A Model T for the Future

As part of the 100th anniversary of the Model T, Ford Motor Company challenged students at six schools from around the world to envision and create a 21st century version of the legendary vehicle.

It’s Friday

Here at LotPro.com, it’s Friday. That means that it’s probably time to report on one of those events that flies just under the radar. This week, our story has to do with a design challenge for students that came from the Glass House in Dearborn.

Teams chosen from 6 schools

Back in May, Ford announced the Model T Challenge competition and that it had chosen student teams from six schools: Aachen University of Aachen, Germany; Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, Calif.; Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia; Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Mich.; University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Mich.; and West Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia, Pa.

At the time, each team received $75,000 in funding from Ford Technologies to help in the creation of a vehicle using sketches, models, research papers and possibly even working models.

The Challenge

Why did Ford create the Challenge? According to Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies, “It’s not often we celebrate the centennial anniversary of an iconic vehicle, so we created the Model T Challenge as an opportunity for students to conceptualize future transportation in a way that is unique to Ford.” He went on to state that, “to date, there has never been a vehicle that has left such an impact on the lives of millions, and Ford challenged students to present an alternative that just might do so again.”

Criteria for the challenge were based on the original Model T: To create a vehicle that is simple, durable and lightweight. Additionally, the vehicle had to accommodate at least 2 people, offer solutions for simple assembly, have a range of at least 200 kilometers (125 miles) and have a target base price of no more than $7,000. To top it all off, students had a deadline of September 1st to submit their proposals.

And the winners are…

Ford announced the winners of the four month competition on October 1st, 2008 – 100 years to the day that Henry Ford produced the first Model T. Two of the schools were pronounced the winners, earning their schools $25,000 in scholarship funds.

2015 Ford Model T

2015 Ford Model T

Aachen University 2015 Ford Model T

The “2015 Model T” is a basic vehicle that includes a number of different variations, including a compact pickup, a sedan, and a mini city car. The simple steel body was designed in such a way that most of the car can be built using standard tools.

Ford Model T2

Ford Model T2

Deakin University Model T2

The students at Deakin University chose to design a concept vehicle based on a three-wheel platform. The T2, as they call it, also includes a unique steering system that allows the vehicle to be steered via compressed air wheel hub motors, eliminating the need for a driveline or steering system. Power for the T2 comes from compressed air with a backup compressed natural gas system for longer distances.

The Bottom Line

According to Coughlin, “The entire Ford team was very impressed by each of the entries. We created this challenge looking for the students to push the boundaries and deliver an alternative transportation concept for tomorrow, and they each did just that.

Tags: aachen university, art center college of design, deakin university, Ford, ford motor company, lawrence technological university, model t, model t challenge, university of michigan, west philadelphia high school