2012 Thesis Report

-BEN RUBY--HUMBER INDUSTRIAL DESIGN-

[email protected]

-(647) 938 5255-

CONTENT1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 Background/history 2 Socialcontext(lifestyle,demographic,andmedia trendsaffectinguse) 5 Preliminaryproblemdefinition 2.0 RESEARCH 6 Marketresearch 10 Targetuser Primaryuser SecondaryUser TertiaryUser 11 Materials,Manufacturing,Sustainabilityresearch 12 TechnologyResearch 13 SafetyandHealthresearch 14 Benchmarking;Competitivesectoretc..(expert interview,surveys,observations) 18 UserProfile 19 Currentproducts 24 CurrentUserPractice 24 Synopsis

3.0 DATAANALYSIS 25 NeedsAnalysis Categorizationofneeds

4.0 DESIGNSTRATEGY 26 MindMapping 29 FunctionalDesignBrief 30 ProjectSchedule

5.0 DESIGNDEVELOPMENT 33 Preliminaryconceptexploration(3distinctlydifferent concepts) 34 ConceptRefinement(sketches) 36 DetailResolution(sketches) 41 SketchModel(images) 43 FinalDesign(preliminarysketches/renderings) 44 CADModels(images) 46 HardModelFabricationHistory(Photohistorywith captions)6.0FINALDESIGN 59Description/Explanation/BenefitStatement 65 FinalCadRenderings 74 HardModelPhotographs 79 Technicaldrawings

7.0 REFERENCES 828.0 APPENDIX

I. Topicapprovalformii. Advisoragreementformiii. Minutesofadvisormeetings/conferencesiv. Projectplanvi. Surveyreportvii. Workflowobservationreportviii. Features/benefitsreportix. Othersupportiverawdatax. Topicspecificdata,papers,publications

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSMATTHEW FINBOW FirstandforemostIwouldliketothankMatthewFinbowforhisbrillianthelpasabothathesisadvisorandamentor.Theknowledgepassedonfromhimtomeisinvaluableanditwasaprivilegetoworkwithhim.

BRUCE THOMSON Myprofessoroffouryears,automotive,andthesisinstructor.Evenifyourcriti-cismmakelifealittleharder,theyyieldgoodresults.Thankyouforstandingbehindmydesignwithmethroughoutthisprocessandnudgingmeintherightdirections

TYLER MACDONALD BicycletechnicianandapeerofmineforfourlongyearsatHumbernow.Yourknowledgeofbicyclemechanicshashelpedmegreatly.Thanksforyourinputandad-vicethroughoutthisprocess.

1 .0 INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND

Aquicklygrowingpopulationhasresultedinamorecrowdedworld;thisisespeciallytrueforcosmopolitanareasacrosstheglobe.Technologyhasmadeitpossible,ifnotmoreconvenienttoliveincloserproximitytoeachother,andingreaternumbersthanweeverhavebefore.Coupledwithachangingenvironmentweareleftscramblingtotrytofindnewandinnovativesolutionstosolveurbancommutingproblems.Traditionalanswerssuchasautomobilesarebecomingexpensive,andineffectiveinthestreetsofasupercity,andpublictransportationbecomesmorefickleandunreliableeveryday. It’snosurprisethenthatthepopulationofyoungurbaniteshaveturnedtoalternative,previouslyoverlookedmethodstomeettheneedsofamoderncommuterinamoderncity.Primarilyandmostnotablyistherecentbicycle,andfixedgeartrendthathasexplodedinpopularitywiththesepeople.Ifpeopleareturningbacktobikes,thenwhyisitthatthee-bikehasn’tchanged?Currente-bikesfailtobridgethegapbetweenmotorcyclesandbikesormeettheneedsofitsuseraswellasitcould.Whatisleftisamarketprimedforanewinnovativetakeoncommutinginthecity.

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SOCIAL CONTEXT

MEDIA TRENDS AFFECTING USE Afor-profitresearchfirm,PikeResearchjustrecentlyreleasedareport(Juneof2010)whichforecastedthatthe“worldwideelectrictwo-wheelvehiclemarketisexpectedtogrowatacompoundannualrateof9%through2016”(Research,2010).Otherpredictionsexpectthesalesofe-motorcycles,e-bikes,ande-scooterstoreachmorethan466millionwithe-bikeshavinga56%shareofthemarketbefore2016.

CompaniessuchasSanyohavecapitalizedonthisopportunitybysettingupsolarparkinglots(fig.1)wheree-bikeriderscanchargetheirbikesentirelyoffthegridwhileatworkorrunningerrands.Sanyosaysthat“thesolarparkinglotisacompletelyindependentandcleansystemeliminatingtheuseoffossilfuels”(BikeRadar,2010).

Wordslikesustainabilityandgreenhavedominatedtheheadlinesforseveralyearsnow,andcurrentmediatrendsregardingthegreenmovementhaveresultedina“push”foralternativetransportationmethodsthatutilizealternativefuelsources.Thisleavesthemarketprimedfortheintroductionofanewandinnovativemeansofpersonaltransportation.

Fig. 1 - (BikeRadar, 2010) http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2010/03/17/1268824374162-13qhas-szdkrrg-670-70.jpg

LIFESTYLE TRENDS AFFECTING USE

Mostelectricbikesintoday’smarketsmaybeclassifiedas“zeroemissionsvehicles”.Electricbikesalsohaveadramaticallylowerenvironmentalimpactascomparedtoamoreconventionalmodeoftransportationandasgenerallyseenasenvironmentallydesirableinanurbanenvironment.Thisfitsrightinwiththemigrationbacktothecitythatwearecurrentlyseeingasaresultofincreasinggasandresidencecosts.Asaresultofthis,weareseeingentirelynewlifestyleemergingfromthis.Thesepeoplearegenerallycharacterizedasbeingyoung,urban,andenvironmentallyconscious.Theycanbeanyonefromayoungbusinessprofessionalwhocan’taffordacarinthecity,toabicycleenthusiastlookingforamorepracticalcommute.

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DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AFFECTING USE

Thetotalpopulationoftheworldhasgreatlyincreased,andasaresultwebecomeclosertoreachingourearth’scarryingcapacity.Aswegrowclosertoourplanetslimitationsfossilfuelsaredepletingandcitiesarebecomingsupercities.Inthesesuperhighdensityurbanlivingenvironmentscommutingbecomesmoredifficultandlesstimeeffective.Itwasn’tlongagothatthemajorityofthepopulationlivinginnorthAmericareliedalmostentirelyupontheuseofacartogetanywhere,butthisisbecomingimpossible.Publictransitisalsobecomingmuchmoreexpensiveaswellduetothepreviouslymentioneddepletionofnaturalresourcesandmuchlessreliablethanitusedtobeduetorecentcutbacksinfunding. IfweexaminecountriesthatsurpassevenourownNorthAmericandensitiesweseesomeinterestingthings.Forexample,chinahasbecomeoneoftheworld’sleadersinnotonlypopulation,butalsointheproduction,sale,anduseofe-bikes.AccordingtothedataoftheChinaBicycleAssociation,alsoknownasstheCBA,“China’smanufacturerssold7.5millionelectricbikesnationwide,domesticsalesreached18million,and[e-bikes]werethoughttomakeupto10to20percentofalltwowheeledvehiclesonthestreetsofmanymajorcities”(Johnson).Thecorrelationbetweenthesetwopointsisanimportantoneaswewillsoonbeturningtocountrieslikethemforadviceonurbancommutingproblems.

PRELIMINARY PROBLEM DEFINITION

Cyclinghasbecomemuchmorepopularinurbanareaslatelybecauseitisoftenfasterthandrivingorpublictransit,moreconvenient,andenvironmentallyconscious.However,theeffortinvolvedincyclingcanbedemandingforsomeonacommutetowork(resultinginasweatyemployeeshowingupforwork).E–bikesarealsobecomingmuchmorepopularindenseurbanenvironments.Theymeettheneedsoftheenvironmentallyconscious,forwardthinkers,andcyclistenthusiastyettheyfailtobridgethegapbetweenmotorcyclesandbikes.Theyaredifficultandexhaustingtopedal(whentryingtochargethebattery),unprofessional,unattractive,andfailtomeetmanyneedsofthemoderndaycommuter.Theunderlyingproblemisthatcurrente-bikesarenotasfunctionalastheycouldbe.Currentproductstryingtofillthisgapsuchasmopeds,scooters,ande-bikesaren’tmeetingtheneedsofthisnewgenerationofcommuter.Iproposetodevelopavehicleintendedfordowntowntravelthatisfullypropelledelectricbikethatintegratestechnologiesandsafetyfeaturesfoundinmotorcycles,whileretainingtheoveralllightnessandmobilityofabicycle.Theendresultwillbeavehiclethatcantakeadvantageofpre-existinginfrastructureandmakeurbanitescommuteaseasyaspossible.

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2.0 RESEARCH MARKET RESEARCH

Currentproductsthatseektofillthegapleftbetweenbikesandmotorcyclesfortheurbancommutercanbedividedinto3primarycategories;bicycleswithaftermarketbatteriesandmotorsmountedtothem,e-bikeswithasomewhatintegratedmotorandbatterybutstillretaintheformandfunctionofabike,andfinallytheinfamousmopedwhichismuchclosertothescootersideofthings. Eachoneofthesenichesmeetsdifferentneedsforsomepeoplewhileatthesametimeoverlookingcertainneeds.Forexample,ane-bikesoundslikeagoodsolutionforanurbancommuterduetoitsmobilityandsize,yettheyaretoactasan“assist”toeverydayriding.Ontheoppositesideofthisgap,themopedwasdesignedforlongermorecomfortabletravel,butatthecostofconvenience,andmobility.

(Below)AnimageofascooterthatItookwhenobservingdowntownToronto.Itisclearlytoobigforsidewalkuseandparking.

