DINZ Member working in Switzerland at Designwerks GMbH

Author: Alain Brideson - A New Zealander now based in Switzerland | Categories: Product Sector, General

Alain Brideson was a student at Unitec. He won an exclusive scholarship to Pforzheim University, School of Design and studied Master of Transportation Design. Alain now works at Designwerk GmbH, Switzerland. Below article is his Master Thesis - Sonic

Sonic Master Thesis - By Alain Brideson

Concept Description:
Within my Master Thesis, it has been my goal to design an electric tandem vehicle, which embodies the natural motion of leaning into corners. Inspired from my personal experiences while riding in a cabin-motorbike, I felt compelled to take up the opportunity to develop what could be a realistic proposal for future motoring.

With the ever increasing environmental awareness of the automobile market, the prospect of a tandem vehicle is very realistic, due to its aerodynamic and lightweight advantages. Through the function of leaning, there not only lies an inspiring driving experience and improved cornering stability, but also offers an interesting challenge on how this movement translates into an attractive dynamic aesthetic.

This study is an exploration of how notions of energy efficiency, driving experience, and emotional aesthetics could formulate into a sustainable and realistic piece of transportation design.

Design Description:
The design is a cab-back mono-volume with a very reduced, however dynamic graphic composition. The vehicle has free standing wheels for simplicity of form and to allow free movement of the wheels whist leanng. The package consists of a 2 person tandem arrangement with Lithium-Phosphate battery units at each end of the vehicle. Drive is provided by PMS Hub motors in the rear wheels. The vehicle leans to an angle of 28o , and dimensions (width, length, height) 1.4m, 4.3m, 1.1m.
 

Footnote
Alain is currently working on a project for a World circumnavigation with an elecrtic cabin-motorbike.  His company is taking part in the "Zero Emmissions Race", a tour of 14 electric vehicles around the world, starting in Shanghai in June 2010.  They have a couple of big sponsors and so far things are running well.  You can check out "www.zero-race.com" for details.

Posted on 19 January 2010, 09:20 a.m. | No Comments