Amphibious Rescue Craft (A.R.C)

When you look at the A.R.C you will surely get amused with its massiveness. It is the kind of rescue vehicle that can ply on whatever terrain you put it on and effortlessly. The Amphibious Rescue Craft (A.R.C) helps deliver aid in times of natural calamities like floods and cyclone affected areas. All the other vehicles might not be ply during these times but the impact resistant tires of the ARC enable it to reach places with ease. There is less friction and a great output. In such times when time is crucial to the number of lives saved the A.R.C can come to the rescue.

Nissan Motivity 400C with Maglev System

Motivity 400C is a future car concept which is the latest creation of Nissan with brilliant visor and stunning functional features. This concept uses maglev’s engine system that has made it even powerful along with every tire that allows great control, functionality and style. The triangle shaped bode of this car reduces drag of air, therefore, this car provides superior acceleration and is able to save more power. Steering wheel of this design has been kept traditional so that the user can enjoy driving the car without any problem associated with unusual and newly designed wheels

H Car concept incorporates wind harvesting wheels

While car manufactures are trying hard to incorporate solar energy generators in their electric vehicles, car designers are ready with next-gen designs where electric cars won’t rely on solar energy, but will harvest wind energy, which is a far more dependable source of renewable energy, especially if you’re using a fast car to do so. Thomas Pastor is trying this new technology in a concept vehicle he calls the H Car

Forza Rossa concept takes an aggressive shape

Designer Thomas Pastor’s unique styling continues with the Forza Rossa concept. Styling of the Forza Rossa isn’t radically different from his H Car concept, though it takes on a more aggressive, animal feel and gullwing-like doors. In fact, it looks more like a car from some sci-fi action flick. Again, like the H Car, the wheels on Forza Rossa have a dose of innovation as well. They are empty, but include a unique “Rail System” for function, and their unorthodox looks.

Alien Fly – Vehicle of the future generates solar energy to fuel its engine

Considering the pace at which technology is advancing it gets hard to figure out what the world would be like in a couple of decade. The eyes which show us the glimpses of the future world rest in the abilities of industrial designers who are working hard to craft a new world where environment would be benefited by technology and not exploited as it is today.

Terrain Adventurer concept long range hauler hearts off-roading

Those heavy, gigantic heavy-duty haulers wouldn’t ever want to go off-road, simply because their weight would get them stuck somewhere or the other, plus navigating a behemoth like that through tough terrains can be very testing. Not so for the Terrain Adventurer long hauler concept from Patrick Clarke, this one would probably enjoy its “off-road” adventure

Exo-Audi concept: Human powered robotic system leans on nanotech

On the first glance, the Exo-Audi concept may not look like some uber-futuristic vehicle; but it is every bit futuristic, mostly because the source of its power sounds too fantastic. The concept is a human powered vehicle, making use of its exoskeleton and the advances nanotechnology may see in the future, this human powered vehicle could be fairly powerful and fast.Future car

Scania Truck Concept Makes Giant Trucks Sleek And Curvy

Futuristic transportation concepts often make their subjects sleek and possibly better looking to a wider audience. The Scania Truck concept from designer Adam Palethorpe uses the “better looks” idea on giant cargo haulers, and the truck-cab concept does in fact come off pretty well Future

Futuristic Landstorm Concept Vehicle for The Year 2058

Landstorm concept is a vehicle that is designed for future, when airborne vehicles will not be much effective to reach a particular area because of frequent natural disasters which is the result of future global warming. This vehicle has been designed as an all terrain vehicle that is equipped with a collection of hidden gadgets or compartments and the ability to interchange the pods located on its back. There is a variety of Pods that can be enclosed with the vehicle before it is sent to a particular location. These pods have been designed considering scouting missions, food and water transportation to a disaster affected area, medical pods that can treat 2 patients simultaneously, excavation pods that can work as a robust crane to remove large pieces of wreckage, and fire rescue pod where the tank can hold 750 gallons of water and can drain water from lakes with outboard pumps.
Future cars

Induction Powered Vehicle concept: A maglev for the roads

We’ve seen a few concepts that used maglev to run cars on the roads, but the IPV or Induction Powered Vehicle from designer Philipp Siebourg uses the idea in a way that’s closer to maglev trains. The cars have an integrated magnet and run on a rail system that generates a magnetic field. Interaction between the rail system and the integrated magnet decides the direction of the vehicle.
Future car

Setra Coach combines all abilities of a sustainable public drive

Devised as a design project at Coventry University, the Setra Coach by British designer Peter Spriggs, together with Adrian Barron and Adam Cunningham, is a public transport vehicle that greets both the physically able as well as the disabled with ease for an eco-friendly drive. Measuring 13.5 x 2.6, 3.8 meters (LWH), the Setra 700 Series vehicle is powered by a 225kw electric motor producing 400bhp and 600ft/lb (800nm) of torque placed between rear axles in its tri-axle setup.

