Photosynthesis cars, redefining green transportation

Among these creations is the innovative photosynthesis car. A fine example of going green, the concept vehicle is self-sustaining as it harnesses the power of the sun. Designers Michal Vicek and Klavir have taken the inspiration of the process of photosynthesis to create the vehicles which, amazingly, even have the capability to grow plants on their own and produce energy. Drivers and passengers can enjoy sitting in the lap of nature while patting themselves on the back for going green. A nano plastic body, bio-sensor joystick controls and electric engine form the symbiotic heart for this car that ensures eco-friendly safe driving. As of now, the vehicles are still in the designing stage and detailed technological processes needed to propel them as well as other technical information is not yet available.

The inspiration

The world is heading towards a future where non-renewable energy will soon be extinct. The rate of usage of such energy sources is increasing at a humongous rate and it is necessary for the automobile sector to look to areas which are unexplored yet. Renewable energy sources are one such area where the industry is now heading to to produce cars that are eco-friendly. The rise in the number of vehicles on the roads has meant a rise in carbon emissions and a decline in the reserves of oil, the most commonly used form of energy that drives our cars. With increase in the cost of fossil fuels, auto makers have started pushing clean electric cars as a zero emission way to commute.



However, considering that even electricity generation isn’t always a clean affair, the idea of vehicles that are driven by it doesn’t seem to be entirely clean either. Therefore, designers are looking forward to design vehicles that are self powered and at the same time, eco friendly.

Eco credentials

These types of cars are designed to function like mini jungles with different plants inside a dome-shaped body designed specifically for them. Transportation can be undertaken by these mini forest and energy sources that run on renewable materials. As per the designers, the cars bear special types of solar panels that accelerate the rate of photosynthesis and charge the engines to propel power into the vehicles. Vlcek and Klavir are the designers upon whom the world is looking to to make this dream a reality where cars will soon sport recyclable plastic domes with leafy green forest interiors.

Feasibility

It would be awesome for the world’s transportation to be powered by teeny tiny forests. But we're not sure (and for that matter, neither are the designers) whether the concept is actually going to work.

Related trends

1. SAIC-GM YeZ concept car

SAIC-GM YeZ concept car

With a target of 2030 and a car that looks like a moving plant shed, SAIC and GM have collaboratively designed this future car that will be based solely on natural energy. Charged by solar panels on the roof and featuring small wind turbines on the wheels, these offer smarter solutions to create energy sources. Apart from generating power, the roof is designed on the concept of a virtual leaf. It is made to absorb CO2 and sunlight, water and air from the atmosphere and even give out oxygen. The energy generated from these sources will be stored into a battery that will run the vehicle.

2. 2020 Hyundai City Family Car

2020 Hyundai City Family Car

A CCS graduate adopted innovative technologies to develop a concept in MIT which translated into this new Hyundai city family car. The car’s body is made up of solar cells that absorb sunlight to generate power. The car uses this energy to split water molecules into individual hydrogen and oxygen atoms from a central water repository. The hydrogen from this is stored and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. With this energy, the vehicle runs and acts like a mini moving plant. The project is being made as a vision for 2020 and was accomplished within a duration of a 15-week semester in association with Chris Zarlinga, Hyundai design manager, and Joel Piaskowski, design director. It was built in AliasStudio.

3. Oxyi Hybrid Vehicle

Oxyi Hybrid Vehicle

With the motive for a cleaner, greener and better environment, Sachin Panchal created a futuristic hybrid design of a car named Oxyi hybrid. The idea for designing such a concept was to keep surroundings clean based on the process of photosynthesis by absorbing CO2 and releasing O2 in the environment. The vision of 2046, as seen by this designer, sees the Oxyi coming in handy. It will be a fully automated, electrically driven vehicle with some powerful features. It will be based on charging at points placed at reachable distances and will continuously follow the process of photosynthesis. The Oxyi Hybrid promises to provide a pollution-free environment and aims to clean our surroundings.

4. Hummer O2

Hummer

We all are very aware of the brand Hummer and know the amount of harmful gases it pumps into the environment aside from the fact that it is a huge fuel eater. So the question of whether the Hummer could ever be an eco friendly model was difficult to answer. But this concept of the Hummer O2 can be realized if GM has its way. The company has transformed its basic Hummer design into an eco friendly model using an algae-fueled engine. This is the only type of vehicle that can be fully recycled after it completes its life span. The edges of the car not only have hydrogen cells and algae fuel but also have the ability to be nature friendly as it absorbs sunlight as a food whenever it is parked. GM really may have beaten all the top European manufacturers and laid the green path to follow.

Via: designbuzz.com