Master Thesis Leander Feliers by Leander Feliers

RE-EVALUATION OF THE DUCATI MONSTER

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Leander Feliers 3th term MaTD 2013 James Kelly John Sweeney

ABSTRACT

This document describes the development and result of a new motorcycle, based on the popular Ducati Monster. The aim was not only to have a new design, but to combine form with new technologies, provided by owning company Audi. The vehicle is propelled by a hybrid power train. So an electric engine assists a combustion engine, with the possibility to drive fully electric when desired. The design process was split up in two main parts, also visible in the finished model: the underlaying structural and mechanical part and the bodywork and saddle, covering the underlaying components and giving the bike its final appearance. The design language used in these two modules is very different, resulting in a interesting but coherent entity. With this project I hoped to introduce new technologies and design to the - mostly conservative - motorcycle branche.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

1. INTRODUCTION 2. RESEARCH 2.1 Ducati • History • Ducati Monster 2.2 Power train • PHEV • Audi technology • Docking station 2.3 Scenario 2.4 Range positioning 2.5 Design philosophy • Emotional design • Dynamic design • Steer by wire • Ergonomics 2.6 Conclusion 2.7 System Design

DESIGN 3.1 Idea generation 3.2 Final design 3.3 Dimensions 3.4 Features 3.5 Color & trim

CONCLUSION

7 8 9

12 13 14

21 22

30 33 36 40

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

APPENDICES

43 5

1. INTRODUCTION

motorcycle is a vehicle unlike any other. Next to the practical use, it gives the owner the maximum amount of freedom and passion while driving. I chose to design a motorcycle as a thesis subject, and I had some reasons for that. First of all I had to chose something within the transportation domain that I find very interesting. During the first two semester of the course I designed a van for BMW, and a sci-fi vehicle for Audi, so I thought it would be nice to go for another direction again within the scope of my thesis. Also, a motorcycle is somehow an ``extreme`` thing to ride, but you could say the majority of bikes within a certain type today look roughly the same, based on fixed components. This is also an opportunity for me to do something different. I am not legally allowed driving a motorcycle yet, but I always liked the emotion and detail on a motorbike. However, when looking at modern bikes, some similar design trends are visible, and I was always wondering what a bike with a radical different design approach could look like. The design is one thing, but the heart of every bike is the power train, and as seen in cars, motorcycles can be improved to fullfil the needs and standards in the future. As a starting point, I chose the brand Ducati, and the Monster as a benchmark model. It is helpfull to have this as a starting point, so you are not groping in the dark. This decision narrows down some factors, but certainly not the possibilities. Ducati has always produced fast and emotional products, and since I was a child I loved the minimalistic Monster. That bike is now for sale for 20 years already, and had a modest redesign in 2008. In 2012, Audi group bought Ducati, so the knowhow and experience of Audi can only be positive for the development of a new Ducati product. This thesis document shows the research and design development to create a new Ducati bike, with a radical new design approach and a sustainable drivetrain provided by audi technology. Nevertheless the vehicle has to stay a desiriable object, reflecting the original.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2. RESEARCH We all know a motorcycle as a vehicle with two (or three) wheels. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task they are designed for, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing or off-road conditions. Different types of motorcycles have different dynamics and these play an impartant role in how a motorcycle performs in given conditions. The motorcycle has always been a exciting product and the fun of riding is a key element. So in the near future the shapes or basic layout of motorcycles are not going to change radically. Still, people want to see technology, feel the wind and sense the engine under them. On the other hand, the environmental aspects, such as air pollution and noise, are already playing a major role in the developments and are imortant factors in this project. This section shows the research for an alternative powered engine, how to use the motorcycle and how the main design ideas were created.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.1 Ducati, Italian passion History The company originated in 1945 from the factory radio Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati, and after the Second World War was taken over by the government. The first products were 48 and 65 cc motorcycles and scooters, including the famous 48 cc fourstroke “Cucciolo”, whose production was started in 1946 as a subsection of Siata. This year there were also plans to build a car, but beyond a prototype it never came. The prototype was named DU4. In 1952 the first real Ducati, came the “98”. In 1954 they took the famous engineer and designer Fabio Taglioni in service. His desmodromic valve control would have a significant impact on virtually all Ducatis which have been built since then. In 1959 the motorcycle division went further as an independent company. In 1985 Ducati went up to the Cagiva group, after several years blocks were delivered. In 1996 TPG took the majority of the shares of Ducati, so Ducati was more so on its own again. In 1998, the Texas Pacific Group (TPG) was the only owner of Ducati. In 1999 Ducati went public and was listed in New York and Milan. In December 2005 Ducati returned to Italian hands and was acquired by Investindustrial Holdings. On April 18, 2012 it was announced that the carmaker Audi took over the brand. Ducati Monster In the fall of 1992 the audience saw at the Cologne Intermot for the first time the Ducati Monster, and the following year it went into production. People immediately fell for its simplicity and flowing lines and the bike became an icon in the motorcycle history. According to designer Miguel Galluzi the philosophy behind the design was: “All you need is a saddle, tank, engine, two wheels and a steering bar.” By many, the Ducati Monster is seen as the archetype of the naked bike, and so, a good benchmark to start designing a new concept, extending the range of existing bikes.[6]