E-BIKES

Standarde-bikestodayaremoreorlessthesameprincipleasaregularbike,incorporatingtraditionalaspectsofthebicyclesuchasframesandmechanicalaspectswiththeaddedbenefitofassistedpropulsion.DragonE-bikesisoneofafewretailoutfitslocatedinTorontothatspecializesine-bikes.Onmyvisitthereitbecameclearthatthesepeoplewerepassionateaboutanidea,whichmayexplainwhytheyaresoexcitedabouttheirproductthe“Enviro”e-bike(fig2).Thenamesaysitall;peoplewhowouldwantthisbikearethehard-corefansofmotherearth.Theproblemisthatthisgroupofpeople’stastesandneedsarenotinkeepingwiththegeneralpopulation.ThesepeoplearesopassionateaboutSustainabilitythattheyarewillingtooverlookshortcomingsthattheaver-ageuserwouldnot.Alltheingredientsforagoodproductarethere,ithasapowerfulenoughmotortohelpyoualongandmakeyourrideeasier,butthewheelsaretoosmallwhichmakestravelharderthanitneedstobe.Thebatteryisstrategicallypositionedinawaythatitwon’tinterferewiththeridersbalance,buttheframeisnotfavourableforayoungurbanite.Thisproductisfullofgoodideasthatareruinedwith“buts”.

Fig 3 - (TheDailyGreen) http://www.ezriders.ca/wp-content/up-loads/2011/04/wisper-sport-905se.jpg?4c9b33

Fig 2 - Enviro Dragon (dragon e-bikes) http://www.dragonebikes.com/enviro.html

Fig 4 - 26 Series, Ladies E-Bike A (Ped-elec) (ebikeFactoryChina) http://ebikefac-torychina.com/Ebikes/26_Series_Ladies_E-Bike_A-Pedelec.JPG

7 E-BIKES

MOPEDS

Emmo,ontheotherhandappealstoaquitedifferentgroupofpeoplethanDragone-bikesdoes.Thesepeopleliketobecomfortable,andthe“urban”adherestothat.Beingmuchclosertothescootercategory,itisasexpectedmoreexpensivethanitse-bikecousins.Thatbeingsaid,theactualbicyclefeaturesarenon-existentorjustnotfunctional.Itismorethanastruggletopedal,isheavy,andusesmoreenergythanitneedstoo.Thesesymptomsaren’tentirelyisolatedintheurbanhowever.Mopedshavealonghistoryofbeing“uncool”intheeyesoftheuse,whichbegsthequestion,whyputpedalsoninthefirstplace?

Fig 5- Honda Hobbit PA 50/Camino moped (European market) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_Hobbit.jpg

Fig-6 Scooters 50cc Gas Motor Mopeds (Happy Scooters)javascript:openWin(‘https://www.scooterde-pot.us/files/prodimages/h_thumbnail/mc_n50.jpg’)

Fig-7 Emmo Urban (Emmo E-bikes)http://emmoe-bikes.com/products/urban.html

E-BIKES

AFTER MARKET SOLUTIONS

Severalaftermarketsolutionsexisttodayandagrowingnumberofconsumersandturningtothisanswer.Primarily,aftermarketkitsconsistofamodularmotorandbatterypackthatfitintomostexistingbikes.Whenpurchased,theusermountsthebattery(generallyonthedowntube)andthemotor(rearwheel)inordertogetanassistwhenpedalling.Eventhoughtheseconversionkitsappeartobecheaperthanpurchasingane-bike,itremainsmuchlessfunctional.Manyusersarenoteducatedenoughtocorrectlymountthecomponents,andonceagainthephysicsofhowthebikeridesisdrasticallychanged.Bionx,adivisionofmagnahasalineofthesekits.Theyconsistofastandardlithiumionbatteryiscontainedinashapethatisasnaturalaspossibleinordertocomplytothemanydifferentshapesandcoloursfoundinbikestoday.Inthisway,theformbecomesanafterthought,andthefunctionmustadheretotraditionalbikedesigns.

Fig 8 - Currie Technologies Power Kit (metaefficient.com) http://metaefficient.zip-pykidcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/currie-electric-bike-conversion-kit.jpg

Fig 9 - Bionx Conversion Kit (Bike-shophub.com)http://www.bikeshophub.com/wp-content/uploads/bionx-kit.jpg

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TARGET USER

Thetargetusersofthisproductareyoungenvironmentallyawareindividualswholiveandoperateinanurbanenvironment.Thesepeopleareopentoalternativemethodsoftransportation,andduetotheirlocationtheyarelookingforaproductthatnotonlyfunctionstomeettheirneedsinadowntownenvironment,butalsoreflectstheirsocialandculturalbeliefs.Otherthingsthatareimportanttothesepeopleareintegratedsafetyandtechnologiestoeasetheircommute.

PRIMARY USER

Theprimaryuserofthisproductwouldbeayoungurbancommuterwhohasaninterestincyclingaswellasbeingenvironmentallyaware.Thisuserwouldutilizetheproductonadaytodaybasisontheircommutewithafewexceptions.Thisimpliesthatthebikewouldbechargednearlyeverynightandperiodicallydepletethecharge.Thismeansthatthechosentechnologiesmustmeettheseneedsandthematerialsmustbedurableenoughtowithstandconstantuse.

SECONDARY USER

Asecondaryusercouldbesomeonewhousestheproductinacommercialmethod.Someonelikeabicyclecurriercouldgreatlybenefitfromaproductasitwouldgivethemaboosttotheiralreadylightingfastspeeds.Inordertomeettheseneedstheproductshouldbeaslightaspossible,allowingtheusertogetuptospeedaseasilyaspossible.Anotherthingtoconsiderinthiscasewouldbethecharge.Inordertomakethisaviableoptionforthisgroupofpeopletheproductwouldhavetobeabletochargeasquicklyaspossible,overalunchbreakorbetweendeliveriesforexample.

TERTIARY USER

Thetertiarymarketwouldconsistofamunicipalityorcompanythatwouldimplementaninfrastructureforthisproduct,notunlikeBixibikes.ThedemandforadditionalBixistationsinTorontoishuge.Thisextremelypopularsystemissomethingthatthisproductcouldexpandon.Allowingus-erstorentbikeswithoutfinanciallycommittingtopurchasingoneoftheirownallowsadowntownpopulationtoutilizethesealternativemethodsoftransportation.

MATERIALS, MANUFACTURING, SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH

Withmobilityasapriority,thefirstmaterialthatcametomindwascarbonfibre.Carbonfibreisarelativelyexpensivemethodofmanufacturingbutyieldsamazingstrengthtoweightratiosandisusedinmanybicycleframestoday.Itconsistsofa“Carbon-fiber-reinforcedpolymerorcarbon-fiber-reinforcedplastic(CFRPorCRPoroftensimplycarbonfiber)”(GullapalliandWong). Thiscompoundwastraditionallyusedinexpensiveproductssuchasformula1carsbuthassincemadeitintocurrentproductsofferedtothepublicsuchas“sailboats,modernbicycles,andmotorcycles”(GullapalliandWong).Thisisaresultofcheapermorestreamlinedmanufacturingtechniquessuchasvacuumbaggingandmolding. Othercomponentssuchasthesaddleandhandlebarswouldbemadeinamoretraditionalmethod.Wrappingthesepartsinleatherwouldoffertheusermorecomfort,whileatthesametimepayingtributetoconventionalbicyclegripsandsaddles. Whilethesesomeoftheincludedcomponentscanbeconsideredunsustainable,theproductasawholemustbetakenintoconsideration.Ratherthanconsideringtheimpactithas,thinkoftheimpactitispreventing.Acleanburningsubstitutetotraditionalmeansoftransportationgreatlydecreasesthisproductsoverallfootprint,especiallywhenpedalling.OtherconsiderationsmaybethepreviouslymentionedSanyoe-bikechargingstationwhichfuelsthebikesoffof100%cleansolarenergy.

Fig10-Brooksleathergriptape(brooksengland.com)http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlKtwSKcSRScoYoCTBBGphA0RuxzXCLLSALtokGn2OXV8Td3PZQt_FXmM-

Fig 11- Carbon Fibre Frame (ma-deinchina.com)http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00SeCaPzWyhqrY/Carbon-Fibre-Bicycle-Bike-Frame-and-Fork.jpg

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TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH

AfterresearchingseveralmodesofpropulsionIdecideduponan“electric”poweredsolution.Thiswaytheusermayeasilychargetheirbikesbysimplyconnectingittoanoutlet.Fromthisconclusion,thebikemustbelightweightandmobileastobeeasilycarriedindoorsintotheuser’splaceofresidents.Asmanyurbanitesresideinapartments,itbecomesevenmorecrucialforthebiketobeaslightweightandeasytocarryaspossible.

CurrentbatterycellsarebulkyandheavysoIresearchedintonewNanotechnologiesandfoundinmicrocellscalled“nanowires”whicharealightweightalternativetoconventionalbatterycells.Thesenanowiresareroughlythesizeofahumanhairandmaybe“stuffed”intoaconductivetubetogeneratepower.Thisallowsforalightweightbatterycellthatcanadapttoanyshapeorform.Duetoitsextremelightweight,itbecomespossibletostorebatterycellsinthetoptubeofthebikeframeasitwillnotdisruptthecentreofbalancewiththebicycle.Thesecellsalsoholdachargefarlongerandarerechargedmuchfaster.

Thistechnologyisstillrelativelynew,butisnotfarfromproduction.Therehasalreadybeenateamthathas“succeededincreatingtheworld’ssmallestbattery[thatis]sosmallthatitwasformedinsideatransmissionelectronmicroscopeandconsistsofasinglenanowire(asthebattery’sanode)whichisoneseven-thousandththethicknessofahumanhairandthebatteryreached10xdensityonthefirstchargeandplateauedto8xdensityonsubsequentcharges”(Singh,2010).Thesenanowires“consistofastainlesssteelanodecoveredinsiliconnanowires,toreplacethetraditionalgraphiteanode.Silicon,whichstorestentimesmorelithiumthangraphite,allowsafargreaterenergydensityontheanode,thusreducingthemassofthebattery.Thelargesurfaceareafurtherallowsforfastcharging”(Singh,2010).

