Cheng-Wei Ray Yu
Sustainable Mobility proposal for Taiwan Independent of Imported Fossil Fuels. Submited as part of Graduate project for the Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) RMIT University, Melbourne Austrlia 2013
Ray Yu
SOLARAY Oil based economies are poised to end within 40 years. Renewable and sustainable energy production and consumption behaviours will become essential to replace fossil fuels and maintain our quality of life. Project SOLARAY aims to develop a sustainable vehicle for urban environments in 2050 by providing an innovative solution to reduce dependence of current energy practices.
This project will use urban area in Taiwan as platform to envision the potential of sustainable mobility in the future. Population growth and urbanization trends are evolving, mega-cities that are highly dense and complex; Mobility systems will be required to be cooperative, adaptable, flexible and high efficiency. Lightweighting, intelligent material uses and aerodynamics, define efficiency in this project.
SOLARAY is a solar and inductively recharged EV featuring weaving structure solar photovoltaic embedded glass, inspired by leaf structures. Weight reduction is achieved by, carbon nanotube constructed chassis. Electro-conductive polymer tyres and wheels allow the vehicle to charge in motion also, saving space and weight of batteries.
Content chapter 1
Personal Capibility statement
9
chapter 2
Research Strategy
19
chapter 3
Research Statement
27
chapter 4
Social Context Research
34
chapter 5
Energy in Taiwan
43
chapter 6
Vehicle Context
61
chapter 7
Proporsition
78
chapter 8
Form Strategy + Experiment
93
chapter 9
Design Phase
101
chapter 10
Visualization
127
Design approach & philosophy In my point of view, the best design in the world would be based on purpose, function and beauty, which is connected to my design philosophy simple is better. It is our job to make a combination of functions and resources to create aesthetic object as a designer, but often we driven by the gravity of eagerness to create an ultimate product. My design approach is sculpture embracing function. Form should not only be a combination of beautiful lines, it has to have purpose on every line in order to become a sculpture. Cars are art, cars are a combination of our emotions, thoughts and purposes Chris Bangle. With the purposes, cars can become a sculpture.
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“Simplicity is ultimate sophisticationLeonardo da vinci”
“At the heart of Muji design is the Japanese concept of ‘Kanketsu’, the concept of simplicity” - MUJI
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Chapter 1
Personal Capbility Statement Sketching is my tool to communicate ideas. I have been passionate about drawing since young age. For the past 4 years studied in RMIT, providing opportunities to learn multitude design fields and philosophy, and the culture s differences has open up my aspect of design. I have learnt new skills in previous 3 years and develop them in each studio. In the pre-major and major project, I would like to apply those skills and experiences to enhance my design approach throughout the project. To me, this years project would be a testament of every aspect of my skills. I would have chance to showcase my strength and understand where my weaknesses are.
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Sketching I have been passionate about sketching since young age and have developed during the degree, and probably is one of my stronger skill set. In design process, sketching is always heavily needed in early ideation to express quick ideas and I understand that automotive way demands higher level sketching which would help me in the future.
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83.289
CAD Modelling I have lot of experience using Solidworks to model products and vehicles. Also have some basic alias skills and I will develop in the pre-major and major project as a part of industrial design skill list.
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91.883
Prototyping I have few experience of using CNC, 3D print and laser cut to build model in past 3 years, also having some experience working with CNC industry, knowing that time management is extremely important through the process of negotiation. This years project requires higher level of details, so it is chance for me to level up my craftsmanship and CAD skill.
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Visualization Wacom rendering and rendering software has provided another platform to express our ideas other than sketching by hand. I find it is most enjoyable using Wacom rendering, especially the process.
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15
Sem 1 Week 15
social context research Vehicle context research
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Sem 2 Week 15
Design Development Design Refinement Design Freeze Design Refinement 2 CAD Model
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Chapter 2
Research strategy The research will start by setting down the scenario, this will help to quick identify the direction for further research in the future. Social context and vehicle context will be added in after setting the general direction. Throughout the research, photo diary is important, because it can convey the idea much more clearly rather than google image to find appropriate photos.
Sceneario Scenario setting can be seen as an ongoing process that require experimenting situations. Setting a scenario would help to narrow down the enourmas possibilites of problems that require solutions. By using this method, the direction would be much more clear, it also can provide a platform to examines different methods how to deal with future uncertainty, and bringing attention of weaknesses that need to address.
Photo credit: Johnny Choura on Flickr
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Social Context Research Taiwan In this section, Taiwan will be applied as a platform to address coming issues . Reason why I want to use Taiwan as platform is because it is where I come from and familiar with. This project will not only focus on cities in Taiwan, in order to understand problems and flaws in Taiwan s urban area, other countries will be explored as well.
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Lifestyle
Energy
Efficiency
Technology Context Research Environment context
Form
User
In this category, researching renewable energy will be focused, and also will look into which energies are more developed or invested that can be applied on to vehicle network to enrich the system.
Vehicle features This section will be focused after environment context phase, researching category will include: materials, energy efficiency.
