Jörn Lutter

Master Thesis (2013)

 

- Taxee: An Urban vehicle concept -

 

In the beginning of this project was the consideration, if and how it is possible to increase the living quality of our main habitat, the city, which is infused with the omnipresent traffic on the streets. On the other hand, the goal was also not to loose its functional strength, but to merge and rethink existing forms. The focus was placed on the individual transport, which is currently quite inefficient, when most vehicle are driven by just one person, while occupying a disproportionate amount of traffic space.

This Project is about a vehicle, that combines the flexibility of a rickshaw with the comfort of a conventional taxi. Additional it will take over the sightseeing aspect of the modern "velotaxis" in western cities. This new vehicle will operate as a common offer to move between destinations in the urban space with the advantage of getting interesting informations about the places, that the vehicle will pass. This will ensure greater appeal, to lead the passenger to an easier decision to take that kind of vehicle instead of a conventional one.

The taxi can switch between two different operating modes to create a better flexibility within the urban room and its changing traffic situations: The first mode is to operate on normal roads with average speed up to 80 km/h. In the second mode, the vehicle is allowed to use cycle lanes. in case of heavy traffic. The speed is limited to 25km/h and the vehicle will operate as a legal pedelec. The dimensions are related to a bike rickshaw. With the ability to get access to different transport niches. The passenger capacity is limited to two, which is the average numbers of people, that a car or a taxi is used.

In an advanced development stage it is also possible to let this vehicle operate as an autonomous vehicle.