Fig 13 - Lithium-sulfur and carbon nanowires (au-toblog) http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/nl-2010-00504q0004.gif

Fig 12 - Battery in a nanowire (Futu-rity) http://www.futurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Hybrid_electrochemical_de-vice_Rice_1.jpg

SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH

Manypeopletodayfeelasthoughbikinghasbecomeanunsafeactivity,especiallyinahecticcity.RecenteffortstoincreasethesafetyandwellbeingofcyclistsinTorontohavelargelybeentheimplementationofbicycleonlylanes,aswellastheintroductionandenforcementofbicyclehelmets.Despitethecity’sefforts,“Torontofallingbehindpackinavertingbicyclecollisions,datareveals”.(T.O.).Thismaybeinpartaccountedforbecause“Itisapparentthatmasshelmetuseisnotcontributingtothereductionincyclistfatalities,atleastnotinanymeasurableway”(Canada).

InfacttheGlobeandMailproducedan“interactivemapofcyclistscollisionsfrom1986to2010thereisaseaofpinsrepresentingreportedcollisionsbycyclistsandcolour-codedforinjuryseverity.”(T.O.).Lookingatthismapisinterestingasjustabouteverycornerofeverystreethasatleastonemarkwithvaryingdegreesofseverity,someevenresultingindeath.

Soifthecitiesimplementationsofbikelanesandhelmetsarenotaseffectiveaspredicted,whatistheproblem?Arethereadditionalstepsthatcouldbetakeninordertominimizethisnumberandcreateasaferenvironmentforcyclists?

Oneaspectthatseemstobeoverlookedishowthebikersareilluminatefornighttravel.Allthesepeoplehavetodistinguishthemselvestocarsaretworeflectors,oneatthefrontandoneattheback,thatareonlyeffectivewhendirectlighthasbeenshoneuponthem.Thisleavestheriderwithanenormousblindspotonbothsidesofhim.Inahypotheticalsituationinwhichariderissidebysideavehicle,thereisnothingalertingthatvehicleofthebikerspresence.

Byintegratinglightsasopposedtoreflectorsvisibilityisincreasedforbothparties.Thedriverknowswherethebikeris,andthebikercanseewheretheyaregoing.

http://joehorroxlaw.com/wp-content/up-loads/2012/02/bicycle-accident-lawyer1-e1330114118177.jpg

Fig 14 - Bicycle accident (Joe Horax Law)http://joehorroxlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bicycle-accident-lawyer1-e1330114118177.jpg

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EXPERT INTERVIEW

NEEDS

a. Canyounamesomeneedsthatarebeingmetforadailye-bikecommuter?

Veryefficientsystemwith4proportionalassistmodesdependingonterrain,andgenerate/regenerativebrakingmode.Shorttoextremelylongrangebatteriesavailable,fromabout45-105km,eachwithdifferentweights.Acompactpowersupplythatfitsintoaseatbagorbackpack.

b. Howisitthatyourproductbenefitsadowntowncommute/meettheneedsofacitycommuter?

Youarrivetowork,possiblyevenwearingyourworkclothes,notsweaty.Youaren’tstressedfrombeingstuckintraffic.Itisanaffordablealternativetoacar.Abicyclecommuteallowsyoutheflexibilitytoleavewhenyouwantlikeanautomobile,butarriveontimewhichoftenisn’tthecasewithpublictransit.Andofcourse,alltheotherbenefitsofridinganelectricbicycleoveracar;environmentallyfriendly,noinsurance,nolicense,nogas,exercise,extremelylowmaintenance.Thebatteryandconsoleareeasilyremovable,andlessofatargetforbikethieves.ItisaseasytochangeaflatonaBionXsystemasitisanyotherbicycle.Andunlikeascooter,whenthebatteryonanelectricbikerunsoutyoucanstillridehome.

c. BothEmmo,andUrbanarecompetitors,howdoyoudifferentiateyourselffromthem?

TheEmmoandUrbanproductsarebothdesignedtobemoreliketraditionalscootersthanBionXproducts.BionXmakese-bikeretrofitkitsthatcanbeaddedtoanyregularbicycletotransformitintoane-bike.BionXwasdesignedtokeepanelectricbikelikeabicycle.EmmoandUrbanarealsoofferingalowendproduct,whereweofferahighend,highquality,reliableproductwithawarranty,andpartsandserviceavailableatalmosteverybikeshopinNorthAmerica.

AESTHETICS

d. Whatspecificallyinfluencedtheoverallaestheticofyourproduct?

Formfollowsfunction.TheBionXbatterypack,forexample,wasdesignedtopackagethemaximumnumberofLi-Mnbatterycellsintheavailablespace.Engineeringandpackagingconcernsdictatedthebasicshape,andthenpleasingaestheticswereaddedtomakeitmorethanjustaregularelectronicproduct.TheBionXG2battey,inparticular,wasdesignedwithcertainautomotivestylingcuesinmind,toevokeafeelingofspeedandpower.

EXPERT INTERVIEW

MARKET

e. TheE-bikeisanewerproductintoday’smarket,canyoudescribewhataestheticyouweretryingtoachieveandwhy.

Weweretryingtomakethetechnologyinvitingandfriendlyforthosewhomaybereluctanttoacceptit.Weachievedthisbymakingtheaestheticpleasingbutunobtrusive,withasimpleuserinterfaceandseamlessoperation.Thewholepackageisdesignedsothatthetechnologydoesnotintrudeintoyourbikingexperience,buthelpsyoualongbyharnessingyourownpedalingpower,andaddinganelectricboost.

f. Canyoudescribeyourmarketsegment?(Commuters,recreationalusers,boomers,youngerpeople,theenvironmentallyaware)?

Weareacrossoverproduct,andourBionXkitsareactuallytargetedatseveralofthesemarketsegments.However,ourdemographicsvaryaroundtheglobe.Forexample,BionXusersinEuropeancountriestendtobeurbancommuters,whereasNorthAmericanBionXuserstendtobuytheproductformorerecreationalpurposes(mountainbiking,weekendriding,etc.)WealsohaveahigherpercentageofboomerbuyersinNA.

HUMAN FACTORS (ERGONOMICS)

g. Howisitthatane-bike’sergonomicandhumanfactorsdifferfromaregularbicycle?

Anelectricbicycleallowsyoutogofurtherwiththesame,orlesseffort.Italsoeliminatesheadwinds,andsteephillsbecomemanageable.TheBionXsystemreducesstrainonacyclist,andallowsforamorecontrolledworkout.Onanormalbicycle,manytimesaridecanbecomeanaerobic.

PRODUCT LIFE

I. Howoftenareyourusersexpectedtoutilizeyourproducts,andhowlongisitexpectedtolast?

BionXproductsaredesignedtobeusedeveryday.Batterylifeshouldremainunaffecteduntilafterapproximately800-1000chargecycles.Afterthatthebatterylifewillslowlystarttodegrade,aswithanyelectronicproductthatneedstoberecharged.Theaverageusercanexpecttoget5-7yearsofuseoutofaBionXbattery.

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EXPERT INTERVIEW

VOLUME, COST & PRICE

k. Regionally,whereareyourproductsaleshighest,andwhydoyouthinkthismaybe? GAS(Germany-Austria-Switzerland),astheyhavealreadyimplementedalotofinfrastructurededicatedtocycling.

l. Howisyourproductpricedascomparedtobuyingane-bike

InNorthAmerica,BionXretrofitkitsarepricedanywherefrom$1200fortheentry-levelkit,to$2000forthetop-of-the-rangemodel.Thisiscompetitivepricingforthee-bikemarket,andsignificantlycheaperthanmoste-scooters

m. Whatisthemostexpensivecomponentsofyourproduct

Thebatterycellpackremainsthehighestpricedcomponent.Ourcellpacksarecomprisedofmanyindividualcellsjoinedtogether.Oursupplierofthesecellsproducelightweightlithium-manganesecells,specificallydesignedfore-bikes,thatarepowerful,verysafe,longlastingandreliable.

DISTRIBUTION

n. Isyourproductsoldthroughretail,directsales,ortheinternet?TheBionXkitissoldtoconsumersthroughbicycleretailoutlets.Themajorityofoursales,however,comefromsupplyingkitstoOEMbikecompanies(Trek,KTM,Diamante,etc.)

MANUFACTURING and MATERIALS

r. Whereisyourproductassembled? AssembledinourmainBionXfacilityattheMagnacampusinAurora,Ontario.

MATERIALS and SUSTAINABILITY

t. E-bikeshavebeenconsideredanenvironmentallyfriendlyalternativetopetrolfueledvehicles.Howtrueisthisinregardstothebatterycells?

Thesmallamountofchemicalsusedtomanufactureabattery,andenergydrawfromthegridisafractionoftheenergyconsumedeverydaybyanautomobilecommuter.BionXuseslithiumbatteries,ofwhichthemetalsusedarelessharmfultotheenvironmentcomparedtonickelorleadbatteries.

u. Arethebatterycellsreturnable? Wecanrecycleandreplacecellsinhouseforourcustomers.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS

55%ofallrespondentsviewcurrente-bikesas“unattractive”andafurther27%ofallrespondentsviewede-bikesas“veryunattractive”.Thereforeitisevidentthatthedesignlangueofe-bikesisnotinkeepingwithitsusers.

72%ofallusersaremale,fromthiswecancommunicateamore“masculine”stylingaswellasincor-porateaheaviermoreeffectiveframe.

54%ofrespondentsindicatedthattheycommutelessthan10kmeachdaywhichiswellwithintherangeofane-bike.

45%ofpeoplesaidtheywouldnotbeopentobikingtowork;thisleavesanopeningtotrynewsolu-tionsthatarelessphysicallydriven,andmorecomfortable.

18%ofrespondentsthoughtofe-bikesasbeingnotsafe.Thereforetherearesafetyissuesthatneedtobeinvestigatedandaddressed.