Ergonomic
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Benchmarking Sometimes it s easy to get caught up in the new ideas and a potential new development. Benchmarking is used this type of situation, which can comparing and evaluating positions against others, and this can bring a sense of reality to the design challenge ahead. In this section, I will benchmark 2 categories: Cities and vehicle.
World Cities In order to understand urban issues in Taiwan, comparison with other countries is needed, this will gave clearer picture of Taiwan. By using this method, it can also help to discover transportation problems in urban area.
Population
Taipei
Seoul
Hong Kong
2.6 M
10.5 M
7M
Tokyo
13.2 M
New York
8.2 M
Vehicles This method will be used to define which types of vehicle to focus on. Also understanding issues in urban area by benchmarking world cities will help to narrow down the range more easily.
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Idea Generation
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This method will used to generate a large number of ideas in a short period of time. By doing this, ideas can be quickly reviewed and mapping out gaps and flaws in the project.
Mood Board
This method will be used to illustrate visually the direction of style. It also can be used as a tool to quickly inform people of the overall feel from each chapter of project.
Targeting
With six billion people in the world, it is quite impossible that one design can satisfy the needs of everyone. Therfore, decision has to be made as to who should and not to targeted. By constructing a consumer profile for a typical members of chosen market would be helpful.
using this method, the problems Observation/ By can be identied that arise when people interact with products, Photo services and environments. Taking own photos will help to strengthen problem idtifieing rather than google images and try to find similar ones which will not convey ideas as good as photos.
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Chapter 3
Research Statement
Oil based economy wll soon come to end within 40 years. Renewable energy will become new trend to replace fossil fuel in the future. In Taiwan, importation of foreign energy is currently over 98%, this reliance has put Taiwan in a dangerous spot. In order to reduce this dependence, develop renewable energy will become essensial in enconomy and living style.
Project aim The project aim to create a vehicle that use renewable energy to make urban area in Taiwan self sufficient and harness the usage of solar energy .
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The end of the oil economy There could be less than 49 years of oil supplies left, even if demand were to remain flat. [Source: HSBC s senior global economist
50 40 30 End of oil economy
Karen Ward.]
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2052~2060 end of oil-based econmy
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[Source:M.King Hubbert, Shell geologist]
Scientists say the sources of energy we need to power all these modern conveniences are running dangerously low. We could run out of oil in as little as 40 years, and out of natural gas soon after that [source: The Independent].
0 1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
2050 2060
Oil Production New Oil Discoveries Hubbert Curve
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Renewable Energy Research
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Renewable energy : Geothermal Power One potential source that weve barely touched is an energy right underneath our feet. Deep inside the Earth lies hot water and steam that can be used to heat our homes and businesses and to generate electri c ity cleanly and efficiently . It s called Geothermal energy .
Renewable energy :
Solar Energy Is a powerful source of energy that can be used to heat, cool, and light our homes and businesses.That because more energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than is used by everyone in the world in one year.
Renewable energy :
Biomass energy Biomass resources include trees, food crops, algae, agricultural and forestry byproducts, and even Methane fumes from landfills.
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Renewable energy :
Wind power Wind is just moving air created as the sun heats the Earths surface. As long as the sun is shining, the wind remains an infinite, renewable resource. Wind power is clean
Renewable energy :
Hydropower
Hydropower is also referred to as water power, so the simplest way to define hydropower would be to say that hydropower is the energy of the moving water.
Renewable energy :
Tidal Power Tidal power, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power - electricity .
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Chapter 4
Social Context Research About Taiwan
Image Sources: tourist-destinations amba-hotels tours.asialighttravel twowheel
New Taipei 3.9 million people 16.9% Taipei 2.67million people 11.5% Taichung 2.68million people 11.52% Tainan 1.94million people 8.45% Kaohsiung 2.77million people 11.92%
The Taiwanese Ministry of the Interior estimated that the population of Taiwan in 2012 was 23,268,087. This makes Taiwan the 50th largest country in the world in terms of population, and the 16th most densely populated country in the world.
Population Density
Taiwan has a geographical area of 35,980 km2. With a population of 23,268,087, it s average population density is 642/km2. This makes it the 16th most densely populated country in the world. Population density in major cities is, as expected, much higher. In Taipei, 9,600 people live in every square kilometer.
Demographics inTaiwan, 2012 Source: Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan, 2012
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Population
Density Persons per sq km
2013
2030
2013
23M
23M
720.24
23M
24M
2.87
48M
49M
504.13
5.3M
5.1M
16th
Taiwan
227th
Australia
22th
South Korea
Singapore
7,792.57
3rd
Sources:
factmonster, Taiwan Ministry of the interior, World bank
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Private owned transportation Bicycle
5.6%
74%
Walking
6%
Public transportation
15.4% Prefered method of transportation in Taiwan, 2012 Source: Ministry of transportation and communications, Taiwan
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Urban Mobility In Taiwan Scooter is Taiwan s most popular personal vehicle; there were 15.17 million in the Taiwan at the end of 2011. Privately owned four-wheel vehicles numbered 7 million at that time. In Taiwan, people prefered travel by privated owned transportation mark 74%, which contribute 3/4 of people from survey.
