With increasing traffic reduction and a growing ecological awareness in society, our mobility is undergoing changes as well. If automobiles are forced to disappear from city centers for reasons of space and emissions, there will be a need for alternatives in the individual transportation sector. Cargo bikes are a promising solution. They have the potential to expand the private and commercial mobility sector without burdening urban infrastructures and are ecological at the same time. In the semester project different aspects of the cargo bike were examined. With increasing distances and usage, the ergonomics of the seat becomes more significant.

As an access to ergonomic research, the use of Gravity Sketch with the Oculus Rift was a welcome tool to quickly test ideas and variants and check their plausibility. With the information out of the VR we could then build a first, horizontally adjustable MockUp from sandwich panels and cardboard. In order to gain detailed knowledge, it was then necessary to build an ergonomics structure from wood. This model had various adjustment possibilities, which we tested afterwards with students of the faculty. It quickly became clear to us that much less material was needed to create a comfortable seat for everyday use than one would assume when looking at current models in vehicles. In addition, we realized that it would be necessary to integrate lordosis support and guarantee side support in curves.

One of the major thoughts about the Cargo Bike was to install a weather protection, therefore the concept is also intended for use in cold seasons. This also has a direct impact on the seating design. The idea of using a seat-, handlebar- and neck-heater is based on the idea that in terms of heating costs and heat output it is much more efficient to warm the body and its extremities directly than the surrounding air. With the PTC heating elements a heating variant was found which possessed a natural overheating protection. 

The idea of designing the seat in two parts, i.e. separating the hard shell and upholstery with cover, is based on the fact that it is possible to change and clean the upholstery at any time. This has the main advantage that the concept is also more attractive for sharing providers and their customers. In order to present the cargo bike as a genuine alternative to the automobile, it is also important to sensitively design the ambience in the interior. One step in this direction is the range of seat shell materials, which includes a basic entry material, a more stressproof and sportive forged carbon or a homelike, bright wood. The fabric cover is produced by means of 3D knitting and thus enables further individualisation. 

An adjustable lordosis support allows ergonomic driving even over longer distances. The push and turn button can also be adjusted in the sitting position. It is also imaginable to control the device via the vehicle interface.

Semester Project 2018.

Lean is a seat design for a weatherproof Cargo Bike Concept.