Venturi Automobiles is a vibrantly creative builder and vender of groundbreakingelectric fomite . Over the retiring seven class , this Monaco - base company has establish a serial publication of modern but buildable conception that have made Venturi a loss leader in emerge transit technologies . In this clause , we ’ll expect at theVenturi Astrolab Solar Commuter , an intriguing electro - solarhybridthat flux an gymnastic yet graceful innovation with extreme DOE efficiency .
The Astrolab name is itself a hybrid , derive from the Romance word for " star topology " ( astro ) and the verb " to take " ( labe ) . The name underscores the fact that the fomite can store and use energy taken from the sunlight . Onboard solar panelsallow the Astrolab to replenish its batteries to a circumscribed extent , even while in motion . They can also be charge via aplug - inelectric world power root .
Venturi introduced the Astrolab at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show , where it was hailed as a pioneer autonomous - energy fomite . In 2007 , Venturi sent the Astrolab to Los Angeles . It was drive in city dealings , inspected by the city manager and exhibit at that year ’s Wired NextFest Show [ source : Edmunds ] .
Designer Sacha Lakic made sure the Astrolab weigh as little as possible . belittle fomite mass helps maximize performance with a comparatively compact and lightweight motor and assault and battery pack . seek inspiration , Lakic looked to another vehicle where minimum weight mean everything : the Formula 1 racing motorcar . borrow from racing technology , the Astrolab has a carbon paper flesh , with aluminum front and rear suspension units . This intense focus on minimize mass pay off – Astrolab has an empty weight of just 617 pounds ( 280 kg ) .
The Astrolab carbon - roughage primary body has aquamarine - dynamical channel that could have been inspired by forward-looking racing yachts . The maritime equivalence do n’t block there : Venturi observe that riding in their galvanizing roadster is very much like sailing in a sailing boat – you glide along silently and effortlessly , propelled by natural energy .
On the next Thomas Nelson Page , we cast some light on Astrolab ’s sizing , seating and power unit .
Venturi Astrolab Design
Trim and sporty , the Astrolab ’s design is very purposeful and pragmatic . How so ? Its solar panel get across 11.8 square feet ( 38.75 solid meter ) of horizontal surface . Yet , the automobile ’s overall length measure just 12.4 animal foot ( 3.8 meter ) long , while overall width quantity 1.84 cadence ( 6 feet ) long . The wheelbase is 98 in ( 2.5 meters ) long .
The rider - seating tubful is contained within a lightweight protective jail cell . Formula 1 applied scientist used similar designs to keep their drivers safe in high - speed collisions . The two passenger tooshie are arranged in tandem bicycle and centered within the vehicle . Their placement helps maintain the ultra - light vehicle ’s dynamic ride , even with two mass aboard .
The Astrolab is powered by an air - cool off 16 kilowatt electric motor rated at 3,500 revolutions per minute ( rpm ) . It produces 50 N - meters ( 37 Syrian pound / feet ) of torque . A liquidness - cool down NiMH Venturi NIV-7batterypack provides energy to go the motor . Innovative battery charging engineering allows the Astrolab to restitute battery vim from either the onboard solar panel or hoopla - in courser .
The photovoltaic cells in the Astrolab ’s solar panels are covered withnano - prismsthat concentrate solar vim very effectively . The car ’s four - wheeldisc Pteridium aquilinum systemalso converts energy generated during brake into stored electric power . It accept five hours to fully recharge the car ’s battery pack using the onboard plug - in charger .
Since the Astrolab can be operated solely on stored solar energy , it can be tug without using fossil fuels – even indirectly . When running on solar power , it is a true zero - emissions fomite . electrical energy take from the power grid through plug - in charging may or may not be produced by fossil fuels . However , Venturi says environmental actions taken while making their vehicles will more than offset any nursery flatulency created during production of the electrical energy used to power them .
On the next page , we expect at the Astrolab ’s carrying out and sum up the pioneer concept ’s accomplishments .
Pointing the Way to Zero-Emissions Driving
Extensiveroad testingof the Astrolab concept has try out it worthy of daily commute . If it set out out with a full accusation , the Astrolab can jaunt up to 68 miles ( 110 kilometers ) before its batteries postulate to be refreshed . Solar energy gathered on an intermediate day by the solar cell bring about 11 mi ( 18 kilometers ) to the Astrolab ’s chain . Its top stop number is reported to be 75 mph ( 120 kilometer per hour ) .
Venturi says the battery pack , which weighs 238 pounds ( 108 kilogram ) , is good for more than 2,500 charging cycles . Based on previse normal use , the batteries should last for at least 10 years .
What does the future control in store for the Astrolab ? Well , do n’t ask to corrupt one any time shortly . Venturi plainly states , " The Venturi Astrolab is for now a construct car and wo n’t be commercialize . We developed it to show how far we can go with the photovoltaic technology and to prove that an galvanising machine can have very good performance with little energy . "
Venturi says it has gain a considerable drumhead start on electro - solar vehicle development with the Astrolab . " It fill the motivation of masses ’s inter - urban travel , " the firm say , adding , " It is at the cutting edge of the effective that is being achieve in terms of technology . " Venturi is very proud of with the solar yield produced by the Astrolab ’s solar panel . They say the advances made with the Astrolab " allow us to hope for even higher yields in the years to come . "
Has this lightweight railway car that takes vim from the sunshine give us a glance into a in full green future , where we ’ll want only daylight to power our transportation ? Time will say .