Sedan 50%
Sedan 50% MPV/SUV 30%
Truck 10%
Small car 10%
Sedan 50% MPV/SUV 30%
Truck 10%
Small car 10%
Taiwan Full Year 2012 Top 10 best selling types of car
Taiwan Full Year 2011 Top 10 best selling types of car
Toyota:6 Nissan:2 Mitsubishi:1 Honda:1
Toyota:6 Nissan:2 Mitsubishi:1 Mazda:1
MPV/SUV 30%
Truck 10%
Small car 10%
Taiwan Full Year 2010 Top 10 best selling types of car Toyota:6 Nissan:2 Mitsubishi:1 Luxgen:1 Source: Best Selling cars blog
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Urban environment issues in Taiwan
Taiwan is the 16th most densely populated country in the world
Traffic congestion
The average percentage of time that cars were parked in Taiwan is 94.8% of time, which means only
high population density Clean water facilities supply Noise and air pollution Not enough open infrustructure and community facilities. Poor living condition in urban area Rural- urban imbalances Solid waste disposal Aging problem Parking
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Taipei residents who do not own or rent a parking space have the most difficulty finding a spot near their home or working place, with
1.2 hours cars are in motion
each person spending an average of 14 minutes before finding a space to park
Source: the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan
Source: the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan
Urban environment issues in general
Urban environment issues in Hong Kong
Urban environment issues in Korea
Unemployment
Old buildings are overcrowded and have poor living condition.
Traffic congestion
Insufficient solid waste disposal
Clean water facilities supply
Urban poverty
Illegal or unstable structures
Inadequate housing stock
Residential flats are mixed with industrial use, causing noise and air pollution, health and fire hazards.
Insufficient solid waste collection Inadequate water/sanitation facilities Inadequate public transportation Traffic congestion Poor health services
Solid waste disposal
Not enough open space and community facilities.
Rural- urban imbalances Time-compressed urbanization Over densly in major cities Housing shortages
Traffic congestion is common in narrow streets.
Imbalance of income
Insufficient civil society participation Inadequate education services
Social problems are common, e.g. crime, vandalism.
Air pollution Urban violence Discrimination Source: MIT, oocities, Understanding urban problems in korea. pdf
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Chapter 5
Energy In Taiwan Taiwan has very limited domestic energy resources and relies on imports for most of its energy requirements. Taiwan has encouraged investment in domestic oil and natural gas projects, including partnerships with mainland Chinese companies. However, these efforts are unlikely to meet sufficient energy resources to reverse the island s import dependence. Taiwan produces electricity from fossil fuels, wind, nuclear and hydro power. Energy consumption the equivalent of 10.5 million kiloliters of oil, or about 2.2 million barrels a day.
Problem Statement
In Taiwan, 98% or more of energy resources are imported. It is essensial to develop alternative energies before the end of oil based economy. Taiwan lacks energy resources and highly depends on import, so it is a top priority to develop clean, sustainable, and independent energy and achieve the balance among energy security, environmental protection, and industrial competitiveness, and reduce CO2 emissions through various strategies Taiwan relies on imports for more than 98 percent of its energy, which leaves the country s energy supply vulnerable to external disruption. In order to reduce this dependence, the Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Energy has been actively promoting energy research at several universities since the 1990s. Source: Energy supply Statistic in 2011 Source: Bureau of Energy, Ministy of Economic Affairs, Taiwan
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98 % of Energy Resources Are Imported Solar & Wind Power 0.25%
Hydro Power 0.27% Natural Gas 0.21%
Coal 33.92%
Nuclear 8.67%
Fossil Fuel 45.36%
Supporting Energy
Higher Potential as main power source in 2050
Wind Energy Tidal Power
Renewable Energy
Solar Energy
Biomass Energy
Supporting Energy
Hydro Power Geothermal Energy 45
Why Solar power? World s Solar Cell Output Asian nations are responsible for three-fourths of the worlds solar cell output, and in 2011 Taiwan ranked as the second largest global producer of solar cells, while the gap between itself and leader mainland China increased. In terms of global market share, however, Taiwan s foothold in various PV sectors varies widely, and in terms of Chinas manufactor of solar cell, there are large portions from Taiwan.
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Taiwan is World 2nd largest solar cell manufactor
China
58 Taiwan 11.7
Others Japan 14.6 8.8 Germany 2.7
World’s Solar Cell Output
Sunshine rate in different area
Melbourne Average Sunshine Rate : 2033 hours/yr
average per year
Source: Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology
2
Taiwan Average Sunshine Rate : 1732hours/yr Source: Currentresults
959 ~ 2095 hr
慧日科技
1609 - 2536 hr Germany Average Sunshine Rate : 1604hours/yr
1299 ~ 2595 hr
Source: Currentresults
Germany is the worlds top photovoltaics installer
2299.5 ~ 2584 hr
Source: Zeit online
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3 Investment from government & Companies
Korea to invest $7.6 bln in renewable energy
Taiwan to invest $1.4 bln in renewable energy
The Korean Government invested around $US7.6 billion into renewable energy research, development and deployment, between 2004 and 2011.
