HR BANK: Your home's power bank.
Electricity infrastructure, though often taken for granted, is vulnerable to natural disasters and cyber attacks. With HR BANK, you can guarantee continuous power for your home, providing comfort and security to your family, no matter the circumstances. It seamlessly integrates with renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines, storing excess energy in internal battery and powering your appliances during blackouts. HR BANK also generates energy by pedalling, so you can turn your workouts into electricity and charge or power your devices later on. Pedalling generates 50-500 Wh of energy.
15 minutes of pedalling generates enough power to fully charge a smartphone.
1 hour of pedalling generates enough power to fully charge a laptop.
1 hour of pedalling generates enough power to fully charge a laptop.
THE BRIEF
We've been collaborating with Tukas EV for about a year on a (classified under NDA) electric vehicle project, when a war in Ukraine broke out just a few hundred kilometers away from us. Founders were struck by this and the image of people in bomb shelters. We saw them using multiple extension chords in order to charge their phones, so they could follow what's happening and seek safety. At the same time we realized how easy it is to overestimate the reliability of our modern energy grid and the need to protect our families in case the access to energy is lost due to conflicts, cyber attacks or natural disasters. We decided to put our EV project on hold and create a solution that could ensure energy independence for those in need.
The initial brief was as follows: By utilising Tukas EV existing CNC machinery and electrical engineering expertise, create a product that would function as a large power bank during blackouts and could be charged from any source. Even if no energy source is available, it could be charged by pedalling.
GOALS
1. The device must be versatile. The user must be able to charge it from any source.
2. The device must be a fully functional exercise machine.
3. The device must be highly adjustable so that people of any height or abilities would be able to use it.
4. Children must be able to use it.
5. The device must be easily portable.
6. The device must fit well into multiple different interiors.
Solutions
1. There are multiple input and output connections. Adapters for different types of solar panels and power outlets are included in the package.
2. HR Bank features a "sports mode" that tracks essential metrics such as calories burned, distance ridden, and average pace. Users can attach a professional bike saddle and pedals of their choice, thanks to the universal connections.
3. The pedals, saddle, and handlebars are fully adjustable with infinite increments for a perfect fit.
4. We have created an additional children's saddle designed for small children. In this setup, the main saddle becomes a backrest, and the handlebars can be adjusted to the required height. The touchscreen can be locked to prevent accidental changes to the settings.
5. Despite the large 2 kWh battery making the device somewhat heavy, we have added transportation wheels that make moving the HR Bank as easy as handling luggage.
6. Every colour and material option can be customized. To assist buyers in configuring and visualizing their choices, we have developed a 3D configurator on our website. Additionally, there's an option to view the configured product in real size using augmented reality on their phone.
4. We have created an additional children's saddle designed for small children. In this setup, the main saddle becomes a backrest, and the handlebars can be adjusted to the required height. The touchscreen can be locked to prevent accidental changes to the settings.
5. Despite the large 2 kWh battery making the device somewhat heavy, we have added transportation wheels that make moving the HR Bank as easy as handling luggage.
6. Every colour and material option can be customized. To assist buyers in configuring and visualizing their choices, we have developed a 3D configurator on our website. Additionally, there's an option to view the configured product in real size using augmented reality on their phone.
2kWh BATTERY ALLOWS YOU TO:
Design
The initial stages of the physical design process were rather quick. After a weekend of sketching and rough 3d modelling, we immediately constructed a working prototype as proof of concept using aluminium profiles. We used an electric motor that was earlier produced by Tukas EV for other project and turned it into a generator. It actually worked great. Following some ergonomic adjustments, we began planning a detailed testing and manufacturing process
HR Bank is made mostly out of aluminium. We source recycled aluminium from our partners in Sweden. Using solar and hydro energy they produce 8 types of aluminium extrusions for us, which we then machine in our factory. Aluminum is ideal due to its durability, versatility, and infinite recyclability; about 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
Other materials include stained FSC-certified birch plywood, vegan leather and natural leather. These materials were selected with long usage in mind. We want them to wear well over time and maintain premium feel.
All parts are easily repairable and replaceable, which means HR Bank can be used for a very long time. For example: once a more efficient battery technology becomes available we should be able to offer replacements.
Despite the product's substantial internal battery capacity of 2kWh, which adds to its weight, portability was one of the goals. To achieve this, we equipped the HR Bank with transportation wheels at the front. It can be tilted and moved around easily, much like luggage. Additionally, there are handles on top for lifting, again designed with luggage in mind.
Final product
The HR Bank is the most versatile energy storage device on the market. It can store energy from almost any source imaginable, ensuring flexibility and convenience. In the absence of external energy sources, users can generate electricity by pedalling it like an exercise bike. The energy output is pure sine wave, making it ideal even for high-end audio equipment. Additionally, the HR Bank doubles as an exercise bike, promoting fitness, and with an optional accessory, it can transform into a dynamic workstation in just two seconds.
With the handlebars and saddle removed, the HR Bank resembles a piece of minimalist luggage. As a large product intended for home use, whether as a power bank or an exercise bike, we treat it as an integral part of the interior, much like a piece of furniture. Featuring precise finishes and high-quality materials, the HR Bank seamlessly blends into modern interiors, eliminating the need to hide it.
Next steps
Due to large internal battery, the product is required to undergo many compliance testing procedures, which took us a long time. Additionally the product classification falls under ADR - dangerous goods and requires very specific certified packaging that must undergo rigorous (and expensive) testing in Germany. The process of certification is nearly finished.
Due to Tukas EV being a small company and production initially being in low quantity, the process is rather expensive. In time various stages of manufacturing will be improved and made more efficient. Many of the materials used are already close to being carbon neutral, but their transportation is not. With larger production volume we will be able to optimize shipping routes and methods.
It may seem rather hypocritical to be talking about sustainability while using Lithium ion batteries, which degrade and pollute over time. Sadly, as a small company, we are simply not yet able to access any advanced break through technology, such as graphene batteries. The need for energy independence remains though and this is the best we can do for now. We did, however, made the entire construction in such a way that any component can be removed and replaced, unlike most modern consumer electronics devices. This allows us to swap the battery and electronics components rather easily in the future. It also means that HR Bank has a very high repairability score.
We will continue to test, gather feedback and iterate on design and manufacturing processes. Having an entire production process in-house allows us to very quickly make changes to any part or process. From raw materials to shipping.
Branding marketing and communication. Since the company Tukas EV started with a different goal of designing an electric vehicle, there is some confusion about the name, the logo and communication online. The HR Bank is also rather difficult to explain as a product, because versatility is one of it's main qualities and there are many different scenarios of how and where it can be used. This will be solved.
