EVALUATION OF THE PRESENTATION

In a discussion after the presentation we evaluated the results of the presentation and came up with a plan for our next steps:

The team will split up into two work- groups within the next days.
Group 1 will built an ridable and easy to modify prototype.
Group 2 will work out a more precise identity for the bike, including personas and their daily user-experiences, possible logos, slogans and advertisement.

THE PRESENTATION

Good process up till now, but more work has to be done in the future. The crit has been hard but fair and constructive. Unclear or unsolved points have been clearly pointed out, discussed and ideas how to solve them were given to us:

-The idea of our typical commuter is not very clear yet -> Create a more specific picture of a persona and his daily commuting experience.

-The concept is not very tangible yet. -> Clarify the strengths and the weaknesses and create a clear vision with details (seat, seating-position, gears, suspension...)

-The existing prototype is too two dimensional and not very useful -> Build a ridable and easy to modify prototype, because the riding experience will be the key to a successful bike. Test as much as possible under real conditions.

-The design is not very exciting yet -> Have a look back at themore exciting sketches. Build also 3-dimensional protoypes, whenever it is possible.

PREPARATION FOR THE PRESENTATION

For the concept presentation we tried to make our concept more tangible and tried to find a slogan for our bike. A first representation was found in:
Simple...
visual impression
experience
and maintentance.

Further on we produced an explanatory modell of the chain drive, a real-scale model and real-scale drawing of our the latest and best concept.

PROGRESS!

Based on our ergonomic mock-up more important decision could be made today. After long testing, with following photo-analysis, the team could establish valuable measurements for the vehicle. Further on, after a long discussion, the wheel size was defined to 26". Based on this freshly won knowledge first real-size sketches were produced. They will build the foundation for more concret concepts.

determination of the seating position


real-size drawing with the established fixed points

FIRST BIG STEP

Based on our research, the needs of our user group and a discussion about the best seating-position we established our first two DEFINITIVE criteria:

1. Crank-forward seating position

We chose this position because it combines the best aspects of a recumbent bike and the classic upright seating postion:

- good visibility (seeing and beeing seen)

- relaxed ergonomic position

- safety aspects (feet easy on the ground)

- efficient pedaling

2. hidden technique

PRESENTATION OF 3 CONCEPTS

Based on our research in the refined fields everyone came up with 3 concepts.

pics soon...

USER GROUP

In a discussion after the demos we established our user group: 

COLLEGE STUDENTS

WORKSHOP DEMOS

Preparing for long days and short nights in the workshop at the end of the semester, we got some demos in brazing and vacuuming of carbon-fibre

Brazing in the metal-shop

Vacuuming carbon-fiber 

REFINEMENT OF RESEARCH

After a broad research on the whole spectrum of bikes, it was time for a refinement of the research. Therefore we focused on, what seemed to be the most important aspects of commuting and assigned them to each one of us:

- Infrastructure: Mike

- Transforming: Erik

- Visibility: Harry

- Safety: Krisa

- Simplicity: Hemi

- Storage: Ashlee:

- Security/ Lock: Nick

- Foldability: Adrian

FIRST RESEARCH RESULTS

Mutual updating about the individual research is an efficient way of covering the huge field of bikes. Here some results:

pics soon

RESEARCH

Beside our own research, we collectively got some lectures about bike anatomy and structure. Further on we had a valuable interview with everyday commuter Lane Myer and a field trip to Providence Bike.

Interview with Lane Myer

Field trip to Providence Bike

POSSIBlE CRITERIA FOR A COMMUTER BIKE

Before we got started we established possible criteria and therewith fields of research for more efficiency:

storage, personalization, speed, security, weather, number of passengers, emergency, simplicity/ user-friendly, modularity, cost, freshness, visibility, infrastructure, accessories, ergonomics, parking, gender, health, fitness, positive feedback, seductive wow factor.

THE MISSION

Commuting to work with oil

Commuting to work by bicycle reduces traffic, alleviates parking, saves resources, does not pollute, and keeps you healthy. In recognition of these facts, more and more people are pedaling to work and communities are developing or expanding their infrastructures for human powered traffic.

The goal of this course is to design and fabricate a unique human powered vehicle that will answer the specific needs of a person commuting to work. After extensive research the class will establish the criteria necessary for a successful vehicle and develop several concept models. With additional research in ergonomics, materials, structure, and mechanics, those concept vehicle constructed within the alloted time and materials budget.

There´s also a special emphasis on team dynamics as students work together on Research, Design, Fabrication, and Documentation

THE TEAM

 from left to right: Nick, Ashlee, Hemi, Harry, Michael (teacher), Adrian, Krisa, Erik, not on the photo: Mike