Taiwan to invest $1.4 bln in renewable energy(By Kelvin Soh, via Reuters)TAIPEI, Taiwan s government will invest T$45 billion ($1.4 billion) in the domestic renewable energy sector. It will help the sector grow nearly eight-fold by 2015.The island s government said it now aims to increase industry production value to T$1.158 trillion in 2015 compared to T$160.3 billion right now. The green energy sector can turn Taiwan into a major power in energy technology and production, as well as provide the creation of green jobs,
Expected supply level of renewable energy 3% 2009 4% 2015 6% 2020 11% 2030 The Korean Government aims to reduce its energy intensity by 46 per cent by 2030, Korea also has in place a number of support measures for energy efficiency, including: the mandatory Energy Efficiency Standards and Labeling Program; and a voluntary standby power saving program, the High Efficiency Energy Appliance Certification Program and Building Energy Efficiency Certification
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Foxconn Enters Solar Power Market
Taiwan’s AU Optronics pushes into solar energy
Hon Hai Precision, the parent of Taiwanese IT giant Foxconn will pay over $130 million to become the major shareholder in a solar cell company as part of a plan to expand into renewable energy. Hon Hai Precision plans to spend $137.88 million on a 45% stake in debt-ridden Taiwanese firm E-Ton Solar Tech, the two companies said. The investment is in line with Hon Hais new development policies targeting green energies, said Arthur Huang. Taiwan has estimated its solar energy industry will be worth up to Tw$200 billion ($6.66 billion) by 2020.
TAIPEI Taiwan s AU Optronics, a leading flat-screen maker, has launched a multi-billion-dollar foray into solar power. The company late last week broke ground on a plant that will produce silicon wafers, widely used in the solar power industry, the Economic Daily News reported. It said the plant, which is scheduled to go into operation in the fourth quarter of this year, will eventually cost $25 billion ( TW$850 million).
Sources: energymatters, Taipeitimes
AU Optronics also plans to spend Tw$73 billion on a solar cell manufacturing plant in central Taiwan, with construction expected to kick off before the years end, it said. Analysts said the outlook for Taiwan s solar power sector is fairly bright at least for the coming two years, despite the expected steep rise in supply and dumping of cheap China-made products. The biggest niche of local makers is quality, Sean Chen of Concord Securities, told AFP. For instance, he pointed out, solar cells made in Taiwan are more stable than those manufactured in China, where human labour is more widely used, increasing the risk of errors.
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Current Use of Solar Power In Taiwan
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Case Study Solar Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan Construction is finished for Japanese architect Toyo Ito s Solar Powered Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The stadium s roof is covered by 8,844 solar panels. The stadium was built to coincide with the opening of the World Games The World Games Stadium holds 55,000 spectators and it cost $150 million to build. The stadium will hold the record for largest solar-powered stadium in the world with it s 14,155m2 roof. It could potentially generate 1.14 gigawatt hours of electricity every year, enough to power up to 80% of the sorrounding neighbourhood. All this is earning the city government over $AU144,650 per year. To illustrate the incredible power of this system, officials ran a test this January and found that it took just six minutes to power up the stadium s entire lighting system. Source: The guardian, solarpowertoday, archdaily, inhabitat
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Case Study CENTRAL STATION in Berlin, Germany The central train station in Berlin is a good example demonstrating that photovoltaics can be complimentary to state-of-the-art architecture. A system including 780 solar modules with 78,000 transparent, powerful solar cells was installed on the East-West hall roof, integrated into the glass surfaces. It is therefore not only possible to solely generate useful energy but also to still have daylight on all three levels of the station. Since the hall is located in a curve, all roof elements are different and therefore every solar module has a different size. The single surfaces have a size of 1.7 to 2.6 square meters. The solar plant generates a total of approx. 160,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity per year on a surface of 1,700 square meters. This yield corresponds to 2 % of the stations power consumption. Source: SMA de, worldtravelimages
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Current Issues with infrastructure Policy In case of Taiwan, due to the fact of insufficient land can use, it is better to develop solar cell power , but also facing numbers of difficult issues, especially installation issues.
In terms of policy, the government published in 2006 three guidelines on the direction of research and development. These main thrusts of guidelines are as follows:
The average height of building , which means because of lack of land mass we can use, there will be 77% of inhabitant can not switch to solar power.
1.To develop low-cost mass production techniques of highly efficient solar cells; 2.To incorporate PV cells in the construction industry; and 3.To stimulate the integration of PV-infused materials into everyday structures.
In terms of Energy consume per land square meter, Taiwan has ranked 1 in the world. 10 times of USA, 2 times of Japan, 3 times of Germany, 1.3 times of Netherland
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These guidelines were published to ensure that Taiwan utilizes her manufacturing advantage and, being constrained by available land, focuses on creatively adopting PV technology to better harness solar energy. Developing mass production techniques would, through economies of scale, lower the manufacturing costs of producing solar cells; the bugbears of solar cell manufacturing are the efficiency rate and the high cost of the solar cell. So reducing one issue will invariably make the technology more attractive.
77% of inhabitant can not switch to solar power.
