DESIGN NAME: Cero
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Electric Tricycle
INSPIRATION: People with disabilities have to make a lot of compromises while choosing their everyday objects. Because of this, a bond cannot evolve with their objects. But everyone deserves to own products that are pretty and lovable for them. Since the Cero can be utilized in physiotherapy it is much more important for the owner to love it. One of the Cero’s main goals was to remove the stigma associated with adult tricycles as medical devices. It not only fulfills the disabled’s needs, but the individual’s too. The unique design doesn’t communicates the user’s phisycal condition. With it's wow factor it diverts attention from the disability. This overcomes a drawback and will help the social integration of it's user.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Cero e-tricycle for adults is clearly different from other tricycles. It is designed with specific medical conditions in mind—the tricycle's safe low center of gravity and sturdy backrest make it the ideal mode of transportation for people with various medical conditions and recovering patients. With three modes, varying in level of electric assist, users can choose the type of experience they want to have each time they ride.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The Cero has a unique frame with low step through and a stable lower sitting position. The low centre of gravity, seating with a back support and steering in front give the rider a safe and secure feeling. The seat's height, the backrest's height and angle and the crankset's position are adjustable. The forward pedalling motion ensures a perfectly comfortable ride. The back, neck, shoulders and wrists are almost completely released from burden thanks to this special cycling position. During 20 minutes of cycling with the Cero each leg is bent more than 500 times. The Cero can be driven with just one leg. Even when the other leg can barely move on it’s own, the passive movement alone can help to improve blood circulation in the lower extremities. Since this electric tricycle is designed for people with stability problems and variable energy levels there are three options available on the tricycle: users can ride it by just pedaling, ride it by pedaling with electric pedal support, or with 100% electric power assist with variable speed levels.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The projetct started in December, 2015 in Budapest and ended in September, 2016 in Budapest
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The tricycle is made out of bent stainless steel tubes. The bent tubes minimize the visual weight, but still offer the necessary flexibility without shock absorbers. The 250W motor accelerates the rider to a maximum speed of 25km/h over a distance of approximately 60km.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Inside leg length: from 65 cm to 95 cm; Step up height: 25 cm; Length: 210 cm; Width: 75 cm; Wheel size: 20 inch
TAGS: electric, tricycle, health, physiotherapy, e-tricycle
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: I studied the needs of the disabled. The research objective was to find a way to maximize the ergonomic features and aesthetics. For this project I had to dig myself into the technical part of e-bike motors to find the most suitable one for this tricycle, which is powerful enough and can cover a large distance.
CHALLENGE: The hardest part was to design an elegant shape, which fulfills all the special needs and is cost effective at the same time. Choosing the right electric motor was also a difficult choice to make. In both cases, there were lots of there-and-backs. I tried to track all the suitable options and choose the best of them.
ADDED DATE: 2017-03-06 21:47:37
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Designer: Tamás Túri; Craftsmanship: Antal Frank (Bringanti); Textile design: Lili Pázmány; Paint job: Ákos Csere
IMAGE CREDITS: Gergely Tarján, 2016
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