Rethink how a machine helps us move.
A modular mobility concept exploring folding structures, adaptable hardware, and different ways to support movement.
Explore how it works ↓Explore the project
Open the design and demonstrations, then follow the references for more detail.
The design, in more detail
Definition
A modular, open-source welded conduit exoskeleton chassis that transforms between an electric commuter, an off-highway gas utility vehicle, and a marine simulation platform.
The problem
Personal electric mobility is dominated by disposable, single-purpose scooters and proprietary e-bikes that cannot be customized, repaired, or converted for heavy-duty utility or alternative propulsion.
The approach
REframe provides an open-hardware parametric chassis fabricated from standard structural conduit and CNC-machined clamp nodes. Paired with a cross-platform desktop configurator (Tauri + React) and Arduino serial telemetry, builders can modularly swap propulsion modules from brushless DC hub motors to gas auxiliary engines in minutes.
How it works
- Welded Structural Conduit: Utilizes standard thin-wall steel conduit joined by high-shear structural nodes for low-cost, high-rigidity fabrication.
- Modular Propulsion Bays: Standardized mounting interfaces accommodating 1kW–5kW BLDC electric hub drives or small 4-stroke auxiliary engines.
- Folding Exoskeleton Geometry: Proprietary hinge linkages allow the full vehicle to fold into a compact automotive cargo footprint.
- Arduino Serial Telemetry: Real-time sensor bus monitoring speed, motor temperature, battery voltage, and suspension travel.
- Open CAD Configurator: Tauri desktop application rendering parametric chassis geometry and stress simulations in real time.
Project notes
- Chassis Material
- Thin-Wall Steel Conduit
- Drive Modes
- Electric Hub · Gas OHV · Marine
- Telemetry
- Arduino Serial + Tauri
These are the project’s documented design notes. Consult the linked implementation and its version before relying on a specific capability.
Development history & next steps
Parametric Chassis Modeling
Engineered structural node geometry and kinematic folding linkages in CAD.
Welded Prototype Build
Fabricated thin-wall steel test frame and validated electric hub motor drive train.
Desktop Configurator & Multi-Modal Rig
Released Tauri configurator with real-time Arduino serial telemetry integration.
What comes next
Publishing complete open-source fabrication blueprints and CNC laser tube cutting files for community builders.
Source material & related links
Follow the documentation, repositories, and related sites behind this project.
Parametric CAD models, Arduino serial firmware, and desktop configurator.
Operational welded conduit prototypes testing multi-modal suspension and drive linkages.
Topics: Hardware · Electric Vehicles · Open Source · CAD · Fabrication · Arduino · Tauri