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Flotspotting: Henry Daly's T-Shaped Design for an Electric Off-Roader
By Ray Hu - Jun 06, 2013
For his final year project at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Henry Daly decided to develop a new typology for an off-road recreational vehicle. The Exo is essentially a forward-facing recumbent electric three-wheeler, in which the operator lays prone in a torpedo-like position, as in skeleton or Cresta sledding.Exo is an electric off-road vehicle for recreational use on dirt, sand and gravel. The aim of the project is to merge man and machine providing a deeply immersive driving experience. The vehicle leans during cornering connecting body motion to vehicle motion and allows a higher maximum cornering speed. The birdcage frame is fabricated from aluminium tubing. Power comes from a 10kW DC brushless motor run from a Lithium-Ion battery pack. The project was completed as a final year project in Dublin Institute of Technology.
Daly notes that the prototype in the photos and video is but a proof of concept for what he has in mind: "Due to time and financial constraints this prototype is built from mild steel and uses a 1.5kw motor powered by lead acid batteries."
He's also done well to document the entire process in a series of nicely-composited images, as well as the requisite vector and CAD files:
Daly has just completed his Bachelor of Science at DIT and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Ray Hu
Formerly an editor and currently a contributor to Core77 (among other publications), Ray brings a broad interest in popular culture, media, and technology — alongside an abiding passion for art, music, and cycling — to his practice as a journalist and critic.
9 Comments
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I'm sorry, this guy may be a great designer, but his project is a fail from the beginning. Unless of course, the goal is a busted ribcage and broken spine.!Report as spam
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Same concept with electric drills! http://www.nilsferber.de/ex.html!Report as spam
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A roll cage is a must if you plan on travelling at any appreciable velocity. I think some elbow rests (ala bicycle aerobars) would ease the strain & numbness of laying with your arms extended. Irresponsible to make a video using angle & bench grinders without gloves on?!Report as spam
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I have known Henry for years, he is a very talented product designer. This is but one of his great projects and shows great potential for future endeavour.!Report as spam
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Immerse yourself in speed? I don't see that just yet. Nonetheless, bully for you getting this far!!Report as spam
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Yup, nice proof of concept, hire an industrial designer to help you take it to the next level! I agree with eurichs07, needs to take a look at the big picture here.!Report as spam
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My neck hurts just looking at it. Human factors? Bueller?!Report as spam
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Looks like a fun fabrication project, but I don't see how this is a functional offroading recreational vehicle. Looks uncomfortable laying down, can't go over larger bumps, slow, dangerous with your head facing forward. Different? Yes! Practical? Sorry but no. Nice video too. Not trying to be rude, that is just my opinion and critique.!Report as spam
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It is the best seat in the house at DIT's grad show http://i.imgur.com/1NUzZEP.jpg!Report as spam
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