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House hold daily electricity concumption
17.1
Kwh
Powers House
Average EV’s Battery Capacity
2.2 days
A.C - 3.38 Kwh Fridge - 1.44 Kwh TV - 0.84 Kwh Lighting - 1Kwh
18 12
56
Kwh
Kwh
2.1 days
3.1 days
Solar Power
37.5
Kwh
20% ~ 41%
22
7m ~ 13m area needed to meet the daily demand for electricity
Average height of building approximately 4.4 floor
77% of inhabitant can not switch to solar power.
Infrastructure is Required
of solar cells in 2020 will reach 63% Source: Tsukuba University report, 2012
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Infrustructure In this section, I will looking for public infrustructures that can transform into solar structure which can provide varieties of services that can enhance the usage of solar energy in Taiwan urban area. Services provided from solar infrustructure can not only harness the transition of fossil fuel to solar energy but also can create new types of occupation in the future. By using infrustructure which ties to vehicle with network system can increase flow in urban area by addressing issues such as: parking, congestion, pollution and lack of community open spaces.
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Chapter 6
Vehicle Context This chapter will be explore benchmarking, users and materials. By benchmarking different urban based vehicle will provide a sense of proportion.to evaluate. In terms of materials, identifing the need of vehicle is very important, which is to achieve effeciency, so the research direction will be around lightweight materials or structure in the future. By setting down personas will help to narrow down huge variations of marketplaces.
Historical Context of Solar Vehicle During the 1990s, regulations requiring an approach to “zero emissions” from vehicles industry, interest increased in new battery technology. Battery systems that offer higher energy density became the priority of research and development department by federal and auto industry scientists. Solar cars were first built by universities and manufacturers. The sun energy collector areas proved to be too large for consumer cars, however that is changing. Development continues on solar cell design and innovations. Car power supply requirements such as heater or air-conditioning fans in today’s technology.
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1983
2006
2007
Solar Car Races
Venturi Astrolab
Application
Hans Tholstrup and Larry Perkins were the first solar car racers and designed the world’s first solar car called “Quiet Achiever” in the mid1980s, and completed a Solar Trek from Perth to Sydney, Australia in 20 days in 1983.
The Venturi Astrolab in 2006 was hailed as the world’s first commercial electro-solar hybrid car, and it was originally due to be released in January 2008. “A flying wing set on four wheels,” described by its designer, Sacha Lakic, the Astrolab used no gas, emits zero emissions, recharges while in motion and does not need permanent exposure to the sun to run. stroLab has a single-shell, ultra-light carbon monocoque chassis, nearly 39 square feet of photovoltaic cells on its surface and liquid-cooled NiMH Venturi NIV-7 batteries that can be plugged into a electricity grid.
In May 2007, a partnership of Canadian companies led by Hymotion altered a Toyota Prius to use solar cells to generate up to 240 watts of electrical power in full sunshine. This is reported as permitting up to 15 km extra range on a sunny summer day while using only the electric motors. For the first 40 miles of a commute, the cars use batteries rather than gas. Forty miles a day is equal to 50 cents a gallon off the utility grid.
In the 1987 race, the GM Sunraycer completed the 3010 km trip with an average speed of 67 kmh, setting the scene for an extensive research and development program among the teams.
2007
2010
The Solartaxi is an electric vehicle with a five-meter solar trailer covered with 6 square meters of solar cells. It is also the first time in history an electric vehicle (not self sufficient solar vehicle) has gone around the world, covering 50000 km in 18 months and crossing 40 countries. The solar cells on the trailer produce enough electricity to run the car up to 100 km a day. Solartaxi has toured the World from July 2007 till December 2008. The goal is to show people solutions that able to stop global warming are available and to encourage people in pursuing alternatives energy to fossil fuel.
the Eclectic has retained its original philosophy: it is much more than a simple vehicle. A real production and storage plant for renewable energies, either solar or wind-based, it can also be recharged on any kind of socket on the electricity network thanks to its on-board charger.
Solartaxi
venturi eclectic
What enables the Eclectic to move is all around it, free and in endless quantities. It simply has to deploy its wind turbine, expose its photovoltaic cells and, if necessary, find a simple electric socket.
It’s customary to “stylise” a car. The Eclectic gets its unique personality from an approach dedicated to design. Its form reflects its function. A compact silhouette, a smiling face and a keen gaze, the Eclectic was born for the city. Its driving position is unique: it is in the center of the passenger compartment. The feeling of safety and mastery of the vehicle’s external proportions are self-evident. The elevated position of the seats enables the Eclectic’s three passengers to enjoy a high, panoramic view of their surroundings.”
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Benchmarking
Concept Vehicle
Toyota Me-We
Venturi eclectic
Audi Urban Concept
Gordan Murray T25
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The Toyota Me., by addressing a minimalist compact vehicle that are capable of being a small city car, an off-roader, a ute and a convertible. Powered by four electric motors – one in each wheel, and with its batteries located under the floor like in the Toyota iQ,
the five-seat Toyota Me.We concept is intended to be a, “no frills response to the ecological threats posed by mass production and the growth of the global car fleet”.
