Professor In-Soo Suh of the Cho Chun Shik Graduate School for Green Transportation at KAIST developed the prototype Armadillo-T, a foldable micro electric vehicle. As one can infer from the name of the vehicle, it was designed after the animal armadillo. Also, it has three other significant features that make the vehicle so special: electric, micro, and foldable.

The fact that Armadillo-T is an electric vehicle is crucial for understanding. The usage of an electrically charged battery instead of an internal combustion engine explains the eco-friendly feature of the vehicle. The high efficiency of the battery planted in the vehicle and the little greenhouse gas emission greatly contribute to solving environmental issues. Professor Suh emphasized that though infrastructures regarding production of electric vehicles are insufficient, standardization of the technology is nearly completed. He predicted that the decrease in cost, the enlargement of market size, and the accumulated technological know-hows will, and is, bringing the general trend towards electric vehicles.

The second important keyword is “foldable”. To the public, being foldable can be the most striking feature about Armadillo-T as there are no existing regulations concerning foldable vehicles in Korea. Being able to fold the vehicle has merits such as saving parking spaces and providing more convenience when parking. The advantages, however, are not limited to parking as there are many more that foldable vehicles present. Professor Suh insisted that the foldable vehicle is the transportation of the future, the so-called “Transportation on Demand (TOD)”. Most importantly, it will be the perfect transportation system for the elderly and the handicapped. The automation of parking procedures and organic system of the foldable vehicle are the future of our transportation system. Furthermore, the innovative and unique design that derived the foldable mechanism is another indicator of why the Armadillo-T is the creative technology of the future.

Last but not least, the micro size of the vehicle is also very important feature in understanding the Armadillo-T. Micro mobility is required for popularization of the vehicle as small cars are relatively inexpensive. Moreover, micro mobility is essential in car sharing, transit transfer, and localized transport modes. Armadillo-T’s micro size is the result of optimizing the specific modes mentioned above. To design such a small vehicle, in-wheel motors were applied. The application of in-wheel motors allowed the maximization of space for the passenger with no additional motor room space, a compact motor drive assembly, and more freedom in the design of the vehicle. Most importantly, since in-wheel motors control all four wheels independently, it provides more stability when controlling the dynamics of the vehicle.

There are many effects expected to impact a variety of fields upon the development of this foldable, electric, and micro Armadillo-T. In the social aspect, Armadillo-T is expected to improve welfare and living conveniences, enhance energy saving, and relieve lack of parking spaces. In the technology aspect, it is expected to be the leading compatible technology, progress standardization and patent, and accelerate the creation of new technological ideas. For economic effects, it is expected to create more employment and present new business models.