Design Proposal:
Project collaborators:
Soumitri Varadarajan, Associate Professor, RMIT Industrial Design
Eleanor Conheady, CEO, Flexicar, Melbourne-Australia
Kevin McLaughlin, President, Autoshare, Toronto-Canada
Group members:
Aaron Muldowney
John Bof
Nathan Boekhorst
Significant points to remember :
1. There are two kinds of ‘car share’ cultures. One is where car sharing as a part of public transportation system in which Paris, Chicago, San Francisco, And Washington. And cars designed for this are the sort done by MIT. The second is where car sharing is seen as car hire- for days or weekend trips.
2. The Flexicar system provides ease of use- over the car hire system. Furthermore car hire is targeted at tourists and business travellers. Car hire pick-ups are located at transport hubs- airports- and in tourist areas- Elizabeth street- for this reason. Flexicar is located in the communities and its target audience is locals living in and around the city.
3. The Smart and For Four introduced when Flexicar started (2004) did not go down well with or meet the needs of customers. Flexicar now runs the Honda Jazz and the Subaru Forrester.
This project is designed to look at the future of transportation in urban areas just like Melbourne. It will look into new alternative to the conventional share car that is currently being used to try and encourage a new generation of users for the scheme. The project is to have an equal emphasis on the vehicles styling using hand and CAD modelling and the usage of sustainable materials. The project alot of opportunities for people with a strong interest in system development and all aspects of car design for future study and the use of sustainability. This will include the design of a totally new car and/or the development of a new car sharing ticketing/registering system. A main theme for the program is sustainable transportation at both the product and the system levels. This project is to be used to promote car sharing in Melbourne and spread its audience, and to show the audience that car sharing is actually an effective means of transportation. This research conducted will be used as a basis for a similar model to appear in India in the years to come.
Proposal:
The proposal is to design a car that can be used for car sharing in Melbourne for the Flexicar franchise. The car designed is to be a two door mid-sized sports car that is functional, economical and environmentally friendly. The current ticketing and service that is in place is an effective and sufficient service that does not need altering for the prospective new car. The car needs to consider points such as environmental materials choice, Australian fuel (LPG) or Hybrid vehicle and the possibility of local manufacture. The styling of the exterior is to follow a futuristic design cue however, also incorporate some classic design cues from current and past sports cars. The panelling will need to be robust, cost effective and easily replaceable due to the cars amount of use. The side panels also need to consider the introduction of side protection mouldings that can easily be removed and replaced on a regular basis. The car also needs to meet the standard and address the current problems that are experienced by current customers is to be made known by Eleanor Conheady. The interior of the car is to be functional and be similar to what most of the Melbourne population is used to. It also needs to be easily maintainable, spacious and sturdy. What also needs to be considered is the introduction of a Toyota Hilux inspired vinyl trimmed and floor covering that can be hosed out and wiped for easy cleaning and maintainance. The interior is to have a traditional sports car feel with the functionality of a regular mid-sized share/hire car. The car is to provide a new alternative to the public already using the share car system and hopefully entice new people to start using the car sharing facilities also that wouldn’t normally use this type of service. To deliver this project outcomes must be achieved. The outcomes are;
1. Online project dissemination, blog post thru semester, Flikr photo album of project and process, you tube channel- research and all presentations on youtube.
2. Refined project proposal
3. Solution: Digital model, scenario story boards and a 1:4 scale model.
Points also to consider:
1. Enter design into the VACC car design awards
2. Enter car design into “wheels young designer of the year”
Research excursions to be taken into consideration for ideas and development:
1. Holden design studios
2. Toyota Factory
3. Channel 31 show “Gasoline”
4. “Gasoline” seminar
5. Possibility of a car designer showing his folio
6. Eleanor Conheady question time.
Document of resources:
www.campaignprojects.wordpress.com
www.nathanscars.wordpress.com