COMMENTS AND CONCERNS

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USER PROFILE

Usingthedatacollectedthroughobservation,surveys,aswellastheexpertinterviewwecanconstructahypotheticaluserinordertogaugehowtomeettheirneeds Johnisa20somethingyearoldwhoworks,livesandoperatesdowntownToronto.Heisatthestartofhiscareeranddoesnotownavehicle.LiketheaverageTorontonian,helivesslightlylessthan15kmfromwhereheworks.Hesaysthathewouldbike,butheisjusttootiredinthemorningtoforcehimselftoexercisethatmuch(1). Hewakesupinthemorning,lateasusualandsprintstothebusstop,justmissingit,forcinghimtowait20minforthenextbus(2).BythetimethenextbusrollsaroundJohnisalreadyfrustratedwiththecommute.Hesitsanxiouslyonthebus,cringingateverystop(3). Hearrivestoworkabitlateandstartshisday. Pickingupattheendofhisworkdayatabout4pmJohnisforcedtoshoulderhiswayontothecrowdedbusandstandinamassofthesmellybuspatrons.Becauseitsrushhour,whatshouldbea10minbusridetakesanhourandJohngetshomefrustratedandstressed(4).FromJohn’sstorywecanlearnseveralthingsaboutthetrialshefacedonhisdailycommute,andaddressthem.

1- Johnfeltthathedidn’thaveenoughenergyinthemorningtoridehisbiketowork,nodifferentthanmanypeoplewhooptforpublictransit.Itisforthisreasonthatatleastanelectricassistshouldbepresent,ifnotafullypropelledoptioninordertoappealtopeoplelikeJohn. 2- Johnmissedhisbus.Thiscouldbebecauseofagreatdealofreasons,inthiscaseitwasbecauseofhisowntardinessbutbusschedulesarebecominglessconsistenteachyearascutbacksaremade.Beingforcedtowait20minutesisanotherresultofthesecutbacks. 3- Alreadylate,thebusstoppingevery5feetputalotofanxietyonhisshoulders 4- Goinghomeduringrushhourwillalwaystakelongerthananyotherhouroftheday.Theentirepopulationofthecityfloodstothestreets,allwithinanhourofeachother,inordertogethomeassoonaspossible.Afteralongdayatworkthereisnothingmoretaxingthanhavingtobeonabusforextendedperiodsoftime?ByutilizingabikeJohnwouldhavebeenabletotakebikepaths,lanes,ortrailsinordertopreventtherushhourblues.

