All over the world, experts are thinking about the mobility of the future. A young Stuttgart-based company could contribute an interesting aspect to this. This translated the ideas of a German inventor into a completely new vehicle concept. Individual parts for this are supplied by old hands in sheet metal processing – but also with a young and highly modern company model.
“The fact that we were able to order the sheet metal parts for the individual assemblies of the revolutionary SitDriver so easily and get them delivered so quickly was a major factor in our being able to implement the concept in record time,” recalls Max Keßler, one of the three founders and managing directors of WMT in Stuttgart.
SitDriver is an invention of Günter Rood. It’s not a bike, it’s not a recumbent, it’s not a tricycle, it’s not a folding bike – and yet it’s a bit of all of the above. In addition, it can later be docked as a seat in public carrier vehicles. A product that could one day revolutionize mobility.
Idea and implementation testify to modern thinking
The SitDriver is an innovative, safe and highly versatile lightweight bike. With compact dimensions, a comfortable seating position and an integrable weather and sun protection, it has what it takes to be the ideal solution for inner-city mobility and short distances.
Stephan Weber, as the responsible design engineer of the young Stuttgart-based company WMT GmbH (Wir machen Technik), was responsible for the realization of the idea. The individual assemblies are highly sophisticated and well thought-out. Above all, the curved profile tubes, which can be pushed into each other, are evidence of the best engineering skills.
For the production of the metal assemblies, the young machine builders brought experienced experts from H.P. Kaysser on board. What was special about it was that everything was done online, without lengthy meetings and discussions.
In keeping with the modern concept, they ordered all parts via the online portal Laserteile4you, with which H. P. Kaysser pioneered an Internet solution ten years ago. There, after a one-time registration, users can upload their drawing as DXF or STEP file for their sheet metal parts to be manufactured individually around the clock and immediately receive a price and delivery date.
©: WMT
These can be prototypes or series parts. “Users do not have to install any software for this, but can get started immediately after registering,” assures Achim Hinterkopf of Laserteile4you. What is so clearly and well structured on the online portal has in the background not only sophisticated software, but also the high-performance sheet metal production of H.P. Kaysser GmbH + Co. KG with a large, modern and powerful machine park.
Structural parts ordered online and quickly made to fit
Because the 25 or so parts are manufactured and delivered faultlessly and within the tolerances, each SitDriver can make the most of its variable advantages. In just a few easy steps, it transforms into a compact seat or a kind of “rolling suitcase”. It can also be transported comfortably or stowed away to save space.
The base frame is designed as the basis of the innovative vehicle in a curved shape and is made of structurally strong material optimised for the loads that occur. It accommodates essential components of the drive and serves as a receptacle for the handlebar and the pedal crank unit when folded.
An almost silent hub motor provides electric assistance and turns the SitDriver into a pedelec. The resourceful engineers at WMT have turned this innovative concept for a possible revolution in the mobility of the future into reality in just six weeks – with the help of Laserteile4you, the idea has also become a real vehicle.
Idea and implementation are evidence of modern thinking.
Structural parts ordered online and quickly made to fit.
