Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 8/23/84; site ucbcad.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!ucbvax!ucbcad!klein From: klein@ucbcad.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Auto Occupant Positions Message-ID: <60@ucbcad.UUCP> Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 19:34:42 EST Article-I.D.: ucbcad.60 Posted: Mon Jan 14 19:34:42 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 16-Jan-85 15:27:49 EST Organization: UC Berkeley CAD Group, Berkeley, CA Lines: 18 Ever since the first cars were built, automakers have always sat the driver and passenger(s) on a bench, sofa, or separate seats, always next to each other about in the middle of the vehicle. This sounds like nobody's bothered to think about it since then. How about some alternative designs: Occupants in a line along vehicle's forward direction? Run the engine/drive train down through the middle of the car, seat occupants to each side? Passengers in a ring to maximize legroom? We have different constraints now than we did back in 1900: we want a comfortable enclosed space, aerodynamic efficiency, legroom, smaller cars. We are able to cram engines into smaller spaces and design more efficient space usage than ever before. It's suspicious that basic car designs haven't changed much in 80 years! -- -Mike Klein ...!ucbvax!ucbmerlin:klein (UUCP) klein%ucbmerlin@berkeley (ARPA)