The old bamboo

A Japanese designer has developed a battery powered vehicle that features bodywork, seating and floor made from bamboo. The vehicle offers a 50km range and is reputed to weigh just 60kg (it is not clear if this includes battery weight although it seems unlikely). The diminutive single seater also has bodywork that is 100% biodegradable. Crash testing results have not been announced for the vehicle so far, although bamboo's flexibility means that it may well offer good shock absorbing properties. However dri
July 6, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A Japanese designer has developed a battery powered vehicle that features bodywork, seating and floor made from bamboo. The vehicle offers a 50km range and is reputed to weigh just 60kg (it is not clear if this includes battery weight although it seems unlikely). The diminutive single seater also has bodywork that is 100% biodegradable. Crash testing results have not been announced for the vehicle so far, although bamboo's flexibility means that it may well offer good shock absorbing properties. However drivers are likely to require eye protection, as bamboo tends to splinter under high-stress impact loads. Wet weather gear would also be required should the forecast predict rain as the bodywork is full of holes. No seatbelts have been fitted to the demonstration vehicle although environmentally-friendly options for woven raffia palm or hemp seatbelts could be developed to suit. No ashtrays have been fitted and the vehicle is not suitable for use by smokers.

Related Content

  • Chinese manufacturers competing in quarrying segment
    March 5, 2015
    Chinese firms are now gearing up to tackle the quarrying market - Mike Woof writes. One of the key developments of note for the bauma China exhibition in late 2014 was the number of Chinese manufacturers now looking to compete in the quarrying sector. Also of note was how Western manufacturers are also taking the emergent markets seriously, developing machines to counter this increased competition from China. In many cases Western manufacturers have partnered with Chinese firms, bought out Chinese companies
    Read More
  • Multi-role machinery for utility sector
    July 20, 2012
    The application range and machine choices available for the utility equipment sector continues to grow and evolve - Mike Woof reports The development of the tracked loader from the skid steer loader in recent years has been a major development for the utility equipment sector. The tracked loader offers huge advantages in terms of working stability and low ground pressure operation. When these machines first began appearing on the market, customers were sceptical and there were many comments that there was n
    Read More
  • Asphalt advances and industry innovations in paving
    May 20, 2014
    Asphalt paving technology continues to develop, benefiting from new technologies and new diesel engines - Mike Woof reports The asphalt paving equipment market is seeing the introduction of new low emission engines that will meet the Tier 4 Final regulations for Europe and North America. These have required some major engineering changes, with firms now having to install bulky exhaust after-treatment systems and additional cooling for engines and turbos.
    Read More
  • 60 tonne Bell ADT takes on rigid market
    February 10, 2016
    Bell Equipment is introducing a 60tonne articulated dump truck, designed to compete with rigid haulers in quarry applications. Currently in prototype form, the B60E uses much of the front chassis and cab from the company’s B50E 50tonner. However behind the articulation joint, the truck has a shortened chassis with a single Kessler rear axle and twin rear wheels. This shorter rear chassis carries a shorter, squarer 35m2 dump body, that offers a similar loading target for excavators and shovels used to rigid
    Read More

Highlighted Content