Kim Gu-Han’s Helios concept car is unusual to say the least. Resembling some sort of frill necked lizard, the electric off-road vehicle has the unique ability to spread its solar panel wings to soak up the sun’s energy. While in motion, the Helios is a sleek electric vehicle that is powered by solar energy, and when at rest it deploys a rather cool-looking fan that can absorb and store energy to power your house. Now that’s what we call inspired by nature!
We’ve seen some interesting concept vehicles here at Inhabitat, but we have never fathomed one modeled after a lizard. The Helios was inspired by reptiles that spread out their skin to control their temperature. The vehicle’s expandable solar fan allows it to absorb solar energy over a large surface area while at rest. The innovative concept vehicle was recently honored with the Best Use of Technology award in the 2008 Interior Motives Design Awards.
+ Interior Motives Design Awards
Via Car Body Design
It looks really cool, but it sure does take up a lot of space when it is parked and charging. Since density is the key to sustainable living, I don’t think something like this could be a viable solution.
Still good to get people thinking though.
“Environmentally-sensitive” off-road entertainment vehicle. Powered by oxymoron.
(Let’s direct that palpable style and creativity toward something deeply sustainable – not just trendy.)
if this shows one hundred per cent chargability it has to go a long way to
convince the current reader comments
considering that the angle is justified a right-angles trejection computation
[...] is the “Helios”, by designer Kim Gu-Han, which recently won “best use of technology” in the 2008 Interior Motives Design [...]
i thought it was inpired from the peacock but i supose the lizard also looks fimiliar.
Well, I can honestly say I’ve never seen that before! Weird! Cool concept, though.
Is the prototype under way? The financing, engineering being done?