Whoever knew that origami and transport were such good friends? The art of folding offers a dynamic solution for on-the-go city dwellers with limited space. One such offering is the Oru Kayak -- a rigid, fully functioning kayak that folds up to form its own carry case.
Kayak in a box —
Whoever knew that origami and transport were such good friends? The art of folding offers a dynamic solution for on-the-go city dwellers with limited space. One such offering is the Oru Kayak -- a rigid, fully functioning kayak that folds up to form its own carry case.
Courtesy Oru Kayak
When designer Anton Willis moved from the country to a small apartment in San Francisco he had to put his beloved kayak into storage. Soon after moving he began sketching ideas for a kayak that could be folded up and kept in a closet. After reading about advancements in origami, he put his ideas into practice. Twenty prototypes later the Oru Kayak was born.
Unfolds in 5 minutes —
When designer Anton Willis moved from the country to a small apartment in San Francisco he had to put his beloved kayak into storage. Soon after moving he began sketching ideas for a kayak that could be folded up and kept in a closet. After reading about advancements in origami, he put his ideas into practice. Twenty prototypes later the Oru Kayak was born.
Courtesy Oru Kayak
Love water travel but can't store a boat? Say hello to the flat-pack boat. Invented by lovers of London's canals, Arno Mathies and Max Frommeld, the boat is made from one sheet of plastic that folds up with its cushions and oars into a portable parcel you can throw in your trunk.
Foldboat —
Love water travel but can't store a boat? Say hello to the flat-pack boat. Invented by lovers of London's canals, Arno Mathies and Max Frommeld, the boat is made from one sheet of plastic that folds up with its cushions and oars into a portable parcel you can throw in your trunk.
Courtesy Max Frommeld and Arno Mathies
OK so maybe "space-mobile" is a little misleading. This vehicle isn't from Mars -- it's a car that folds up to fit into the teeniest of tiny spaces. A two-seat urban electric car developed by the MIT Media Lab, CityCar retracts to bring its wheels closer together, and in doing so helps reduce parking problems in urban environments.
Space-mobile —
OK so maybe "space-mobile" is a little misleading. This vehicle isn't from Mars -- it's a car that folds up to fit into the teeniest of tiny spaces. A two-seat urban electric car developed by the MIT Media Lab, CityCar retracts to bring its wheels closer together, and in doing so helps reduce parking problems in urban environments.
courtesy Hiriko / MIT Media Lab
There are dozens of foldable bikes on the market these days, as more and more urbanites jump on the cycling bandwagon. Lugging your bike on trains and buses used to be a drag, but with foldable bikes like the Bromptons on display here, you have no excuse any more.
Foldable bikes —
There are dozens of foldable bikes on the market these days, as more and more urbanites jump on the cycling bandwagon. Lugging your bike on trains and buses used to be a drag, but with foldable bikes like the Bromptons on display here, you have no excuse any more.
Courtesy Oli Scarff/Getty Images
A scooter you can pull along as a suitcase? Now there's a novel idea. The Moveo electric moped from Hungary folds in the middle so you can take it on the train or in the car before zipping around the city. And with a soft leather seat it doesn't scrimp on comfort...
Moveo scooter —
A scooter you can pull along as a suitcase? Now there's a novel idea. The Moveo electric moped from Hungary folds in the middle so you can take it on the train or in the car before zipping around the city. And with a soft leather seat it doesn't scrimp on comfort...
courtesy Moveo
We've all folded a paper plane and watched with pride as it soars through the air. But what if the plane was a fully functioning full-sized aircraft? Well, the Icon A5 is exactly that. With folding wings, the airplane is compact enough to be stored in a garage and towed along the freeway.
Compact aircraft —
We've all folded a paper plane and watched with pride as it soars through the air. But what if the plane was a fully functioning full-sized aircraft? Well, the Icon A5 is exactly that. With folding wings, the airplane is compact enough to be stored in a garage and towed along the freeway.
Courtesy Icon A5
Australian design student Jack Martinich has given the wheelchair a makeover. It not only looks like a product of the 21st century, but it behaves like one too. The Mobi chair has an automatic folding mechanism so it can easily be taken in and out of the car or stored at home when not in use.
Mobi chair —
Australian design student Jack Martinich has given the wheelchair a makeover. It not only looks like a product of the 21st century, but it behaves like one too. The Mobi chair has an automatic folding mechanism so it can easily be taken in and out of the car or stored at home when not in use.
Courtesy Jack Martinich / Monash University Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture
It's an age old problem for the roaming surfer -- the cost of transporting your beloved board. Well, Walden Surfboards may just have a solution: the Tri-fold can be folded up into a suitcase and checked in like a normal piece of luggage. Hallelujah!
Tri-fold surfboard —
It's an age old problem for the roaming surfer -- the cost of transporting your beloved board. Well, Walden Surfboards may just have a solution: the Tri-fold can be folded up into a suitcase and checked in like a normal piece of luggage. Hallelujah!
Courtesy Walden
OK, so skateboards didn't really take up much room in the first place but it's kind of useful if you want to put it in a locker at work or school. Plus, its designers at the Snap Skateboard Company promise it won't jeopardize your tricks, dude!
Snap skateboard —
OK, so skateboards didn't really take up much room in the first place but it's kind of useful if you want to put it in a locker at work or school. Plus, its designers at the Snap Skateboard Company promise it won't jeopardize your tricks, dude!
Courtesy Snap skateboard company
Winner of the Design Museum London's Design of the Year 2013 transport category, the folding wheel was developed by British construction collective Vitamins. The wheels, which are to be used predominantly for wheelchairs, fold in such a way that they can easily be stored in the overhead locker on an airplane or in the trunk of a small car.
The new wheel —
Winner of the Design Museum London's Design of the Year 2013 transport category, the folding wheel was developed by British construction collective Vitamins. The wheels, which are to be used predominantly for wheelchairs, fold in such a way that they can easily be stored in the overhead locker on an airplane or in the trunk of a small car.
Courtesy Vitamins