During tough economic times, people will often resort to handmade inventions to make ends meet. The people and apparatuses featured in this cluster have taken that homespun mentality and applied to how they get around in their world.
From wooden helicopters to handmade Spidey gloves, these frugal frontiersman are forging ahead in their DIY shoes, cars and rickshaws and showing us all along the way that transportation innovation doesn’t always mean a touch-screen in the dashboard.
23 DIY Transportation Innovations
From Wooden Helicopters to Handmade Wall-Climbing Spidey Gloves:
Brian G Randles — Sep 4, 2009 — Autos
22
Automoblox: Design Your Own Car: AWESOME!
21
Make Your Own Shoes From Scratch
20
Moonbeam
100 MPG Do it Yourself Car Costing $2500
19
DIY Car
Order This Kit and Build this Car
18
Cheap Cars
23 Year Old Colombian Builds $2000 Car
17
Segway of the Sky
Vertipod DIY Kit
16
Flying Motorcycles
The DIY SkyCycle Kit Will Let Crafty People Soar
15
DIY Solar Powered Electric Car
14
DIY Car Exteriors
Elvis Tomljenovic Lets Drivers Download Auto Skins
13
DIY Flying Machine
Individual Lifting Vehicle Kit
12
DIY Bridge-Inspired Bike Frame
Brano Meres's 2.7 Pound Creation
11
DIY Spiderman Gloves
Inventor Jem Stansfield Turns a Vacuum Into a Wall-Grabbing Device
10
Customizable Wooden Scooters
Ben Wilson DIY Project Lets You Decorate Your Ride
9
DIY Wooden Helicopters
Chinese Farmer Builds Himself a Functional Chopper
8
Vacuum Engine Mini Cars
DIY Gakken Car Toy Kit Runs on Alcohol
7
Commuter Computer Cycles
Get Around Tech-Style With the DIY Mounted Netbook Bicycle
6
DIY Eco-Mobiles
The Modified ‘Aero' Civic Gets 95 MPG
5
DIY 5-Wheeled Cars
Esslam Zahra Adds an Extra Wheel to Ease Small Space Parking
4
DIY Cyclist Trails
Bike 'Contrails' Mark Your Trail With Chalk To Bond Cyclists in Certain Areas
3
Made-From-Scratch Submarines
Chinese Man Creates Homemade Underwater Vessel
2
DIY Drumcycles
David Osborne Travels Everywhere With His Portable Drum Set
1
DIY Rickshaw Pulling Robots
Chinese Farmer Creates Robotic "30 Second Son"
Related Ideas
Square-Wheeled Bicycles
Sergii Gordieiev's Square-Wheeled Bicycle is Actually Fully Functional
Futuristic Single-Seater Bikes
The Canyon Future Mobility Concept Has a Carbon Fiber Shell
Futuristic Metallic Scooters
Bandit 9 Unveils Its Sci-Fi-Like 'Nano' Electric Scooter
Two-in-One Kids Scooter Designs
This Children's Electric Scooter Concept is Adjustable
Bird-Inspired Mobility Crutches
The Conceptual 'Carbo' Crutch by Hesham El-sheikh is Advanced
Retro-Style Electric Trikes
The Conceptual E-Trike Revolution by André Fangueiro is Eye-Catching
AI-Generated Motorbike Helmets
Coldstar Art Designs a New Range of Futuristic Helmets
Autonomous Three-Wheeled Task Vehicles
The 'ECHO' Self-Driving Concept Trike Has Hubless Wheels
Aerospace-Inspired Desk Accessories
The Novium 'Edge' and 'Shuttleport' Have a Minimalist Design
Motorized Inline Skate Platforms
The Escend Blades Allow for Comfortable, Compact Commuting
Road-Legal Flying Vehicles
The 'Switchblade' Tranforms From a Car to Plane in Under 3 Minutes
Empowering Walking Sticks
18 Designers Conceptualized Walking Sticks for the Future Selves
Transforming Commuter Vehicles
The Conceptual Audi Vista Roadster by Hyunsik Moon is Shapeshifting
Modular Customization Electric Vehicles
The Conceptual Arrival ANT is Designed for London Streets
Road-Ready Dune Buggy Concepts
The Conceptual Fordzilla Hypervan by Keyu Deng Has Glass Doors
Reconfigurable Travel Pod Vehicles
The PIX Robobus Changes According to Passenger Needs
AI-Powered Architectural Footwear
Str4ngeThing Envisions a Set of Renaissance Architecture Shoes
Electric Transportation Concepts
Marko Petrovic Balances Utility, Sustainability, and Demand
