[Urbanstudy] Redesign of Cycle Rickshaw

[Philippa Abbott]

Hello,
Kate, Jess and I are in the process of redesigning the Indian delivery cycle rickshaws as our NID systems design project in Ahmedabad. 
The objective is lowering human exertion by at least 30% and lower maintenance whilst keeping prototyping cost under re.5000; the outcome retail price is also to be under re.5000(around $125). 
Simultaneously providing a micro-credit loan scheme so the riders can own their own rickshaw rather than renting from a middle man. At the moment the riders pay 165% of the cost to buy annually.
This would mean they could pay the same amount to pay back the loan as they were paying in rent and own the bike in 9 months.  This would create a saving of over Re.100 000 for a standard life of work (18years).
This is a massive difference in quality of life and self empowerment.


We have created a blog named Re-cycle wallah to document the design process and our reflection upon it.
 
Attached is the blog which shall map the process.
 
http://recyclewallah.edublogs.org/
 
Have a look and please add any comments, questions, criticisms or pertinent information. 
We would be grateful to hear it, the blog will be updated daily over the next three weeks....so keep an eye on it. 
any thoughts would be great.

Thanks!
 

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