Phantom: Aerodynamic Concept Car

Designed by Michal Lipinski, the “Phantom” is a one block concept sports car, but integration with the side thresholds spoiler visually divides it in half. Between the doors, there is a moving part of the spoiler, which runs at higher speeds. The car looks as if it were on the move, which emphasizes the triangular shape of the door and the shape of the rear lamps that accentuate the shape of the diffuser. The concept is dominated by strong and decisive lines that run through the body, crossing each other and disappearing and appearing through the length of the body. Lights on the concept use optical fibers, but are additionally equipped with LEDs. The driver sits centrally on the front, and on the back are two seats for passengers. A rear-view camera displays information in the panes. The engine is located on the front, and is made from lightweight material which lets through light from every angle, and thus providing visibility despite of the small angle of inclination of the windscreen. Check out the video after the jump.

Ford Unveils Taurus Police Interceptor

Ford just unveiled its replacement for the aging Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which has been a law enforcement staple for decades. Taking the Crown Vic’s place in your rearview mirror will be what we know as the 2010 Ford Taurus — a particularly awesome version of the Taurus in police spec, if you ask us.

Police departments across the country won’t be piloting just any Taurus off dealership lots. Ford says approximately 90 percent of the interior has been redesigned for police use. Some features you won’t find in a regular Taurus that your local police department will have include:
Anti-stab plates built into the front seatbacks
Column-mounted gear selector
Heavy-duty brakes
Heavy-duty alternator
Larger radiator and purpose-built cooling system
Vented wheels for brake system cooling
Back door hinges that open an additional 10 degrees
Vinyl rear seats
Like the Taurus you currently see on the road, the interceptor version will feature a 263-hp V-6 engine or a high-output 365-hp, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 with all-wheel drive.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

Who said green cars can’t be mean? Not Porsche. On the eve of the Geneva Auto Show, the Stuttgart-based company took the wraps off the 918 Spyder Concept, a 2-seat mid-engine supercar with hybrid and electric drive technology.
Just how fast is this thing? Well, Porsche says the 918 Spyder Concept hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3.2 seconds, and it blasts to a top speed of 198 mph. Not only that, it laps the Nürburgring in less than 7 minutes 30 seconds, which means it’s even faster than the hallowed Carrera GT.
Just how green is it? Porsche says that, when driven accordingly, the plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder Concept gets an outstanding 78 mpg, with an emissions level of just 70 grams of C02 per kilometer.
The 918 Spyder Concept is powered by a high-revving V-8 related to the 3.4-liter in the Porsche RS Spyder racing car. In 918 Spyder form, this mid-mounted engine revs to 9200 rpm and produces more than 500 bhp. Electric motors at the front and rear axles add an additional 218 horsepower to the output. The V-8’s power, and that of the rear electric motor, reaches the Spyder Concept’s rear wheels via a 7-speed PDK gearbox. The drive to the front wheels is pure electric, via a fixed ratio. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack behind the cockpit can be charged at home, or by brake regeneration.
Four distinct driving modes are available. E Drive is solely electric power, with a range of up to 16 miles. In Hybrid mode, electric power and gasoline power are used as conditions warrant, in ways designed to maximize economy or performance. In Sport Hybrid mode, in which both drive systems maximize performance, most of the power goes rearward, aided by torque vectoring to help the car’s dynamics. Lastly, there’s Race Hybrid mode for the utmost performance, such as running at the limit on the racetrack. In this mode, there’s even a “push to pass” E-Boost feature that feeds in added electrical power for overtaking… or better lap times.
The 918 Spyder’s modular chassis is made of CFP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic), while Porsche has also employed lots of magnesium and aluminum to keep the car’s weight down to a reasonably svelte 3285 lb. Aesthetically, the 918 Spyder looks very much like a relative of the Carrera GT. It also looks like it would be perfectly at home on the road or the track. Variable aerodynamics, especially around the rear spoiler, are necessary in a car with such a fast top speed, and the rear hoods extending back from the headrests accommodate retractable air intakes that provide a ram-air function.Porsche says the interior of the 918 Spyder Concept offers a glimpse of the future, and we’re glad that it remains driver-oriented with circular dial gauges. On the left is one for road speed; in the middle is engine speed (right where it belongs); and on the right is the energy-management gauge. Modernity is addressed via the center console, which has a touch screen for what Porsche calls “intuitive” control of the car’s functions.
Lastly, the 918 Spyder Concept is fitted with a Range Manager. Using the map in the satellite navigation system, the Range Manager displays the remaining range the Spyder is able to cover. And in cities, it will tell you if you can reach your destination on electric power alone. Just the thing to make sure you arrive at the Nürburgring with a full tank.
We admit the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept took us by surprise at Geneva. But we very much like what we see, and the fact that this Porsche has lapped the Nürburgring proves it’s more than a “pie in the sky” concept. It has real production possibilities; and we’re delighted that Porsche sees driving fun as a vital part of its future

