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

  • Special purpose add-ons for demolition excavators
    April 13, 2012
    Long reach demolition excavators are now special purpose machines, Dan Gilkes reports The majority of construction equipment manufacturers offer a range of demolition specific machines, built to meet the needs of a sector of the industry that works its plant harder than most. Reinforced structures, additional hydraulic services, cab and body protection, dust suppression and additional engine air cleaners are just some of the standard alterations required by the demolition contractor. For many years exca
    Read More
  • Major advances are being seen in aggregate production technologies
    June 28, 2013
    Recent exhibitions have been launch venues for key developments in aggregate production technologies - Mike Woof reports Efficient production of aggregates is crucial for maintaining cost-effectiveness and also lowering material costs. With contractors owning many of their own quarry operations, these firms understand the benefits of reducing materials costs for their road construction projects. Major developments in the equipment for crushing, screening and washing aggregates are now coming to market and e
    Read More
  • Making roads safer for the young
    February 27, 2018
    Children are at serious risk on Europe’s road network. This is the finding of a new report from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). According to the ETSC’s analysis of crash data, more than 8,000 children aged 0-14 years have been killed in road traffic collisions over the last 10 years in the European Union. Half of the children killed were travelling in cars, a third were walking and 13% were cycling, with one in every 13 child deaths in the European Union being the result of a road collision.
    Read More
  • Safety barriers deliver valuable road user protection
    February 14, 2012
    Safety barriers provide an invaluable service for all road users, Mike Woof reports The safety barrier market is a key one for the highway sector, with systems providing valuable protection for all categories of road users. The importance of passive protective devices such as safety barriers can often be overlooked by the road user but is well-understood by highway designers. Redirecting an errant vehicle back into the roadway and preventing it from crossing into traffic flowing in the other direction or fr
    Read More

Highlighted Content