(((I don't normally think of a "gadget" the size of a car, but a one-wheeled, cybernetically balanced, unicycle, urban concept car that seats one? C'mon, that's a gadget.)))
http://www.michelinchallengedesign.com/MCD_2008/Site/mcd_gallery_2008/mcd_2008_gallery_s07.asp
Link: Michelin Challenge Design.
"As well as for my diploma thesis about analogies and synergies of design and future research, I worked in the Volkswagen Group Research Future Affairs for my final year project. Snook is one of the concepts I developed concerning the megatrend of urbanization in respect to technology forecast.
"In urban regions and tight spaces agility counts. Beside its minimal traffic area, Snook provides maximum agility through the principle of instability in combination with an auto stabilized carefree handling system. Drive-by-wire-technology and a multidirectional engine raise all of them three, comfort, safety and joy, by allowing completely new manoeuvres such as driving sidewards and turning on a point, for fun as well as for security. The control system runs redundant, so it tangibly proves the emotional suggestion of safety of the helmet-like impression and the SUV-like seat level.
"The egg of Columbus, or better, two billiard balls standing on each other - this icon is my origin on the way of reducing the hardware demands of physical mobility to the minimum. One point touching the ground, the inverse pendulum in motion. Agility through instability, controlled by artificial intelligence - that is my formal issue. I intend to quote the simplicity of the sphere wheel that made the multidirectional engine even possible at all, by figuring the cabin also spherical and make a formal lamination of place for both, man and machine. This sculptural attempt appreciates the progress of the shrinking of technology and the raise of human responsibility...."