WhileJohnscommutecouldbemadeeasierbyridingabike,therestilldoesn’texistaproductthatmeetshisneeds.

`````COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRODUCT `````````` FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Thetechnicalfeaturesofcompetitorproductswascollectedandinput. Foroneproduct,theemphasiswasplacedonlongerrange,andanoverallmorecomfortablecommutewhichwasreflectedinitsoverallsizeandaestheticaswellaslargerbatteryandmotor.Fortheotherproduct,keepingalightweightframereminiscingofabicyclewasmoreimportant.Thesizeofthebatteryandmotorhoweverinterferedandtheoverallcostoftheproductdoesnotjustifyitsuse.

Intermsofthespecificfeatures:

Battery: Offeredasastandardfeatureoneach,butcanbeupgraded Motor: Offeredasastandardfeatureoneach,butcanbeupgraded Range: Bothcompetitorproductsofferedadecentrange,theurban’swasgreater however Safety: TheEnvirohadfarmoresafetyfeatures Security: TheUrbanhadfarmoresecurityfeatures

BENEFITS ASSESSMENT OF COMPETITOR PRODUCT:

Areasforpossiblecustomerbenefitadvantagewere(fromhightolow): Style Comfort Cost

VALUE Addedvalueforthisproductcomesfromitsabilitytotakeadvantageofexistingbicycleinfrastructuresuchasbikelanesandbikeracks.Thegoalistomakethecommuteaseasyaspossible.Thebikemustbeeasytooperateandfunctiontoaccommodatethis.

FEATURES Functionsthatincreasethisproductsvaluewouldbeitsintegratedsafetyfeatures.Currentlye-bikesutilizeverylittlesafetyfeatures,andwhentheydoitisdonepoorly.Ratherthanhavingbasiclightsorreflectorsthisproductshouldincorporatelightsthataresimilartothosefoundinamotorcycle.Frontandrearlightsthatrespondtobrakingandturningareimportant.Othersafetyfeaturesmaybeaspeedometersotheusermaygaugetheirspeedmorecorrectly,aswellasapossiblesidelighttopreventthecyclistfrombeingsidesweptbyvehiclesduringthenight. AnotherfeaturethatcouldbebeneficialwouldbeintegratingtheusersmobiledeviceinawaythatitmayactasaGPS,routefinder,orbatterygauge.Thesefunctionsmayalsobeintegratedintothebikedirectly.

CHALLENGE Somechallengesthatmaybeencounteredisthecurrenttechnology.Thebikemustbeabletoholdachargeforarangeupto30km,anditmustalsobeabletoquicklyrecharge.Withthisinconsiderationthebikemustalsobeeasilycharged.Usingauniversaloutletmaybetheeasiestsolutionbutthechallengeisencounteredinlocatingthebikenearone.Willthebikebechargedinthe

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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRODUCT FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Product(features)

RelatedProducts/CompetitorProductsexaminedinthisreport:

EmmoUrban($1295) DragonEnviro($1195)



TheEnvirobydragone-bikesisamoretraditionaltakeonpropelledcycling.Itofferstheuseradutchframethatisfoundcommonlyine-bikestoday.Thisoldstyleofframegotitsstartbyappealingtowomeninskirtswhostillwishedtoride.Itofferstheusereasymountingandgivesthedesigneraneasyspottomountthebattery,behindtheseattube.Allthetechnicalcomponentsofthisbikehavebeenaddedtotherearhalfoftheframe,whilethefronthalfremainsnearlyuntouched.

The Emmo Urban is a much more “progressive” solution as compared to the Enviro. Taking much more of a scooter / moped approach to their design in regards to both aesthetic and function. The Emmo incorporates a larger seating pedistal for longer trips, integrated safety features such as a working headlight, and some storage at the cost of weight and size. This bikes shortcomings come from its users inability to pedal need be.


“TheDragonEnviroisourunisexcitytourer.It’slightweightalloyframemakesittheidealchoiceforciyandparklikesettings”-DragonE-bikesretailworker

ColourMotor

BatteryThrottleFrame

HandleBarStemTires

BrakesGears

FrontForkSafety

StorageSecurity

MaxSpeedRange

PedalAssitModeLoadCapacity

NetWeightSize

Silver30V250WBrushlessMotor30V10AHLithiumIonBatteryThrottleControlandPedalAssit26”LightWeightAluminiumAlloyFrameAluminiumAluminiumAdjustable26”PunctureResistantMountianBikeTiresDiscBrakesShimano6SpeedAlloy,SuspensionHeadlight,Taillight,Bell,WheelReflectorsCarrierBatteryLockKPH32KM40KM60KGS120LBS204KGS26LBS57190x60x110


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ColourMotor

BatteryThrottleFrame

HandleBarStemTires

BrakesGears

FrontForkSafety

StorageSecurity

MaxSpeedRange

PedalAssitModeLoadCapacity

NetWeightSize

GreenMaximum500WBrushless48VDCThrottleControlandPedalAssistN/AAluminiumLuminiumAdjustable18”FrontandRearDrumBrakesShimano6SpeedDrumBrakeSuspensionHeadlight,Taillight,BellWheelReflectorsLockableFrontBoxRemoteAlarm/RemoteStarter/KeyIgnitionEngineLockKPH32KM50-60N/AKGS140KGS551650x710x1220

“Wefocusonstylish,highqualityelectricbicyclesthatoffersafeandef-ficienttransportationalternativesforthemajorityofurbantrips.”-EMMOSalesAssociate



CURRENT USER PRACTICE

REGULAR TASKS/PROCEDURE

Theusercurrentlyusesastandardizedmeansoftransportationsuchaswalking,biking,publictransit,andpossiblyutilizesavehicleontheirdailycommute.Currente-bikesareregardedasrecreationalproductsratherthanalegitimatecommutingoption.Thosewhodousethemforcommutingpurposesaregenerallyregardedasthediehardenvironmentalists. Theseuserswouldleavetherebikestochargeovernightastheyslept.Inthemorningtheywouldwake,removetheunitfromthechargingportandsetofftoride.Thestandardassitmaytakethemupto32km/hforaround30km.Oncethechargehasbeendepletedtheywouldresorttopedallingtheremainderofthedistancetotheirdestination.Uponarrivalattheirdestinationtheuserwouldlockuptheirbikeatastandardbikepostlocatedasclosetotheirdestinationaspossible.Oncefinishedattheirdestinationtheuserwouldunlocktheirbikeandtheprocessrepeatsitselfoncetheuserplugstheirbikeintobechargedforanothernight.

NON-ROUTINE TASKS/PROCEDURE

Theusermayoccasionalutilizetheirmeansoftransportationfornonroutineactivitiessuchasgoingouttogetgroceries,meetingfriends,ortravellingtodesiredlocations.Theproductsfunctionmustaccommodatethisaswell.Forexampleiftheuserwouldwanttotakeaweekendtriptocentreisland,theproductshouldaccommodatethis.Thebikemustbemo-bileenoughtotakeontheferrywithoutcreatingahassle.

Thisalsochangesthecontextinwhichthebikeisused.Ratherthanutilizingtheproductinacommutingmeansitbecomesarecreationalproduct.Inthissensethebikeshouldoperateinaleisurelyfashionasopposedtosomethingthatismorefastpaceandefficient.Thebikeshouldbeenjoyableataslowerspeedinthisinstanceinordertoenjoythescenery.

SYNOPSIS

Theendresultmustbeacommuterproductthatismobileandconvenient.Thesizemustaccommodatedowntownurbanlivingsituations,itmustnotweighmorethanitneedstosoitmaybeeasilybebroughtupanddownaflightofstairs,anditmusthavealimitedfootprintwithaminimalimpacttotheenvironment. Itshouldalsodemonstratesmartdesignbybeingabletoadapttocurrentpreexistingbicycleinfrastructure.Theunderlayinggoalistoofferdowntowncommuterswithanalternativemeansoftransportationthatmotivatesandexcitesthemratherthanmakethemfeeldisassociatedfromthefunctionorformastheyareincurrente-bikes.

NEEDS ANALYSIS

CATEGORIZATION OF NEEDS CUSTOMERBENEFITSANDTHEIRRANKING(FROMHITOLO):

LOOKS WEIGHT SPEED COST COMFORT

TECHNICALFEATURESANDTHEIRANDRANKING(FROMHITOLO):

BATTERY 58 THEBATTERYSTRONGLYAFFECTSCOST,LOOKS,ANDWEIGHTMOTOR 57 THEMOTORSTRONGLYAFFECTSSPEED,COST,LOOKS,ANDRANGE 41 RANGESTRONGLYINFLUENCESPEED,COSTANDWEIGHTSAFETY 40 SAFETYINFLUENCESLOOKSWEIGHTANDCOMFORTSECURITY 20 SECURITYAFFECTSLOOKS,COST,ANDWEIGHT

Thefatalflawofcurrente-bikestodayisthatpeoplejustdon’twanttoridethem.Thiscanbeattributedtotheiroverallaesthetic.Theirformdisassociatestheuserfromitsfunction.Ifthemajorityofthepedalbikesinanurbancentrearethatofaroadortracknature,whyisitthate-bikesconsistentlyresorttotheunpopularstepthroughframe?Itisunderstandablethattheyaretryingtoappealtoalldemographics,butifthestylingisthemostimportantneedoftheuser,somemoreconsiderationshouldbetakeninmydesigninordertoachieveaformthatmotivatespeopletoridetheirbikeasopposedtodeterringthem.

Weightisanothermajorconsideration.Ittranslatesdirectlyintothemobilityoftheproduct.Withweightreductionbeingkey,unnecessaryweightmustberemoved.Thisisaproductthatwillprobablybecarriedupanddownaflightofstairs.

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MIND MAPPING

Fig 15 - Audi e-bike (gogreen.com)http://www.gogogreen.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Audi-Electric-Bike-For-the-Future-Urban-Consumer_5.jpg

Fig 16 - Electric bike concept (lux-atic.com)http://luxatic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Electric-Bike-concept-by-Vojtech-Sojka-5.jpg

Fig17-Brooksleathergriptape,sewn(brooksengland.com)http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlKtwSKcSRScoYoCTBBGphA0RuxzXCLLSALtokGn2OXV8Td3PZQt_FXmM-

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INSPIRATION IS. . . Muchoftheinfluencebehindmydesignwasfueledbybrooksproducts(below).Theseretrosaddlesandhandlebarshaveanessenceofclasstothem,whichisnearimpossibletofindinbikestoday.Thebrownleatheranduseofothertraditionalmaterialskeepthisatimelessdesignthathasinfluencedmeforyears,andhopefullyforyearstocome.

Fig17-Brooksleathersaddle(brook-sengland.com)http://t0.gstatic.com/im-ages?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlKtwSKcSRScoYoCTBBGphA0RuxzXCLLSALtokGn2OXV8T-d3PZQt_FXmM-

FUNCTIONAL DESIGN BRIEF “Todesignasmall,lightweight,mobilecommutervehiclethatisfullypropelledbyanalternativefuelsource(electric).Thisdeviceshouldbesmallenoughastotakeadvantageofexisting“bicycle”infrastructure(bikelanesandracks),easilystoredorbroughtuptoanapartment,aswellasintegrateinnovativesafetyfeaturesandtechnologies.”

Theaimistohelpmotivateuserstoridetheirbikesratherthandisassociatethemfromnewinnovativecommutingmethods.Mobility,weight,andstylingareparamountandareprioritiesinthisdesign.Thedesignshouldreflectwhattheurbandemographicassociatesas“good”design,suchasroadbikes,trackbikes,andsinglegearedbikes.

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4

PROJECT SCHEDULE

4

DESIGN PROCESS

