TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: The Solar Winged Helios Vehicle
Posted By Jorge Chapa On November 11, 2008 @ 5:00 am In Green Transportation,TransportationTuesday | 7 Comments
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Kim Gu-Han’s Helios concept car [5] is unusual to say the least. Resembling some sort of frill necked lizard [6], the electric [7] 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 [8], 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 [9] 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 [10].
+ Interior Motives Design Awards [10]
Via Car Body Design [5]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/helios-vehicle-by-kim-gu-han/
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/helios-vehicle-by-kim-gu-han/
[4] Image: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/11/helios-vehicle-by-kim-gu-han/
[5] Helios concept car: http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2008/11/03-helios-concept/
[6] frill necked lizard: http://goaustralia.about.com/od/sydneysightseeing/ig/Sydney-Wildlife-World/Frilled-Neck-Lizard.htm
[7] electric: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/04/xof1-solar-powered-vehicle-breaks-world-record/
[8] solar energy: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/24/transportation-tuesday-antro-solo-gets-150mpg/
[9] concept vehicles: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/22/rca-unveils-sleek-sustainable-concept-cars/
[10] Interior Motives Design Awards: http://www.interiormotivesawards.com/
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