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National Runner Up

AE66 - Micro-Mobility for Aging Population in 2030

Introducing AE66, a "micro-mobility" side-by-side electric welfare vehicle, we strive to provide a solution for the elderly population in the urban environment of 2030.

  • Create micro mobility tool for elderly care, tackling mobility challenges and ensuring ease driving.

  • Scenario demonstration and animated presentation.

    Scenario demonstration and animated presentation.

  • Design self-operable integrated tailgate ramp for comfortable and safe boarding experience.

  • Human-factor validated 1:1 model ensures feasibility of integrated tailgate ramp.

  • User-centric design with universality, interactive features, info transfer, and handrail setup.

  • 95% components 3D printed, validating feasibility for mass production of select parts.

What it does

AE66 combines a ramp tailgate design, enabling wheelchair users to board and disembark directly, thus enhancing the social lives of the elderly with different health conditions and reducing barriers to outdoor mobility.

Your inspiration

In the face of a declining birth rate and an aging population, convenient and user-friendly mobility tools can improve the quality of life for the elderly while also connecting them to their family and friends' social circles. Our team realized that current welfare vehicles operate on a reservation basis, making it difficult to serve all segments of the population and navigate narrow alleyways. Age-related physiological decline raises safety concerns for driving cars or motorcycles, and public transportation often falls short in providing a friendly last-mile solution for the elderly.

How it works

Creating a senior-friendly shared mobility platform, AE66 combines the use of a mobile app for vehicle rentals to improve the last-mile commute for seniors. To reduce mobility barriers for elderly individuals with limited mobility, AE66 incorporates a remote-controlled integrated ramp tailgate design. It utilizes dashboard assistive displays, rear safety warning panels, sensors, and positioning assistance systems to aid users of mobility devices in independent boarding and alighting. The folding front passenger seat allows wheelchair access directly. The interior design features the innovative "Smart Cabin System," with the vehicle's dashboard utilizing the driver's personal smartphone as the interface for the "driving mode." Additionally, an AI voice assistant device assists in driver alerts for incoming vehicles. The vehicle incorporates universal design principles and accessibility features to create a new experiential design paradigm.

Design process

After identifying the problem and defining the solutions, we defined the vehicle dimensions and created a 1:1 wooden frame to verify human-scale dimensions. Then we generated conceptual sketches for the interior and exterior. After two months of brainstorming and refining, a complete vehicle design blueprint was defined, and 3D modeling commenced. Several 1:10 scale models were printed to validate the surface aesthetics. Also,we welded the chassis for load testing and used aluminum extrusion to create the body frame. With around 300 files from iterative 3D modeling, a 3D printer was rented for a 24-hour sprint. Printed parts were polished and painted, and acrylic was used for the windshield. Electronic components like headlights, brake lights, and motors were purchased. Finally, the electronic components were wired, and the 3D printed parts were assembled into the vehicle. To pursue sustainable development, we used eco-friendly 3D printing materials for the vehicle's soft, hard, and structural components, shortening the development timeline. The vehicle is powered by four independent electric wheel hubs, delivering passengers safely at an average speed of 45 km/h.

How it is different

The industry's first friendly sharing platform created specifically for the elderly, improving their last-mile transportation in urban environments. AE66 features a remote-controlled integrated ramp tailgate design with dual-fold ramps, providing easy wheelchair access. The interior of AE66 includes a 'Smart Medical Cabin' with sensors for wheelchair user assistance, 360-degree wheelchair steering, and onboard guidance screens with voice assistance, aiming to enhance safety and assist elderly drivers. Considering the financial challenges of retirement and the lack of caregiving due to declining birth rates by 2030, our team aims to create an innovative, ultra-compact welfare vehicle with a minimum two-person capacity, designed as a cost-effective and elderly-friendly mobility solution.

Future plans

Currently in the defense stage for multinational patents, we are collaborating with StateCraft Technology Co., Ltd. on integrating existing mobility aids with the micro-car's body. We have two business development plans: B2B and B2C. In the B2B model, we will partner with medical or long-term care facilities, offering AE66 as a transportation solution for inter-facility mobility among the elderly. The other B2B model involves collaborating with shared mobility platform operators to establish a senior-friendly sharing platform with shared stations. For the B2C model, we will provide direct rental services to individual consumers.

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