Geneva 2009: Clever EDAG "Light Car Open-Source" is like safety television for tailgaters
by Chris Paukert on Mar 3rd 2009 at 12:59PM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the EDAG Light Car - Open Source
EDAG has presented its new "Light Car – Open Source" concept here at the Geneva Motor Show, and while it outwardly appears to look like any other nondescript electric bubble car, there's a lot of innovative content on the inside screaming for attention.
It's hard to know where to start: The use of (O)LED technology as both driver-configurable exterior lighting units and as a television screen-like safety feature that alerts those behind of road conditions; its 100% recyclable basalt fiber chassis (said to be at once lighter and cheaper than carbon-fiber or aluminum); or the fact that this is an open-source effort, with EDAG taking the lead but freely opening up the car's technologies to outside developers for improvement and modification.
In any case, the fact that the lithium ion-powered compact car utilizes in-wheel motors that help maximize interior space is a neat detail, but we're actually most intrigued by the (O)LED technology, which gives the Light Car an egg-smooth exterior. Out back, the (O)LEDs are used to show trailing vehicles not only the LCOS' strength of braking, but also road conditions ahead – a pedestrian crossing the road, say, or whether there's a speed or construction zone ahead. We imagine this sort of tech would be murder to legalize (at least in the States), but it does have us thinking in new ways about vehicle safety and car-to-car communications. See the EDAG's (O)LED tech in action in a video after the jump, and learn more from the official press release by downloading the PDF here.
Gallery: EDAG Open-Source Light Car
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sektor 1:05PM (3/03/2009)
I love it! I always thought of putting some sort of display on the back of my car.
Meh I should've patented it.
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the vegas style guy 1:17PM (3/03/2009)
Imagine, hot chick walks in front of car, one one those truck mud flap girls pops up.
I actually like the idea of motors in each wheel. Ok smart AB folk, question, is that possible/desirable? I am always impressed when you brainy types get going on here.
Anybody need to know whether it's Gucci or Prada this season, I'm your guy. Tech stuff, not so much.
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DasBoese 2:50PM (3/03/2009)
In-wheel motors? Definitely possible, and already used in some cases, but there's a debate going on if it's desirable.
Benefits include higher efficiency, less mechanical complexity, better acceleration and regenerative braking characteristics, freeing up interior space and easy access for maintenance.
There are, however, downsides as well. The most important one is that the motors add unsprung mass, which negatively impacts ride quality and can lead to problematic handling characteristics. Other problems are higher cost, more complex control systems and more weight.
IMO in-wheel motors don't make sense for most passenger cars, except maybe microcars where every cubic centimeter of interior space counts, and offroad vehicles where ride quality is less important than traction.
Sea Urchin 1:19PM (3/03/2009)
WOW, looks amazing, i'd love to see a real car based on this.
Side view is gorgeous.
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Chicken 1:23PM (3/03/2009)
EDAG or EGAD!!!! Gigantic break lights, LED stick figures...not sure about this one.
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Luce 1:27PM (3/03/2009)
I do and don't like it. Conceptually, it's a beauty. Practically though, as nice as all those warnings lights and signals would be, couldn't those pose even more of a road distraction to drivers? I do love seeing what the tech car guys come out with though :) Very creative.
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Taglane 1:38PM (3/03/2009)
That's what you call Hater-Vision.
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akboss302 1:39PM (3/03/2009)
hopefully the entire back of the car can be transformed into a white strobe light, so when drivers that think its cool to drive 6" from my bumper can get a seizure.
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Joe 12:30AM (3/04/2009)
Material properties are very similar to Fiberglass. Link: http://www.basaltfm.com/eng/fiber/info.html
TwoSixMike 2:09PM (3/03/2009)
"...its 100% recyclable basalt fiber chassis (said to be at once lighter and cheaper than carbon-fiber or aluminum)..."
Hmm... a dried sponge is also lighter and cheaper than carbon or aluminum. What I really care about is whether basalt fiber is anywhere near as rigid.
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Joe 12:31AM (3/04/2009)
Material properties are very similar to Fiberglass. Link: http://www.basaltfm.com/eng/fiber/info.html
Replied to wrong comment.... Really need some delete/edit buttons.
Joe 12:26AM (3/04/2009)
I really like the idea of progressive brake lights. I've always thought there should be some system like that on cars. Amber for light decel, bright flashing red for "HOLY CRAP WE'RE GONNA DIE" braking.
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Dan_L 2:59PM (3/05/2009)
How about using the back display to warn of a speed trap ahead.
Better yet how about they put a display on the front of the car so we can warn oncoming traffic of a speed trap ahead instead of doing the old high beam flash (which I'm convinced a large number of people don't recognize)
I am, of course, assuming the displays are completely see through/not at all visible from the inside
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