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A Retrofitted Auto-Rickshaw Fuelled by Solar, Electric and Human Power

This document summarizes a project to develop a more sustainable auto-rickshaw called ZERO. ZERO would be powered by solar, electric, and human power to address air pollution issues in megacities. The researchers selected solar power after evaluating different renewable energy options. A prototype would be developed and tested that features a solar-panelled roof to charge batteries, pedal power, and designs informed by user research to improve safety and comfort. The goal is to set up retrofitting stations to distribute ZERO kits and provide local jobs. Next steps involve user testing of a prototype to evaluate performance and usability.

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Muhammad Adeel Javaid
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74 views11 pages

A Retrofitted Auto-Rickshaw Fuelled by Solar, Electric and Human Power

This document summarizes a project to develop a more sustainable auto-rickshaw called ZERO. ZERO would be powered by solar, electric, and human power to address air pollution issues in megacities. The researchers selected solar power after evaluating different renewable energy options. A prototype would be developed and tested that features a solar-panelled roof to charge batteries, pedal power, and designs informed by user research to improve safety and comfort. The goal is to set up retrofitting stations to distribute ZERO kits and provide local jobs. Next steps involve user testing of a prototype to evaluate performance and usability.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Adeel Javaid
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ZERO

A RETROFITTED AUTO-RICKSHAW FUELLED BY SOLAR, ELECTRIC AND HUMAN POWER

BY: VALERIE MAIS & MICHAEL SWIFT UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Presentation Overview
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Identifying a sustainable transportation issue Selecting an alternative Investigating human factors The final product Next steps

1. Identifying an Issue
y By 2025, 2/3 of the worlds population y

y y

will reside in urban areas Currently, almost 3/4 of the worlds megacities are located in developing countries All major residential areas of Delhi, India have air quality levels classified as CRITICAL Transportation accounts for 72% of Delhis air pollution Auto-rickshaws are fuelled by diesel and contain a 2-stroke engine

2. Selecting an Alternative
y Auto-rickshaws have the potential to run on renewable

sources of energy, but which one(s)?


Wind Battery Score 0.6 1 0.25 0.45 0.5 1.25 4.05 Rating 3 5 3 2 5 5 Score 0.6 1.25 0.15 0.3 0.5 1.25 4.05 Solar Rating 4 5 5 4 4 5 Score 0.8 1.25 0.25 0.6 0.4 1.25 4.55 Rating 3 4 5 3 5 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 0.2 0.25 0.05 0.15 0.1 0.25 Total

Biofuel Rating 1 1 2 4 1 3 Score 0.2 0.25 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.75 2

Hydro Rating 1 4 5 3 5 4 Score 0.2 1 0.25 0.45 0.5 1 3.4

Geothermal Rating 1 4 3 4 1 3 Score 0.2 1 0.15 0.6 0.1 0.75 2.8

Objective Weight

y Solar power requires low installation costs, very low maintenance costs,

is easy to maintain, is suited to the environment of most third world countries, is a very well developed technology, and leaves no negative environmental impact upon implementation y Therefore, solar power meets all of our objects to a high degree!

Selecting an Alternative
y But what happens during

monsoon season?
Days

Average Number of Wet Days per Month


20 15 10 5 0 0 5 Month 10 15 New Delhi Jakarta Bangkok Dhaka

Delhi has the shortest monsoon season and least amount of rain out of all megacities where autorickshaws are most commonly used

y Electric batteries placed

below the vehicle can be recharged via the solar panelled roof and the dynamo located in the front wheel

3. Investigating Human Factors


y Questionnaire
{

How safe do you feel when travelling via autorickshaw?

What do you want to see improved in the design of auto-rickshaws?

Investigating Human Factors


y Indirect Observation { Online videos { Amal (2007)

4. The Final Product (What)


Solar-panelled roof Ergonomic seats with seatbelts Secure, lockable doors Rechargeable electric batteries Pedal-powered dynamo recharging unit

The Final Product (How)


y Non-for-profit organization creates auto-rickshaw

retrofit kits containing:


{ { { {

Solar panels Batteries Dynamo Bicycle wheels

{ { { {

Ergonomic seats Seatbelts Foot step Vehicle doors

y Retrofitting stations will be set up within megacities

where ZEROs are to be distributed, providing jobs for local civilians

5. Next Steps
y Follow-up with survey participants { Does ZERO sufficiently address the safety and comfort issues you have with the current auto-rickshaw model? y Determine solar cell efficiency and power

requirements y Build a prototype y Perform testing


{

E.g. Usability, performance, etc.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

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