| Make
|
Rinspeed |
| Model |
sQuba |
| Concept
year |
2008 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
electric
powered |
The sQuba concept from Rinspeed is a zero-emmission sports
car which has the ability to dive underwater up to 10m
(33ft) deep.
The sQuba is based on a Lotus Elise chassis, however in
order to operate on both land and underwater the engine
has been removed and replaced with three electric motors
supplied with power by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries.
One of the motors is used to provide power on land, while
the other two drive the screws at the rear of the concept
once underwater. Also helping to propel the sQuba underwater
are two rotating jet drives mounted up front.
To get underwater the driver takes the sQuba onto the
water and simply opens the door slightly to allow the
water to flood in. The sQuba can then be controlled underwater
using the rear propellors and front water jets. Onboard
breathing apparatus for the driver and passenger is mounted
behind the seats.
Part of the reason for not choosing a hardtop vehicle
is for safety - with an open top car the occupants can
quickly swim to safety in an emergency. The other reason
is because of weight. If the sQuba was airtight the extra
weight needed to submerge the vehicle would be around
two tons. Seriously crippling performance, and aesthetics,
both on land and underwater.
Diving underwater is not the only trick up the sQuba's
sleeve. The concept is also capable of driving on land
autonomously thanks to laser technology developed by Ibeo.
"The Rinspeed Concept Car is an impressive example
of what’s possible today in the area of active driver
support using our laser scanners". Said Ibeo managing
Director Dr. Ulrich Lages. "Our laser sensors permit
a variety of driver assistance functions using one single
small device, e.g. automatic emergency braking, pedestrian
protection, collision protection, traffic jam assistant
and others."
Similar and related vehicles:
Rinspeed Advantige R one
Rinspeed Splash
Rinspeed eXasis
Rinspeed ZaZen
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