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Wed, May 18, 2022 | 22:43
Electric car that folds
접히는 전기자동차 첫 선 보이다
Posted : 2013-08-14 16:54
Updated : 2013-08-14 16:54
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The Aramdillo-T is an electric car that can fold to save space.
The Aramdillo-T is an electric car that can fold to save space.

By Isaac Kim

A small foldable electric car has been introduced in Korea for the first time. The length measures 1.65 meters when folded, allowing three of these cars to be parked in an average parking space.

Prof. Seo In-soo and his research team from the Cho Chun Shik Graduate School for Green Transportation of KAIST presented Armadillo-T on Aug. 13. "This car will alleviate the frustration of parking and traffic in cities," he said.

Unfolded, the car measures 2.8 meters in length, which is smaller than regular compact cars. The car folds at the center and the length shrinks down from 2.8 meters to 1.65 meters. The car can be folded through a smartphone application once it is parked.

Prof. Seo and his team derived the car design from the armadillo. The armadillo retracts into its shell when faced by predators.

The car has been praised throughout the international academic community. The Armadillo-T took second place in May's Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) design competition.

The Armadillo-T weighs 500 kilograms and its top speed is 60 kilometers per hour. It seats two persons, has a 13.6 kWh battery, and can travel 100 kilometers after ten minutes of battery charging.

To ensure safety as well as a comfortable amount of space, other ideas have been incorporated into the car. The car engine is installed not in the front or back, but inside the wheels.

The side and rear view mirrors have been replaced with a camera. There is also a monitor in the front to provide the driver with lots of information.

"The Armadillo-T utilizes cutting edge technology and can easily be operated by senior citizens or the disabled," said Prof. Seo. "I believe it will be in high demand in our future society."



접히는 전기자동차 첫 선 보이다

부채처럼 접을 수 있는 초소형 전기자동차가 국내에서 처음으로 나왔다. 접힌 상태의 길이가 1.65m밖에 안돼 약 5m 길이의 일반 주차장에 3대까지 주차할 수 있다.
 
KAIST 조천식녹색교통대학원 서인수 교수팀은 13일 '아마딜로-T'를 처음 공개하면서 '도심의 교통 혼잡과 주차 공간 부족 문제를 해결할 수 있는 친환경 자동차'라고 소개했다. 

접지 않았을 때 차량의 길이는 2.8m로 국내에서 가장 작은 경차보다 더 작다. 앞뒤 바퀴 사이의 중간 지점을 기준으로 차량 뒷부분이 들어올려지면서 앞으로 덮이면 길이가 1.65m로 줄어든다. 차량을 주차한 다음 스마트폰 애플리케이션을 이용해 차량 외부에서 자동으로 접히도록 조종할 수 있다. 

서 교수팀은 이 같은 독창적인 디자인을 아르마딜로라는 동물에서 착안했다. 아메리카대륙에 사는 아르마딜로는 적을 만나면 자신을 지키기 위해 몸을 공처럼 둥글게 만다. 이를 모사한 아마딜로-T의 디자인은 국제학계에서도 인정받았다. 지난 5월 국제전기전자공학회(IEEE) 산하 국제전기기계 및 자동차학회가 연 디자인 경진대회에서 2위를 차지했다. 

아마딜로-T의 전체 무게는 500kg, 최고 속도는 시속 60km다. 탑승 정원은 2명이며, 13.6kWh 용량의 배터리를 탑재하고 10분 급속 충전하면 최대 100km까지 달릴 수 있다. 
간결한 디자인과 초소형 크기를 유지하면서 탑승 공간과 안전성을 확보하기 위해 여러 가지 아이디어도 접목했다. 차량을 움직이는 동력인 모터를 차체가 아니라 바퀴 안쪽에 달았다. 옆거울을 없애고 대신 왼쪽 오른쪽 뒤쪽을 볼 수 있는 카메라를 설치했다. 

또 배터리가 충전된 정도 등 차량의 다양한 정보가 운전석 모니터에 바로 표시되도록 했다. 

서 교수는 '첨단기술을 적용하고 전자화한 초소형 차량은 고령자나 장애인 등도 쉽게 활용할 수 있는 교통 수단'이라며 '미래 사회에서 선호도가 높아질 것'이라고 기대했다.
 
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