By Gordon Dower and Shelley Damewood
It is instructive to think of automotive development in terms of biological
evolution because economics and evolution respond to the forces of success
and failure. In these terms, the ridek is a new automotive species, a mutation
that carries overwhelming advantages, a new class of vehicle that uses current
technology in a new way that allows it to jump ahead of its competitors.
Originally proposed by the lead author in a patent application in 1997 as a more convenient
alternative to battery exchange that avoided disturbing the battery or its connections, what
has come to be known as Ridek Quick-Change Modularity clearly and incontrovertibly enhances
the overall economics, business management, and convenience of the electric car or light truck
whatever its electro-mechanical details.
Ridek is a portmanteau word derived from Modek, a motorized deck containing the motive elements
- wheels,
motor, battery, etc. - and Ridon, the body that rides upon it, where the exchange of one modek for another
can be effected in only a few minutes, while the driver and passengers remain aboard the Ridon.
Three ridek prototypes (Rideks I, II, and III) have successfully demonstrated the simplicity and practicability
of Ridek Modularity and led to the realization of its profound intrinsic advantages that render a non-modularized
equivalent non-competitive. The ridek is a new class of vehicle that permits separate ownership of its modek and
ridon components. In general, the ridon used by the public would be privately owned, like a conventional car,
while the modek would be available, under a modek exchange contract, from a pool of modeks.
The outstanding merits of ridek modularization are: