Stratus Bike - Industrial Design Project Book

Stratus Bike Conor Brown | Ed Coe | Kristina Danielyan

User EMPATHY: A DAY IN Lukhanyo s SHoes

Lukhanyo is a Rural South African student eager to pursue his education.

However, he faces a long and dangerous commute to school that tires him out and puts him at risk of violence.

This is his typical daily journey.

After getting ready daily 45-minute jou

Source:

A dumping site on his route is filled with hazardous materials, including carcasses, and is unsafe.

This area is filled wi to mug them. Lukha

in the morning, Lukhanyo begins his urney to school at 7:15 AM.

ith thugs who target kids in uniform anyo has fallen prey to them before.

Lukhanyo wishes he could get to school by taxi like some students, but that option isn’t available to him.

Although the neighborhoods around Lukhanyo’s home are poor, he feels safe there as it’s familiar territory.

Once he gets to school, Lukhanyo feels safe and is eager to get to his studies.

The Facts | Walking to School in South Africa

40% of South africans live in rural areas most children in these areas walk to school the commute, which takes 1-4 hours, leaves the kids exhausted

The Dangers | Walking to School in South Africa Risk of violence

exposure to the elements

Fatigue and poor concentration

Market Analysis | Potential Buyers in Rural Areas

e lin

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Poverty: Living on less than $2/day

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Incomes in S.A. Farming communities Very Poor: 227 S.A. Rand or $20 / month

Borderline Poor:720 S.A. Rand or $62 / month

Wealthier Farmers: 1,737 S.A. Rand or $150 / month

opportunity areas

Source: Machethe et al. (2004)

Proposed Solution | Multi-Seat Bike

Iterating on frame geometries.

Early finding: using a bench seat to accomodate multiple riders

Stylization and detailing.

Concept for the seating.

We landed on an adjustable single-spring suspension

Tentative First Design

This design was our first complete vision for the bike.

We set out to test and prove the design with a series of prototypes.

‘Bearings’ and basic suspension

Seat hinge and anchoring

Prototype 1 | Proof of Concept

Steel plate reinforcement

Prototype 2 | Refinement

Wheel bearings and suspension axis

Prototype 3 | Functional

User Testing: Cara, Parker and Collin

Testing the seat on the bike showed us that the height of the bench is suitable.

We confirmed that the seat allows for the rearrangement of kids of various heights.

Even a small ch tighten the bolt

hild can lift the seat easily to for adjusted suspension.

Our smaller tester, Collin, had a little trouble getting on by himself; a peg is needed.

The most logical hand placement location turns out to be right under the rider’s seat.

A BIKE FOR WORK...

... AND PLAY.

Design Features The bike first acts as a kid’s bike...

... and later on as a compact action bike

Multi-person seat comfprtably seats 3

Single gears Simple and efficient

Small wheels allow for low center of gravity

The backseat detatches to become a cargo rack

Coaster brakes - weatherproof & durable

Rectangular tubing easy to cut and weld

Suspension - tighten one bolt to adjust

Pegs - keeping the legs out of the way

Rectangular tubing easy to cut and weld

Manufacturing Logistics

industrial manufacturing: Johannesburg Cape Town Port Elizabeth Local welding and assembly: Rural areas close to distribution centers

Styling Choices

Turquoise is a lucky color in South Africa and was the inspiration for the more playful coloring.

The black and yellow version of the design gives a more subdued option.

A group of kids can bike together to school in the morninG . . .

. . . and get back home in time to help with chores and play.