The Eclectic has retained its original philosophy: it is much more than a simple vehicle. A real production and storage plant for renewable energies, either solar or wind-based,
it can also be recharged on any kind of socket on the electricity network thanks to its on-board charger.
The Audi Urban Concept is a technical and design study of a modern urban car with a distinctive 1+1 seating layout and an array of design and technological elements derived from the e-tron concept series.
Urban Concept focused on lightweight construction and efficiency, combined with a sporty identity.
The T.25 represents a major breakthrough in City Car design and is a vehicle that has been optimised through design for
strength, performance, weight, cost, safety, usability, tooling, quality, energy efficiency, recyclable and ease of assembly.
Length
Width
Toyota Me-We
3440mm
1750mm
Audi Urban Concept
3219mm
1680mm
Venturi Eclectic
2860mm
1670mm
Gordan Murray T25
2387mm
1295mm
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Benchmarking
Production Vehicle
Mini Coupe 2013
Mazda 2
Volkswagon Up!
Smart
Classic mini 66
Sharp handling; distinctive exterior styling; great fuel economy; highly customizable;
all the fun you normally get from a Mini Cooper now available in a two-seater.
Mazda2 looks extremely dynamic despite its compact exterior dimensions. Seen as a whole, the Mazda2 looks both dynamic and solid, because “it is free from unnecessary ornamentation or decoration.”
the front grille structure is designed in such a way that the components behind it are difficult to see from outside the car.
The Volkswagen up! has a cheeky shape that’s like nothing else on the road. This is a very difficult thing to achieve because the smallest VW could have looked like any other low-priced hatchback.
The designers who have used a clever front grille style and a distinctive kink in the rear pillar to make the design of up! stand out from the automotive crowd.
The two-seater provided very unique answers to questions of indivisual mobility, above all in urban centers. It took up very little space, and exhibited low fuel consuption combined with minimal carbon dioxide emissions,
yet it could transport two occupants and thier luggage to their destination in comfort and in the greatest possible safety.
The Mini is a small economy car made by the British Motor Corporation, and its successors from 1959 until 2000.
The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s. Its space-saving front-wheel drive layout – allowing 80 per cent of the area of the car’s floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage – influenced a generation of car makers.
Length
Width
Mazda 2
3900mm
1694mm
Mini Coupe 2013
3714mm
1684mm
Volkswagon Up!
3540mm
1641mm
Smart
2500mm
1515mm
Classic mini
3050mm
1410mm
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User Greg Daily use basis About
Job: Salesman AGE: 35
68
Summary
Greg has to go to work everyday, sometime he is late because it’s hard to find parking place near his office. And because he is young and new to his job, he need to save money to buy a car which is cheap, but in the same time, he is worry about cheap car comes with cheap styling exterior.
Activites
Movie
1 Priority
Benifits
Limitation
!
Critical Concern
Work Affordability
Cheap Sustainable
Problems
Travel distance
Vehicle Usage
Average drive time
About 100 km
9/10
20.6 min
Parking
Weather condition Public Transportation
Price Styling Horse power
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User Ms.Wong Occational use Basis About
Ms.Wong
Retiring Elderly People AGE: 65
70
Summary Ms.Wong rarely uses her car, normally it just sit in front of her house. Occasionally, she would drive to do grocery or go to play Mahjong once a week with her friends, these two things are essensial part in her retiring life style.
Activites
ä¸
1 Priority
Grocery Commuting
Need Grocery Commuting
Benifits
Commuting Sustainable Drive with leisure
Limitation Weather condition
!
Critical Concern Safety Parking
Travel distance
Vehicle Usage
Average drive time
About 60 km
5/10
15.1 min
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User Summary
Bill
Frequently use basis About
Bill
Job: Environmentalist AGE: 45
72
Bill is a environmentalist. Sometimes he drive out to take photos for his research, and due to the research, he need to camp at mountains or near lakes, so he definitely need cargo space to put his equipment. Also he is worry about battery capacity, after all, he need to drive for a
Activites
1 Priority Photo Research Need Long battery durability Decent Cargo
Benifits Sustainable Drive with leisure
Limitation Weather condition
!
Critical Concern Battery efficiency Parking
Travel distance
Vehicle Usage
Average drive time
Depend on location
10/10
3.2 hr
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Electro-conductive polymer Light weight Structure
Energy
cy
Carbon nanotube
Difinition
Aerodynamic Solar Cell Film
Form
Technology
-Materials
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Material
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In- Wheel Motor
-Used for Solar race car
Electric Motor
Hybrid engine
Petrol engine
Technology -Engines
diesel engine 76
Require
Pros
-Can reduce energy loss -Have more control
-Quiet -Can be recharge at any electric outlet -No exhaust issues
-Clean energy -Performance improvements -Regenerative braking -Lower fossil fuel dependence -Lighter weight -smaller engine
-Conventioal power source -Availability
-Efficient than petrol engine -contributes less to global warming
Cons -Unsprung Weight -Cost -Durability
-Initial cost -long charging time -batteries pack
-Lower power output -Poorer handling -Higher center of gravity -Higher maintenance costs
-Polluting -Heavy -Oil is a dwindling resource -Environmental issues
-Fuel Cost is higher than petrol -no flashy high-speed performance -Higher cost on maintenance
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Chapter 7
Proposition Opportunities Taiwan is an island nation of about 23.1 million people. Although by population it ranks as the 50th largest in the world, 16th in terms of population density, overall energy consumption is ranked 21st at 110.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) in 2010. Like other island nations, Taiwan’s energy needs is heavily dependent on foreign energy supplies. In 2008, 99.3% of Taiwan’s energy was imported. This leaves Taiwan’s energy security at high risk.