5.0 DESIGN DEVELOPMENTPRELIMINARY CONCEPT EXPLORATION

Concept1waswhatIwasoriginallymostattractedto.Ithadasuperaggressivestancewithalotofemphasisplacedonlighting.Theergonomicshoweverwereabitofastretch.Intheendmanydesigncuesweretakenfromthisinitialconcept.

Concept3wasanattempttogooffinacompletelydifferentdirectionthantheprevioustwo.Thisconcepthasabitmoreofa“utility”felltoitbecauseofitsgeometricshapewhichwasinspiredthehumanform.

Concept2istheclosesttomyfinaldesigndirection.Iinstantlyfellinlovewiththesidelightsaswellasthekinkatthetop.Mostofthefeatureswereeitherchangedordroppedentirelyalongthewayhowever.Iwentwithastandardchainstayasopposedtothehubdrivedepictedhere.Thelevitatinghandlebarsdidn’tmakethecuteither.

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CONCEPT REFINEMENT

Atthispointinthedesignprocess,ageneraldirectionwasstilltobedecidedupon.Iexploredmanydifferentvariationsontheframe,aswellastoyingwithmanydifferentideasthatIcouldintegrateintothisproject.

Manyoftheseconceptswereabitoutlandishanddidn’tmakethecut,whileotherswerequitepracticalyetdidn’tfitintotheoveralldesignIwasgoingfor.

Forexample,intheinitialstepsofthisphaseIwasstillexploringmanyoptionsregardingcargocapacitiesandmobiledeviceintegration.Atonepointthedesignwasacompletelycollapsibleform.

AsIcontinuedideasweredroppedandnewonesformed.IbegandrawinginhumanswhowereinteractingwiththeproductanditwasthroughthisthatIgottheideaforthesidelightingaswellasaformedtoptubetoaidtheuserincarryingtheproduct.

DETAIL RESOLUTION

Inthispageyoucanseeastudyontheshapeoftheframeaswellashowittiesinwiththeothercomponentsofthebikesuchastheout-let,seatpost,fork,andhandlebars.

Ifeltthathidingtheoutletlikecurrente-bikesdowasn’teffectiveatall.InmydesignIshowcasedtheoutletasagraphicinordertohelpimplyfunction.

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ThispageshowcasessomeofthesketchesthatIhaddonetodemonstratehowalltheseparatepartsoftheproductwouldcometogether.Eventhoughtheproductutilizesmanyofthesamemanufacturingtechniquesasatraditionalbike,thereisstillsomeelectricalandmechanicalfeaturesthathadtobewellplannedout.

SKETCH MODEL

ThesketchmodelwasareallyusefulexcersisetoaidmeinrealizingmyshapeandforminthreedimensionspriortoCAD.Ichosetorepresenttheframe,crankset,motor,andforkinthissketchmodelinordertoachieveadegreeofaccuracyastobetterunderstandhowallofmypartswouldcometogether.

IndoingthisIunderstoodseveralchangesthatneededtobemadetothedesignthatIwouldnothavenoticeduntilIwasdeepintoCAD.Forexample,itwasinthisstatethatIrealizedthatanexposedpowertrainwouldnotworkforseveralreasons.Onebeingthatthemotorandsprocketcreatedamorefluidformwiththeframewhenachainstayisincluded,andsecondly,itwouldbeverydifficulttomodelintheprototype.

Itturnedoutforthebesthoweverasthefinalsolutionwasmoreinkeepingwithmy“motorcycle”inspirationratherthananoutwardbicycle.ItisalsointhisphasewhenIdecidedtosubtlechangethegeometryoftheframeandforktosomethingthatwasalittlebitclosertoahighendroadbike.

41

FINAL DESIGN

ThenameAMPisn’tjustcooltosay,anditsnotjustagreatlookingwordgraphically,itsboththosethingsaswellasashortenedversionofthewordAmpere.Oftenshortenedtoamp,istheSIunitofelectriccurrentwhichiswhyitssuchafittingnameforthisproduct.Thenameshowcasesitsrelianceonnewinnovativetechnologiesinordertodeliverthebestpossiblecommuteunderthemostfrustratingofsituations.

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INITIAL CAD MODELS

FABRICATION HISTORY

FABRICATION HISTORY

IbeganthefabricationhistorybysendingoffmyCADfilestoberapidprototyped.Choosingapowderprocesscausedsomeproblems,butattheendyieldedahighdetailresult.

PART FINISHING AND PRIMING

Thefirststeptakenpostprintingwassealingthepowderedpartsinordertogivethemsomestructuralintegrity,followedbysandingandafirstcoatofprimer.

47

HEARTBREAK

Thefirstdisastermomentinthemodelmakingprocesscameearly,oneoftheweaker,moredelicateparts(thetire)brokewhilesealingit.Thetirewasre-printed,andsubsequentlyre-broken.

PRIME, SAND, SPOT PUTTY, PRIME. . .

Itwasalongprocess,andatthispointIwaskickingmyselfforhavingsomanypartsthatweresmallerthanafingerwhichproveddifficulttosand.

49

THE PAINT BOOTH

AfterthefirstcoatofprimerwasappliedtoallmypartsImadeaverywisedecisionstosavemylungs.AnyonespendinganytimeinanIDshopneedsatleastthis,ifnotafullrespirator.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Greenandwhitepartsarethosethathavenotbeenprimedyet.Eveninaphotographitisevidentthatalittlebitofelbowgreasegoesalongway.

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SAND, SAND, SAND, SAND. . .

Atthispointtheconstantstepforward,stepbackwardprocessofsandingandprimingwasgettingprettyexhaustingeventhoughtheresultswereevident.Goodarmworkoutthough!

FINAL COAT

ThereisnowaytodescribethepurejoyIwasfeelingatthispoint.Nearlyallthepartshadtheirfinalcoatsofprimeronandpaintwasinthehorizon.

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COLOUR

AfteraquickwetsandatahighgritIappliedpainttotheparts.Asawholethiswentsmoothly,withtheexceptionoftheframe.Whitepaintcanbeatoughonetonail.

COMPONENT FINISHING

Asthepaintdried,gotsandedoff,andwasrepaintedIstartedtofindsomenewfoundmotivation.Seeingthecoloursstarttobecomemorevibrantandhavingthepiecescometogetherwasatreat.

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ASSEMBLY

Thefirstfewcomponentsassembledwerethepowertrain(sprocket,crankarm,andlockbearing),followedbytherimsandthetires,andtheframetotheforkandheadset.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

Detailingthismodelwasmucheasierthanexpected.Byprintinginasmanyseparatepartsaspossible,Iwasabletoavoidmaskingentirely.Othertouchessuchasvinylgraphicsandhavingmyhandlebarswrappedinrealgriptapereallymadeeverythingpop.

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PICKING UP THE PIECES

AtthispointIwasleftwithfourmajorcomponentstoassemble.SinceIonlyhavetwohands,someextraswereneededhere.Amessofarmsandhandsproppingpartsinthecorrectpositionbroughtthismodelhometothefinishline.

6.0 FINAL DESIGN

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Amp,auniqueandrelevantsolutiontothetroublesonewouldencounterwithcommutinginadenseurbanenvironment.Byusingnanowirebatterycellsasopposedtothemoreconventionallithiumion,ormagnesiumbatteries,theweightoftheproductissignificantlydecreased.Eachindividualnanowirehasclosetothesamemassandweightasahumanhair,allowingforinnovativepackagingsolutions.Traditionale-bikesstoretheircellsonthedowntubeinordertoreducetheeffectsofitsweightontheoverallrideandbalanceofthebike.Amp’scellsarestoredthroughoutthetoptubeoftheframewithnoeffectonthebalance,ride,orphysicsofthebike.Thisismadepossiblebythepreviouslymentionednanowirecells.Anotherbenefitofthesecellsistherapidityinwhichitisabletocharge,andthevolumeofchargeitcanhold.Thisresultsinauserthatisnotdisassociatedfromtheproduct.Riderscanpedal,bank,andturnexactlythesameastheywouldhaveinatraditionalbike.

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EXPLANATION

Mobilityandconvenienceareveryimportantfactorstoconsiderwhendesigningforanurbancommuter.Operationissimplewiththreemodesofuse;afullypropelledmodeweretheridercancoastbyusingjustthemotor,anassistmodesimilartothatinane-bike,andfinallyafullyhumanpoweredmodewereAMPispropelledentirelybytheuser.Inachosenmodewerethemotorisengaged,throttleiscontrolledbythehandlebars.Rotatingthebullhornsinadownwardmotionincreasesthethrottle,andretractingthemdecreasesthethrottle,muchlikeagaspedal.Thebrakesarethesamethatwouldbefoundinanyroadbike.

Nanowirecellspackagedinthetoptube

Safetyhasalsobeenaddressed.Withfourintegrated,illuminatedlightsasopposedtotworeflectors,makingAMPmuchsafertorideduringthenightthanaconventionalbicycleore-bike.Theheadandtaillightsactinverymuchthesamewaythattheywouldinanyothercommutingvehicle.Thesidelightshoweveraremoreoriginalthanthepreviouslymentionedtwo.Itisverydifficultforpeopleoperatingvehiclestoseebikerswhendrivingsidebysidesothesidelightshelpilluminatetheridesoothervehiclesareawayofitspresenceinordertopreventsideswiping.

TheAMP’sformisquitedifferentfromcurrente-bikesandmopeds.Basingthedesignonobservationsmadewhenwatchingbikersinanurbanenvironment.Thesecyclistsareefficientandbountiful.Thebikeofchoiceforthesepeoplemaybecategorizedasroadortrackbikes,manyofwhichhavesingleorfixedgears.ItisforthisreasonthatAMP’sframeisreminiscentofthesebikes.Theframeisaggressiveandlooks“fast”,whichisinkeepingwithwhatthesecyclistshaveandwant.Ratherthanusesmallerwheelswhichareconventionaline-bikestoday,AMPusesthestandardwheelsizefoundinroadbikesinordertooptimizeitsfunction.Thebullhornhandlebarsarealsoreminiscentofmodifiedtrack,velodrome,androadbikesweretheownerwouldtaketheirstandarddropdownhandlebars,flipthem,andcutofftheendstogivetheirbikeapersonaltouch.AMP’sbullhornhandlebarspaystributetothat,differentiatingitselffromotherproductsinmarkettoday,givingitthatverysamepersonaltouch.

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BENEFITS AND WORKFLOW MAPPING

Thebenefitsofthisproductarebestdescribedinahypotheticaldayfortheuser.AdaywiththeAMPcouldstartoffwiththeriderwakingupandunpluggingitfrombeingcharged.TheAMPusesastandardplugforchargingallowingittobepluggedinnearlyanywhere.Aringcirclestheplugtohighlightitsuseofalternativeenergyandindicatetotheuserthatitisanelectricallypoweredbikeasopposedtoatraditionalbicycle.Userscaneasilycheckitschargebysimplylookingtoseehowmuchoftheringisilluminated.Afullyilluminatedringmeansthattheproductisfullycharged,likewise,whenonlyhalfoftheringisilluminatedtheproductonlyhasahalfcharge.

Seeingthattheproductisfullycharged,theuserwouldthenunplughisbikeandcarryitoutofhisapartment.Thispreviouslydifficulttaskismademuchsimplerfortworeasons.OnebeingthattheoverallweightoftheAMPismuchlessthanastandarde-bike,anddramaticallylessthanamoped.Theuseofcarbonfibreandnanowiresmakestheproductlightenoughforanyonetobeabletothrowitovertheirshoulders,whichbringsustothesecondpoint.TheframeoftheAMPwasdesignedwithcarryinginmind.Itlendsitselftoamoreergonomicshoulderspotthantraditionalbikes.Byeliminatingthedowntubeandseattubethereisplentyofroomfortheshouldertofit.

