Braunschweig University Degree Show 2008

Students from art, communication, industrial and transportation design departments at Germany's Braunschweig University of Art have presented their work in the annual exhibition entitled 'Rundgang'. This year's Transportation Design degree show was divided into two parts. First was the diploma presentation by graduating students Chen Zhong, Falk Bruns, Malte Hammerbeck and Richard Hommel. The second part was the exhibition of these final thesis projects, along with works from the 4th term, showing a variety of transportation design projects.

E TEX
Chen Zhong
E TEX is a concept for an electric vehicle for China in the coming ten years. It is designed for 3 people (2 adults + 1 child, a common family in China), and is focused on environmental problems. To reduce pollution and contamination, a coating covers the cooler in front of the car, and goes through the doors, working like an air filter or catalyst. While driving the air will be taken into the sides of car and cleaned. This concept was inspired by visual themes of buildings in the south of China (white-black color scheme and three cornered graphic shapes).

Zugvogel
Falk Bruns
'Zugvogel' is a camping trailer for light motorcycles and motor scooters, which offers the possibility of a very individual journey combined with a low technical effort. The trailer provides everything you will need on a camping trip. Opening the top cover unfolds a sleeping area, an inflatable structure with mosquito net allows for open air nights, and a waterproof fabric can be mounted over the structure for rainy days. Among other features there is a stove, a cool box, a water tank and storage space. By lowering the suspension, the trailer rests on the ground in a very stable parking position.

Volkswagen Fahrenheit
Malte Hammerbeck
'VW Fahrenheit - Heat and mobility'. Cars have special needs in a hot climate and the users have special needs, too. The main functions of this vehicle are heat-protection and cooling, both whilst driving and standing still. It aims to create a relaxed, cool atmosphere for the passengers. The hot climate provides the solar energy to run the four electric motors located in the wheels. The energy is being made by solar-panels covering the upper surfaces. The car can also refill its batteries at a recharging station. In case of hub-motor outage, a spare engine under the hood can be used. It is the same motor as used in the wheels, but it is normally powering the air conditioning. A lightweight, aerodynamic body is essential for efficient use of the solar powered motors. The upper shell of the car works as a heat-shield as well as a solar-cell to deliver energy for the interior climate control and functions. Wind power is used for cooling whilst driving. The cooling elements are placed in the shadow of the 'wheel-wings'. The under body is painted in a rubber-like white soft paint, which reflects the heat and protects the car from sand and rocks. The openings for air are located high on the car, as far as possible from the hot air on the desert surface. In the same way that animals in the desert have long legs to keep a greater distance to the hot sand, the Volkswagen concept Fahrenheit does the same with its large wheels.

Volkswagen Discover
Richard Hommel
The Volkswagen Discover Project was developed at the Volkswagen Design Centre in Wolfsburg. It describes an SIV - sport intercity vehicle - to explore urban areas. The exterior experiments with structures inspired by anechoic rooms and concave surfaces. These should be understood as parabolic aerials and sensor openings to show communication between the car and its environment. An asymmetric window graphic illustrates the use. The driver side features a horizontally orientated view, while the co-pilot has a greater range of vertical vision. A powerful electric engine is used, which influences the design language as well and rendering conventional exhaust pipes redundant. The rechargeable lithium-ion-batteries are integrated in the fenders. Cooling fins transport heat from engine into air tunnels running through the car.

City Cruiser
Jörn Lutter
This is a two wheel cabin cruiser with a balancing system similar to a Segway but with the balance controlled by movement sensors. The aim was to create a vehicle that combined the features of a car and a bike. A closed weather-proofed and private cabin is combined with very compact dimensions and agility. it is also very economic powered by electricity. The range is not a problem because it only moves in the cities. For comfortable entering, the frame opens up and the seat turns forward.

MHC Nomair
Karl-Robert Johannson
Nomair is a flying mobile home concept based on a fictional scenario in the near future. Increasingly people are no longer firmly tied to one location and must constantly change their jobs. To create a sense of domestic well-being you can not constantly be changing your apartment or house. Nomair merges a modern dwelling space and a means of transportation into one unit. People can relocate quickly without abandoning their own home. The design is strongly influenced by the appearance of American stealth bombers and reduces the form to the expression of pure utility.

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