Sony PS5’s console design gets reinterpreted as a modern two-wheeler in the PS5 bike

Posted on 13/01/2021 by Sarang Sheth

Some look at Sony’s Playstation 5 and call it an alien abomination, others, however, see versatility in its form. Meet the PS5 Bike from the mind of designer Artem Smirnov, a two-wheeler that takes the Sony console’s boxy-meets-organic design and uses it as its outer body with pretty impressive results.

The PS5 seemed like the perfect candidate for this project by Artem, especially given his keenness towards unconventional-looking automobiles. The PS5 Bike uses the Playstation entirely as the body, with the wheels popping out at the front and the rear. A narrow saddle extends outwards and upwards, and while I’m not entirely sure if it would be comfortable to sit on, the fact that the PS5 Bike is, in fact, just a conceptual design exercise gives me some solace.

The EV features adjustable handlebars that slide forward and backward based on your postural requirements, and an edge-lit transparent dashboard that emerges off the front of the bike. The Stormtrooper aesthetic works well for the automobile, and coincidentally, those vents that sit between the outer plates and the inner black body are perfectly positioned to work as air-vents for the bike too. Plus, that blue headlight on the front just reinforces the fact that as polarizing as the PS5’s design may be, it’s definitely a gateway to inspiration for spectacular-looking two-wheelers… and maybe a few memes too!

Designer: Artem Smirnov

This e-bike changes the fundamental visual template of motorcycle design

Posted on 14/07/2020 by Sarang Sheth

It’s difficult to say if the modern day motorcycle was inspired heavily by the need to look like a muscular horse. I’m talking about the chest-shaped fuel tank, the common need to have the taillight project outward like a horse’s tail, or the visor above the headlight almost being reminiscent of a horse’s mane. I’m not drawing definitive conclusions here, but the motorcycle today does have an almost animal-meets-ergonomics quality to it… but what if this animal had an electric heartbeat?

The PUNCH is an e-bike that reinterprets the motorcycle template with its less-organic-more-geometric sensibilities. Owing to its battery and electric drivetrain setup, the PUNCH can afford to do away with the curvilinear, sinewy bike design and just lay the inner components out in a way that’s straightforward and yet comfortable. This renewed approach is what makes the PUNCH such a radically different two wheeler. It comes with a double-cylindrical body that seamlessly goes from headlight to seat to taillight, highly reminiscent of the Pocket Rocket from Sol Motors.

Designer Artem Smirnov’s inspiration for the PUNCH came, however, from the supermotard concepts that flooded the Parisian streets in the 80s. “Modest weight, compact dimensions, high ground clearance, spoke wheels, elongated suspension travels. Everything is designed both for aggressive day-time driving in a real city with its traffic jams, edge stones and sidewalks”, says Smirnov. The PUNCH comes with two detachable batteries between the rider’s legs (one on either side), which can be manually disengaged and taken indoors for charging. In its bid to make the entire e-bike more efficient, the PUNCH cuts down on all the frills, resulting in this stunningly minimalist, almost USB-stick-shaped beauty. Smirnov is currently working with Belarus-based Punch Motorcycles to bring this concept to life. On paper, the Punch will come in two variants with top speeds of 105km/h and 120km/h respectively. The dual battery setup should give the e-bike a range of roughly 110 kilometers, making it perfect for zipping down urban landscapes while onlookers try to get a glimpse of the bike’s unusually eye-catching aesthetic!

Designers: Artem Smirnov and Punch Motorcycles

Here’s what Vespa scooters will look like in the future according to a concept designer

Posted on 29/05/2020 by Sarang Sheth

“What will a Vespa look like a hundred years from now?”

It isn’t the sort of question I usually ask myself, but now that Artem Smirnov’s posed the question, I’m forced to imagine what perhaps my favorite two-wheeler brand will look like a century from now. Smirnov’s answer to the question is to simply take Vespa’s attributes as a brand and carry them to the year 2120. In short, look for answers to questions like – What will classical Italian automotive design be in a hundred years? Hundred years since the debut of the Cybertruck, will there be any curvilinear vehicles? And if there are, will they look like the Vespas of today, or maybe a little more modern? Most importantly, will Vespas of the future look ‘cute’? And what exactly will the word ‘cute’ even mean in our technofuture world?

Smirnov’s iteration of the next-gen Vespa surely raises some eyebrows. It looks nothing like the Vespa we see on the road today, but in all fairness, cars today look nothing like they did in the 1920s, so it seems futile to really argue that the next-gen Vespa looks radically different. It, however, does capture a few elements that answer the questions I raised in my previous paragraph. The next-gen Vespa by Artem is clearly an e-scooter. Interestingly enough though, it comes in the format of an e-bike, but still retains that hollow leg-space that scooter designs are famous for – with a rear suspension capping it off. The seat, for the most part, is cantilever, resting directly on the suspension at the back, while the Vespa logo on the front plays a double role of branding as well as being the vehicle’s headlight. On the overall, the vehicle still retains curves in the right places. I could imagine a future where the next-gen Vespa sits in the status quo of ‘cute’, although my only gripe is the absence of that vibrant color palette! What do you think?