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98 % of Energy Resources Are Imported
Proposed Solution To solve energy crisis for Taiwan is to develop renewable energy, from all different types of renewable energies, solar energy has the highest potential to become mainstream power supply in Taiwan. Taiwan certainly has the technical capabilities and resources to invest in renewable energy, also it is the second largest producer of solar panels in the world. To enhance the usage of solar power in Taiwan, vehicle and infrastructure can provide a good platform as both are daily use basis, to maintain sustainable in the future.
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Concept 1 -Swap and Drive Long distance
Vehicle
Infrastructure
This concept is intergrated with infrastructure which transform from petrol station, because of oil based economy end around 2050, it would be better to put those stations into good use. The station will cover with solar PV, which can provide electricity charging or batteries packs, customer can choose between these services.
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This system can help to ensure energy flows efficiently within the network. By transforming petrol station to charging station can harness the transition from fossil fuel to solar power, but also help people to adjust the transition awkwardness thus helping to deploy sustainable mobility.
Concept 2 This system will be infrastructure orientated, also will intergrate car sharing system, by using solar infrustructure as center point.
-Carsharing System Urban area
Vehicle
This system will help to secure the energy flow because of sharing vehicles will always in the infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Carsharing also can become a new form of public transport, which can porvide journey in the urban area or city to city’s transportation (considering Taiwan’s size), this will increase efficiency of mobility.
50%
Pick up car
50%
Parking
The vehicle will be as part of infrastructure, there will be parking places reserved for car sharing vehicles. When vehicle not being used, it will harvest solar energy and transfer into the grid or house hold for domestic use.
Vehicle: People can pick up directly or through IT devices through reservation system.
Infrastructure: Infrastructure will be used as a parking building, which provide parking places not only to carsharing vehicles but also to normal electric vehicles.
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50%
Concept 3
50%
Urban area
Vehicle
Infrastructure
This system aim to increase efficiency of mobility and energy usage in urban area through social behavior changing and technology innovation. By addressing the parking issue in urban area will help to enhance the efficiency of solar energy. Also this system will provide solutions to common problems of solar energy no power generating at night.
Go to Work
The solar infrastructure will provide parking places to solar vehicle; when vehicle park in the infrastructure, it act as a solar cell, harvesting energy from sun and convert into electricity and transfer into the grid and vehicle, also infrastructure will act in same principle. The energy distribution is shown as image above.
Finish work
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Electricity from infrastructures and vehicles will flow into the grid, which will convert into electrified track on the road.
When people finish their work, they could choose to rent a module home to provide extra electricity by checking their electricity indicator through IT devices to meet their electricity demand until next day.
Electricity in the track will then convert into vehicles that are moving through electro-conductive polymer on the wheel. This will help to reduce spaces batteries pack has taken up.
when people go to work next day, they park their vehicle in solar infrustructure and return the module.
Module
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Solar panels Arrangement
difference Battery pack/ Module
Packaging
Seats variations
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Different Position of Battery pack/ Module By Exploring difference possibilites of battery pack can help to clerify the packaging, also considering the concepts of systems, module battery pack is required. These possibilities not only will affect seat arrangement, but also will influence the efficiency of system.
Conventional
Place on front/rear hood
Module 85
Solar roof
Seats positioning
Urban area
1410mm Solar roof
Battery pack Battery pack
1410mm
Bench seats
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2800mm
2800mm
1410mm
2800mm
Solar roof
Long distance
1350mm
Solar roof
Battery pack
Family
1410mm
Battery pack
3 Seaters
2 Seaters
2900mm 2800mm
Solar roof
Solar roof
1350mm
Battery pack
1410mm
Battery pack
2900mm 2800mm
Solar roof Battery pack
Solar roof
1410mm
1350mm
2900mm
Battery pack
2800mm
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S.W.O.T Seats variations
one seater S
W -Personal transport -Fuel Efficiency -Privacy -Eaiser to park
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O
-Urban used vehicle -Classless -Personal transportation -Privacy in public
-Vehicle may be narrow -Not suit for family -Classless -Hard to maintain safety level
-Motorcycle -SUV -Sedan
T
2 seater (Tandem) S
O
3 seater
2 seater W
S
W
S -Suit for Family
W
-Easier to achieve sporty exterior -Fuel Efficiency -Driver can focus more on driving
-Vehicle may be narrow -Not suit for family -Classless -Rear space is narrow
-Fuel Efficiency -Easy to drive in metro trafic -Easier to park -Can install bench seat
-Rear space is small -Not suit for family -Classless
-Fit for special market, such as amusment park vehicle, golf carriage -Driver can have more focus
-Rear seating may be awkward and narrow -differences with sedan are blur
-Urban used vehicle -Classless -New sitting arrangement
-Motorcycle -SUV
-Urban used vehicle -Vehicle size can be small and compact -Classless
-Motorcycle -SUV -Sport car
-Urban used vehicle -New sitting arrangement -Aerodnamic
-SUV -Sedan -Compact car
T
O
T
O
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Different uses of Solar panels This section is to explore various posibilities of utilizing solar structure on vehicle, but also tie with systems and harness the usage of solar energy either in urban area or lomg distance travel. There are 3 different categories, which are roof mechanism, skin structure and seperable structure. By exploring through these categories can help to stregthen concept of systems.
