Yves Béhar

The first time I learned about Yves Béhar was in Warren Berger’s novel Glimmer. He talked about the XO laptop and the way he used future inventions to cut costs. He assumed that future innovations would be smaller and more cost effective, he was right. His latest creation is a bare-bones vehicle that allows for do-it-yourself modifications. The vehicle is intended for dirt roads and areas with unreliable power infrastructures, it is built to accommodate various power sources to make it as versatile as possible.

Béhar believes these vehicles would work well in developing countries because their automotive companies are not as established. Unlike North American companies, who are “stuck in a rut”, developing countries will likely be more open innovation and the ability to supply vehicles to more people. Often times, designs made for developing areas of the world (wind up flashlights and radios), later make their way into North America as emergency devices. Perhaps in the future Béhar’s vehicle will be used when gas supply gets low and prices spike, or as a low cost solution for first time drivers. In any case, if his creation makes it to the North American market we will know that companies are out of the rut.