MIT's Mobility-on-Demand Wins Buckminster Fuller Challenge

MIT's Sustainable Personal Mobility and Mobility-on-Demand Systems concepts won this year's $100,000 Buckminster Fuller Challenge, an annual contest that asks entrants to create designs with maximum social impact.

This year's winner, chosen out of 285 entries, consists of a Mobility-on-Demand system of shared-use lightweight electric vehicles (EV) placed at automatic charging racks throughout a city. The MIT team's CityCar and RoboScooter (both folding vehicles) as well as the Green-Wheel Bicycle use a minimum of parking space and can be picked up and dropped off at any charging rack.

The Buckminster Fuller Challenge jury called the entry a "bold, visionary idea" that "beautifully reflects the spirit of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge." Despite its boldness, the MIT entry is feasible in the near-term--the RoboScooter prototype is already constructed and the Mobility-on-Demand system could be tweaked to work with existing electric bicycles and motorcycles. Bike-sharing programs are already gaining ground in the U.S. and beyond--Mobility-on-Demand could be the next step.

Check out the RoboScooter in action below.

[The Buckminster Fuller Challenge]

Related: Nine Ideas to Save the World, Inspired by Buckminster Fuller