No Tech Magazine

Micromachines: Decentralized Urban Services in South-Asia

Architects Damien Antoni and Lydia Blasco have compiled an interesting document that focuses on small-scale technology in countries like India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. They photographed, and made technical drawings of miniature taxi's, family run water turbines, domestic rain harvesting systems, pedal powered kitchens, home digesters, and the like.

The architects consider their work to be a toolbox, a starting point for thinking outside the conventional norms and recepies. They argue that decentralized services are more flexible, provide more autonomy, and are more efficient in space, energy and materials.

Antoni and Blasco present, in their own words, an equivalent to Neufert's "Architect's data", the book for architects that records standardized dimensions for centralized systems. "Micromachins" is written in French but the visuals dominate.

"Micromachins", Damien Antoni and Lydia Blasco, 2011 [download the page to get the high resolution PDF-document]. Thanks to Yann Philippe Tastevin. Update: the architects have added a new link with colour pictures and English translation.

Designing for Velomobile Diversity

"Velomobiles currently appeal to niche, enthusiast markets through a range of both low scale production and D.I.Y processes."

"This paper explores the current limitations in promoting velomobiles as a commuter alternative to the automobile in that it proposes velomobile diversity be approached through the application of dynamic, emotive styling, vehicular packaging variations and functional storage, together with the use of sustainable construction materials with techniques that reduce assembly and fabrication costs."

"To this end, the paper discusses two conceptual case studies that explore applied industrial design processes, diverse construction and alternative manufacturing techniques. Both are positioned outside current fabrication processes, where one explores ‘natural’ production – specifically, the pre-harvest deformation of bamboo with shape tessellation to reduce parts complexity whilst allowing natural processes to fulfil pre-determined forms – and the other reuses post-consumer waste in an interminably variable tensegrity frame construction designed for continued open-source development."

Designing for Velomobile Diversity: Alternative opportunities for sustainable personal mobility (PDF). Alexander Vittouris and Mark Richardson, 7th International Velomobile Seminar, september 2012. Picture: Softshell concept velomobile.

Previously: Electric velomobiles: as fast and comfortable as automobiles, but 80 times more efficient.

Cargo Cycles Database

Yes, it's written in German. But nowhere else will you find such a complete database showing and describing all cargo cycles available on the market today.

Moreover, the information is easy to navigate and you can consult the specifications of the vehicles without even a basic knowledge of foreign languages. The description of most models also includes a link to the website of the manufacturer. Check out the Nutzrad Cargo Cycle Database. 

Read more:

Cargo cyclists replace trucks drivers on European city streets.

Velomobiling

A fifteen minute ride in a velomobile. Previously: The velomobile: high-tech bike or low-tech car?

Bicycles & tricycles; an elementary treatise on their design and construction (1896)

"Bicycles & tricycles; an elementary treatise on their design and construction, with examples and tables", Archibald Sharp (1896).

Tom Wilson's Monster Bikes

Monster Bikes. Via Treehugger. Previously: Macho Pedal Power.

Tricycle with Foldable Fairing

The Hase Klimax has won the Eurobike 2010 award. The Klimax is a recumbent trike with a foldable fairing and electric assist. Beats any electric city car in terms of efficiency.

Hase Bikes

Wind Powered Trikes

Pterosail Trike Systems is sailing and cycling over 3,000 miles from coast to coast across the USA this summer. The Pterosail is a street-legal recumbent tricycle with sails. It can reach up to 40 mph in good winds. No wind? Pedal. See also: the Whike, a Dutch made sail assisted trike. Related: Guido Vigevano's wind car / Sailing rockets / Kiteboating / Velomobiles.

Tandem Cargo Tricycle (1940) & More Vintage Dutch Carrier Bikes

Mechanics from the Dutch telecom department PTT (1940). Found at Transportfiets. The blog has more pictures of old Dutch carrier bikes, some of them below.

Belgian Recumbent Tricycles

High-tech Bike or Low-tech Car? The Sinner Mango Sport

The Mango Sport is a new recumbent tricycle by Dutch manufacturer Sinner. The emphasis is on light weight (27.5 kg) and high performance. As is the case with other velomobiles sold by Sinner, the 20 gear drive-chain remains entirely enclosed for low maintenance, all three wheels have suspension, and the luggage capacity is generous (70 litres). It has built in front and rear lights. A weather-proof top is available. All this comes with a heavy price tag, unfortunately: 5950 euros, including sales tax. Detailed specifications / More pictures / More Sinner bikes.

Related: The velomobile: high-tech car or low-tech bike?