Project Requirements

As part of the Product Design Engineering Degree students are required to complete a Professional Project. Following is an excerpt from university documentation.

The Professional Project provides students with an innovative and detailed product development process that enables skilled research and project management... All projects must integrate mechanical engineering solutions into the final outcome.

The Professional Project aims to develop student’s research, design and engineering skills to a professional manner while maintaining project development with industry. Consultation with industry and research organisations will be utilised to develop an innovative product. The initial research will focus on the latest available technology using various sources including the following areas; materials and manufacturing technology, customer needs, ergonomics, market evaluation and existing products

The project is to be self directed, planned and executed to an appropriate industry ‘professional’ standard. The Professional Project runs for the duration of two semesters. (HDPD512 in semester one and HDPD522 in semester two)

Project Detail

Transportation, the sustainability of and environmental effects of are a major issue in today’s society. This overview will outline the research and design proposal of an ulterior, often unheard of transportation method, Human Powered Vehicles.

Human Powered Vehicles commonly referred to as H.P.V's or recumbents, are as the latter name suggests, a recumbent bike, either with 2 or 3 wheels (2 at the front and 1 at the rear). H.P.V's are also often partially or fully enclosed for aerodynamic benefits.

Currently there is a developing market for this product, however historically the perception of a recumbent bike has been that of being the black sheep of the bicycling family. This perception however, has been rapidly changing over the last 5-10 years, with the introduction of events such as the RACV/Holden Energy Breakthrough, Adelaide International Pedal Prix and World Speed Bike Championship amongst many others.

"It is the project intent to research the H.P.V and Bicycle field, looking into the social and environmental benefits of these vehicles, determining the viability of these products as a sporting, social and transport alternative. From here this research will lead onto the design and construction of a H.P.V, different to anything currently on the market".

Benefits and disadvantages of each option will be thoroughly investigated and researched.

At this stage, it is intent to further develop either of the 2 wheel or 3 wheel SpeedBike options as it is foreseen that this HPV will have the most beneficial outcome for student and industry within the required time frame.