When it comes to parking in tight spaces, the Hiriko Fold will make the activity tremendously easier. The Hiriko Fold is an electric vehicle, designed by a team of researchers from MIT's Changing Places Group and social innovation organization Denokinn, that can collapse into a more compact shape to fit smaller parking spaces.
The team has created a working model of the Hiriko Fold, which is currently being test-driven around Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Basque region of Spain, reports Springwise. Measuring 2.5 meters in its full size, the Hiriko Fold can be compressed by tiling the front chassis upward, which makes it small enough to fit a parking space three times over. What's more, the wheels can be controlled independently, making it easier to parallel park the car as well as turn sharp corners.
Expected to be available in Europe in 2012, the Hiriko Fold is powered completely by electricity and can run for about 120 km when fully charged.
Collapsible Electric Vehicles
The Hiriko Fold Can Crumple into a Compact Shape for Parking
Trend Themes
1. Collapsible Electric Vehicles - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating more compact and convenient electric vehicles.
2. Compact Parking Solutions - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in developing innovative parking solutions for crowded urban areas.
3. Independent Wheel Control - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in designing vehicles with independent wheel control for improved maneuverability.
Industry Implications
1. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing - Opportunity for electric vehicle manufacturers to invest in collapsible designs for increased market appeal.
2. Urban Infrastructure - Opportunity for urban infrastructure companies to explore innovative parking solutions that can accommodate compact electric vehicles.
3. Automotive Technology - Opportunity for automotive technology companies to develop advanced wheel control systems for improved maneuverability in vehicles.