Human Power - Aerovelo's Eto

On September 17th, 2016, Aerovelo succeeded in further pushing the human-powered speed record to an astounding 89.59 mph (144.17 km/hr). Its bike Eto is engineered to get the most out of human power to decrease the user’s carbon footprint. It is a beautiful example what can be achieved when design meets engineering with its priority of efficiency and sustainability.

The design takes on the challenges of minimum weight, minimum space and maximum speed. Every detail, if it is the surface structure, the number of gears or theultra thin clincher tires, is engineered to the highest standard. Its empty weight is 25kg, using wet lay carbon fibre for its frame and pre-preg Carbon-Honeycomb Sandwich material as a shell.

Even if we probably won’t be speeding down the highways in Eto’s anytime soon, I made me rethink the future possibilities of transport. Mainly focusing on electric cars and self-driving cars I forgot about the option of the power of my own body. I would love the possibility to do exercise while travelling without emitting any more carbon than breathing. I could easily imagine, that Evo works for bikes like formula 1 for cars. Some of its groundbreaking technologies will drizzle down and help us to be faster and safer on a bike.

Apart from this project Aerovelo has designed the human-powered helicopter Atlas and the human-Powered Ornithopter Snowbird, a flapping-wing aircraft.

#Transport #Decarbonication #GreatDesign