Onceoutsidetheuserdecidesonridingtoworkinmode1,fullypropelled.Thecoastingmodegivestheusertheoptiontonothavetoexudeanyoftheirownenergyinordertopreventthemfromarrivingattheirdestinationinatiredorunprofessionalstate.Accordingtothedatacollected,alargeportionofthepopulationsurveyedchoosenottoridetheirbikesontheircommutebecausetheyareeithertootiredinthemorningtopedalallthewaytotheirdestination,ordonotwanttoarrivetowork

UponarrivaltheuserwouldthenlockuphisAMPonabikepostinfrontofhisplaceofwork.Indoingthisheisabletoavoidtheexpensiveandtimeconsumingprocessoffindingaparkingspot.Inacartheywouldbeforcedtoparkfurtherawayfromtheirplaceofworkandbeforcedtopayquitealotfortheprivilegeofparkingforaday.

Beingthededicatedworkerthatheis,bythetimetheuserisfinishedworkforthedayitisalreadydarkout.ThisisnoproblemsincetheAMPutilizesfour,fullyilluminatedlightsforasafernighttimecommute.HeunlockshisAMPfromthebikepost,engagestheheadlight,taillight,andbothsidelights,andbeginshisjourneyhome.Eventhoughhehasmorethanenoughofachargetoridebackinafullypropelledmode,hedecidesonridingwiththeassistengagedinordertogetsomeexercise.Theuserisentirelyvisibletoothercommutersontheroadoncedarkduetothelights,andwhenpedalling,themotionofhislegspassingthesidelightcreatesadynamicchanginglight.Thisdynamiclightmakesitevenmorenoticeabletodriversthatsomeoneelseisontheroadwiththem.Theuserwouldarrivehome;hoistthebikeoverhisshoulderlikehehadatthebeginningoftheday,returntohisapartment,pluginhisbike,andgoabouttherestofhisnight.

63

ERGONOMICS

Aswithmostbikeframes,theAMPwouldcomeinalineofstandardsizes.Itisuptotheretailertoeducatetheuseronwhichsizeiscorrectforthem,justlikeinabicycle.AMPdoeshoweverhaveseveralpartsthattheusereitherinteractswith,oradjusts.Thefirstofwhichistheseat.Theseatworkssimilarlytoconventionaldesignsinthewaythatitsasimpleunscrewatthetopoftheseatpost,calledaseatpostclamp.Theuserwouldunscrewtheseatpostclampandadjusttheheighttotheirownbodysize.Someonewithlongerlegswouldbeabletoraisetheseat,andsomeonewithshorterlegscanshortenit.

Alongwiththeseatpost,thehandlebarsareanotherpointofoperation.Inordertoallowmorethrottle,theuserwouldtiltthehandlebarsdownwardintoadropbarposition.Theridersoverallstancewouldthenchangeherefromsomethingmorerelaxedandleisurely,toamuchmoreconcentratedstancelikeinavelodromebikeormotorcycle.Inthiswaytheusermustbemoreengagedandconcentratedwhenusingthemotor.

Thefinalpartthatincorporatesuserergonomicsistheinsideoftheframe.Alotofcyclistshoisttheirbikeovertheirshoulder,sandwichingitinbetweenthetoptubeandthedowntube.Thisisextremelycumbersome,problematic,anduncomfortable.Byeliminatingthedowntube,enoughspaceisfreefortheusertocomfortableplacetheirshoulderinthekinkperpendiculartotheoutletcreatingamuchmorecomfortablemethodtocarryyourbikeupaflightofstairs.

ThefinalCADrenderswherealotoffuntodo.Playingaroundwithcolourswasabitofalongprocess,everycombinationlookedgreat.WhilethemodelwasdoneinSolidWorks,themajorityofthehighresolutionrenderswereaccomplishedusingacombinationofbothkeyshotandPhotoshop.

Theonlydifficultiesencounteredwhereinpickingviews.Abicycleissomewhattwodimension-alinthesensethatinastraightfrontviewitappearsasnearlyjustaline.AsIgotahangofthings,theonlythingleftwasdecidinguponagraphic.UsingPhotoshopandillustratorImanagedtocomeupwithadesignthatworkedandsuitedtheproductsdesignlangue,thenameAMPsoonfollowed.

STYLEVARIATIONS

FINALMODEL

777777

Fig. 1 - (BikeRadar, 2010) http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2010/03/17/1268824374162-13qhasszdkrrg-670-70.jpg

Fig 3 - (TheDailyGreen) http://www.ezriders.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/wisper-sport-905se.jpg?4c9b33


Fig 4 - 26 Series, Ladies E-Bike A (Pedelec) (ebikeFactoryChina) http://ebikefactorychina.com/Ebikes/26_Series_Ladies_E-Bike_A-Pedelec.JPG

Fig 5- Honda Hobbit PA 50/Camino moped (European market) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_Hobbit.jpg

Fig-6 Scooters 50cc Gas Motor Mopeds (Happy Scooters)javascript:openWin(‘https://www.scooterdepot.us/files/prodimages/h_thumbnail/mc_n50.jpg’)

Fig-7 Emmo Urban (Emmo E-bikes)http://emmoebikes.com/products/urban.html

Fig 8 - Currie Technologies Power Kit (metaefficient.com) http://metaefficient.zippykidcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/currie-electric-bike-conversion-kit.jpg

Fig 9 - Bionx Conversion Kit (Bikeshophub.com)http://www.bikeshophub.com/wp-content/uploads/bionx-kit.jpg

Fig 13 - Lithium-sulfur and carbon nanowires (autoblog) http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/nl-2010-00504q0004.gif

Fig10-Brooksleathergriptape(brooksengland.com)http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlKtwSKcSRScoYoCTBBGphA0RuxzXCLLSALtok

Fig 11- Carbon Fibre Frame (madeinchina.com)http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00SeCaPzWyhqrY/Carbon-Fibre-Bicycle-Bike-Frame-and-Fork.jpg

Fig 12 - Battery in a nanowire (Futurity) http://www.futurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Hybrid_electrochemical_device_Rice_1.jpg

Fig 14 - Bicycle accident (Joe Horax Law)http://joehorroxlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bicycle-accident-lawyer1-e1330114118177.jpg

Fig17-Brooksleathersaddle(brooksengland.com)http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlKtwSKcSRScoYoCTBBGphA0RuxzXCLLSALtokGn

Fig 15 - Audi e-bike (gogreen.com)http://www.gogogreen.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Audi-Electric-Bike-For-the-Future-Urban-Consumer_5.jpg

Fig 16 - Electric bike concept (luxatic.com)http://luxatic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Electric-Bike-concept-by-Vojtech-Sojka-5.jpg

REFERENCES - IMAGES

*uncited images are from my own personal library that were taken either previous to or during this project.

83

REFERENCES - DOCUMENTS

BikeRadar. Sanyo launch solar parking lots for e-bikes. 17 March 2010. <http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/sanyo-launch-solar-parking-lots-for-e-bikes-25396/>.

Canada, Cyclist Fatality Trends in. Helmet Effect Undetectable in Fatality Trends. 21 June 2004. Document.

Cycling, Ontario Coalition for Better. Cyclist and Helmet Use Survey. Ottawa: Ontario Coalition for Better Cycling, 1994. Document.

Gullapalli, Sravani and Michael S. Wong. "Nanotechnology: A Guide to Nano-Objects." Chemical Engineering Progress (2011): 28-32. Document.

Johnson, Tim. "Cheap and green, electric bikes are the rage in China." McClatchy Newspapers (2007). Newspaper.

Research, Pike. Electric Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Scooters to Gain Increasing Acceptance Worldwide. 10 June 2010. <http://www.pikeresearch.com/newsroom/electric-bicycles-motorcycles-and-scooters-to-gain-increasing-acceptance-worldwide>.

Rowe, Rowe and Bot. "Bicyclist and Environmental Factors Associated with Fatal Bicycle-Related Trauma in Ontario." Canadian Medical Association Journal (1995). Article.

Singh, Timon. Timon Singh. 13 January 2010. <http://inhabitat.com/sandia-creates-worlds-smallest-single-nanowire-battery/>.

T.O., ibike. Innovative study shows that cycle tracks and local streets mean fewer injuries for cyclists. 27 Febuary 2012. Document.

Thom R., Clayton A., and Omar H. Winnipeg's Bicycle Accident Experience. paper presented to the Institute of Transportation Engineers Annual Conference . Winnipeg: Winnipeg's Bicycle Accident Experience, 1990. Document.

APPENDIX

appendix

ADVISOR MINUTES AND DISCUSSION

Ben Ruby

HeyMatt.How’sMilan? AnywaysonceyougetbackifyoufindsometimecouldyougivemeyouremailsoIcansendyouthatsurvey? IwasalsowonderingifyouwouldbeinterestedinparticipatinginmyThesisasoneofmyadvi-sors? Anywaysilltalktoyoumoreonceyougetback.Haveagreattime

Matthew Finbow HeyBen!BackfromMilannow,anditwasoneofthemostamazingthingsIhaveeverexpe-rienced.ReallygladIwent.Anyways,[email protected],soyoucansendmethatsurveyanytimeyoulike.WhatwouldmyrolebeifIweretobeanadvisertoyourthesis?Whatsortofduties?Imightbeinterested.

Byefornow!

Ben Ruby

I’msureitssimilartowhatyouradviserwaswhenyouweredoingyourthesis.ItwouldentitleyouandImeetingsemifrequently(lessthanonceamonth)soIwouldbeabletoutilizeyourex-pertise!WhatIhopetogainfromthisisabetterinformeddesigndecisionbasedonmythesistopic,whichisamoremobilefunctionalurbancommutingvehicle,similartoane-bike.YourworkatBionxwithelectricvehiclesmakesyouoneoftheexpertsonthesubject.Yourunderstandingofthistopicwouldbeusedtohelpgivemeinformedadviceonmydesign.Ifyou’reinterestedillsendyoutheThesisAdvisoryformtoyou. Thanksalotforyourconsideration,it’sareallybighelp!IfyouwouldliketoknowmoreaboutmythesisIcansendyousomemoreinformation

Matthew Finbow Surething!Youcansignmeupforthethesisadvisoryposition.I’dbehappytolendahand.(I’llbehonestwithyou...Ihalf-assedmythesisprettybadlyinanefforttopreservemysanityattheendoffourthyear!LOL)Pleasealsosendmesomeinfoonyourthesis.I’mverycurioustoseewhatkindoftransportationsolutionyouareworkingon.Letmeknowwhatwouldbeagoodtimeforourfirstmeeting.IfyouareclosetoAurorawecouldmeetduringmylunchbreak.Otherwiseitwouldprobablyhavetobeintheeveningsometime.Whereareyoulocated(besidesHumber)?

Talksoon.Cheers!


Ben Ruby – Email – Nov 12

HeyMatt,

Thanksalotagain,thisisreallyabighelp.

Ihaveincludedinthisemailapowerpointpresentationwithmythesisproposal.SinceIcreatedthis,thescopeofmyprojecthaschangedsomewhatbutismoreorlessthesame.Asofnow,mysignedthesisgoalis;

“Todesignasmall,lightweight,mobilecommutervehiclethatisfullypropelledbyanalternativefuelsource(electric).Thisdeviceshouldbesmallenoughastotakeadvantageofexisting“bicycle”in-frastructure(bikelanesandracks),easilystoredorbroughtuptoanapartment,aswellasintegrateinnovativesafetyfeaturesandtechnologies.”