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.2 Power train The current environmental aspects, such as air pollution and noise are already playing a major role in the developments and are important factors in this project. If we look to cars today, these factors also play an important role, not only for a eclogical reason, but also social. A public awareness is growing among the crowd: global warming, air pollution, ... have become political and social issues. Car manufacturers realized this and almost every brand of cars has vehicles with alternative power in their range. For example, more than 5.2 million hybrid electric vehicles have been sold worldwide by the end of September 2012 and more than 530,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) sold worldwide by December 2011. Big companies put a lot of effort and money in the development of these cars, but motorcycle brands have not yet fully adopted this â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;trendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Nonetheless in a motorbike different types of enery can be used. Here is a list of the most common alternative energy sources for vehicles:[2] Air engine: The air engine is an emission-free piston engine that uses compressed air as a source of energy. Battery-electric: Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as all-electric vehicles (AEVs), are electric vehicles whose main energy storage consists in the chemical energy of batteries. Solar: A solar car is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy obtained from solar panels on the car. Solar panels cannot currently be used to directly supply a car with a suitable amount of power, but they can be used to extend the range of electric vehicles. Biofuels: A biofuel is a type of fuel whose energy is derived from biological carbon fixation. Hydrogen: A hydrogen car is an automobile which uses hydrogen as its primary source of power for locomotion. These cars generally use the hydrogen in one of two methods: Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

combustion or fuel-cell conversion. In combustion, the hydrogen is “burned” in engines by fundamentally the same method as traditional gasoline cars. In fuel-cell conversion, the hydrogen is turned into electricity through fuel cells which then powers electric motors. With either method, the only byproduct from the spent hydrogen is harmless water. Hybrid: A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. However other mechanisms to capture and utilize energy are included. PHEV Some motorbikes are already being sold today with a fully electric engine instead of a classic combustion engine, and it seems this is the most obvious choise for a green energy source. On the other hand, current batteries are still not performing as people would want. The capacitiy and range are increasing by developpers, but it is still not the same as if you would fill your tank with petrol. Also, once the battery is dead, you are stranded with you bike, possibly in the middle of nowhere. Once you are able to find a power supply to charge your device, it can take hours, in contrast with minutes for taking fuell. Another important emotional factor for people who by motorbikes: they dislike change and associate it with the fear of losing that which they already know and are comfortable with. Electric motorcycles can be nice for some people, but they can’t enjoy the smell of freshly burnt synthetic 2-stroke oil, hear the revving of the engine, or whatever the particular joy of riding is. That is why this design has to offer an alternative, new technical solution, attractive to those who still want to experience The former sensations.[10]

Brammo’s Empulse R electric motorcycle

“PEOPLE DISLIKE CHANGE, AND ASSOCIATE IT WITH THE FEAR OF LOSING THAT WHICH THEY ALREADY KNOW”

The idea behind this motorcycle concept is that the user is able to drive on electric mode only, to be environmental friendly or to move more quitly through city areas. This kind of hybrid power is known as a plug-in hybrid. Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), also known as a plug-in hybrid, is a hybrid electric vehicle with rechargeable batteries that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric powersource. A PHEV shares the characteristics of both a conventional hybrid electric vehicle, having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine and of an all-electric vehicle, also having a plug to connect to the electrical grid. PHEVs have a much larger all-electric range compared to conventional gasoline-electric hybrids, they eliminate the “range anxiety” associated with all-electric vehicles, because the combustion engine works as a backup when the batteries are depleted. In the picture a basic plug-in hybrid layout is displayed with the main components: petrol engine, electric motor, transmission, gas tank, battery and control units. Audi: technical knowhow

PHEV components in a car

As Audi is now owner of the Ducati company, they can provide the hybrid technology. Audi has years of experience and knowhow on this technology, so it can be a true added value for the bike concept. From a technical standpoint, it combines the best of two cultures. Docking station Having a PHEV motorbike with electric driving mode means the battery has to be charged when needed. This happens with a connection to a power socket at home. High power sockets are also available for fast charging. Because handling a cable every time you want to connect your battery to the electricity is not very convenient, I looked for different ways to do it. When searching into product design, lots of products with batteries are being charged with an extra harware piece that is permanently connected to the power circiut: a docking station. This could be an nice additional way of parking your bike at home, while charging at the same time, without connecting an annoying cable every time. A docking station also gives the ‘product’ a new way of interacting with alternative energy vehicles. This is illustrated on a possible user scenario on the next page.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.3 Scenario

Leaving home for work in the morning, bike is in docking station with fully loaded battery

Is able to drive fully electric and quitly through the city

Goes in hybrid mode outside the city, the combustion engine kicks in and more power and speed is available

At work the bike is parked outside, charging with cable is not necessary

Driving home in hybrid mode or electric mode

Once home, putting the bike in its docking station, charging for the night

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.4 Range positioning Motorcycles are being sold today in many shapes and variations (but still based too much on the same theme). On the image you can see a mapping of all kinds of different motorcycle types. The red cross marks the place were the new Ducati concept would be positioned: a conceptual, sporty road bike with a plughybrid engine. The power train and design approach will actually create a new type of bike, not yet seen on the market. The concept is aimed for the year 2015, so it could be a new generation Ducati Monster.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.5 Design philosophy This chapter desrcibes the research to create a motorcycle concept with these important characteristics: • speed • emotion • technical innovation

2.5.1 Emotional design Advances in our understanding of emotion and affect have implications for the science of design. Affect changes the operating parameters of cognition: positive affect enhances creative, breadth-first thinking whereas negative affect focuses cognition, enhancing depth-first processing and minimizing distractions. Therefore, it is essential that products designed for use under stress follow good human-centered design, for stress makes people less able to cope with difficulties and less flexible in their approach to problem solving. Positive affect makes people more tolerant of minor difficulties and more flexible and creative in finding solutions. Products designed for more relaxed, pleasant occasions can enhance their usability through pleasant, aesthetic design. Aesthetics matter: attractive things work better. (Donald Norman) A very important factor when designing a motorcycle is the emotions it arouses when you see it. Ducati is an Italian manufacture and we all know “Italian” is equal to nice design. When you suddenly see a shining Ferrari driving around the corner, your heart will beat faster and you will probably have a smile on your face. You don’t have to know what brand or what model it is, it is just the appearance. The design is playing with your emotions. People interact with different objects and environments during their life-time, feeling and expressing emotions toward the surrounding objects. Research on emotion and cognition has shown that attractive things really do work better

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Alessi’s juicer by Starck has an emotional design, but is not as funtional as other models

There are two aspects of design that can affect our emotions somehow:[4] VISCERAL DESIGN: Do we like or dislike the object? •Affective response, emotion. •Dichotomous: good - bad, safe - dangerous, pretty - ugly •Triggered by appearance: sight, sound, smell, feel, etc. •Fast, automatic, unconscious, inalterable; prewired part of the brain •The “wow” factor: not just “eye candy” •Includes feelings of self recognition: that (product) “is (is not) me” So the bike should create this affective response when you notice it. Also it should have some ‘dangerous’ feeling, because a motorcycle stays a sign of rebellion. If the vehicle would look very safe and behaved, it would not be appreciated by every biker. Also it should look fast and have a real ‘wow’ factor. The design has to be something completely new, but still has to be recognizable as a real motorbike: it needs two wheels and a saddle, more or less in the same proportions as we see in production bikes. Everything just has to be interpreted in a different way. BEHAVIORAL DESIGN: The pleasure and effectiveness of use. •Triggered by the visceral response, “good” vs. “bad” •“Bad” leads to muscle tensing, “escape” syndrome •“Good” leads to enhanced productivity •Not conscious -- good tools are “invisible,” the “flow” •Somewhat sensitive to experiences and education •Three facets: function, performance, usability •Iterative testing can benefit only here The behavioral design should of course enhance the handling of the bike, but it’s not a priority for this design. On the other hand, the motorcycle should reflect its function and performance, “what you see is what you get”. More about this functional design from page 19 on. Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.5.2 Rider and machine entity A bike is a very personal, emotional product, so a motorbike is not complete until a person rides it. Achieving what the titel says is obviously not completely possible, but it is another important factor to help designing a motorbike. On the images you can see two examples of designs where the connection between rider and machine is very high. The first one is a design sketch from Daniel Simon of the ‘Light Cycle’ for the movie Tron. The design was meant to be used in a sci-fi movie, so the designer could go wild on this. As you can se the rider is almost fully enclosed with body panels of the vehicle, also the proportions have changed quite a lot compared to production bikes. These proportions, together with the enclosed position of the rider gives a sense of speed. You could say the design is very aerodynamic and sleek and this obviously was the priority. The second image is the concept bike ‘Egli’ designed and built by Luigi Colani. In this design some of the same ideas are used as in the Tron bike, although Colani designed this a lot earlier. In this prototype you can see how difficult it would be to use an enclosed motorcycle. Also here it seems that aerodynamic was the main factor to design this. These two examples are great to analyse and for inspiration, but for the design of a new Ducati Monster it has to be less extreme. I want to have this ‘extra connection’ to the bike, without very difficult handling and poor ergonomics. In these examples the design is more important than the functionality, and that is not how the final design should be. The idea of my concept is i.a. to have a new and innovative way of holding the ‘handlebars’ and steering. Steering a bike is an action where not only the hands but the whole body is involved, and new technologies and materials can provide a new way of steering, so a typical handlebar is not necessary. The functions located on the handlebars now can be executed differently, with more feeling to the motorcycle. With this philosophy, everything concerning interface and handling with the hands can be placed under the body covers of the bike. Another advantage is the ability of placing the hand in a more ergonomic position, as you hand would be in a neutral rest position. [appendice 10]

Daniel Simons Light Cycle for Tron

Egli motorcycle by Colani

Conventional handlebar

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.5.3 Dynamic design At this point in history, Industrial Design is ready to undergo major evolutionary changes. New technologies, new materials and increasingly sophisticated consumer tastes all demand colossal transformations. Perhaps most exciting among these is the development of Kinetic Design which shows the aesthetic design of physical movement. Through this practice, designers will not just create forms, but choreograph those forms’ movements through space. Kinetic Design will literally open a new dimension for the aesthetic development of physical objects. As described before, a motorcycle is a very emotional product, so the design should enhance those emotions. Ducati is overal known for their rather sporty motorbikes, so when designing a new model this factor ‘speed’ should not only be felt by driving it, but also by watching it -even when it stands still. Nowadays, lots of industrial designers don’t have the ability to sketch anymore, mainly because of new computer technologies, such as 3D software. This way of working can often create static, engineered like products. We all know, especially in transportation design, the idea-generation by sketching is very important to create an appealing design. If I want to make this motorcycle to look fast, it is usefull to think about how to do this and start sketching. Static versus dynamic

Static versus dynamic decals

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

On the image two cars are displayed in profile. They both have a decall on the side, but the left one gives a different feeling to the car then the right one. With the top decall, the car looks very static, while the bottom one looks more dynamic and moving, thank to the graphic on the side. On the top the lines are very equal and parallel, and they work against the movement of the car. The reason why the sweeping lines are more dynamic is because they show the forward movement of the car. They refer to an aerodynamic shape. We can apply the same principle on different types of bikes, but with their basic shapes instead of graphics. These shapes 17

are mainly affected by the ergonomics of the bike. The top picture shows a sports bike and because of its function, speed, the saddle is high and the handlebars lower, giving the bike an aerodynamic, more aggresive and fast looking shape. The second visualisation represents a cruiser motorcycle. It is made for longer driving distances in a quite comfortable position. The dropping line towards the back defines a rather slow and friendly form. The off-road bike (bottom) has a quite horizontal line running through the body, resulting in a more neutral feeling (not fast, not slow). It is important that the final design, next to being emotional, also communicates this sense of speed. The sketches are a firts way to find this kinetic feeling. The forms can be anything and wheels can to placed anywhere afterwards.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.5.4 Functional design Drive train In previous chapters the possibilities for an alternative drive train were investigated. The choise of using a PHEV requires certain components in the motorbike. Naked bikes today show the technical components of the bike: the engine is exposed. This is because these bikes have a minimun of body panels, but also the engine is easy to reach and maintain. This gives these bikes a typical ‘naked’ look and, although this is mostly engineered design, it owns some beauty and passion. [9] Center of Gravity Basic fact in motorcycle design: the lower the centrer of gravity, the better the handling gets. The position of this point depends on many different things, such as the fuell tank position and the way the user is positioned on the saddle. But if you design a bike from bottom up, you can do this very consciously and take the center of gravity in account. For example the (no longer existing) brand Buell thought about this more than other brands, and replaced the top fuell tank by an ‘air box’ and relocated the petrol storage in the main frame. Also the exhaust was placed directly under the engine block, putting the weight as low as possible. Buell Lightning XB12s

Steer by wire Thanks to modern technology, more freedom can be created in the design process. By using drive by wire technology several components and visual mechanical parts can be eliminated to have a more clean result on the steering interface. In the automotive industry, drive-by-wire, or in this case steer-by-wire (SBW) technology replaces the traditional mechanical control systems with electronic control systems using electromechanical actuators and human-machine interfaces such as pedal and steering feel emulators. Hence, the traditional components such as the steering column,

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

intermediate shafts, pumps, hoses, belts, coolers and vacuum servos and master cylinders are eliminated from the vehicle. Safety can be improved by providing computer controlled intervention of vehicle controls with systems such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), adaptive cruise control and Lane Assist Systems. As concluded in the previous toppic (unite motorcyclist and motorbike), a new way of holding and handling the bike needs to be designed. Thanks to the use of this new technologies, conventional handlebars are not a essential anymore. The system can be much more intuitive and precisely than a mechanical steering module. Ergonomics improve and the setup is more personalisable.

Ergonomics Ergonomics can be improved by the amount of force and range of movement required by the driver and by greater flexibility in the location of controls. This flexibility also significantly expands the number of options for the vehicle’s design. Especially for motorcycle design, where different driving styles require different positions of the body on the bike. This difference can be seen by looking at the proportions of different types of motorbikes. [appendice 1] The designer, but also the user, has much more freedom isnplacing components because of the elimination of mechanical parts. Handles for steering can be adapted to the users needs without many technical complications. The position of the hand should be most comfortable when in neutral position. The ‘natural wrist position’ is the posture the wrist and hand assume when at rest. The Natural Wrist Position is characterized by a straight, unbroken wrist, the hand rotated to a relaxed position (30-60 degrees), the fingers curled and at rest and the thumb straight and relaxed. [appendice ??] This position can be a guidline for more ergonomic Different positions of the hand handlebars, unlike the horizontal ‘pronated’ ones most bikes have today. Off course, thanks to the SBW technology, the force executed on the handlebars can be much lower or higher and more controlled, and therefore also more personalisable and comfortable.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

2.6 Research conclusion The research done in this chapter helps to determine the design of the new motorcycle concept in many ways. The biggest difficulty for a ‘naked’ bike is to combine this emotional and dynamic shapes with the beauty of clever and functional design or engineering. To achieve this I made the decision to work in two main parts: first of all a completely new frame with all its techical components, and on the other hand the body or cover, containing the saddle and interface. Designing these two ‘modules’ has to be done keeping this research in mind. The frame has to be made of hi-tech materials to communicate technical innovation. Also the components have to fit in this frame, keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. There will be a fuell tank, a combustion engine, an electric engine, electronics, ... So next to the fact of being dynamic and techical innovative, it is mainly a functional design.

Inspirational images for the frame

The body part has to cover the top of this frame, leaving a part of the components visible. It is still a naked bike, but in a different way. In this case the main goal for this body is to make the bike an emotional object, so functionality is less important. The design language used for this cover has to be different, if not opposite’ to the frame. It has to be more sculptural, can be asymmetric and in one piece. The body makes the connection with de rider, especially with a new way of steering integrated. Because this is a seperate part, and the steering is not mechanical, the body and saddle can be placed and adjusted, in a way that every user can find his most comfortable position. Being a PHEV vehicle, the bike is not silent or just ‘buzzing’ like an electrical one, and with the charging station and driving modes it gives the user a new experience. These conclusions are summarized on the next page in a scematic overview of the motorcycle.

Inspirational images for the body

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Handlebars:

- SBW - Ergonimical ‘natural wrist position - Adaptable - Connects rider to bike - Covered by body

2.7 System design

Fuell tank: Lowered for better weight distribution

Electronics: Brain for al electronic functions

Frame: - Functional design - Dynamic - Hi-tech materials, lightweight

Docking station: Charges the battery when parked at home

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Body:

- ‘Air box’, no weight - Emotional design - Dynamic - Ergonomical adaptable

Electric engine: Can power bike on its own

Combustion engine and transmission: Small one-cilinder engine for hybrid driving

Battery:- Lowest point for better weight distribution - Positioned under petrol engine: doesn’t catch heat - Removable for maintenance or replacement 22

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

3. DESIGN 3.1 Idea genaration

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Chosen direction for body

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

3.2 Frame development

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

3.2 Final design These are two renderings for the final design of the frame, wheels and technical parts. The main materials used for the construction are carbon fiber composite and aluminium. The electric engine is suspended on the lowest part of the frame and the other part of the drive train is enclosed in the frame. The suspension is asymmetrical on both sides, with two single swingarms. The fronts wheel has a hub steering mechanism, so a conventional tube fork was eliminated. Handlebars are not present, the steering system is integrated in the body cover. The composite wheels refer to old multi spoke wheels, the shape and colored accent on one side makes them look different depending on which side you see the motorbike.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

The white body partially covers the frame and the components. The shape is asymmetrical, creating two different sides and leaving space for the front swingarm on one side. The parts where the hands hold the steering device is covered, giving the form a more aerodynamic feeling and creating more connection between the rider and machine. The sculptural shape is split in half by a black strip running from front to back, also housing lights and interface. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bulgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in front of the saddle contains no fuell, but is ergonimical necessary and is housing some electronics. The core of the material is a hard carbon fiber shell with a soft matte composite on top.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

3.3 Dimensions

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

3.4 Features The body has two ‘gaps’ to insert the hands, so the rider can steer and control the functions of the bike. With this feature the shape does not only looks more aerodynamic, but it also creates more connection between the rider and machine. The handles are designed as leather ‘gloves’ without pinching the hand too much. (Hand can be pulled out easily with or without glove.) The leather gives a trusted feeling of pulling on your leather gloves and the stitches give a nice finish on the outside. The handles are connected with each other, so you still get feedback on both handles when moving them. The system works on a serie of sensors for steering, trottle, braking and adjusting the interface. The user can control these functions very intuitive.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

The interface is visually very minimal on the outside. Most of the handlings are happening intuitive. On the black strip running across the body, a gradation is visible from green to red. Depending on the settings and preferences of the user, this bars can display different variables: speed, tachometer, fuell level or battery level. The battery level will also be shown on the display when charging. Also the tail light and the front daylight LEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are in line with this strip. For nightriding an extra high beam LED front light is placed just uder the body panel.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