Bacteria-Stitched Lab-Grown Shoes
Modern Synthesis Uses Plant Waste to Grow Microbial Textiles
Triangle-Shaped Bicycle Wheels
Sergii Gordieiev Continues to Stun with His Innovative Designs
Shareable Storage-Packed eScooters
The 'Along' Electric Scooter Concept Has Luggage-Like Design
See-Through Ride-On Suitcases
The Latest Airwheel Suitcase Holds Up to 28-Liters of Essentials
STEM-Inspired Balance Bikes
Build & Ride by Adam Higgins Can Be Both Challenging and Playful
Digital Nomad Concept Cars
This Multipurpose Car Was Envisioned By Students From Skoda
Bamboo-Bodied Folding Scooters
This Electric Scooter Can Be Folded Up In Only 7 Seconds
Boomerang-Shaped Urban Mobility Vehicles
The Conceptual 'PIX-L7' Vehicle is Adventure-Ready
3D-Printed Intricate Homeware
Sheyn Focues on Designing Detailed Tiny Furniture Homeware
Shapeshifting Interior Electric Vehicles
The Volkswagen Gen.Travel Concept Has a Luxurious Feel
Autonomous High-Profile Combat Bikes
The Conceptual 'Motorcycle Drone' By Fang E is Armored
Utilitarian Cargo-Hauling Scooters
The 'Scootility' Electric Scooter Offers Ample Storage Space
Electronic Waste-Made Mechanic Watches
NanoRobotGeek Developed a DIY Apple Watch Out of E-Waste
Shapeshifting Urban Commuter Trikes
The MG-X Trike Concept by Benjamin Miller is Futuristic
Multifunctional Hybrid Electric Bikes
YU ID Presents the Versatile Electric Mobility Bike
Two-Wheeled EV Concepts
The 'SHANE' Two-Wheeled Electric Car Concept Has Space for Five
Cyberpunk-Inspired Electric Motorcycle Concepts
Théo Cauchy Designs the Buell XBE to Pay Homage
Multifunctional Foldable Mobile Devices
The Conceptual 'Move' Mobile Device Replaces Five Devices
Autonomous Timber Transportation Shuttles
The Conceptual 'Timber Shuttle' is Eco-Focused
Urban Mobility Chairs
Honda Robotics is Testing a Powered Chair Paired with VR Headset Devices
Food Delivery eBike Concepts
The 'D-VIL' Electric Bike Concept by Anastasia Berg is Enclosed
Shapeshifting Electric Motorbikes
The Conceptual Sony x Honda E-Volve by Jennifer Ellison is Sleek
Automated Low-Tech Shoe Designs
The 'Heaven’s Door' Shoes Allow for Easy On and Off
Rugged All-Terrain Rollerblades
The Q Hand-Makes an Impressive Pair of Rollerblade Skates
Long-Distance Electric Scooters
The 'Pro.Zui' Electric Scooter Concept by Ognjen Docic is Sleek
Eco-Friendly Racing Toys
VTech's Turbo Edge Riders Inspires Racing and Recycling
Furniture Waste-Made Toys
ÉCAL Students Redefine What a Sustainable Toy Is
Superhero-Inspired Automobiles
Midjourney Boasts a Slew of AI-Generated Car Designs
Arachnid Superhero Tech Accessories
The CASETiFY x Marvel Spider-Man Collection is Expansive
Origami-Inspired Electric Scooters
This Folding E-Scooter is Built From a Single Sheet Of Steel
Gen Z-Targeted Scooter Models
The Conceptual 'Omni' Electric Scooter is Customizable
Shapeshifting Electric Rickshaw Scooters
The Surge S32 Has an Interchangeable Body Frame
Modular Electric Utility Vehicles
This Three-Wheeler Can Be Adapt to Different Work Applications
Clippable Furniture Collections
ClipHut Revolutionizes the Was in Which We Join Furniture
Transforming Commuter Kick Scooters
The Conceptual 'Beam' Scooter Has a Flip-Up Seat
Spacious Carrying Capsules
HUMAN MADE Launches Another 'MILITARY BAG' Collection for Fall/Winter
Accessibility-Promoting Electric Quadricycles
This Vehicle Caters to Drivers With Disabilities
High-Tech Eco-Conscious Furniture
The WoodenWood Project Upcycles and Utilizes Robotic Printing
Reimagined Open-Top Supercars
Gordon Murray's Latest Supercar Features a Stylish Open Cockpit
Vehicular Shipping Container Homes
The Conceptual Jeep Container Home Supports Off-Grid Living
Swingarm-Supported Velocars
The 'Tilt4orce' Offers Stability and Safe Leaning Into Turns
