http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/look-ma-no-fumes/article8328474.ece Look ma, no fumes! March 9, 2016 NIKHIL VARMA
[images http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02767/09mp_erickshaw__09_2767184g.jpg A clean rideIs in the works, says Kai (right) Kai Clemens Liebich talks about his experience of building an electric autorickshaw for Indian conditions http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02767/09mp_erickshaw__09_2767185g.jpg ] A rickshaw ride in India is a trip not many enjoy, with rickety, pollution spewing autos being a common feature on our streets. Then there are also the tampered meters and rude auto drivers to deal with. At a hackathon a couple of years ago, a team from Bosch in India came up with a proposal to build an electric rickshaw, that will sort out many of the issues the regular autos in India faced. For 22-year-old Kai Clemens Liebich, pursuing a master’s programme in embedded systems in Pforzheim,Germany, the proposal offered an opportunity to come to Bengaluru and intern on the project. The E-rickshaw prototype was developed during his six-month internship. Kai says, “I had no clue of what a rickshaw was. I travelled across South India and on rickshaws to understand the changes that need to be incorporated. We wanted to make a rickshaw that was faster than the 20 kilometres per hour that most autos in India clocked. We also wanted to ensure a prototype that did not emit harmful fuel emissions. The prototype is equipped with a powerful electric motor for each wheel and a new steering concept that makes the rickshaws safer and improves performances on bad stretches. We ensured that the suspension is fixed so that the rickshaw provides a jerk-free ride. I feel E-rickshaws will provide a cleaner and efficient solution to the problems of congestion and pollution that Indian cities grapple with. The rickshaw can be charged using a common wall plug” He adds, “India has been a great learning experience. My task was to do a proof-of-concept by creating a working model. The next batch of interns will get a chance to take it forward. It was interesting to get a rickshaw, a vehicle I had only heard about and work on developing a new model. The prototype is set for a test ride this month end. Any design changes will be addressed by future Bosch interns. I am heading back to complete my thesis.” [© thehindu.com] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Germans-answer-to-rickety-autos-Eco-friendly-e-rickshaw/articleshow/51103194.cms German's answer to rickety autos: Eco-friendly e-rickshaw Feb 23, 2016 Sreemoyee Chatterjee | TNN [images] BENGALURU: An auto ride in the city is far from a pleasant experience — it's bone wracking and often leaves the commuter gasping for air, given the high levels of vehicular emissions. A German student's eco-friendly creation promises a smoother commute. Kai Clemens Liebich's e-rickshaw is swift, offers a jerk-free ride and is emission-free. Kai, 22, a Germany-based PG student, has been interning with Bosch India in Bengaluru for six months now. The e-rickshaw was developed during the internship. "The vehicle is equipped with a powerful electric motor for each wheel and a new steering concept in combination with torque vectoring, which facilitates improved agility and extremely small turning radii. Torque vectoring also makes the rickshaws safer (prevents them from toppling) and helps them perform better on bad and slippery streets," he explained. "In these six months, I travelled extensively across South India. I used weekends to explore Bengaluru and found that chock-a-block streets, long traffic signals and harmful fuel discharge are killing the city's spirit. I decided to come up with an innovation, which would provide a solution to all these problems. If e-rickshaws are rolled out in Bengaluru, they will make the city healthy and save commuters' time," he added. "We provide interns and freshers the freedom to explore their creativity and passion. We call this habit the Culture of Innovation. We want them to realize their own ideas while getting support from engineers. Bosch as an organization has many startups within the system, originating from employees' ideas", said Erik Seidel, Kai's mentor who has been working in Bengaluru for three-and-a-half years. The prototype is set for a test ride this month end, an autorickshaw driver is likely to take part in the ride. Any design changes may be addressed by future Bosch interns, after which the prototype may be placed before manufacturers. 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