Suzhou University of Technology · CLIENT: Suzhou University of Technology
Swimcar is a modular amphibious vehicle designed for flood-prone cities. The vehicle combines a sealed electric chassis with an independent cabin made of carbon fiber composite. A magnetic-hydraulic interface holds the two parts together during road use. When sensors detect rising water, the cabin is released and floats as a life raft, so passengers remain above the surface. An eco-benefit module purifies water through aeration and filtration while the vehicle travels. In-wheel motors provide propulsion on land and in water.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Swimcar is a modular, Split-Body Amphibious system engineered for urban resilience. It integrates a high-performance electric chassis with an independent cabin. Unlike standard vehicles, its "Split-Body Logic" allows the cabin to detach instantly during floods as an autonomous "Life-Saving Ark." Furthermore, the "Eco-Benefit Module" actively purifies water via physical aeration and filtration. This innovation transforms transit into a net-positive ecological activity.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The Swimcar is designed to automotive-marine hybrid standards. Dimensions: 5,200 mm Length x 2,150 mm Width x 1,850 mm Height. The cabin features a 2,850 mm wheelbase for optimal stability. Technical properties include a IP68-rated dual-motor powertrain (350 kW output) and a high-capacity 120 kWh solid-state battery housed in a watertight lower bay. The "Life-Ark" cabin offers 8,500 liters of reserve buoyancy. Construction utilizes pre-preg carbon fiber and marine-grade 5083 aluminum alloy.
- Tags
- Amphibious Mobility, Split-Body Logic, Urban Resilience, Life-Saving Ark, Eco-Benefit Module, Water Purification
- Production Technology
- Swimcar utilizes a lightweight Carbon-Fiber composite shell for the cabin to ensure maximum buoyancy and structural integrity. The chassis features a sealed electric powertrain with high-torque in-wheel motors. The core innovation is the magnetic-hydraulic decoupling interface, allowing instantaneous separation under pressure. We employed CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to optimize the hull's hydrodynamic efficiency and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for crashworthiness.
- Design Challenge
- The primary challenge was balancing structural unity with emergency detachment. Engineering a magnetic-hydraulic interface that remains rigid at highway speeds but releases instantly under water pressure required rigorous iterative modeling.
- Project Duration
- The project commenced in November 2025 and was developed over a three-month intensive design and research period. The design process and technical conceptualization were primarily conducted in Changshu, China. The project reached its final completion in January 2026, integrating comprehensive modular architectural studies and advanced amphibious system modeling.
- Operation Flow
- In daily use, Swimcar functions as a seamless commuter. On land, the cabin and chassis act as one; when entering water, the electric propulsion engages automatically. The "Split-Body" magic happens during emergencies: internal sensors detect rising water levels, triggering a hydraulic release that ejects the cabin. It transforms from a car into a buoyant life-raft instantly. This fail-safe interaction ensures passengers stay above water, performing better than any traditional seal.
- Research
- This applied design research aimed to eliminate urban drowning risks. Using a User-Centered Design methodology, I analyzed flood mortality data and hydraulic pressure physics. Tools included CFD simulation and modular architectural modeling. I interviewed emergency responders to identify vehicle escape failures. Results proved that a detachable buoyant cabin is more viable than waterproofing. This shift from "sealed" to "separable" design ensures life safety, offering a resilient model for future urban transit and insurance risk mitigation.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration for Swimcar stems from recurring tragedies where passengers are trapped in submerged vehicles during flash floods. Witnessing these preventable losses motivated a shift toward a Life-Safety First philosophy. By researching modular architecture and hydrodynamics, the Split-Body Logic was developed to address the failure of traditional automotive exits under hydraulic pressure.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Designer Kun Wu, Modeler and Renderer Kun Wu, Swimcar Exterior Concept, 2026. Image #2: Designer Weiwei Zhang, 2026. Image #3: Designer Kun Wu, 2026. Image #4: Designer Kun Wu, 2026. Image #5: Designer Kun Wu, Illustrator, 2026.
Press releases are available in 1 languages.