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Another creative project was in the form of the Go, a 'rural racing championship' car created by Ceri Yorath. The three-wheeled electric vehicles feature generic bioplastic bodyshells over a lightweight steel spaceframe and competitors are encouraged to modify the car's mechanicals. The aim of this pre-race preparation is to promote cross-generational interaction within rural communities and create camaraderie among rural village dwellers, similar to that experienced by supporters of the same sports team.
Joonas Vartola's Kota utilizes a tubular steel frame allowing for ample use of glass in the construction and also employs photovoltaic cells to source power for the car and the on-board electronics. The rear section of up to three Kota vehicles (each of which is large enough to hold eight-passengers) can combine to become a meeting place for a small community.
Paul Howse, Pierre Sabas and Jung Hoon Rhee created three distinctly different vehicles aimed at people over 55 years of age living in rural areas.
Realizing that older individuals value their independence, Pierre Sabas created the 'GENE', a personal car for long distance travel with family or friends. As the shell and the interior components are sold separately, the car is effectively built around the owner's needs and can be altered to adapt to the user's family situation or a physical state - allowing older users to retain their independence.
Paul Howse designed the AR.WAV, an asymmetric vehicle with expanses of glass that effectively transforms the car into a mobile gazebo, allowing occupants to view natural rural settings from the comfort of their own car. One side of the vehicle is dedicated to framing the landscape, while the other allows easy access the spacious interior. The hood also doubles as a bench.
Jung Hoon Rhee's project consisted of a personal scooter which would be shared among members of a rural community. The shared vehicle, Rhee states, would "provide the users with a sense of independence and personality which is a primary factor of feeling young inside."
Though the basis of the Connections project was to utilize "intelligent systems technology", nearly all the projects eerily demonstrate the trend of young designers creating vehicles that are self-propelled and autonomous, begging the question: what will become of those who actually enjoy the act of driving? Seems we may simply have to buy simple lightweight Go cars or seriously consider sharing a scooter.
Related Stories:
Royal College of Art Show 2006
RCA-Fiat 'Pixel' project (2004)
Royal College of Art website: www.rca.ac.uk
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