Revolutionizing Soil Desertification Solutions
Introducing the "OSTRA" Soil Productivity Restoration Vehicle, an innovative automatic modular vehicle designed to combat soil desertification. This advanced vehicle features a unique tire design that allows lateral movement without steering. This is an industry-academia collaboration project with Kenda Tires. This conceptual design won the Young Pin Design Award for Best Design of the Year in 2023.
X
YEAR
2022-2023
Revolutionizing Soil Desertification Solutions
PROJECT
Concept development, Product designer, Modeling, Rendering, Researcher
ROLE
COLLABORATORS
Chen, Jing-Yi, Dai, Yun-Jyun
CLIENT
Kenda Rubber Ind., Co., Ltd.
YODEX Young Designers’ Exhibition ‘23, Taiwan
EXHIBITION
* Young Pin Design Award, Best of the year
*Industry-Academia Collaboration & Competition, Silver
AWARDS
PRESS / MEDIA
“OSTRA” Soil Productivity
Restoration Vehicle
The "Soil Productivity Restoration Vehicle" is a fully automatic modular vehicle designed specifically to enhance soil restoration processes. It features an innovative tire design and detachable submachine systems, enabling efficient one-wheel steering and maintaining optimal balance during operation.
Its deformable wheels and track system enable quick parallel movement, while it’s acid-base neutralization and deep-plowing modules aid in large-scale renovation projects. Equipped with drones and AI systems, the vehicle achieves high-efficiency land remediation in the shortest time possible.
MODULAR FUNCTION & MECHANICAL DESIGN
The specially designed DNA-shaped auger resolves the issue of uncontrolled depth faced by traditional designs. Simultaneously, a natural acid-base solution is sprayed to neutralize soil salinity. UV light, with specific wavelengths, eliminates harmful microorganisms and bacteria, accelerating soil restoration.
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MODULAR 03
MODULAR 01、02
A spray and mixing module descends onto the field
Acidic and alkaline materials are transported to a regulating valve
The ratio of materials is adjusted based on soil salinity/alkalinity levels
The materials are sprayed onto the soil
A deep tillage system mixes and incorporates the materials into the soil to neutralize it
The process is completed once the soil is neutralized
COMBINATION MODE
Combination Mode is the complete form of OSTRA, featuring four independent wheel drive systems. When Combination Mode is activated, it indicates that the sub-units are charging or that OSTRA will move at high speed as a single integrated vehicle.
INNOVATIVE MOBILITY SYSTEM
The OSTRA features a motor-driven track system that enables its sub-vehicle wheels to move laterally, achieving crab-like maneuverability and even single-wheel pivoting on the spot. Equipped with hydraulic systems and a transformable frame.
The tires can morph into a rectangular shape through gear mechanisms, increasing ground contact area. This augments traction and terrain adaptability, giving rise to the transformable track tire
SEPARATION MODE
In separation mode, OSTRA splits into three modular vehicles. The two sub-units on the right will carry Module 3 (a composite deep soil cultivation system), while the two sub-units on the other side will each carry Modules 1 and 2 (UV decomposition modules). The central main body will serve as the base station and energy storage center.