Designer: Artem Smirnov

The Carbogatto H7 is a beautiful e-bike that’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before

Posted on 12/11/2019 by Sarang Sheth

Carbogatto’s design efforts go absolutely unrewarded with the H7, a unique looking L1e class motorbike with a frame that explores a new form factor that gives the bike its iconic silhouette. If you were to look at the H7, most of your time would go in admiring the way it was built, its absolutely unusual shock-absorption system, and the drop-dead gorgeous carbon fiber monocoque.

At the heart of the H7’s design is its carbon-fiber monocoque, which was built to portray a unique elegance while also forming an incredibly reliable and robust framework for the bike. The monocoque provides a lightweight design that can withstand loads of up to 650 kilograms, while lending to the bike a smooth aesthetic that’s devoid of any glue, screw, or welding marks. The frame weighs a mere 4.1 kilograms.

The lightning-bolt shaped frame comes with two very unique suspension systems. The girder-type front suspension is inspired by cruiser bikes, while the rear suspension is designed using the mechanism of progression. Together, both the suspensions offer unparalleled comfort on different types of road conditions, while looking absolutely divine in the way they physically move to offer a stable ride. Scroll down for the GIF images and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

When push comes to shove, the Carbogatto H7 is a pretty neat e-bike, with an acceleration of 0-45km/h in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 25km/h thanks to a direct-drive motor located on the rear wheel with a constant power of 3kW which can even go to 12kW depending on the riding mode you select. The e-bike comes with a detachable 1150Wh battery (featuring an LED indicator and a carbon-fiber outer layer) that’s accessible by lifting up the cantilever saddle. To top it off, the Carbogatto H7 comes with a lifetime warranty because who wouldn’t want to ride this absolute piece of beauty for the rest of their life?!

Designers: Artem Smirnov, Vladimir Pachenko, Alexey Shelukho & Team Carbogatto

A bike that demonstrates how Japanese culture can influence automotive design

Posted on 30/04/2019 by Sarang Sheth

Artem and Vladimir believe Japan’s design ethos lies heavily on their culture and history, pulling inspiration from minimalism, origami, and traditions like the samurai spirit, but a heavy European influence has resulted in Japan’s large automobile industry following cues that aren’t originally Japanese. Setting out to design a motorbike that is indicative of Japan’s culture, spirit, and aesthetic, Artem and Vladimir designed the Motorbike for Great Japan.

The motorbike’s design makes use of planar surfaces, reminiscent of samurai uniforms, and a body with an origami-inspired form. It even goes the distance to integrate a Samurai-sword-style woven handle for the handlebar grips! The bike comes with a styled carbon-fiber body, which not only makes the bike lighter and faster, but allows it to achieve its origami-style design rather seamlessly. The bike even sports dual-suspension on the front and the back, along with an adjustable seat for comfort, and what looks like a push-to-accelerate footrest. That’s innovative, even by Japanese standards!

Designers: Artem Smirnov & Vladimir Panchenko

Lovestruck by a Concept Truck! Vol.2

Posted on 15/06/2016 by Sarang Sheth

audi_truck_b_1

What I loved about Artem and Vladimir’s Audi Truck project was that once they were done, they couldn’t select a final design. They loved both the designs too much! I see their problem. The Audi Truck Plan B is a successor to day before’s wildly popular Plan A truck design article. Plan B is different in not just the aesthetic, but also usage. Designed as an Electric autonomous ‘show’ truck, the aesthetic of this concept is much more curvy and reminiscent of Daniel Simon’s design style (subjectivity alert!).

So, Yanko family. Which one’s your favourite?? Plan B? or Plan A?

Designers: Artem Smirnov & Vladimir Panchenko.

audi_truck_b_2

audi_truck_b_3

audi_truck_b_4

audi_truck_b_5

audi_truck_b_66

audi_truck_b_7

audi_truck_b_9

audi_truck_b_10

audi_truck_b_11

audi_truck_b_12

audi_truck_b_13

audi_truck_b_14

audi_truck_b_15

audi_truck_b_16

audi_truck_b_17

Lovestruck by a Concept Truck! Vol.1

Posted on 13/06/2016 by Sarang Sheth

audi_truck_a_1

Trucks are utilitarian vehicles, are they not? They’re built to transport large consignments over even larger distances. Then how is this concept truck for Audi allowed to look sexier than most urban automobiles?! The Audi Truck (Plan A) concept is a half of a two-part design series by Artem Smirnov and Vladimir Panchenko. Their goal was to make a Self-Driving Electric Truck for Audi. The category seemed so new and fresh, that it only made sense to reinvent what trucks look like.

The result? A beautiful piece of concept automotive heaven! The truck deals wonderfully with sleek planar surfaces that make it look like an electric vehicle from the get-go. Elongated headlamps and tail-lights, along with a beautiful balance between black and white give it a wonderful Audi touch. Not to mention the chrome logo on the front that sweetens the deal!

Designers: Artem Smirnov & Vladimir Panchenko.

audi_truck_a_2