Environment Transportation Cool Electrical Recumbent Bike Is Driven by Cordless Screwdriver By Kimberley Mok Kimberley Mok Twitter Writer McGill University Cornell University Kimberley Mok is a former architect who has been covering architecture and the arts for Treehugger since 2007. Learn about our editorial process Updated February 8, 2021 ©. Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise Share Twitter Pinterest Email Transportation Active Automotive Aviation Public Transportation © Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise Despite some considerable drawbacks (like safety when riding too low below motorists' radars), recumbent bikes can be much more comfortable than their upright cousins. That said, we're intrigued by this cool prototype for an electrical recumbent bike that's made primarily with bent wood -- and is driven with a Bosch cordless screwdriver. © Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise Created by Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise, a team of German student designers for the annual “Akkuschrauberrennen” competition held by the HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hildesheim, Germany, the Rennholz presents a "serious vehicle concept [for] e-mobility." © Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise Propelled by a Bosch screwdriver connected to the rear wheel, it's activated and steered by hand. The designers say that due to the choice of materials and propulsion, [..] the concept opens up new perspectives on the use of sustainable materials for vehicle construction. Besides sustainability, wood brings some more benefits to vehicle construction. The natural flexibility of bent wood, for example, has a positive impact on driving comfort. © Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise The Rennholz was designed and prototyped during the space of ten weeks; first using a steel dummy to work out the drive mechanisms and steering and then moving onto wood, eventually winning first prize at the competition. © Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise © Jirka Wolff, Andreas Patsiaouras and Marcel Heise Certainly a sleek design that ingeniously incorporates an everyday tool; more images of the process over at the project website.