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Chess car tries to keep every horrendous accident in check
We're not sure the Chessmobile would actually work, but here's the idea driving it: the cabin rests atop a platform that can move it around in the event of a crash, keeping the passengers out of the deformation zone — the area of the car the crumples on impact. In theory, the passengers would experience a lot less of the force, or at least the cabin wouldn't be smashed in, so injuries are a lot less likely. Still, you'd need something strong holding the cabin to the platform — all that force could just snap the two away from one another and send the cabin flying.
The Chess car is a concept by Dutch designers Frans Hegge and Thijs van der Zanden. Check out the gallery below for more on the Chess car.
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2008 Michelin Design Challenge
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By ITrush at 12:02 AM ON 05/31/08
LoL! this is cool, nice concept.
Stumbled!
nhick
By alextools at 3:41 PM ON 05/31/08
They are belgian, not dutch !
By OmegaOrder at 5:48 PM ON 06/02/08
Let's run it over with a semi truck to test out just how safe it really is!
By Goober at 9:00 AM ON 06/04/08
Excellent idea, but it will not work except at very slow speed, because all they are doing is creating a launch ramp directly at the cargo cabin ( the passengers ). thus more injuries.
By Ruis at 9:11 AM ON 06/04/08
I have issues with the changing center of gravity in an impact. Sorry but it doesn’t look all that stable to me.
By dugrau at 9:39 AM ON 06/04/08
Car-tipping. Hey look, all I got to do is act like I'm going to hit it, then you guys run up and push! Over it goes like a turtle on its back. What fun.
By shesue54 at 10:33 AM ON 06/04/08
It looks like a high profile vehicle; all that glass will make it hot here in West Texas! The tipping comment seems smart, too; it will have to be bottom-heavy to work, so lousy gas milage. Opps.
By BE AFRAID at 12:39 PM ON 06/04/08
YOU MAY NOT GET HIT AS HARD BUT FROM THE PICTURE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WOYLD TIP OVER AND THEREFORE GET HURT WORSE FROM ALL THE GLASS AND THE FLIPPING... STUPID IDEA
By dh1959 at 2:16 PM ON 06/04/08
this might work for a two car crash, but what about the tailgater behind this car? There will be less protection. ... good intentions, but not completely thought out.
By dhsmith at 2:54 PM ON 06/04/08
What to stop the cabin from been hit from the opposite direction it move into?
By R.R. at 6:17 PM ON 06/04/08
On a controlled track or on computer-guided speedways of the future, this type of design wouldn't be necessary. But motorists drink, and they are in a rush, and they're not paying attention.
I can see this design may come in handy for families with young children or teens, and/or in high traffic areas where everyone leans on the horn and has a leadfoot.
But really, this ugly design addresses just one aspect of collision damage reduction.
By Bigdadd at 5:32 PM ON 06/05/08
Looks to me like a hard enough hit will shear the cabin off and send it flying like a glass enclosed projectile. I live in the Northern US so I'd be curious to see how it works on icy roads. My guess is not too well although it might be fun to slide around in if it doesn't tip over.