Modu Príomhfheidhm: Gluaisteán Cathrach by Daniel Henneh

Modu Príomhfheidhm: Gluaisteán Cathrach by Daniel Henneh is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Duais Iarainn A' Design Award in Dearadh Feithiclí Competition Category.

IarannFeithicil· 2025

Modu Príomhfheidhm: Gluaisteán Cathrach

by Daniel Henneh

Client: Modu

Duais Iarainn A' Design Award Winner in Feithicil Category

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The Design

About Modu Príomhfheidhm: Gluaisteán Cathrach

Téacs an Leabhair: Is gluaisteán cathrach modúlach é Modu atá deartha do shoghluaisteacht uirbeach. Tá an fheithicil tógtha timpeall ar chomhpháirteanna inmhalartaithe. Tá na ceanntsoilse ar chlé agus ar dheis comhionann, agus tá an rud céanna fíor maidir leis na scátháin, na tuairteoirí tosaigh agus deiridh, an córas tiomána agus an fordhriosach. Laghdaíonn an cur chuige seo líon na bpáirteanna, an costas monaraíochta agus an fuinneamh a úsáidtear sa táirgeadh. Tá an cabhail déanta as painéil alúmanaim anaidithe atá gearrtha le léasar agus lúbtha, mar aon le córas tiomána leictreach, mótair rotha agus crochadh aeir. Cumraítear an gluaisteán ar líne tráth an cheannaigh, agus is féidir na modúil a athrú níos déanaí de réir mar a athraíonn na riachtanais.

The Recognition

About the Duais Iarainn A' Design Award

Bhuaigh an dearadh Modu Príomhfheidhm: Gluaisteán Cathrach Duais Iarainn A' Design Award, aitheantas gradamach a bhronntar ar dhea-dhearaí a chomhlíonann na riachtanais ghairmiúla agus thionsclaíocha a bhíonn á n-éileamh ó chruthuithe a ndearnadh go maith iad. Léiríonn buaiteoirí Iarainn scil mhór, speisialtóireacht ard, tuiscint saineolaí agus cumas cruthaitheach a gcruthaitheoirí. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an dearadh Modu Príomhfheidhm: Gluaisteán Cathrach ina chruthú a bhfuil an-mheas air, a n-ardaítear agus a ghráitear atá praiticiúil agus nuálach. Comhtháthaíonn an dearadh seo a bhuaigh Duais Iarainn A' Design Award na cleachtais is fearr sa tionscal agus tá saintréithe teicniúla inniúla aige nasctha le heolas agus le tallann. Tá meas ar an dearadh Modu Príomhfheidhm: Gluaisteán Cathrach as a dhúthracht agus dearadh é chun feabhsuithe cáilíochta beatha a sholáthar a chabhraíonn leis an domhan a dhéanamh ina áit níos fearr.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Modu is designed around modularity and interchangeability of components. It can be configured both at purchase and later as the need changes without buying a new vehicle. Modu introduces the concept of interchangeability, for instance, the left and right headlights are identical, the driving mirrors, the front and back bumpers, even the drive system and chassis system. This significantly reduces the manufacturing cost, energy and subsequently a smaller environmental footprint.
Dimensions & Packaging: Modu is modular so the dimension will vary base on the configuration. Minimum configuration 1.8m length x 0.85m width x 1.5m height
Electric drivetrain, In-wheel electric motor, air suspension, laser cut and bent anodized aluminum body panels.
Tags: Modular, City Car, Urban Mobility, Sustainable Design, Electric Vehicle, Interchangeable Components, Lightweight, Innovative, Compact, Energy Efficient, Flexible
Production Technology: The design of Modu was made possible through Design Thinking. Early ideas were captured via sketching, white boarding and sticky notes to capture critical features. These ideas were then refined through peer interviews and feedback. Iterative sketches led to CAD modeling in Siemens NX, with FDM 3D printing to validating key technical features. Realistic renderings in Keyshot and composition in Photoshop were used to visualize the vehicle and its potential use cases.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was combining complete modularity with aesthetics and structural integrity, a tough balance since these often conflict. The inspiration for Modu's exoskeleton design is from military vehicles, this simplified the design and reduced part count. Additionally, making the parts interchangeable was a challenge but crucial, for instance the left and right headlights are interchangeable, even driving mirrors, the bumpers, the drive system and many other components.
Research: Extensive academic research on urban mobility trends, material options, and advanced manufacturing, combined with user-centered design principles, drove Modu’s development. Informal interviews and digital prototypes captured local transportation insights and spurred iterative refinements. This research and feedback validated the need for a sustainable, adaptable vehicle, guiding design choices toward superior modularity, energy efficiency, and operational versatility.
Inspiration: I grew up in Ghana, West Africa where transportation continues to be an issue. Seeing first hand the potential of a highly optimized vehicle to impact lives, I was inspired to design a brilliant yet affordable solutions. Modu is designed to give the customer absolute freedom to configure the vehicle at the time of purchase and even later as their need changes without needing to buy a completely new car.
Project Duration: Project started in August 2024 in San Jose California and finished in January 2025
Operation Flow: The unique experience of this vehicle to starts right with the purchasing experience; The customer will configure the new Modu on an online platform where key elements such as size, specific modules and intended use can be chosen.
the vehicle is then delivered after a few days due to the ease of customization.
Operating Modu will be extremely easy with the ability to use the smartphone as a dashboard hence all the users music , frequently visited locations, contacts, etc all comes along for the ride on seamless experience.