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June 2020
juin 15, 2020
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2020 and beyond...
janv. 29, 2020
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E-FLEX project
févr. 05, 2019
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Best wishes 2019
janv. 04, 2019
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Enjoy The Ride in 2017
janv. 04, 2017
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FlexBoardz
janv. 04, 2017
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VIDÉO FLEXSEAT 2
mai 20, 2016
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GOLF CART
mai 18, 2016
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PIAGGIO MP3 : TRICYCLE RENEWAL
mai 18, 2016
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ERGONOMY
mai 18, 2016
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VIDÉO FLEXSCOOT 2015
mai 18, 2016
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FAIL 2 : SEGWAY
mai 18, 2016
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FLEXSEAT VIDÉO 1
mai 18, 2016
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LOCALS ONLY !
mai 18, 2016
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VIDEO 2013/2014
mai 18, 2016
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INDUSTRIAL FAILURE
mai 18, 2016
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STABILITY TEST
mai 18, 2016
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URBAN INFRASTRUCTURES
mai 18, 2016
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TRICYCLE AND COOL FACTOR
mai 18, 2016
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ORDER OF MAGNITUDE
mai 18, 2016
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STYLE 1
mai 18, 2016
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LUMBERJACK
mai 18, 2016
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SENIOR CARVER
mai 18, 2016
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PAQUETS DE 12, 24, 36 ou 48V ?
mai 18, 2016
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TUKTUK, RICKSHAW,...
mai 18, 2016
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BATTERY 3
mai 18, 2016
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ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL
mai 17, 2016
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FISHING AND HUNTING
mai 17, 2016
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CARVE
mai 17, 2016
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BATTERY 2
mai 17, 2016
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FORKS
mai 17, 2016
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BMX PARK
mai 17, 2016
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PASSIVE MOBILITY
mai 17, 2016
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TRICYCLE HALL OF SHAME 2 : ATC
mai 17, 2016
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MOTORS
mai 17, 2016
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MOBILITY SCOOTER INDUSTRY
mai 17, 2016
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KITE AND FLEX
mai 17, 2016
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BATTERY
mai 17, 2016
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30 Glorieuses
mai 13, 2016
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POST WAR
mai 13, 2016
INDUSTRIAL FAILURE
Posted by DESIGN 0 Comments
For those interested in innovation (other readers are probably members of my family), innovative failures and (very) ambitious are always a pity object of sympathy and, moreover, a rich source of lessons . And this is especially true when, with 30 years of hindsight, some of the vision seems relevant while at the same time, the causes of future failure are obvious.
Thus, the Sinclair C5 electric tricycle is often considered one of the worst failures in the history of marketing. Here Wholesale its history: after making a fortune by selling electronic products (radios, quartz watches, ...) and, above all, thanks to its computers Sinclair ZX80 (one of the early success of the micro-computer), Sir Clive Sinclair launched the Sinclair C5 large scale in the early 80s.
In these times of oil crises, Sir Clive Sinclair urge the absurdity of all automobile and designs an electric tricycle reduced size (so far, it's going) with pedals (for legal reasons and to compensate for the chronic weakness of the battery ).
Except that successful (Sir, already, that his class man) and largely financed by his previous successes, time is not the Cartesian doubt or market study. Also, the C5 goes directly from the drawing board to industrial production (Hoover) accompanied by a massive commercial launch. This is exactly what is often called "an engineering invention": simply insist heavily to convince the customer of the utility of the new product ...
And with a sense of timing confusing, even with Sinclair joins De Lorean for distribution which, in addition to his appearance in "Back to the Future", is best known as full industrial misfires (which ends rather badly ) ...
Obviously (in 1985), the battery performance was insufficient in a lack of autonomy and speed. In addition, the C5 format, both too bulky for sidewalks and too small / too low (and slow) for roads makes it difficult to use in the absence of appropriate infrastructure (bike lanes). Finally, the choice of an open vehicle, the UK, reveals a dark contempt for meteorology. As for the cool-factor (the eyes of his contemporaries), it is that a geek team 1985 in complete autonomy.
For these reasons, despite a massive promotional campaign (William and Harry led them C5 in Kensington Palace Gardens), production stops after a few months due to lack of sales.
Overall, customers have not found the product utility.
Ironically, 30 years later, the Sinclair C5 are now the subject of a quasi-cult and exchange much more than their original selling price (banning cars in central London has renewed interest in C5).
Re-ironically, with the same specifications (electrical, light, etc.), Sir Clive Sinclair could simply develop an electric bike (which it does today, and see Zike Abike) where n had not been obsessed with the automobile format.