Engineering projects are a major proponent of development in impoverished areas throughout the world. Designers face difficulties when working on projects for unfamiliar cultures and infrastructure, from problem and constraint definition to final technology transfer. Through a design project and implementation trip, this study will examine the design process as it spans borders, cultures and languages, identifying key steps and methods in the process necessary for the success of such projects. One major problem many rural communities in developing nations experience is a lack of transportation infrastructure. Forms of transport common throughout the rest of the world are, in many cases, neither economically feasible nor locally sustainable. To establish basic infrastructure, a sustainable, affordable method of transporting goods and services is essential. This research project fulfilled this need by designing an appropriate local transportation solution, a human-powered utility vehicle (HPUV). To properly understand the problem, the researcher traveled to two different rural locations in Sub-Saharan Africa (Maase-Offinso, Ghana and Me`ri, Cameroon) on four different trips to gather information and customer input for the design of the HPUV. A final implementation involved traveling to Me`ri, Cameroon for three months during which one design prototype was built, tested and reviewed by local farmers and other end-users. The vehicle was tested quantitatively against metrics and specifications derived from initial assessment trips, as well as qualitatively through customer feedback. This direct feedback provides insight into the effectiveness of the machine and the design process followed, as well as identification of possible revisions to enhance the design’s value to those who need it. The design drawings and manufacturing plan are public-domain, and local mechanics in the village were taught the basic skills needed to produce the vehicle. The drawings and manufacturing plan were also presented to a local NGO capable of producing the vehicle using local labor.
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ASME 2008 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
October 31–November 6, 2008
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4870-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Engineering Around the World: Driving Local Economics in Africa With Human Power
Timothy Cyders,
Timothy Cyders
Ohio University, Athens, OH
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Gregory G. Kremer
Gregory G. Kremer
Ohio University, Athens, OH
Search for other works by this author on:
Timothy Cyders
Ohio University, Athens, OH
Gregory G. Kremer
Ohio University, Athens, OH
Paper No:
IMECE2008-67696, pp. 181-187; 7 pages
Published Online:
August 26, 2009
Citation
Cyders, T, & Kremer, GG. "Engineering Around the World: Driving Local Economics in Africa With Human Power." Proceedings of the ASME 2008 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 9: Engineering Education and Professional Development. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. October 31–November 6, 2008. pp. 181-187. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2008-67696
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