The car train

One of the real interesting things about electric cars is that they don’t necessarily have to conform to traditional car construction principles. Unfortunately, electric cars usually are produced by traditional car manufacturers who tend not to think out of their boxes. Independent research institutes aren’t that limited.

Instead of a fuel tank there’s a heavy battery. Instead of a big and heavy combustion engine there are one or more small electric drives - and don’t ask about the gear box. Additionally, most electric cars are not made for high velocities (though the Tesla roadsters did more for the popularity of E-cars than everything else). Considering this, why do they look like fuel-driven cars? Preferably like every other air duct streamlined, curved shoebox the world’s car industry has brought over the past twenty years.

It seems it’s going to take researchers from disciplines not car-related to tap the potential of electric vehicles. The Bremen-based research institute for artificial intelligence (DFKI) for example.

 »EO«, developed as an internal project, offers a large number of degrees of freedom. It is designed both for cross-country trips and inner-city areas. This vehicle has been designed as pure concept car and is thus a platform for experiments with new technologies in the area of electric mobility.

The independent suspension of the »EO smart connecting« car is entirely configurable through four linear actuators.

This is why the axis is extremely mobile, lifts and lowers itself, performs a 90 degree-swing for a sideways drive, allows separate steering in the front and in the back, turns the vehicle on the spot, changes the morphology of its height and length.

 This way it can adapt to practically all driving situations possible. »Smart connecting« is meant literally as two or more vehicles may be joined in order to form a road train.

Its size is 2.5 m x 1.5 m x 1.5 m or 1.5 m x 1.5 m x 2 m respectively, at a weight of 600 kg. Four 4 kW main motors and 16 longstroke linear drives with 1000 N and 2000 N allow for moderate speeds. A lead acid battery acts as a 50 V and 12 V power supply. 20 linear potentiometers and a current sensor make continuous reactions possible.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Intake Systems]

Nice car train indeed. The car designs becomes more unique and unconventional. Like you have said, it does not conform to the traditional design. As long as its convenient and act according to its engine.

[bmw parts]

While this would certainly turn some heads and take some getting used to, any move away from gas to a greener option is certainly welcome - especially with gas prices on the rise yet again.

[Vicky]

Thinking outside the box is really essential to innovate something better and this car will surely make them think like this. Its unconventional nature makes it more special. Nice work!!

[Truck Lowering Suspension Parts]

Awesome. I can't wait for the future with all of this is being used and revolutionized.

[Toyota Laguna Niguel]

This concept car might just be the future. It's small which is rather useful considering overpopulation and how congested cities are. Love the fact that the mini cars can connect to join a big train.

[limousine prices]

»Smart connecting« is meant literally as two or more vehicles may be joined in order to form a road train.