Referred to as the Tuk-tuk in parts of East Asia and the Auto-Rickshaw in India, Montra Electric is giving this ubiquitous trike the design and tech upgrade it’s needed for decades. Most auto-rickshaws (or called autos for short) run on either LPG or CNG, but Montra Electric is shifting them to an electric powertrain with a respectable top speed of 55km/h (34/1mph) and a range of over 150 kilometers (93+ miles) on a full charge. Designed primarily for last-mile commutes, these rickshaws and tuk-tuks can be found dotted across the Asian landscape, helping passengers (and even cargo) get from points A to B.
Designer: Raghavendra Acharya (Montra Electric)
The vehicle’s design sticks to its familiar format, but turns up the sleekness with chiseled surfaces, a distinct forward-leaning silhouette, clean lines, and a unique front fascia disrupted by a central black graphic. The rear features cute-looking circular taillights and a downward-opening tailgate for boot storage. On the inside, the auto-rickshaw seats three (or even four) including a driver in front who operates the vehicle using motorbike-inspired handlebars. The handlebars are now surrounded by a redesigned dashboard featuring an OLED display that elevates the entire vehicle’s driving experience. Unlike most rickshaws and tuk-tuks, the Montra Electric Rickshaw also gets secure doors for both the driver/rider as well as the passengers behind, along with redesigned seats featuring higher backrests and extra legroom. All this, while maintaining a judicious balance between aesthetic opulence and an affordable price point of $3,700 USD.
The redesigned auto-rickshaw is also accompanied by a new rider experience in the form of an app that helps them monitor the status of their vehicle, track their daily earnings, and even digitally store all their important documents and IDs.
The Montra Electric ‘Super Auto’ is a Winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2023.
If in this era of pollution, chaos, and panic, you aren’t already a bicycle person, it’s high time you convert into one! Bicycles are slowly becoming people’s preferred means of transportation. People are ditching the fossil fuel consuming and air pollution causing automobiles for the more eco-friendly option of bikes. Not only are bicycles a boon to the environment, but they also promote good health and ensure we get our daily dose of physical exercise done. In fact, you can even upgrade and amp up your bicycle with some fun and functional accessories. From the world’s first smart chain lock to the safest cycling helmet for e-bikes – these accessories are the perfect sidekicks to your bicycle!
1. reTyre
This zippable tire-tread system is called reTyre and it offers your city bicycle the ability and versatility to work off the road too. It features a simple zipping mechanism that adds a secondary and tougher tread on your tires, enabling you to ride on smooth asphalt and tough terrains!
Why is it noteworthy?
reTyre’s special bicycle tire comes with a zipper lining and a selection of treads or skins that you can clad on your existing tire. The original tire works great on asphalt, and the wide variety of skins allows you to ride your bicycle on mud, gravel, rocks, or even snow.
What we like
When not in use, the treads easily fold up and go right into your backpack
What we dislike
Not sure how long the tire will take to wear down
2. Bumpair 2.0
French company Bumpair partnered up with a scooter share company in France to create a super cool inflatable helmet that you inflate with a hand pump, deflate once you’re done using it, and keep it away for storage!
Why is it noteworthy?
Compared to the first version, Bumpair 2.0 is supposed to be much more comfortable! The surface and shape of the helmet are better controlled, so you don’t feel any discomfort or pressure on your head once you wear the helmet.
What we like
The straps are better adjusted providing you with a comfortable and reassuring feel
What we dislike
Some people may prefer the older version which inflates with the press of a button
3. LINK LASSO
The ingenious LINK LASSO is engineered to withstand any kind of attack from different tools such as bolt cutters, hammers, or even hacksaws!
Why is it noteworthy?
The LINK LASSO is a square manganese hardened steel chain that offers toughness on the inside, and a 100% recyclable polyethylene sleeve protects it from the outside. It has been “obsessively engineered” to provide the most security for your bicycles!
