Sunglider Kollektivtransportsystem

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Sunglider is an autonomous, PV fuelled public transport system for urban areas. It consists of autonomous people & cargo movers and small autonomous busses on the ground. The track is glulam constructed and carries a PV roof generating 117% of the energy required for the entire system. The Metro is controlled by AI, creating a wait-free cycle of 3 minutes. All vehicles are 3 D printed in micro-factories. Investment and operation costs are drastically are drastically reduced, making the ride free

Dimensions & Packaging

The project is a prototype of a linear suspended rail system suitable for use in mainly medium-sized cities - regardless of climate.

Tags

sustainable mobility, public transportataon, suspension metro, suspended monorail,

Production Technology

The Sunglider system, based on Local Motors' bus Olli, incorporates an overhead chassis derived from roller coaster tech for noise reduction. Integrated Super-Caps charge energy at stops, with over 80% of vehicles 3D printed. Digitally parametric designed and manufactured in micro-factories by humans and cobots, they also serve maintenance. The track, with a 4.5m ground clearance and a total height of 9m, includes a semitransparent photovoltaic roof. Spaced 25-30m apart, pylons support barrier-free island stations. Named »Xylo-Solar«, the track is constructed from sustainable recycled glulam, transforming urban spaces underneath.

Design Challenge

The challenge was to create a public transportation system that not only would be economically viable in operation and construction but also seamlessly integrate with the urban fabric of densely populated areas.

Research

Sunglider: AI-Controlled Urban Transport
The Sunglider, managed by AI software, operates on a seamless 3-minute cycle, adjusting availability for passenger or cargo needs. Offering a free tariff for metro citizens, it's financially sustainable through diverse revenue streams, eliminating the need for municipal subsidies.

Inspiration

The project envisions a true zero-fare urban transport accessible to all residents. Through innovative vehicle design, 3D printing manufacturing, advanced propulsion tech, autonomous AI-driven driving, and photoelectric fuel, we aim for profitable metro operation without ticket sales. This holistic approach revolutionizes urban mobility, fostering accessibility, sustainability, and economic viability for communities.

Project Duration

2022-2024, Osnabrueck, Germany and worldwide

Operation Flow

The Sunglider operates through AI software, ensuring vehicles run on a wait-free cycle of 3 minutes. The AI efficiently manages vehicle availability, seamlessly transitioning between passenger and cargo transport as needed.