Free-bike

Synopsis

The prompt for this 10-week, Senior year student project was to design a micro-mobility solution.

Free-bike is a human-powered e-bike for commuting. Free-bike is designed for those who value the health benefits of human-powered transportation, but still want the modern conveniences of e-bikes, like a simple interface and pedal assistance.

Free-bike was developed using the results of a 351-respondent survey to prompt Midjourney AI images. This helped inspire a unique form language and cmf that was refined to fit today's market and manufacturing methods.

type

Industrial Design
Surface Modeling
3D Visualization

Credits

Professor - Jason Morris

Date

12/6/2022

E-bikes are a preferred solution for commuting, but most people don't like their added weight and maintenance.

Most e-bikes have a mechanical and electric power system, which leads to additional parts, weight, and maintenance.

A fully-electric e-bike would solve many pain points, except that people value the health benefits of mechanical biking.

British Medical Journal, 2017
‍
A five-year study of 263,450 commuters found that regular cycling cut risk of death from any cause by 41%.

Experience Map

Design Criteria

Human-powered with pedal-assist

Reduced maintenance

Carrying capacity to reduce car use

Results from a 251-respondent survey were used to prompt AI image generation.

A unique form language was found and refined for current manufacturing methods.

Free-bike

A human-powered e-bike.

Lighter + Less Maintenance

Free-bike uses a free-drive system: pedaling charges the battery and powers a motor.

Human-powered

The battery is charged while commuting or at-home, like an exercise bike.

Simple Interface

Access all of Free-bike's features in one place.