F.5 Light Urban Mobility
A bicycle or pedelec (pedal electrical bicycle) is a good example of light urban mobility. The word light illustrates the relatively small footprint of a vehicle while it is moving and its relative low energy consumption. Three products are illustrated here to show how urban mobility can be further developed. The focus of these products is to be part of niche or customized situations and to extend or link the use of public transport.
F.5.1 Urban Mobility Concept
Commuter mobility, like all mobility, is on the rise. However, the greatest increase is among car users, and this contributes to a number of problems such as reliance on nonrenewable fuels, emissions, congestion, and safety. Stimulating modal shifts, encouraging people to use less harmful modes of transport, and making use of state-of the-art technologies are strategies employed in this case to contribute to improved mobility patterns.
The main disadvantage of public or shared transport, from the user's point of view, is the lack of flexibility due to the fixed start and end points of the journey. The urban mobility concept (UMC), the advanced portable transport solution designed within this project, intends to provide an efficient connection between the user and public or shared transport, thereby making it a more attractive mode of transportation for commuters. The UMC could also be used in combination with a car, by parking the car outside the city and using the UMC to access the city center (see Figure F.5.1).
Figure F.5.1 The UMC prototype and illustrations of its use
The design research framework consisted of extensive user research and analysis of other important aspects of the design context such as market, usage environment, cultural influences, and legislation. The UMC's final design is as a light personal BEV that can be folded within seconds thanks to a new folding principle. The electric drive is integrated in the rear wheel, and the battery pack including controllers is placed in the main body frame. In the folded state, the wheels are positioned next to each other and the UMC can be rolled in a balanced manner, making it easy to handle in a busy environment. When riding the UMC, a choice can be made between sitting and standing postures. The sitting posture is intended for somewhat longer distances, and the standing posture could be used for shorter distances, making the folding procedure even quicker. As for appearance, the UMC has a strong visual identity, making it stand out among other vehicles on the market with similar functionality.
A mock-up was built of the design to test if the folding, rolling, and riding functions could be carried out satisfactorily. It was concluded that the folding actions are natural and smooth, the rolling works adequately, and the riding (which could best be evaluated for standing posture) is fun and comfortable due to the wheel size and the combination of steering angle and fork rake.
F.5.2 MeeneemFiets
A second case we want to discuss is the MeeneemFiets. The common scene among commuters in recent years is more and more use of folding bicycles. This shows how efficient the combination of a train and folding bicycle is. The folding bicycle is also a welcome change for motorists who need to park their vehicles outside the city centers and be flexible with a bicycle.
Current folding bicycles are very convenient and well-developed products in their unfolded state. The problem starts only when they are folded. As a packet, a folding bike is too large to carry, and it is difficult to move or maneuver in congested places. This is likewise the reason why people with folding bicycles limit themselves to the entrances of train doors or corridors while traveling and are not allowed into buses. The present design is developed or suited easily for longer distances; in other words, the folding bicycle is designed for its unfolded state. A passenger using a folding bicycle normally needs to cover not more than 4 km. Consequently, design input is required more for the folded state than the unfolded state. The aim in this case is to develop an alternative for the folding bicycle with a view on the distance to be covered in relation to comfort while carrying in its folded state (Tenwolde, 2007).
The final design, called MeeneemFiets, is an elegant combination between a step and a folding bicycle (see Figure F.5.2). The MeeneemFiets is more functional to ride than a step and more comfortable to carry than a folding bicycle. Stepping on the pedal operates the MeeneemFiets, and the foot can be exchanged from time to time. The MeeneemFiets in its folded state becomes a thin packet that is easy to carry into the train or other mode of transport. The detailing of the MeeneemFiets is derived from the compact folded state and results into the desired form while unfolded. The only question that remains is how fast the consumer will get used to this unusual way of cycling and accept it as a connection to the public transport.
Figure F.5.2 The MeeneemFiets in folded and unfolded stands
F.5.3 Bull
The third case, carried out at Silvestris BV, focused on the “design of a structure and package of an electric vehicle for the urban environment” (Van de Kieft, 2009). Sustainability and environmental control are currently recognized as top issues that could fit the company's targets and philosophy for an exclusive sustainable urban vehicle.
In this project a combination of methods was used. First of all, a derivative of the vision in product design method (VIP) was used in the analysis phase. With this method, a character description was given that, together with a user environment description, formed the base for choosing the main components, structure, theme, and package of the vehicle to be designed (Hekkert et al., 2011). The findings of the analysis, in combination with progressing insight, led to the following starting points: The vehicle will have three wheels, it will be meant for one occupant in standing position, and it will be positioned in the 25 km/h class in which the use of a helmet is not required.
In order to combine dynamic driving with good stability, a tilting mechanism was needed. In the synthesis phase, two alternatives were tested through a design by experience method: Four proof-of-concept models were made combining the alternatives with different setups. This led to a configuration with one larger front wheel, an in-wheel electric motor, and two smaller rear wheels, which are linked through a parallelogram. This provides a free-leaning mechanism that enables the occupant to lean while turning, in order to improve stability. The mechanism has the same dynamic characteristics as a normal bike ride.
With the outcome of the synthesis phase, a design was developed and put into practice with the final prototype. The steering was placed in the opposite direction of bike steering. This functional feature evokes the appearance of a bull and served as the inspiration for the design of other components. For this reason, the design was named BULL (see Figure F.5.3).
Figure F.5.3 The BULL prototype and an illustration of its riding posture
The prototype is fully functional with an electronically operated blocking mechanism applied to the parallelogram, in order to keep the vehicle upright when parked or driving at low speeds. The design aims at a target group that is willing to pay more for quality and exclusive design. However, the prototype and this project will function as a base for further development where alternative variations on this vehicle will also be taken into consideration. This development should result in a production-ready design and finally a market introduction.