Intelligent Mobility (MA)
Ryan Sinton
My project is called Alpas which means to break free. My concept is centred around improving the traffic situation within the densely populated city of Metro Manila in the Philippines. Alpas allows you to break free from this hectic and disruptive traffic within this mega city and aims to improve the lives of commuters in their daily travel. I was inspired to design a vehicle for this issue after experiencing the traffic there first-hand on many occasions. I wanted to explore new ways and ideas for this mobility solution and my proposal is an autonomous, amphibious vehicle that utilises Manila’s natural waterways that are not currently being used effectively. I proposed for the vehicle to use a network of autonomous roots that will run across the city which will aid in transporting passengers to their destinations and help towards easing the congestion.
I am proud of my accomplishments this year in achieving my Master’s Degree in Intelligent Mobility from the Royal College of Art London and to have delivered a successful final major project. Due to the coronavirus lockdown, the physical show and model of the design could not be shown and with the school going into lockdown I had some issues with getting it 3D printed. Thankfully with help from the college I was able to get my city landscape for the vehicle and transport them the day before the school closed for lockdown. I then built the model at home myself and photographed it to show here in detail.
Size:
2:14 minsMedium:
VideoSize:
2:21 mins
Research Question
Survey
Transport Options
Autonomous Routes
Calculation for Vehicle's Buoyancy in Water
End User Feedback — I showed my final concept to a number of commuters within Manila who would be the intended users to gauge their responses, thoughts and impressions to my proposed vehicle. All comments were positive and all seemed to embrace the idea and believing it would be beneficial to them an all Manileño.
While in Manila I conducted a survey with the public to engage with them and finding out first hand research on their day to day travel and their issues around traveling. This was invaluable knowledge and set the basis for my project. From this research I was able to understand clearer from the user’s perspective and needed for improvement in their way they travel there.
Throughout the process of the design, I had contacts in Manila for their perspective and first hand knowledge of the city. I also showed my concept to a number of Manileño to gauge their opinions and was more then pleased with their positive responses. I really believe I have achieved something which would benefit many people within the city and approve upon their daily lives in travel there.
sketches 1
sketches 2
Concept render — In order to express the feeling and the elements of influence from the city. I aimed to have a fluid form inspired by the buildings of the city. Its modernist and minimal to pure shape but still in keeping with the cities landscape. The interior directly reflects on my findings from my survey.
Package drawing — The vehicle uses sold state batteries which are currently in development with the aim to be three times the capacity of conventional batteries. When in water the out-rigour wheel pods extend out giving stability in resemblance of the banca boats of the Philippines. The four hubless wheels rotate 90° while in water and become water-jets for propulsion and steering.
Sketch models — Throughout the processes I created numerous sketch model iterations and prototyping before creating for the final model. This prosses enabled me to explore in 3D to further my development of the design language and surfaces along with the sketch development. Using different mediums and trying new technique to experiment with shape. Each model then advanced and influenced the next and refining then until reaching the final design.
The idea of the vehicles unique design is having a central body with the outriggers giving stability within water. The outriggers move in for land mode and extended for water travel. As the vehicle is for the roads It needed a relatively flat hull shape which works well for passenger to enter similarly to modern buses but for water these outriggers give the stability needed. The function is important and so too is the aesthetic which I developed without the design.
