BMW developing ‘ultimate’ bobsled
BMW has utilised intelligent lightweight materials, optimised aerodynamics and chassis dynamics to create the 'ultimate' two-man bobsled for the US Olympic team.
The company's DesignworksUSA group began by working with the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) to examine the design and performance history of existing two-man sled platforms, before setting out to re-engineer it.
After a year in development, a prototype of the BMW bobsled has been delivered to USBSF. The technology will be refined in the next year as Team USA prepares for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Laurenz Schaffer, president of the DesignworksUSA group, said: "The level of immersion we've been able to achieve, which included athlete interviews for preferences and improvement areas, ergonomic evaluations and optimisation studies in aerodynamics, has helped us to design what we believe will be a truly improved and innovative product."
