Trik3
Design Sprint
Industrial Design | Electrical Engineering | Spring 2023 | Germany
Tik3, a standing tricycle made from bike parts and steel tubing. It was built in just three days for a race during finals. It's powered by hub motors and controlled with an Arduino.
Ideation Sketches
Created form sketches for the metal frame to ensure support for the rider's body weight as well as providing sufficient structural rigidity for mounting the motors.
Disassembly
and Electronics
Using a hoverboard, I extracted its hub motors and motherboard. Next, I programmed the Arduino to communicate with the hoverboard and also injected firmware into the hoverboard's motherboard to interface with the Arduino.
Build Process
After taking apart the electronics, I cut and welded square tube frame parts. Then, I attached a wooden board to the frame to add flexibility, mimicking a suspension system. Next, I installed the electronics, including an Arduino, power supply, breaker, kill switch, and the hoverboard's motherboard. This motherboard connects to the Arduino and controls the throttle from the handlebar's twist grip. I placed the hoverboard's delicate motherboard in an aluminum case for protection.
Final Build
Constructing Trike3 in just three days, from design and coding to construction and assembly, was both stressful and enjoyable, challenging me to work efficiently and make swift decisions. With three of us in the class, we raced our vehicles on an off-road course during finals where I secured second place.
