HoChiMinhCitySchoolOfArchitecture

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  • Industrial design student builds Capella, the portable, unobtainable electric bike

    by 
    Joseph L. Flatley
    Joseph L. Flatley
    01.03.2009

    Where most students only go so far as to render their designs, Truong Minh Nhat -- working on his senior project at the Ho Chi Minh City School of Architecture -- made a functional prototype, sourcing the parts from local manufacturers. Dubbed Capella, the lightweight vehicle folds down to a neat "backpack sized" package (well, maybe a large backpack), travels over 30 miles an hour, has a range of about 7.5 miles (on a two hour charge), and in its final, mass produced form it should weigh about 22 pounds. If you're looking for a wilder ride than most electric bike designs offer, and you happen to be reading this in Ho Chi Minh City, keep your eyes peeled.[Via Core 77]Update: This bike has a top speed of 30 km (roughly 18.6 miles) an hour.