What we like
Protected by a corrosion-resistant stainless steel 304 frame
What we dislike
You need to buy the SmartMotion Key separately
4. VIRGO
Meet VIRGO – the safest cycling helmet for e-bikes. VIRGO is engineered to provide an optimal balance of safety and performance with its cutting-edge design.
Why is it noteworthy?
VIRGO is designed not only for e-bike riding but for regular bike rides as well. It provides full protection in a lightweight and compact form to people who value safety and performance. The design is a skillful blend of lightweight construction, optimal ventilation, and full facial protection in case of a head-on collision.
What we like
Built of a polycarbonate shell with a protective layer of EPS
Provides you with a combination of protection and lightness
What we dislike
It can get a bit hot and heavy to wear for longer periods of time
5. Lockinvisible
The Lockinvisible fully integrated bicycle lock secures your ride safely and in style! It has a seamless design, excellent security, and great convenience. It features a stylish integration, that enables the lock to smoothly integrate into the bike’s seat post!
Why is it noteworthy?
You can effortlessly install it by simply replacing your bike’s seatpost with Lockinvisible, and adjusting the seat height by using a height-fixing adapter. It’s a quick, easy, and efficient process.
What we like
It’s a part of your bike, so you never end up losing it, it effortlessly merges with it
What we dislike
We’re not sure how sturdy it is!
6. The AirBell
Although this looks like your average everyday bicycle bell, it is in fact a smart anti-theft device for your bicycle called the AirBell! The AirBell features a tiny holding space for an Apple AirTag!
Why is it noteworthy?
The AirBell allows you to track your bicycle without anyone getting to know. It helps you locate your bicycle if it’s missing or lost, and also notifies you about its location if it ever gets stolen. Since it has a universal and versatile design, you can attach it to your existing bicycle.
What we like
Utilizes Apple’s ultrawide-band chip, and ‘Find My’ tracking abilities to give you tabs on your bike
Impossible to figure out if there’s an AirTag hidden inside
What we dislike
There aren’t any different color/style options
7. Slapstick Smart Bicycle Lock
Inspired by the popular children’s toy – the slap-band, the Slapstick Smart Bicycle Lock completely reinvents a bike lock with its fun, playful, and fast-deploying design. The lock snaps around your bicycle frame with a belt-like locking mechanism that easily adjusts to match the size of your frame.
Why is it noteworthy?
Affixing the lock is as easy as just snapping it in place and watching the band automatically wrap around your bicycle. The lock’s smart hub helps you secure and remove the Slapstick without needing a key, making the entire process simple, fast, and intuitive!
What we like
Inspired by a popular children’s toy
Can use your smartphone to lock and unlock it
What we dislike
8. FR-1 Bike Saddle
This revolutionary bike seat is called the FR-1 Bike Saddle, and it is built from cork. It is a sustainable solution for bikes and bike parts, and it is a radical design that utilizes a material that is not usually chosen for bike parts.
Why is it noteworthy?
At first, you would think this is not a sturdy and comfortable material for something that you will be sitting on probably for a long period. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight so it should be something that can last a long time and not hurt your tushy that much. It is also water-resistant and can offer better cushioning compared to other materials.
What we like
Stronger but also more lightweight compared to the more common steel that a lot of bike seats utilize
Sustainable design that supports the historic local cork farming
What we dislike
9. The LIVALL LTSW21
Designed by the same company that brought us the LIVALL EV021 smart helmet with built-in safety lights, the LIVALL LTSW21 are wireless earphones that are specially created for cyclists.
Why is it noteworthy?
With a unique design that allows you to wear most cycling helmets along with the earphones, the LTS21 gives you the ability to listen to music/podcasts, answer calls, and talk to fellow riders while still providing situational awareness through its open-ear design.
What we like
The wireless earphones can be worn regularly as well as with your cycling helmet!
What we dislike
Color options are limited to black and white – more variations would be appreciated!
10. Hiplok SWITCH Folding Bike Lock
The Hiplok SWITCH folding bike lock is designed to help you carry your bicycle lock everywhere with you with ease! It’s also super light and weighs just over a kilogram, making it easy to strap to your backpack.
