German Design Firm Calls Its Car Concept "Open Source"
If you're a fan of offbeat applications of open source principles, you'll definitely want to take a gander at the "EDAG open source Light Car" from German design firm EDAG. Shown here and below, it's slated to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and is based on a core chassis which can accommodate many modular types of exterior designs. Going further with the modularity concept, it has daisy-chained organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) under its surface that allow the user to configure the look of everything from headlamps to brake lights to the car's interior. Although EDAG is approaching other companies to help with the design, it's a stretch to call this car open source, but it does leverage open source concepts.
"Sitting just below the concept car's glass-like surface are strings of organic light-emitting diodes that are user-configurable and can change the look of the car's headlamps and interior cockpit, as well as use the tail-gate as a projection screen to "communicate" with other cars around it."
Here's a shot of the car from the rear with OLEDs using the whole back of the car as a big brake lamp:
Register Hardware also adds that the car:
"...consists of a rolling chassis that can be adapted to a number of styles and roles by using different body panels. Drive will be provided by four in-wheel electric motors powered by a lithium-ion battery pack which give the vehicle a range or around 150km (90-odd miles)."
Modularity and customization are not brand new car concepts, but it looks like the designers at EDAG are taking unusual approaches, and it was their choice to associate open source with the car's name. Who knows, maybe it will be a hit. Below is a drawing of the core chassis upon which the modular customizations will sit.