Different Roof Mechanism
Modular
- romovable roof structure
Retractable - convertible roof structure
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Solar skin Structure
Seperable Structure
Trailer Parking Tower
On Road
Transform - Biomimicry
Kite
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Chapter 8
FORM STRATEGY + EXPERIMENTS
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Sci-Fi Inspired Science fiction is a genre of fiction with imaginative but more or less plausible content such as settings in the future, futuristic science and technology. Science fiction has been used by authors as a device to discuss philosophical ideas such as identity, desire, morality and social structure. It is also can be considered as looking ways to alternative future.
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“Fantasy is the magical terrain of imagination. The worlds that are stories need all the stuff that our contemporary world needs: transoport, architecture, costume, ambience, and scenario.� -Syd Mead, Sentury ii
Source: -columbia pictures.inc -Sydmead -Evermotion.org -justmeloli.blogspot
Biomimicry endemic plants -native to Taiwan Biomimicry is the examination of nature, its models, systems, pro cesses, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems. Biomimicry is one of the methods i am keen to apply in my form re search, because of thousands of possibilities in the nature, but within those possibilities, there will be one that stand out. With countless of possibilities, I will try to narrow down by appling ele ments such culture, area, type of species. In this project, I will look into endemic species in Taiwan.
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Alchemy abstract
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Alchemy is an open drawing proj ect aimed at exploring how we can sketch, draw, and create on comput ers in new ways. Alchemy isn’t soft ware for creating finished artwork, but rather a sketching environment that focuses on the absolute initial stage of the creation process. Experimental in nature, Alchemy lets you brainstorm visually to explore an expanded range of ideas and possi bilities in a serendipitous way.
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Chance Process Randomly score 100mm x 100mm papers, by doing this method, interesting lines can be found during the process, although scoring these lines are driven by the instinct toward form, but after few attempts, there will be some lines regularly coming up. I think this method is a great tool to identify my own style and can further develop throughout the project.
Product Design Method By applying product design process, I can detailed chosen silhouettes from other methods. I can have a clear idea and vision of direction where my form is heding to by doing this method.
Biomorphism This method will be applied after the Silhouette is finished by using Alchemy tool. By using this meth od, will help to narraw down the possibilites.
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Visual Elevation This method will be used when the basic package and benchmarking is established. This process will help to understand proportion of the vehicle
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Chapter 9
Design Phase
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Design Ideation
103
104
Design Development
105
106
Design Development
107
108
Design Refinement
109
110
Design Refinement
111
1380mm
112
Packaging
1640mm
3550mm
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114
Design Refinement
115
116
Interior
117
1 118
CAD Development
2
3
4
5
6 119
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CAD Development - Wheel
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Model Making
Model Making
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125
126
Chapter 10
Visualization
127
128
129
130
50%
50% Go to Work
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50%
50% Go to Work
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133
134
135
136
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Reflection The major project has shaped my skills as a designers in every aspects. Although facing some trouble finding direction at the start of this project, but it gave me more confidence to work through pressures from time managment and obstacles. Time management is extremely important as I realize when work with CNC manufactorer, pressures from project it self and also from the milling company, it somhow pushes the limit boundaries of my potential and adrenalin.
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Throughout the project, i have developed and upgraded my visualiztion skills and communication skills, which are both essential as a designer. Overall the biggest gain from this project is problem salving and decision making through the process, sometimes problem will affect creativity of the project, that’s when the dicision making come in and let the rational take over.
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SOLARAY
Oil based economies are poised to end within 40 years. Renewable and sustainable energy production and consumption behaviours will become essential to replace fossil fuels and maintain our quality of life. Project SOLARAY aims to develop a sustainable vehicle for urban environments in 2050 by providing an innovative solution to reduce dependence of current energy practices.
This project will use urban area in Taiwan as platform to envision the potential of sustainable mobility in the future. Population growth and urbanization trends are evolving, mega-cities that are highly dense and complex; Mobility systems will be required to be cooperative, adaptable, flexible and high efficiency. Light-weighting, intelligent material uses and aerodynamics, define efficiency in this project.
SOLARAY is a solar and inductively recharged EV featuring weaving structure solar photovoltaic embedded glass, inspired by leaf structures. Weight reduction is achieved by, carbon nanotube constructed chassis. Electro-conductive polymer tyres and wheels allow the vehicle to charge in motion also, saving space and weight of batteries.