Personal mobility is becoming an increasingly popular topic amongst automakers and city planners alike. With population growth and urban density becoming prevalent in today’s modern society, how are people expected to get around in these built-up environments?
Junior students enrolled in Hong-ik University’s Transportation design program in Seoul, Korea, sought to address this issue in a recent project and created transportation solutions adapted to different purposes. Here are their projects (link to full gallery on page 2).
LOOK concept
Chayeong Kim
The LOOK concept is a three-wheel personal mobility vehicle created in collaboration with Swedish vehicle accessory maker Thule. With a clever integration of the turn signals and driving lamps, the vehicle also has a rear rack that can accommodate a backpack, for an integrated yet functional look. Measuring 1670mm in length, 880mm wide and 1670mm tall, the vehicle is intended for the youth demographic, aged from 20-30, who wish to express their own individual style.
ACADIAC concept
CheongJu Kim
Starting from the premise that the heart of a motorcycle is its engine, CheongJu Kim decided to create an electric bike with small triangular battery packs that can be mounted in its central hub – where the engine would sit on a conventional motorbike. While a single battery pack would be required for a commuter’s journey, additional battery packs could also be added for longer rides. When depleted, the batteries would be switched out for fresh ones in less time than it takes to fill a gas tank. This system could be implemented for commuter, touring or even off-road bikes.
‘Nox concept
Dongwoo Lee
Saving space is one of the most important points of future transportation design, Dongwoo Lee contends. Not content with simply shrinking the size of a vehicle, Lee instead created a folding concept car inspired by Victorinox Swiss Army knives. Called the ‘Nox, Lee’s concept is an electric motorbike focused on the keyword ‘Totally Foldable’ – folding not just to save space, but also to create an iconic visual element. A single bar houses the headlamp and driving information panel while twin in-wheel electric motors power the rear wheels.
Bumblebol concept
Gyuhwan Lee
The concept of personal mobility is not new: the topic is being currently be addressed by many manufacturers and design studios. But while efficiency triumphs in developing these future mobility devices, Gyuhwan Lee says, driving pleasure is not typically being taken into account. Lee therefore created the Bumblebot concept, a personal mobility vehicle designed with driving pleasure as a top priority. It addresses what he believes to be an untapped market while proving that efficiency and amusement should not be considered mutually exclusive.
Comma concept
Hankil Moon Designed with outdoor adventure seekers in mind, Hankil Moon devised a transport solution called the Comma concept, which can be used to accommodate bicycles, snowboards, surfboard and skis using a simple mechanism and a slot at the rear of the vehicle. Powered by an electric motor at the rear, the personal mobility vehicle’s compact dimensions – 2100mm long, 1200mm wide and 1550mm high – means it can easily park and tackle congestion in urban areas as well.
Gloca concept
Suyoung Kim
Ever wish your luggage could carry you instead of the other way around? Suyoung Kim’s heard your call and answered with the Gloca, an ‘Electronic Travel Carrier’ designed for use in large airports. Essentially a suitcase with a battery pack, the Gloca features a central bar with a wheel and standing platform that can be pulled out from the rear of the bag, transforming it into a scooter-like vehicle aboard which users can ride to their gate. When the device is pulled rearwards, the rotating wheels generate electricity to recharge the battery.
BRICK concept
Hyunji Kim
Hyunji Kim set out to develop a vehicle that resembled a toy rather than a conventional car in creating the Brick concept. The personal mobility vehicle, inspired by Legos, can be easy assembled, disassembled and personalized. Intended for what Kim defines as “kidults”, the simple squared-off concept features storage compartments that can be attached to the roof and rear of the vehicle’s single passenger compartment.
Atto concept
Jaeseob Yeon
Following the premise that cars will need to get smaller to effectively maneuver around congested urban environments, Jaeseob Yeon turned his attention to trucks. Measuring 1200mm wide and 1700mm tall, his compact truck concept features a load bed that can pivot upwards against the cabin when not use, shortening its overall length by 400mm to 2100mm. As its wheels are also pushed far to the corners, the truck’s ultra compact footprint facilitates its use in the transportation of goods from one place to another. With cargo room being of primary importance, Yeon’s proposal keeps the truck’s inherent functionality intact in a compact mobility solution.
