Modu: The Modular City Car Revolutionizing Urban Mobility

Daniel Henneh’s innovative vehicle offers flexible, sustainable transportation solutions.

Urban mobility faces significant challenges, especially in rapidly growing cities where transportation infrastructure often lags behind demand. Daniel Henneh, inspired by his experiences in Ghana, developed Modu to address these issues. The vehicle’s modular architecture allows users to configure and reconfigure components both at purchase and throughout the vehicle’s lifespan, eliminating the need for a new car as needs evolve. This approach not only enhances user flexibility but also contributes to sustainability by reducing waste and resource consumption.

What sets Modu apart is its focus on interchangeability. Identical components—such as headlights, mirrors, and bumpers—streamline manufacturing and maintenance, resulting in lower production costs and a smaller environmental footprint. According to the designer, this strategy significantly reduces the number of unique parts required, making Modu both efficient and eco-friendly. The vehicle’s lightweight, anodized aluminum body panels and electric drivetrain further support its energy-efficient credentials.

The realization of Modu relied on a robust design thinking process. Initial concepts were sketched and refined through peer feedback, leading to detailed CAD models and functional prototypes using FDM 3D printing. Advanced visualization tools like Keyshot and Photoshop helped bring the concept to life, showcasing potential configurations and use cases. This iterative development ensured that Modu met both functional and aesthetic standards without compromising structural integrity.

Modu’s user experience begins with a customizable online purchasing platform, allowing buyers to select size, modules, and intended use. The vehicle is delivered within days, thanks to its streamlined assembly process. Operation is simplified through smartphone integration, transforming the user’s device into a dashboard that seamlessly connects music, navigation, and contacts for a personalized driving experience.

Extensive research into urban mobility trends, sustainable materials, and advanced manufacturing informed every aspect of Modu’s design. The project, which began in San Jose, California in August 2024 and concluded in January 2025, overcame significant challenges—particularly in balancing modularity with aesthetics and structural strength. Drawing inspiration from military exoskeletons, the design team achieved a practical, visually appealing solution that has garnered industry recognition, including the Iron A' Design Award in 2025.

Modu stands as a testament to the power of design innovation in addressing real-world problems. Its modular, adaptable nature offers a blueprint for the future of urban transportation—one that prioritizes user needs, sustainability, and technological integration.