How cool is the Ajiro – a bamboo tricycle created by Monash University industrial design student, Alexander Vittouris? On looks alone it is impressive, but upon delving a bit further its whole design approach may just revolutionise the way in which products are made in the future.
Rather than using energy intensive processes to bend sustainable bamboo into shape post harvest, Alexander’s unique approach involves manipulating the bamboo stalks during the plant’s growth process. Tension is applied to the bamboo stalks as they grow over a reusable skeletal sub structure, that forms the structural basis of the vehicle. The natural energy from the plant does all the rest!
Bamboo is not a tree, but a type of grass. It can grow two feet or more a day, much faster than trees. Yet some varieties are harder than Oak wood. It is a viable crop in many different countries and different climates. As a result, it has become a versatile and sustainable raw material with many uses.
Houses made of bamboo can be earthquake and cyclone-resistant. It is also used to make textiles, medicine, and even water filters. As you see here, it can also be grown into a tricycle.
No wonder the bamboo industry expects to be worth $25 billion by 2012.
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