Revolutionizing Mobility: Gita, the Robotic Vehicle

Greg Lynn's Award-Winning Design Augments Human Abilities

Greg Lynn and his team at Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF) embarked on a journey to create a design that would augment human abilities rather than replace them. The result was Gita, a robotic vehicle that is as intuitive as it is memorable. The design process was driven by a focus on what people want and need, rather than simply creating an engineering marvel. The inspiration for Gita was to create something that was expressive of its time.

Gita stands out for its unique integration of engineering and performance into an elegant form. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Vespa, Gita is approachable, recognizable, and attractive. The design is a testament to PFF's commitment to pioneering the intelligent movement of people and goods. Gita is not just a robotic vehicle; it is an extension of a person's cargo-carrying abilities.

The realization of Gita involved the use of contemporary manufacturing processes. Unlike most robots that have a metal frame, Gita is made of carbon-fiber, the same material used in America's Cup racing boats. This choice of material allowed for the creation of a vehicle that seamlessly integrates structure and performance. In addition to carbon fiber, 3D printing technology was used to build Gita, further underscoring PFF's innovative approach to design and production.

Gita is 24 inches wide, 26 inches tall with the lid closed, and 26 inches from front to back. It has a cargo capacity of 2000 cubic inches and can carry up to 40 pounds. Gita's primary navigation system is a pair of stereoscopic cameras mounted on the front and back of the robot, with which it performs visual SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping). It has a battery life of 8 hours and can reach a top speed of 22 MPH.

The design of Gita involved overcoming several challenges. One of the main challenges was to eliminate redundancy and any superfluous aspects of the design. From a technical perspective, the team had to overcome navigation challenges in designing a robot that is a mere two feet off the ground and that can follow a human five plus feet in height. Despite these challenges, the team's efforts were rewarded when Gita was awarded Silver in A' Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design Award in 2017.

In conclusion, Gita is a testament to the power of innovative design and technology. By focusing on human needs and current mobility trends, Greg Lynn and his team at PFF have created a robotic vehicle that is not just a marvel of engineering but a lifestyle accessory. With its unique blend of engineering and aesthetics, Gita is set to redefine mobility and set new trends in the world of design.