brings them closer to the handlebars. Rob Brady and team addressed structural concerns of seat support with concentric support components that complement the central hub and also strengthen the arrangement of the main V shape. The bike was designed to be as light as possible for an electric bike while maintaining consideration for manufacturing efficiency, i.e. a traditional bike assembly method of welded extruded aluminum tubing. The stylized cast aluminum wheels echo the simplistic design and mirror the play on empty space at the focal point of the bike. [via]

An Easy Way to Lock Your Bicycle

Saddle Lock is a new way to quickly lock the rear wheel without the need for additional locking accessories. In complex cities, the number of people using bicycles to travel short distances is increasing. Following the trend, bicycle design has been evolving rapidly. On the contrary, the evolution of the bicycle lock has been slow. When they make a quick stop – such as at a coffee counter or a convenience store – people still look for something to lock their bicycle to. Even though they are only stopping for a few minutes, they must perform quite a number of actions to lock their bike.

Saddle Lock designed by Lee Sang Hwa, Kim Jin Ho, and Yeo Min Gu provides a fast and easy way to lock your bicycle when you’re making a quick stop. The seat post swings down around the main frame when a button is pushed. The saddle features a cut-away shape that allows it to sit over the rear wheel. A combination lock allows the release of a special alloy rotating lock that extends from one end of the saddle to the other, securing its connection to the wheel. [via]

Even though Saddle Lock is a 2012 red dot award: design concept winner, there are some negative comments, for example from Mark Flaming, "I'm sorry, but as beautiful as this design is, it is a complete failure. There is no structure left in the bicycle frame. They have taken the triangulation out of the rear stays where it most needs it, which will lead to flexing of the rear wheel and ultimately frame failure at the bottom bracket. Secondly, there is now now way to adjust the seat height for different riders. Unless they are planning on making 100 different seat posts, this will lead to knee problems for the rider. So much sacrifice in design all for the convenience of a $10 rear wheel lock? How did this get an award?"

Twist: Reversible Bicycle Concept

This flexible bicycle concept is named the “Twist” and is conceived by Spanish designer Jose Hurtado. The Twist allows the riders to both conjoin individual bicycles to ride tandem and split the tandem to ride apart. The designer perhaps had in mind the couples that ride into the city together during the week and subsequently depart to their separate jobs. He said, "Twist [is] not just a bike, [it] is a union between people. Sometimes a change of direction in your life helps you to find yourself. With Twist, the change of direction will lead you to meet and enjoy the people, like you, who love cycling, mobility and [a healthy lifestyle]."

The bike is designed to be reversible; hence, the unusual shape of the frame and positioning of the handlebars and saddle. "The bike frame has a single arm that holds the wheel on two points, thus preventing movement and anchoring it securely. The frame is crossed by the pedal system rotating inside for the bearings. The turning circle of cycling is the same as conventional bicycles.." Thus, the hubless wheels aren't just for show: they serve as a point of attachment for a second frame, such that the tandem bike becomes a mirror image of itself when viewed in profile. [via]

Circular Frame Folding Bicycle Concept

Designed by Arvind M of Bangalore, the Donut bike is a easy to fold and aesthetically pleasing folding bicycle concept, which folds into circular frame with no parts of the bicycle protruding outside the frame. As pictured above, the Donut enables its rider to fold up and make it with them on the run as being a bag/briefcase. It can be easily carried, stored and stowed. Transforming it right into a bike seems to be relatively straightforward, although we need to admit that its design is quite unconventional and may not sit too well with bike enthusiasts.

This bicycle has a circular aluminum alloy welded frame which takes the load of the rider. The front and rear forks are pivoted to the circular frame as shown in the image. This bike has a tubular pedal which slides as well as rotates inside the crank bar. Combination of chain and gear drives are used to transfer motion to the rear wheel. Height adjustable seat and handle with GPS plus cyclometer. [via]

LOCUST: Circular Frame Folding Bike

LOCUST by Josef Cadek is a folding bike concept which offer great ability to be folded or stored in small spaces (cases, car trunks etc..). Main feature of the design is the circular frame and unusual folding. Both wheels have overhung mounting. After releasing safety lock nuts wheels can be turned around relevant axis into the frame. Because of folding of the rear wheel momentum transfer from crankset to rear wheel must be divisible. Common chain system is replaced by belt system with outer toothing. Belt is mounted on two rollers. Both "chainwheel" and pinion have outer toothing as well. It altogether ensures right direction of turning and divisibility of the whole system.

