Modu Shaqada Ugu Muhiimsan: Baabuurka Magaalada by Daniel Henneh

Modu Shaqada Ugu Muhiimsan: Baabuurka Magaalada by Daniel Henneh is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award in Naqshadeynta Gaadiidka, Socdaalka iyo Gaadiidleyda Competition Category.

BirGaadhi· 2025

Modu Shaqada Ugu Muhiimsan: Baabuurka Magaalada

by Daniel Henneh

Client: Modu

Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award Winner in Gaadhi Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Modu Shaqada Ugu Muhiimsan: Baabuurka Magaalada

Qoraalka Buugga: Modu waa baabuur magaaleed oo qaab-dhismeedka jaad-jaad ah loogu talagalay dhaqdhaqaaqa magaalada. Baabuurka waxaa lagu dhisay qaybo is-badbadali kara. Nalalka hore ee bidix iyo midig way isku mid yihiin, sidoo kalena waa la mid muraayadaha, buferada hore iyo dambe, nidaamka wadista iyo qaabdhismeedka baabuurka (chassis). Habkan wuxuu yareeyaa tirada qaybaha, kharashka wax-soo-saarka, iyo tamarta lagu isticmaalo wax-soo-saarka. Baabuurka waxaa laga sameeyay bogag alumina ah oo la jaray si laser ah oo la qalooca (anodized aluminium panels), isagoo leh nidaam wadid koronto ah, matoorada gudaha taayirrada (in-wheel motors), iyo nidaam suspension oo hawo ku shaqeeya. Baabuurka waxaa online loo qaabeeyaa marka la iibsanayo, qaybahana waxaa mar dambe lagu bedeli karaa marka baahiyuhu is-bedelaan.

The Recognition

About the Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award

Modu Shaqada Ugu Muhiimsan: Baabuurka Magaalada waa guuleystaha Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award, aqoonsi sharaf leh oo la siiyo naqshado wanaagsan oo buuxiya shuruudaha xirfadeed iyo kuwa warshadeed ee laga filayo hal-abuurro si wanaagsan loo naqshadeeyay. Guuleystayaasha Birta waxay muujiyaan xirfad weyn, takhasus sare, fahan khabiir iyo awood hal-abuur oo abuurayaashooda. Modu Shaqada Ugu Muhiimsan: Baabuurka Magaalada waa hal-abuur la filayo inuu noqdo mid aad loo tixgeliyo, la ixtiraamo oo la jecel yahay, wax ku ool ah oo cusub. Naqshadahan ku guuleystay Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award wuxuu isku daraa hab-dhaqannada ugu wanaagsan warshadda wuxuuna leeyahay sifooyin farsamo oo karti leh oo ku xiran aqoon iyo hibo. Dhammaystirkeeda awgeed, Modu Shaqada Ugu Muhiimsan: Baabuurka Magaalada waa mudan ixtiraam, waxaana loo naqshadeeyay inay keento hagaajin nololeed oo ka caawisa in adduunka laga dhigo meel ka wanaagsan.

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.