Why is it noteworthy?
The bike lock features a SWITCH clip carry system that makes it easy to carry on yourself or your bike. It has an easy-to-install bracket and SWITCH plate that fits the lock or a water bottle.
What we like
Made using 6 premium hardened steel bars that link up to create its total strength
What we dislike
Available in two color options only, we would love to see more variants
With the relentless increase in global temperatures, air conditioning has become an essential requirement for human survival, rather than a mere luxury. However, conventional air conditioning systems exacerbate the issue by contributing significantly to the carbon footprint. This calls for innovative designers to seek eco-friendly alternatives, blending traditional wisdom with modern resources to address this pressing challenge. In response to this need, the low-tech terracotta cooler emerges as a promising and sustainable cooling solution, born from the collaborative efforts of visionary designers and engineers.
Designer: Simon Pavy
The brainchild of a collaborative effort between a visionary designer and the global design agency Entreautre, the low-tech cooler draws inspiration from ancient practices. At its core lies a simple yet effective principle: a porous terracotta container filled with water. The ingenious idea of utilizing porous building materials for external walls is a common architectural practice in the Middle East and hotter regions of India. People of Egypt also used an evaporative cooling method by hanging wet reed mats over doorways and windows, these various natural inspirations form the basis of this innovative cooling solution. In these traditional designs, intricate geometric patterns not only lend a decorative touch but also play a pivotal role in creating a cooling effect. As warm air passes through narrow openings, it undergoes a cooling transformation due to the shift from high-pressure to low-pressure areas, enabling it to absorb heat effectively.
Central to the low-tech cooler’s functionality is a well-engineered ventilation system known as the Water Evaporative Evaporator Effect (WEEE). By allowing airflow to come into contact with the wet surface of the terracotta container, the water undergoes a natural evaporation process, producing a refreshing flow of cold air. This ingenious yet straightforward approach showcases the power of nature-inspired solutions in addressing modern challenges.
To achieve an optimal cooling effect, the designers sought to maximize the contact between the ventilated air and the wet terracotta surface. Embracing cutting-edge technology, they turned to ceramic 3D printing, which offered the unique ability to test complex volumes and experiment with differential growth. This process, mimicking nature’s organic growth patterns, not only enhanced the cooler’s performance but also bestowed it with an aesthetically pleasing design, becoming a manifesto of their vision.
In the pursuit of perfection, the design team relied on the powerful Grasshopper software, a visual 3D programming language linked to Rhino 3D. Though the software presented its challenges in terms of complexity, it proved to be an invaluable tool in creating intricate and parametric designs that would have been unachievable with traditional CAD programs. The dedication of the designers to master this software reflects their commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
As with any ambitious project, the path to success was not without its challenges. The team had to navigate multiple constraints, including selecting the optimal material thickness, porosity, and method of conception. Collaboration with experts in mechanical engineering and Fablab’s CEO was pivotal in finding solutions and guiding the team toward their ultimate goal.
For the actualization of their innovative design, the team employed a one-of-a-kind 3D printing machine designed by the renowned Dutch artist, Olivier Van Herpt. This unique machine, adapted for terracotta printing, operates similarly to traditional 3D plastic printers but extrudes terra-cotta as a thin filament layer by layer.
As the product undergoes rigorous testing, encompassing aspects of sealing, terracotta durability, airflow efficiency, and real-world performance in hot environments, the low-tech terracotta cooler holds the promise of revolutionizing cooling methods.
In the face of climate change and the escalating demand for cooling solutions, the low-tech terracotta cooler stands as a beacon of hope. By blending traditional wisdom with modern technology, visionary designers have created an eco-friendly alternative that embraces nature’s principles to provide cool comfort. As this innovative cooling solution enters the testing phase, its potential to mitigate the impact of conventional air conditioning systems and contribute to a sustainable future shines bright. The low-tech terracotta cooler is a reminder that harmony between tradition and innovation can indeed pave the way toward a greener and cooler world…
