Concept
The Metamo is a low-cost toy vehicle with interchangeable bodies made of strong, sandwiched cardboards that can be easily recycled. Children aged 4-10 would be able to order and even create different vehicle models and install it themselves. I named this concept Metamo for Metamorphosis.
Background
I have kids and I knew that at one point they would want to have a small electric vehicle. I shopped around at what was available in large retail stores and asked myself, “why are these toys so expensive and why the lack of variety? With rapid prototyping machines popping up everywhere, wouldn’t it be possible to simply buy a frame from Hasbro and manufacture your own body made of cardboard with a special Maker Bot?
How it works
The vehicle comes in a basic kit that does not include the body. However, it includes a frame made of hardwood rods or painted metal tubes. Kids then assemble the frame together with bolts, nuts and lock washers. The kit features plastic wheels (airless) about 12 inches in diameter with an integrated suspension in them.
It also includes an electric motor that would drive the rear wheels (rigid axle with a chain or belt drive). The battery is a small 12-volt and one can add two of them in the battery rack to increase the range. The front wheels would also boast of a direction system with a steering wheel that can be interchanged or removed. The toy car would also be equipped with LED lights.
The main feature of the Metamo would be its interchangeable set of body made of cardboard. These could be purchased separately online from multiple creators. They would all bolt on to the frame near the same anchor points and it would be a really simple process, but intelligent and well designed.
Buyers could also design their own vehicle body using 3D software from Autodesk and sent it to a local Maker Bot owner who would use a specially designed rapid prototyping machine to print the cardboard body.
Target audience
The Metamo would be sold to kids aged 4 to 10 who have an interest in mechanics. These kids could learn the basic vehicle systems such as frame, direction, motor, body etc. and even learn how to invent new bodies while recycling their vehicle at the same time. This would be an eye opener for them in regards to designing and operating cars.
The designer
The Metamo concept was developed in collaboration with Xavier Gordillo, an Industrial Designer from Trebic in the Czech Republic; Xavier studied Car Design at the Europe Design Institute (IED) and he works as a Freelance Industrial Designer. He also produced the concept images for the Motorail and Rolinfüd urban food truck concept.
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