In the rear hub there is internally geared hub, analog to Shimano Nexus system. Shifting is of the GripShift kind. Saddle can be folded by pressing down red safety lock, it releases saddle support to be turned back towards the frame. For folding the handlebars cyclist must first release revolving safety lock nut on the top of the head set. Then the handlebars can be moved back towards the frame. Bike is equipped with disc brake in the front and the clamshell brake at the back. Thus brakes don't block folding of the wheels.

This kind of bike will be welcomed by people in the "over-trafficed" cities, young people, students at the campuses. It can be use to good effect in large industrial facilities, airports, cities centers as a rent-bike. Another usage is "parasitic" means of transport. User can leave her/his car at the parking outside of the city center and then continue riding bike loaded in the trunk. Term "park and ride" will have a new meaning. Colouring works as a safety feature. [via]

Premium Audi Bike Series for Urban Traffic

The Audi Bike series is a premium class collection of modern bikes featuring fluent lines, more surface transitions and sporty look with emotional appearance. The family consists of The “Audi Bike” Sports bike, The “Audi Bike” Folding bike and The “Audi Bike” Electric bike. All bike concepts was designed by Vladimer Kobakhidze, a 29-year old Georgian car designer, based on the general design and philosophy of this German automotive company from rationality, visibility and quality. It has to meet the principle of modern sportiveness for premium consumers.

The “Audi Bike” Sports bike: The “Audi Bike” Sports bike represents a premium class bicycle segment. The dynamic body frame made by solid and lightweight material (like carbon fiber or aluminum) is combining the Seat post construction and the chain ring mechanism. The innovative bicycle body design language contains all functional and safety features. The seat post construction can be regulated by the user with a simple and convenient convertible, transformable option. The chain ring mechanism is a simplified by the safe covering system, which makes it convenient and safe. The design language of this new chain ring represents a new technical solution for all modern bicycle chains. In general the “Audi Bike” design language represents the new design ideology, to minimized the old fashioned technical, conservative construction approach and maximizes the functional, safety and aesthetics features.

The “Audi Bike” Folding bike: This folding bike represents an urban transportation segment. The general design language follows to the new “Audi Bike” family design direction, with a rational, sporty, and dynamic body language. The folding bike design face is reworked to be more urban oriented. For the global problem of urban traffic, this foldable option can be used in a efficient and useful way. The folding bike’s body is lightweight and compact, easily fitted in a standard car trunk. The folding bike can be connected with a global city network using a new smart phone or GPS mobile device system, offering to the consumer a live city map, free parking zones and urban traffic map.

The “Audi Bike” Electric bike: This hybrid electric bike represents a mountain (hilly) urban transportation segment. The Electric bike design language follows to the new “Audi Bike” family design direction, with a much more refined surface design definitions. The dynamic body frame and wheels are made by carbon fiber, which makes electric bike lightweight and solid. The upper part of the body frame combines the eclectic lithium battery cargo, with a Battery range for sample regular urban use. The Electric bike contains also the (HP) humane powered mechanism, which can be used as a generator option for charging an electric batteries and also used in a flat urban areas. [via]

Smart Speedometer with Alert System

Speed Guard designed by Gao Fenglin and Zhou Buyi is a smart speedometer that clearly indicates when the car has exceeded the speed limit. This speedometer alerts the driver when the speed limit is breached via a colored display. GPS readings detect the position of the car and the speed limit of that particular road. When the speedometer’s needle passes the speed limit, the excess area covered by the needle will be illuminated with red light. Speed Guard is a non-invasive but easily detectable alert system for drivers. [via]

Modular Cycle for City Dwellers

Designed by Yo-Hwan Kim, the Smart City Cycle is great for biking in the city or even to run some daily errands. The futuristic bicycle features a clean, refreshing look that's shaped a lot like the exercise bikes at the gym. Yo-Hwan Kim's considerate design targets eco-friendly individuals and city dwellers that may want to avoid driving whenever possible. Although biking surely saves on fuel, certain tasks like grocery shopping can be a hassle with a bike. The design takes these daily chores into account and incorporates an extra hidden compressed compartment in the back wheel. Once expanded, the back wheel becomes a storage device and the bike transforms into a tricycle. [via]