Age Concern

Ugly mobility-scooters nipping at your ankles may be a thing of the past if these European designers have their way. Challenged to create a vehicle for senior citizens, 42 designers from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania and Hungary submitted their visions of old age pensioner transport as part of the Auto® 2010 Design Challenge.

The competition was a collaboration between the University of Zagreb, University of Sarajevo, University of Arts Belgrade and the wonderfully named Megatrend University to challenge automotive designers to address social needs. Entrants were briefed to create a vehicle that met the wants, requirements and restrictions of older people that was also stylish and desirable.

Zdenko Vukoja, an amateur designer from Lipik in Croatia scooped the first prize with his sensible-looking car, complete with battery-powered electric motor, easy-to-read display and front and back sensors.

In second and third place came works from Megatrend University product design students Darko Makovic and Damnjan Mitic, whose slightly sleeker offerings somewhat resemble a Stormtrooper-mobile and a metallic gremlin.

Considering the National Statistics Office predicts that by 2033 23 per cent of the UK population will be 65 and over and there will 3.2m people over 85, there will soon be plenty of opportunity for UK designers to create similar practical and possibly film-inspired mobility vehicles. Anyone for a pensioner’s Batmobile?