Transport Tech 

You Could Roll on Land or the Seafloor in This Fanciful Concept Car

Most modern vehicles are much too specific: Cars stick to roads, boats are trapped on the water, submarines wander the ocean floor. So I came up with the Libelule: a spherical vehicle with two large wheels that allow it to travel almost anywhere.

Feel like roaming the beach? Let it roll. Want to hit the water? The wheels scoop water like a paddle boat, propelling it faster than today’s amphibious crafts.

When you feel like a dive, select your desired depth on the (thankfully waterproof) touch screen, let the water pumps fill the cockpit with water that serves as ballast, and put on your scuba mask. Once filled, the vehicle could use that internal ballast to manage depth and play with the level of water inside the cockpit as well.

Underwater, those same wheels move the Libelule along with the help of a special tail section. That touchscreen will keep you up to speed on the Libelule’s condition and display all relevant data, like speed, battery range, available oxygen, depth, and so on.

The frame of the vehicle is made with a light, stiff metal, with a front windshield and panoramic windows on the sides that open up like the doors on a helicopter.

Beach resorts could use the Libelule to offer exploration tours at sea or along beaches. Take it to the lake for a day or two and hang out. And the general idea offers lots of ways to address specific markets. Low cost or luxury? Electric or hydrogen? Suspension? Your input is always welcomed.

I would like to thank Olivie Asford Parent, who collaborated with me on the creation of the Libelule concept, and Montreal-based freelance industrial designer Adolfo Esquivel, who created the renderings.

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https://www.wired.com/2016/08/roll-land-seafloor-fanciful-concept-car/

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