The Geared Vehicle is designed for a future world where 90% of the Earth's surface is covered in quicksand after the Great Sandstorm. It uses an innovative geared wheel system to traverse the hazardous terrain, ensuring human survival in this new desert-like environment.

Key Features:

1. Purpose:

   • To safely and efficiently navigate through dangerous quicksand pits, enabling forward, backward, and lateral movement by disengaging gears on either side for turning.

2. Design Process and Evolution:

   • Initial Design:
     • Started with wooden wheels to create grooves for grip, but they were too heavy for the supporting sticks.
     • Transitioned to lighter plates and then gears for improved functionality.
   • Gears:
     • Two interconnected gears were angled to allow forward movement.
     • Adjustments allowed the gears to turn in different directions for left and right turns.
   • Wheels:
     • Upgraded from two wheels to four for better stability and control.
   • Turning Mechanism:
     • Introduced two boards connected by hatches to enable smooth directional changes.

3. Body Design:

   • Early designs incorporated Chinese cultural elements like Yin-Yang symbols, but the shape didn’t fit the vehicle.
   • Final design featured a lightweight plastic body with the ability to fold, decorated with "GZ" (representing the team’s school).

4. Aesthetic and Functionality:

   • Body was initially crafted as a birdcage with iron wire, wrapped in golden thread for aesthetics, but it lacked compatibility with the vehicle.
   • Finalized with a practical and flexible plastic board design.

Outcome:

The Geared Vehicle is a robust and adaptable solution for traversing quicksand-covered terrain. It offers a blend of functionality and cultural pride, ensuring survival and mobility in a post-catastrophe desert world