The Magnet Car
Aug 16, 2008
Once again I am forced to express my jealous admiration for the new breed of magic, eco-friendly car. Oops, did I say magic? I meant magnet: this car overcomes the force of gravity through the strategic use of an electric engine...and magnets.
Winner of the unseen technology award at the Interior motives design awards 2007, the MAG magnetic vehicle concept (designed by Matúš Procháczka) finds an unusual solution to the problem of, expending fuel to get somewhere. Rather than finding a different fuel source, or building a smaller car, Procháczka ingeniously reduces the weight of the car by using an electric engine with magnets the same polarity as the roads. The resulting upward force lightens the vehicle's weight by 50%.
Another innovative touch is the desing of the seats: two outer layers, pile yarn, and a soft construction foam make it possible to adjust the final hardness and spring characteristics of the seat. This lightweight, adaptable seating not only cuts down on waste during construction and the overall weight of the vehicle while being driven, it also sounds pretty darn comfy.
Of course, the biggest caveat to MAG's road dominance is the very crux of it's construction: in order for the magnetic engine to properly polarize, the roads on which it's driven also have to be magnetized. Magnetic roads not being yet readily available, um, anywhere, the design for right now remains purely theoretical. But the day they are, you'll see me sitting on my adjustable foam seat cushion, zipping around on my magnet car. MR
*Courtesy been-seen
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