MERCURI
How do we design an E-bike purposefully for on demand small package delivery? With a custom geometry and delivery specific features, Mercuri is the first of its kind; Made for the courier, designed for all road users.
Duration: 5 months
Role: CMF configuration, fabrication, product photography, ideation
Preliminary Research
Market research showed bikes
designed to haul loads but none
specifically for delivery work
Mind mapping helped us understand
the mindset of bike messengers
and how their bikes are attached to their sense of being and livelihood
Anatomy of a Bike Messenger
Brakeless Steering
for better control and
manueverabilty while riding
Custom Bag
Ever expanding with multiple compartments for packages that don't fit the front rack
Tool Pouch
Bikes tend to breakdown on the job, and there is no “AAA” for bike messenger work
Narrow Seat
For maximum comfort during long seating hours
Pedals with Straps
To prevent feet from slipping
Key Insight: Bike delivery work is spontaneous and as a result, “hacks” and quick fixes are used to fit bikes to the driver's needs
SO...
...How do we design an e-bike purposefully for on demand small package delivery?
Inpiration & Ideation
Ideation was hinged on the premise of designing a bike that was agile, durable, and well integrated with technology. Working through sketches that best combined these characteristics to arrive at a final design.
User
Testing
Using a fit bike along with VR software, we tested our initial designs on users of varying ergonomic requirements to
ensure a non biased design. This lead to a readjusting of proportions and a custom bike geometry
CMF
Considerations
We utilized Keyshot to rapidly iterate CMF configurations in order to arrive at a combination that best agreed with our desired design intent.
We ensured cohesiveness and continuity in design intent by choosing colors, materials, and finishes that best encapsulated the agile but rugged nature of bike delivery work. Ultimately we arrived at a solid charcoal, A metallic silver, and an electric green.
FINAL CONCEPT
A culmination of research, ideation and multiple rounds of iteration led to the final concept:
MERCURI
An e-bike with a custom geometry, package indexing system, front, back and side rack space, a tool kit holder as well as reflective lighting for visibility to other road users and for the bike riders themselves
Build
The model comprised of three main
materials; MDF, PLA, Steel. I was largely in charge of fabrication, and in order to join these materials in a way that was
homogenous, a mixture of bondo and acetone was used to even out the
differences in surface textures. This was followed by a cyclical sanding and
priming process.
Front wheel rack
For more storage
Front rack
For storing loose leaf documents
Side rack
For more storage
Top Rack
Main storage space, to be used with bungee cords
Tool kit holder
For on the go bike maintenance
Multi position handlebar
For different riding positions as needed on the job
Render courtesy of Junzhe Yan