ThesedaysI’mlivingastone’sthrowawayfromhumbersoIthinkagoodtimetomeetupwouldbenextweekatsometimeifthatworksforyou.YoumentionedthatyourfreeduringyourlunchbreakssoIcouldgouptoauroraonmydayoffWednesdayforameeting.

ThanksagainforyourhelpMatt.

BenRuby

Meeting 1 – Nov 3

Minutes-Firstadvisormeeting.

Thesistopicwasdiscussedandrefined.Mattwasgiventheadvisorformaswellascopiesofresearchandsketchesdonetodate.MattagreedtobeanadvisorandThesisGoalswhereestablished.SecondmeetingwassetupforNovember23

Ben Ruby - Email - Dec 5 2011

HeyMatt,

Justthoughtyoumightliketocheckoutmypresentationformythesis.Letmeknowwhatyouthinkaboutcontent/graphics/anything

regardsBen


Matt Finbow - Email - Dec 6 2011

Lookinggoodman!Iwouldn’tchangetoomuch.Yourthesisisalreadywaymorethoughtoutthanmineeverwas.Greatjob!

-Matt

Ben Ruby - Email - Febuary 4 2011

HeyMatt,Sorryimadaylateonthis,justaheckticweekofsorts.

AnywaysherearesomemoresketchesIhavedone.Imjuststartingonasketchmodelwhichshouldbedonebytheendofthedayandillsendpicsthen.Letmeknowwhatyouthink!AndIwouldlovetoarrangeameetingsometimesoonifyournottoobusy

ThanksBenRuby


HeyMatt,again,Sketchmodel.

Beholdtheformthatismybicycleframeandchainstaywiththemotorconfiguredatthecrank.Itwillworklikeatraditionalbikeaswell.

Sohereitissanshandlebars/seat

Ben


Matt Finbow - Email - Febuary 4 2011

HeyBen!

Congratulationsonallyourhardworkonyourthesis.Thisstuffisreallygreat,bothyoursketchesandyoursketchmodel.YouhavemajorsketchingtalentandIamabigfanofyourstyle(IthoughtyouwereoneofthebestonesintheclasswhenItaughtit,ifnotTHEbest).Ilovethedesignofthebike...nothingreallylikeitonthemarkettoday,soitfeelsfreshandnew.AndIcanseeyoulovechamferedsurfacesjustasmuchasIdo!Tome,thisbikeiscryingoutforadetachablefittedcargobagthatwillclipintothewideopenspaceundertheframe.Youcouldmakeitasignaturepartofthebike’slook,anditwillgiveyouanunparalleledcargocapacity.

I’dlovetomeetwithyousometimethisweektodiscussmoreinperson.I’llprobablybedoingbandpracticeeitherTuesdayorThursdayevening.SoIcaneithermeetyouMon,Wed,orFridayevening,oranydayatlunchifyouwanttomeetmesomewherereasonablyclosetoAurora.Letmeknowwhatworksbestforyou.

Greatworksofar!Ican’twaittoseethisfinishedatthethesisshow.Cheers!

-Matt


ThanksMatt,

Itsalwaysgoodtohaveagoodcritonyourworkandafteryoursmyegoisabouttoexplode!Imreallystartingtogetexcitedabouthowthisdesignisturningout.

Asperyoursuggestion,palmtoforehead,couldnotbeleiveididn’teventhinkofthisthewholetimelol!AnywaysilldrawupsomeconceptsonthatanddevelopethedesignabitmoreforwhenIseeyouthisweek.ImfreetomeetwithyouonWednesdayonceyourdonework,imdoneclassesat1:30.

YRTwentbackinserviceyesterdaysothatmakestransportationabiteasierforme.

Wherewouldyouliketomeet?

Ben


Matt Finbow - Email - Febuary 6 2011

IcandrivedowntotheschoolandmeetyouafterI’mdoneworkonWednesday.Wouldthatbecool?Icanprobablybethereby6:30or7ifthat’snottoolate.ThatwayIcanseeyourmodelinpersonandmaybegiveyousomepointers.Actually,ifKenistherearoundthattimeI’dlovetohaveachatwithhim,too.Letmeknowifthatworksforyou.Cheers!

MEETING

Minutes

-Decidedthatcargobagwouldnotwork-Decidedonfinaldesigndirect-discussedmaterials

Ben Ruby - Email - March 4 2011

HeyMatt,

ItsbeenawhilesoIthoughtIwouldgiveyouaquickupdate!

SO,asofnowIhavejustaboutfinishedmyCADmodelandamrendering/modelmakingstartingtomorrow!Ijustwantedyoutoletmeknowwhatyouthink,ihaveincludedascreenshotofthemodelasofnow.

Iwasalsowonderingwhatyourthoughtsareforcolouringanddetailing.Ihaveattachedsomeim-agesthatIthinkissortofthegeneraldirectionIwanttotakeit.Whatareyourthoughts?Differentstylemaybe?Differentpallet?

ThanksBen


Matt Finbow - Email - March 5 2011

HeyBen!

Themodellooksgreatsofar.Can’twaittoseeitfleshedoutinreallife.Asforthecolourscheme,Ithinkyou’reontherighttrack.I’mabigfanofusingbasicwhiteandblackasbasetones,withsplash-esofabrightcolourusedstrategicallyandsparinglytoaccentuatethelinesoftheform

Ben Ruby - Email - March 26 2011

HeyMatt,

ItsbeenawhilesoIfiguredIwouldgiveyoua“pre-finish”updatetoletyouknowhowthingsarepro-ceeding.

Iamnearingcompletionofthemodelmakingphase...andthankgodforthat.Whatamessofbreak-ingpartsandendlesshoursofsandinghahaha.SoIattachedsomeprocesspicstoshowyouhowItackledthebeast.Thelatestimagewasjusttakentoday,whatIhaveleftispaintingthetreadsofthewheels,vinyls,andfinalassemblysoimpredictingtwomoredaysatbest.

IhavealsostartedgeneratingsomePhotoshop/cadrenders,thereisateaserattachedaswell.

Iwentwiththecolourcombowehadtalkedabout,andalltheorangepartsaretheinteractiveonesiebrakes,power-trainetc.

Feelfreetoshowthistosomepeopleatworkaswell,Iwouldlovetogeteveryone’sopiniononthefinalproduct.Inregardstowork,Iwaswonderingifyoucouldgivemyportfolioaquickflipthroughandtellmewhatyouthink.

Asalways,yourhelpandadviceisinvaluable,Ben

PROJECT PLAN

Project Description (what are you proposing to do?)

Electricbikes,ore-bikesarebecominganincreasinglypopularmeansoftravelforcom-muters.Theyfailtobridgethegapbetweenmotorcyclesandbikeshowever.Theyaredifficultandexhaustingtopedal(whentryingtochargethebattery),areunprofessional,unattractive,andfailtomeetmanyneedsofthemoderndaycommuter.Anotherremergingtrendisthatofcycletravelinsideofthecityasitisoftenfasterthandrivingorpublictransit,moreconvenient,andenvironmen-tallyconscious,althoughtheeffortinvolvedincyclingcanbedemandingforsomeonacommutetowork(resultinginasweatyemployeeshowingupforwork).Iproposetodevelopavehicleintendedfordowntowntravelthatisfullypropelledbyanalternativefuelsource(mostlikelyelectric)thatin-tegratestechnologiesandsafetyfeaturesfoundinmotorcycles,whileretainingtheoveralllightnessandmobilityofabicycle.

Specific Goals (What do you hope to learn?)

Throughthethesisproject,Ihopetobetterunderstandurbanliving,andcommuting.AsIplanonlivingandworkingdowntownTorontoIfeelthatthistopicwouldbeagoodwaytopreparemeforbothdowntownliving,aswellaswork.Ialsohopetobetterunderstandtheemergingecofriendlytechnologiesassociatedwitheveryone’sdaytodaycommute.

Time Line (Critical Path)

Items Date

ResearchfinishedNov1DesignFinalizedDec1CADmodelfinalizedJan1ModelandboardsfinishedMidApril

Suggested Assessment criteria (How will you know if you Succeed)

IwillknowIhavesucceededifIamabletoaddressthecoreissuesassociatedwithcommutertravelinanurbanenvironmentsuchasToronto.

WORKFLOW REPORT

Ifeelasthoughmyperformancethroughoutthisprojecthasbeenveryconsistent.DespitearockystartwhenIstruggletode-cideuponathesistopic,thepaceofthisprojecthasbeensteady.

AttheinitialideationphaseIwasstillsomewhatlost,butdidnotloosefaithinmydesigndirection.Thisoptimismwascarriedthroughouttheentiretyoftheproject.

Asawhole,IamextremelyproudofwhatIhaveaccomplishedinthisproject.Beingapoormodelmakeritwasoneofmygoalstoproduceanextremelyhighqualitymodel.WhilemymodeldidnotendupbeingasgoodasIhadhoped,itisstillbyfarthebesthardmodelthatIhavecreated.

Ispentampletimeontheboardsandthebookletaswell.WithanexpectedfinishdateofApril1stIfeelasthoughIwasontherighttrackforthemajorityoftheproject.

SurveyResponseReportProduct:E-bike

ByBenRuby

Objective: Toobtaininformationfromatargetgroupinordertobetterinformdesign.

Method: Web-basedsurveyusingSurveyMonkey

Product: E-bike

Description: Amoremobile,functionale-bikethatiscapableofutilizingcurrent“bicycle”infrastruc-turesuchasbikelanesandbikeracks.

#ofSurveyRespondents:11

DescriptionSurveyRespondents: Students

DateofSurvey:

Questions and Answers (Notes)

E-BIKES ASSESSMENT

AnAssessmentoftheBenefitsandFeaturesforLightCommutingVehiclesUsingtheHouseofQual-ityTechnique

Objective: Todeterminethebenefitsandfeaturesforalightcommutingvehicle,usingtheEmmo UrbanandEnviroEbikesasbenchmarks.

Method: HouseofValueSearchtechniquesforpromotionalmedia(literature/internet)ofcompetitorproducts

Product: E-Bike

Description: Commutervehicleusedfortransportationpurposes

Purpose: Recreation/Transportation

RelatedProducts/CompetitorProductscurrentlybeingmanufactured: Emmo Bionx DragonEBikes RelatedProducts/CompetitorProductsexaminedinthisreport: EmmoUrban($1295) DragonEnviro($1195)

SummaryBenefitsandFeatureswereestablished,usingcompetitorproductstoclarifyandhelpdefinetheben-efitsandfeaturesforthenewproductdesign.

Customer Benefits and Their Ranking (from Hi to Lo): Looks Speed Cost Weight ComfortNote:Thisrankingwasdeterminedfrom:personalopinion.Asurveyofusers/possiblecustomerswouldbethenextstep Technical Features and Their and Ranking (from Hi to Lo): Battery 58 thebatterystronglyaffects cost,looks,andweightMotor 57 Themotorstronglyaffects Speed,cost,looks,andweightRange 41 Rangestronglyinfluence Speed,costandweightSafety 40 Safetyinfluences looksweightandcomfortSecurity 20 Securityaffects Looks,cost,andweight

Features Assessment of Competitor Product: T hetechnicalfeaturesofcompetitorproductswascollectedandinput.Foroneproduct,theemphasiswasplacedonlongerrange,andanoverallmorecomfortablecom-mutewhichwasreflectedinitsoverallsizeandaestheticaswellaslargerbatteryandmotor.Fortheotherproduct,keepingalightweightframereminiscingofabicyclewasmoreimportant.Thesizeofthebatteryandmotorhoweverinterferedandtheoverallcostoftheproductdoesnotjustifyitsuse.

Intermsofthespecificfeatures, Battery: Offeredasastandardfeatureoneach,butcanbeupgraded Motor: Offeredasastandardfeatureoneach,butcanbeupgraded Range: Bothcompetitorproductsofferedadecentrange,theurban’swasgreater however Safety: TheEnvirohadfarmoresafetyfeatures Security: TheUrbanhadfarmoresecurityfeatures

Benefits Assessment of Competitor Product: Areasforpossiblecustomerbenefitadvantagewere(fromhightolow): Style Comfort Cost

References:http://emmo.ca/urban/http://www.dragonebikes.com/enviro.html

Appendix:PromotionalLiteratureofCompetingProducts

2012 Thesis Report

Documents

Transcript of 2012 Thesis Report