DESIGN NAME: Velosione
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Electric Bicycle
INSPIRATION: It is a pragmatic wisdom to think twice before you act. Don’t jump the gun. For us there is a significant difference between thinking and doing. Best practice leads to grounded theory and vice versa. This way design can be a business multiplier but we are aware that it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. We have set ourselves the goal to combine classic design with the opportunities of the digital age to create ‘functional emotions’.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Velosione is a sustainable electric bicycle for mass production. It is the first e-bicycle with a frame produced using advanced thermoplastic composites and closed tube geometry. The lightweight hollow pipe geometry offers higher stiffnes and elasticity than aluminum, rugged and long-living. Modular Moulds offer Different frame sizes at low additional costs by use of variable injection molding master tools.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Velosione represents a green & sustainable product. Features like integrated safety systems (low beam high beam, direction indicator, emergency flasher) combined with low maintenance offer maximum convenience. Integrated product features like LED-lights, sensors and material damping properties next to capacitive Touch Interaction and operation app push the limits of digital connectivity. The Whole frame offers the possibility to be covered in scratch resistant design foils. The user gets an elegant bike frame with fully integrated battery and technology.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project was executed 2018 mainly in Linz, Austria and was presented in Austria, Germany and Taiwan.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Designed as rigid hollow tube frame at the very edge of fluid-injection molding technology. The manufacturing process, which is new in the bicycle industry, has decisive advantages in product design. Since an independence from the restrictions of tube forming (hydroforming process) has been achieved, there are now numerous options for functional integration (light, sensors, security) as well as the three-dimensional shaping of the frame geometry. Taking into account plastic-friendly design, the customer benefit can be increased for many applications. Further advantages are the increased resilience, reduced production costs and times and a lower CO2 footprint. We reach for a reduction of more than 50% of CO2 emission over the whole product life cycle. One percent of the bicycle world market (1.300.000 bicycles per year) can reduce the CO2 emissions up to 16455ton/a which equals the thermal renovation of 14.000 apartments or annual CO2 emissions of 5.500 cars The material is 100% recyclable and a cost-efficient production can be realized in the European Union.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Length x With x Height: 110mm x 25mm x 70mm
TAGS: e-bike, electric, bicycle, sustainability, plastic
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: In our international Design Studio and Engineering Consultancy we work with a team of interdisciplinary experts, who are hand-picked for each project. This way bespoke solutions are created. The modular teams support projects from its inception all the way through to its launch, which ensures the highest level of quality.
CHALLENGE: The challenge of fluctuating between creativity and technology has always been a driving force throughout the product development process. The conceptual and emotional spirit of the Automotive world in combination with the scientific and technical approach of engineering pushed an interdisciplinary approach to continuously validate the concept, product, technology and market as well as the business model along with the consumer’s needs and preferences.
ADDED DATE: 2020-09-30 20:45:51
TEAM MEMBERS (4) : Umut Cakmak, Michael Hofbauer, Florian Nimmervoll and Christian Wolfsberger
IMAGE CREDITS: Image Credits (#1-#5): Michael Hofbauer, DO:IT Solutions, 2020
Video Credits: Plastic Innovations, 2018
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