DIY Automobile Revolution: Two UK Inventors Transform Sofa into Motorized Vehicle

Wednesday - January 3 2024, 10:29 UTC - 10 months ago

Two UK inventors ingeniously transformed a simple recliner sofa into a comfortable vehicle through clever engineering tricks, documented via a 3-year-old video. It boasted 3D modeling and the use of basic equipment, such as a Briggs and Stratton 9 horsepower motor. Remarkably maneuverable and enjoyable-to-ride, the sofa executed drifting maneuvers, and showcased the joy of open-top driving, making it a tribute to garage innovators.

Garage innovations have often piqued the interest of industry pioneers. A recent instance involves the chairman of the Indian automobile firm 'Mahindra' taking note of two individuals from the UK ingeniously transforming their sofa into a comfortable 'ride'.

Anand Mahindra, boasting a substantial following of 10.9 million on X (previously known as Twitter), shared a three-year-old video showcasing the ingenious transformation of a conventional sofa into a comfortable vehicle through clever engineering tricks.

''Just a fun project? Yes, but look at the passion and engineering effort that went into it. If a country has to become a giant in automobiles, it needs many such ‘garage' inventors…Happy driving kids, and I'd like to see the look on the face of the RTO inspector in India when you drive in to register this," read his post on X.

The post has already amassed nearly 490K views and close to 8.9k likes in a couple of days and has received multiple comments appreciating the creators of the furniture-turned-car.

Novel approach .

Under the YouTube handle Mekdev, the creators documented their entire journey in the one-minute and 45-second video, starting from acquiring a simple recliner sofa to transforming it by incorporating a motor and wheels. The DIY experiment featured most of the major items self-fabricated by its developers.

The motorized sofa concept employed 3D modeling and the use of basic equipment. The idea was applied to a basic sofa procured from Ikea. The model derives propulsion from a centrally positioned Briggs and Stratton 9 horsepower motor within the sofa's structure. The engine propels the rear axle of the four-wheel sofa through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) transmission.According to Mekdev's YouTube description, they started designing the sofa using CAD after a basic sketch. Designed akin to a go-kart, it features a shortened rear axle to facilitate easier turning.

The steering mechanism operates by manipulating the steering lever in both left and right directions. Control over acceleration and braking is facilitated through the utilization of two handles positioned on the steering lever. The video demonstrates that this setup enables the user to navigate smoothly while maintaining precise control over the vehicle's speed.

Fun concept .

A marked variation from contemporary vehicle design norms, this engineering endeavor yielded a remarkably maneuverable and enjoyable-to-drive product.

The sofa can be seen transporting two occupants, cruising on the motorway and smoothly navigating turns.

Additionally, the video depicts the motorized sofa effortlessly executing drifting maneuvers. As a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, it navigates through these motions with remarkable ease, showcasing both its impressive performance capabilities and the joy of open-top driving.

A comment below Mahindra's post reads, "Automobile innovation is fueled by the relentless pursuit of passionate engineers, whose garage projects often lay the foundation for a country's advancement in the industry. The ingenuity and dedication behind such effort is a grand tribute to garage innovators" .