Fully Autonomous Crossover SUVs
The Conceptual 'DKM 2.0' by Vladislav Semenov is Futuristic
Snazzy Electric Mobility Scooters
The 'Tectus' is Designed to Transport Seniors In Safety & Style
Hand-Worn Athlete Smart Displays
The 'zIng' Hand-Worn Smart Display by Anuj Pate is Intuitive
Hybrid Design Commuter Vehicles
The Robotic City Car by Facundo Castellano is Futuristic
Electric Cargo Trike Concepts
The New Cake Slev Concept is Imagined for Urban Environments
Spacious Cargo-Carrying Robots
The Piaggio Fast Forward 'gitaplus' Carries Up to 40-Pounds
Wearable Electric Three-Wheelers
The 'Exo-Line' Makes Riders Adopt a Thrilling Headfirst Position
DIY Life-Size Tanks
ND Woodworking Art Draws Inspiration from the 'World of Tanks' Video Game
Modular Shipping Trailer Drones
The Hyundai Trailer Drone is Hydrogen-Powered
Upcycled Leather Bag Designs
Síofra Caherty Turns Waste Materials into Special Bag Designs
Regenerative Cycling Equipment
The Conceptual 'Energy Keeper' by Sasha Torgova is Eco-Friendly
Modular Electric VTOL Aircraft
The 'Sigma-6' Will Come With Swappable Passenger & Cargo Pods
Retro-Inspired Two Seater EVs
The Pininfarina DYNO by Kanishq Palav Has Hubless Wheels
Quad-Purpose Cycling Devices
This Gadget Combines a Headlight, Cyclometer, Phone Holder & Charger
Resurrected Used Smartphones
Think Tank Team Makes Artifacts with Project Afterlife
Sleek Senior Walker Concepts
The Conceptual Suzuki Go! Motorized Walker Has a Wrap-Around Frame
Bluetooth-Operated Motorized Skateboards
This New Electric Skateboard Offers Gear & Speed Settings
Circular Design Challenges
The 'Make It Circular Challenge' Tackles Climate Change
Folding Wing eVTOL Vehicles
This eVTOL Concept Design by Karina Gotseva is Aerodynamic
Music-Streaming Personal Robots
The gitamini Limited-Edition Shadow Black Has Built-In Bluetooth
Monotrack Bike Designs
YoouTube Channel Make It Extreme Boasts an Intriguing DIY Bike Concept
Sex Toy-Resembling Wooden Tools
Craig Green Designs the Unique Jumbo Wooden Tools
Meticulous Electric-Free Toy Cars
Anders Hermansen Designs the Grip Car for Teenage Engineering
Airless Bicycle Tires
The Q Designs a Bicycle Concept with Cross-Sections of a PVC Pipe
Oddball Penny-Farthing Bikes
This High-Wheel Bike Features a Motor and Battery
Tailor-Made Furniture Ranges
Last Ditch Design's Capsule Balances Aesthetics and Functionality
Whimsical Inflatable Sneaker Concepts
UV-Zhu Uses Daily Objects for His Nike Concept Sneaker
Escapism Electric Vehicle Concepts
The 'Trekker' Concept Vehicle is Imagined for Urbanites in 2030
Ultra-Fast Walking Shoes
The Shift Robotics 'Moonwalkers' Increase Walking Speed by 250%
Wearable PC Keyboard Controllers
The Grab Shell is a New Multifunctional Handheld Keyboard Design
Autonomous Vehicle Kits
This Kit Teaches Kids How AI is Changing Transportation Dynamics
Rectangular Cockpit Scooters
This Tricycle Scooter Design Concept by Alexander Yamaev is Slender
Omnidirectional Autonomous Vehicle Tires
The Hankook Tire 'Wheelbot' Supports Future Vehicles
Upcycled Circular Design Products
Cyrc Designs Expansive Products with Sustainable Themes
Hybrid Multifunctional Footwear
Vans Skateboarding and Timberland Launch Two New Footwear
Pet-Carrying Walking Aids
Feng Chang's Walking Aid Innovation Embraces Companionship
Tiny Washing Machines
Inventus Uses Coca Cola Cans to Create This Functional Washing Machine
Accessible Airport Aids
PriestmanGoode Boasts a "One-Person Autonomous Airport Vehicle"
Timber Tech-Packed Dolls
These teenage engineering Wooden Dolls Come in Eight Varieties
Self-Guided Mobility Aids
Glidance Showcased the 'Glide' at CES 2024 as an Innovative Mobility Aid
Self-Balancing Stealthy Motorbikes
Yamaha Presents the New MOTOROiD Experimental Bike
Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones
The Bionic Bird X-Fly Drone Soars, Dives and Flutters Through the Air
Nature-Inspired 3D-Printed Handbags
Julia Koerner Designs a new Bag Using Algorithms
Modular Powered Wheelchair Designs
The 'Fluid' Wheelchair Hand Cycle Supports Quick Movement
Retro 3D-Printed Bags
Coperni's CD-PLAYER Swipe Bag Resembles a Portable Music Player
Intergalactic-Inspired Lifestyle Products
The Spacio Collection is Made up of Everyday Objects
Sleek Robotic Wheelchair Designs
The KIMM Designs a New Self-Controlled Liberating Wheelchair
Air-Ground Amphibious Quadruped Robots
SPIDAR is the Latest Air-Ground Amphibious Quadruped Robot
Dexterity-Aiding Toothbrush Add-Ons
Landor & Fitch Designs the Accessories Handles
Compartmentalized Robotic Delivery Vehicles
The 'Buzzy Bot' by Marko Lukovic Has a Geometric Form
Modular Emergency Vehicles Proposals
Mike George Designed an Innovative Modular Hospital System
Weekend Excursion City Vehicles
The Playbox Urban Mobility Vehicle is Imagined for 2040
First Responder Scooter Models
The Conceptual 'Inmed' Medical Kickscooter Has a 450W Motor
Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles
Mercedes Benz Presents a Look at the Vision iMobility
Asia-Honoring Artisanal Handmade Designs
IKEA Presents its MÄVINN Collection Celebrates Asia
Human-Generated Energy Concepts
Otto Copping Envisioned The Human Hydro Park Royal
Craft-Inspired 3D-Printing Styles
Gareth Neal and The New Raw Create the Digitally Woven Series
Microplastic Particle-Transformed Designs
The Tyre Collective Creates Products from Particles
Hydrogen-Powered Concept Bikes
A Team of Designers Created a Futuristic Hydrogen Bike Concept
Flying Umbrella Prototypes
This Hands-Free Device Hovers Above You to Protect From the Rain
Hoverboard-Luggage Design Concepts
The Trunk Car is a Concept with a Detachable Hoverboard
DIY Robotics Toys
The WindBots from Thames & Kosmos are Intricate Learning Toys
Magnetic Hand-Holding Socks
These Children's Socks Add a Touch of Whimsy to the Everyday Item
Petite Solar-Powered EVs
The 'Buggy' is a Micro Vehicle That Offers Comfortably Compact Motoring
Upcycled Automotive Couture Collections
This Collection is Made With Discarded Auto Components
Wheel-Base Smart Refrigerators
The Fridze by janchi and Joeun Kim is Inspired by Electric Cars
Nostalgic Fall Elevated Outerwear
Engineered Garments Presents its New FW23 Collection
Junkyard-Inspired Art Projects
ÉCAL and Philippe Malouin Unveil the Junkyard Diving Project
Eco-Friendly Aviation Startups
Ecojet Will Offer Hydrogen-Electric Flights With a Green Ethos
Public Flying Air-Taxis
The Public eVTOL Design Project by Joowon Lee Readies for Urban Spaces
Streamlined Drone Delivery Networks
This System Lets Drones Pick Up and Deliver Orders Efficiently
Hydrofoiling Electric Boats
Navier's 'N30' Boat Promises Eco-Friendly Waterway Transportation
Puzzle-Inspired Electric Minivans
HW Electric Designs a Modular Sustainable Electric Minivan
Africa-Themed STEM Crafts
Teni & Tayo Offers a Subscription Box of STEM Crafts Inspired by Africa
Style-Conscious Mobility Aids
Medline & Martha Stewart Teamed Up on Safety & Mobility Aids
App-Controlled Skates
These Inline Roller Skates Offer a Unique Mobility Experience
Revamped Modern Phone Booths
100architects Brings Digital Touches to the Classic Phone Booth
City Exploration Apps
Concrete is a Social Exploration App Inviting Users to Discover Their City
Inflated Vibrant Futuristic Buses
Midjourney Helped Create the Mutated School Bus Design
Mind-Controlled Wheelchair Developments
José Millán and His Team are Developing a New Wheelchair
AI-Powered Sail Systems
The 'FastRig' System Allows For Efficient Use Of Wind Power