MIT develops foldable car for busy cities

EmTech India 2011

MIT develops foldable car for busy cities

The CityCar - a foldable, electric, sharable, two-passenger vehicle developed for crowded cities - works on wheel robots which integrate drive motors, suspension, braking, and steering inside the hub-space of the wheel

Sainul Abudheen K

Thursday, March 24, 2011

BANGALORE, INDIA: Kent Larson is quite confident that the new foldable CityCar that he and his team developed at the MIT Media Lab would become a hit one day.

Larson, the principal research scientist and director at Changing Places Research Group, MIT Department of Architecture, developed the design based on the concept of changing the form of a vehicle in accordance with the situation. It means the car can compress its shape during peak hours without disturbing the passengers inside.

The CityCar, a foldable, electric, sharable, two-passenger vehicle meant for crowded cities, runs on wheel robots, a fully modular in-wheel electric motors, which integrate drive motors, suspension, braking, and steering inside the hub-space of the wheel.

“This drive-by-wire system requires only data, power, and mechanical connection to the chassis. With over 80 degrees of steering freedom, wheel robots enable a zero-turn radius. They also enable the CityCar to fold by eliminating the gasoline-powered engine and drive-train,” he says.

To know more about this car, click here

Larson's team is working with Denokinn, a centre for social innovation in Basque, Spain, on an integrated, modular system for assembly and distribution of this foldable car.

“This project will be called the Hiriko, which stands for urban car. It aims to create a new, distributed manufacturing system for the CityCar which will enable automotive suppliers to provide core components made of integrated modules such as in-wheel motor units, battery systems, interiors, vehicle control systems, vehicle chassis/exoskeleton, and glazing.”

First CityCar launched in Spain

In fact, the MIT has already launched the CityCar in Spain. “The car has already been introduced in Spain even though it has not been commercialized yet. We hope to launch the system in the US in a matter of three years. Also, we are in talks with companies like Schneider Electric to introduce it in other countries too,” he said.

Yet, he says, there are many hurdles to clear before it's going to be a hit. “Commercial viability is a factor. In high-density countries like India, the car has to be made available at affordable prices.”

CityCar on Indian roads

Larson is not so sure about when he can introduce such a technology in India. “It's too early to say when this car could be introduced in India. I am meeting Ratan Tata and Reva Motors CEO soon and we will discuss the matter. Let us wait and see what we can do to import the technology to address India's growing traffic issues,” he added.

He says since the roads are highly clogged with umpteen number of vehicles, India needs more practical and sophisticated approach to address such issues. “It is not possible to incorporate such an agile chassis system in small vehicles like auto rickshaw. A more practical approach only will help change things here.”

©CIOL Bureau