Concept cars give us an insight into automobiles of the future. A majority of them take into consideration fuel economy, comfort and overall efficiency and seek to solve the problems of congestion, pollution and costs. A group of finalists at Michelin Challenge Design have created just such a concept for the year 2046, which will deal with the problem of depleting fuel and congestion.
Using the city of Mumbai, India, as their inspiration, the designers came up with the Stack futuristic car, which promises to give drivers a unique commuting experience. The innovative design allows 50 percent of the length of the car to go inside while parking so that cars can form stacks. These stacks will allow two cars to fit in a parking space of one and a half cars.
The Stack concept car is made up of two parts – the shell and the hammock – the latter of which can be manipulated according to the user’s needs owing to its flexible carbon nano fabric. It contracts when the car needs to be stacked and expands when removed. The shell, meanwhile, contains solar cells that harvest sunlight, which is then converted to electricity to recharge the four batteries used by the car.
The roof’s layers are said to aid in aerodynamics creating a golf ball effect. What’s more, Stack operates through magnetic levitation. Here, a magnet will be fitted on the rotor and the wheel. Wheel caps cover the wheels of the car to avoid any magnetic field interruption. The gap between the magnets acts as a shock absorbing system for a smoother ride.
When the year 2046 arrives, Mumbai may very well see Stack cars plying its roads. Since the city is pretty congested, the vehicles will prove to be a boon and there won’t be too many issues with parking space. They will also help tackle the problem of fuel dependence and encourage green transportation.
Via: Tuvie
