Projects
FedEx Foot Courier Design Project
Our task was to design and build a prototype of a cart to be used by FedEx foot couriers in Manhattan. The cart was to be easily maneuverable, weather-proof, secure, and scalable.
Initial Design Drawings
Of these initial designs, my group decided on one that most closely resembled the 1st image shown above. This would consist of a frame with heavy duty, canvas sides. These sides could be rolled up, like window shades, by the courier to gain access of the cart’s contents from all sides. From this stage we began construction.
Early Construction
For this prototype, we used PVC as our main construction material. After speaking to the customer again, we added to our design to make the cart collapsible. This would allow for easier storage, a feature we had not previously thought was a priority for the design.
We decided to make only the two side faces accessible so that durability and stability was not compromised. This would also allow for a locking system to be mounted securely to the cart’s frame. Additionally, we changed opening mechanism to a sliding, curtain-like design. This was to simplify the components of the cart, to ultimately reduce the points of failure. A smaller, front compartment was also added to accommodate envelopes and paperwork.