The 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Innovation Contest recently came to an end. The global competition focused on futuristic engineering ideas that overcome existing problems. It had various categories from innovative business models, the internet of things, next-generation transportation and sustainable engineering.
In the category of next-generation transportation, the most feasible design was won by the Indian startup–Tietran.
The Tietran Cycleloop is a design that will make you look twice and wonder about its working. It looks like a cycle but is an autonomously guided personnel rapid transit system.
That’s right, the e-bike transit system is designed to work in a semi-controlled environment with self-balancing ability. Combined with smart switching and intelligent algorithms, it is not only convenient but also a safe mode of transportation.
With a clear intention to promote fitness in the urban lifestyle, Tietran’s cycleloop gives you the option to pedal the bike yourself. And even if you don’t know how to ride or don’t want to, the electric motor will accelerate while balancing by itself.
The bike will be placed in dedicated lean elevated tubes, and it communicates with field sensors and central process controls to travel autonomously from origin to destination at predetermined speeds.
Burning no fuel, the technology is not only cost-efficient but also has reduced CO2 emissions. The startup claims that the CO2 emission is only 10 grams per kilometre, as compared to the 120 grams for cars.
The green technology takes up the least amount of terra firma. Hence it’s feasible to carry out constructions, without causing any hindrance to existing traffic.
The startup has various objectives to fulfil–from decimating pollution, encouraging public transportation and most importantly, integrating fitness into the urban lifestyle.
Tietran’s design was submitted by Chetan Rangaswamy Kulumepalya, Suresh Babu Salla, and Sujith Surendran.
Impressing the global panel of judges, the practicality of the technology is being tested through case studies in Bengaluru and Gurugram.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)