The docking station is an extra (optional) piece for the person who would buy this motorcycle. It is designed with the same design language as the frame and using the same materials: carbon fiber composite and aluminium. The docking station is placed at home where the bike is usually parked and is permanently connected to the power plug. As soon as the rider comes home he simply pushes the bike into the station and the front wheel locks in place. The bike and the station connect through the front fork where the electricity is transmitted to charge the battery. The level of the battery can be seen on the display on top.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Opening for hand with leather handle Strip with lights and interface Docking station

Module containing electric motor, exhaust and rear suspension pivot

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Battery

Petrol engine

3.5 Color and Trim The color and trim of this concept were based on the brand Ducati, but also affective response on sight is important. That is why the relatively big body cover is white. The color makes the shape less heavy compared to the lightweight frame. Painting it in a shine metallic coat would also be to aggressive, so it has a matte finish, communicating a soft surface. Another reason is because the saddle surface should not be slippery. On structural components bare carbon fiber is visible, finished with a shiny top coat for easy cleaning and a more high end look. Some aluminium parts are painted bright red, highlighting specific parts and reffering to the typical red tube frame we see on Ducati bikes today. So this new frame is a reinterpretation of the old one. The remaining aluminium parts are brushed to have a more rough look.

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

4. CONCLUSION For me personally, designing a bike was quite a challenge. I knew this from the beginning, as it was the first time for me to do a motorbike project, and designing a bike starting from nothing a complex task anyway. The aim was to create a Ducati monster to be launched in a couple of years, communicating speed, emotions and technical innovation, and through research I achieved this as best as possible. With its asymmetric body and swingarms, the machine has a unique and specific look, but it remains a Ducati: passion for technique and design in one vehicle. I still think developping a completely new motorbike is more challenging than doing the same with a car, because cars give many more design possibilities and more research is done automotive innovation. It is clear that motorbikes have evolved less through the years when compared to cars. Hower, I enjoyed the project a lot and I learned a lot by doing something new by myself. I was able to use some research and technologies used in production and concept cars, but new for motorcycles. The big question is how this concept would be received by real motorcycle enthusiasts. As I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ride a bike myself I had to gain a lot of information by reading and asking people with more experience, as my project supervisors John Sweeney and James Kelly, but of course the real test would be to present the design to people experienced in using and designing motorcycle. And, in a far future, to drive it on the roads..

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to offer my special thanks to my thesis supervisors: Prof. James Kelly John Sweeney Advice given by Andreas Hoffmann has been a great help in the process. My special thanks are extended to my parents for providing everything necessary. Leander Feliers

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

BIBLIOGRAPHY [1] WILLIAMS, Eric. Climate change policy partnership, Plug-in and regular hybrids: A national and regional comparison of costs and CO2 emissions, November 2008 [2] Clean Energy Ministerial: GLOBAL EV OUTLOOK, Understanding the Electric Vehicle Landscape to 2020, April 2013, [3] CLAUSEN, Anne-Mette. With or without Sound // A Report on etransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three Projects on Sound for Electric Powered Vehicles, 2012, ISBN: 97 88 79 07 75 353 [4] MUELLER, John. Review essay: emotional design, University of Calgary [5] How About Some Real Motorcycle Innovation? http://thekneeslider.com/how-about-some-real-motorcycle-innovation/ [6] Ducati brand analysis http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/marketing-activities-and-communications. php [7] Ducati Monster 696: Interview with Designer Bart Janssen-Groesbeek http://www.coolhunting.com/design/ducati-monster.php [8] Emotion & Design: Attractive things work better http://www.jnd.org/dn.mss/emotion_design_at.html [9] About Kinetic Design http://www.benhopson.com/?page_id=88 [10] Artificial engine sounds for electric motorcycles http://ectunes.com/c/news/ectunes-launches-artificial-engine-sound-for-electricmotorcycles

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

APPENDICES Appendice 1: motorcycle ergonomics

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Appendice 2: 2003 Ducati Monster dimensions

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Appendice 3: PHEV sales

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

Appendice 4: Ergonomical wrist positioning

http://ergonomics.about.com/od/glossary/g/defnaturalwrist.htm

Leander Feliers - Master Thesis

LEANDER FELIERS

3MATD