In a team of five German product design students from Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, we built an almost fully 3D printed vehicle only powered by an electric screwdriver to participate in a cordless screwdriver race hosted by the University HAWK Hildesheim. Students from all over Europe were invited to build race bikes and to compete with each other on a specially set up circuit.
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The Process
Within 14 weeks, the bike was developed, designed and assembled in order to participate in the race competition. Volkswagen served as sponsor for printing the main components.
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The Scorpion
The vehicles aggressive appearance is inspired by a scorpion, which served as a reference for the form. While the upper panels correspond to the insect carapaces, the two orbital wheels in front imitate the claws.
Tool Power
A bare conventional electric screwdriver serves as motor. With a fully loaded battery, the vehicle runs up to 1 kilometer with a top speed of more than 20 km/h.
Innovative Steering
The steering is fully self-developed and the vehicle can be easily controlled by shifting the drivers weight to one side or the other. Even a tiny curve with a radius of under 3 m can be driven at higher speeds.
The Vehicle
The vehicle is constructed to shift the weight of the driver to all three wheels evenly. The front axis was designed and built further to the ground to correspond with the steering to avoid interfering with it. Building the orbital wheels was a challenge on its own. For the perfect running behavior we had to figure out the right amount of friction to stay in direction while not to slow down.
Made for the Race
Team Toxic achieved the 4th place in the race and the second in the “best overall impression” audience award.
Exhibition
We are proud that the vehicle received extraordinary positive feedback from visitors of Maker Faire Rome 2016.
