Plastics help make three-wheeled concept vehicle a smoother ride
The use of plastics solutions from BASF are helping to improve the passenger experience in a new concept vehicle.
The three-wheeled ‘05GEN’ from Yamaha is an electric-assist vehicle designed to make short journeys both comfortable and convenient.
As part of this criterion, the 05GEN uses BASF’s Infinergy, the world’s first expanded thermoplastic polyurethane, and Elastollan, a thermoplastic polyurethane, for the tyres.
The use of these materials, says BASF, contributes to a smoother ride, as well as the overall design aesthetic of the tyres, thanks to the characteristic cellular structure of Infinergy and the ability to create a variety of textures and colours on the surface using Elastollan.
“Yamaha’s new-generation vehicle aims to improve the riding experience and quality for travellers moving short distances,” explained Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President, Performance Materials Asia Pacific.
“This resonates with us well because at designfabrik, we help translate ideas into daily products that improve people’s quality of life. By offering our consulting services on colour, material, and finish development, we helped Yamaha realise their design concept of ‘Refined Dynamism’.”
BASF’s designfabrik service supports industrial designers and engineers in turning creative ideas into actual products at every stage of product development by offering expert advice on potential application of various materials.
The 05GEN vehicle is on display at the Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari, Omishima Island in Japan from July 14, 2016, until June 15, 2017.