HDPE Plastic (High density polyethylene)

Typical uses for HDPE plastic that you would find in everyday life are: Milk bottles, Food jars, Cereal box liners, detergent and other cleaning product bottles, water cooler jugs.

For the shell of our bike we will be using HDPE Plastics. We have chosen this plastic in a black colour as it is not too expensive, its easy to mould using heat and it is recyclable (number 2). Also it has an appropriate amount of strength which will benefit our car shell greatly.

HDPE repels insects, water, rotting and won't react to most chemicals which makes it a very reliable material to use compared to flexi plywood or other timber products. It is also lightweight which is great in ensuring the mobility and speed of our bike which woods and metal would hinder.

Recycling HDPE is easy and great for the environment as it does not release any toxins or chemicals and no harmful emissions into our atmosphere.
To recycle you need to clean, shred and ground it. This raw material is then mixed with UV stabilisers and pigments and can then be extruded into standard shapes.

material exploration of flex ply and abs plastics. References to existing models

testing the bike with the new motors

test driving

Trying to solve the problem of why it won't turn right, without Leonard sitting on it will turn right

So we tried it with Justin who is lighter than Leonard, and still the same problem

Here we tried bringing the battery weight to the front. Still no solution. It was decided that whilst rewiring the motors a wire has gone wrong.

seat design