There is perpetual challenge for automobile engineers to produce automobiles that are efficient, eco-friendly and less space consuming at the same time. Japan, being one of the top ten populated countries of the world, has long been making efforts to reduce the footprint of commuter cars and is now known as the master of tiny commuter car design. But now a South Korean institute has entered the tiny car arena with an innovative design of commuter car that may provide the best solution for space-challenged cities.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has designed an electric powered commuter car – the Armadillo-T – that curls up like an armadillo to reduce the car’s footprint when it is parked. The big idea behind this innovative designed vehicle is that three of these Armadillo cars fit in the space of one normal car. The tiny cars is equipped with a 13.6 kWh battery, allowing it to travel up to 37 miles per hour with about a 60 mile range on a single charge. The smart design carries four in-wheel electric motors and a battery installed in the obverse that allows pulling the rear shell and wheels over the passenger seat. Cameras are installed all over the car hence eliminating the need for side mirrors, reducing blind spots.
