From France comes an intriguing concept in promoting electric mobility. Meet the Kairos EV, a project by the SIREMS Association, designed by Mathieu L’Hopitault, which can be classified as a tricycle.
According to a press release, the Kairos EV does not fit into the categories of a car, scooter, or motorcycle. With one wheel in the front and two in the back, it has the structure of a tricycle but with seemingly more stable design and dimensions. The riding position is leaned forward toward the handlebars, utilizing the rear wheels for maximum traction and stability.
This is currently a conceptual model existing only in sketches and virtual images. Naturally, the engine is electric, providing traction to the rear wheels. In the front, there’s a telescopic fork below the handlebars. In terms of safety, there’s also the innovation of the Removable Side Elements (MLE).
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These are two aerodynamically shaped weights suspended on both sides of the vehicle near the front wheel, controlled by the tricycle’s movements. They protect Kairos EV occupants from side impacts and help dissipate energy from frontal impacts. Additionally, they serve to reduce aerodynamic drag and can even function as cargo compartments.
The two-wheel rear axle reduces the risk of tipping over. On the other hand, the Programmed Restraint Device (PRD) in front of the driver significantly reduces the risk of serious injuries from frontal impacts. It acts like a seatbelt but without the constraints that such a device would create. The deformation of the front chassis absorbs energy. The PRD releases the rider at a much lower speed if the impact is strong and the rear wheels lift off the ground.