A360 Concept: Moves on spheres, looks weird

The A360 Concept from designer Huynh Ngoc Lan looks like a crossbreed between a UFO and some stealth fighter jet. Not that the concept is bad, it is just sort of weird. The triangular body has a panoramic glass roof, then there is the camera system on the exteriors that works to provide the driver with additional feedback. The car moves on three spheres, not wheels, which actually makes some sense considering that it is capable of moving in any direction on the ground.

Renault E0 sportscar concept has zero emissions

Designer Liviu Tudoran has created a curvy sportscar concept, the Renault E0. The concept embodies flowing curves and looks quite smooth and sleek. The environment friendly sportscar has hydrogen storage tanks and an electric battery at the rear, and a powerful electric motor for the front wheels. A large Renault insignia sits between the headlamps, and an oversized logo of the mark occupies the rear

Peugeot Capsule – Electric ATV keeps you connected to the world

Eco Factor: All Terrain Vehicle designed to run on solar energy.

Designed by South Africa-based Alp Germaner, the Peugeot Capsule might just become your favorite ride to the jungle if it actually reaches the production line. The concept is inspired from touring motorcycles like the Kawasaki KLR 650. The Peugeot Capsule can do what all ATVs do, but in a more ecofriendly manner. The Capsule has been designed for all weather conditions and it also has enough storage space to allow for extended overnight adventures

The dynamic Acura 2+1 Concept

Acura 2+1 concept from designer Leon Paz is a design aimed at the youth. The aggressively designed concept looks at the people who would like a performance like the NSX, but cannot afford it. This concept will bridge the gap to provide NSX-like performance at more affordable costs. The aggressively-attractive concept is a great design, and built with focus squarely on the performance.

Audi Concepts by design students show ‘Intelligent Emotion,’ the future

Students of the Munich University of Applied Sciences participated in an Audi-backed project to find solutions for vehicles of the future. They looked at the technical, environmental and social issues associated with the future in the project. The project had a rather imaginative name, “Intelligent Emotion.”

Audi ASQ concept for on, in and off water rides

Audi ASQ is a futuristic concept for the year 2040. The design considers the worst case scenario effect of global warming; a time when sea levels have risen dramatically. Designed by Juyoung Kim, the ASQ concept moves over land as a normal vehicle, getting power from an electric motor in each of its spherical wheels, once the concept reaches water, it’s a different story altogether.

To maneuver on water, it switches to an aquatic system and uses water jets for propulsion. When in submersible mode, the concept uses a water turbine for motion. It seats three to provide ample space for the passengers and the driver

BMW LayerON Concept: Personalized rent car

The BMW LayerON Concept is a design developed for the future, with an outlook to 2015. Created by Turin IED students Aydar Nigmatullin, Patrick De Laet Moreno and Rocco Sergio D’Argento, and sponsored by BMW, the concept is built on the basis of consumer habits, preferences and the desire for personalization

Peugeot Touch Concept: Mobility at your fingerprints

The Peugeot Touch concept really does put mobility at your fingertips, in a biometric kind of way. The concept, designed by Enache Florin has touch-sensitive sensors at the doors for fingerprint recognition, allowing only the owner to get into the car. This could possibly get rid of “forgot my car keys” problem, with the slight limitation that you first have to program the system to recognize your fingers. Oh, and it’s not just the doors; most of the operations in the vehicle are operated and controlled by touch

Semitrailer tractor Turbine concept for the long haul

As passenger vehicles go clean, it is obvious that tractors and trucks will have to go the same way as well. Designer Josef Cadek’s Turbine concept seems to be a step in the right direction. The concept has a hybrid drivetrain gas with a cng-electric motor combination

The 2010 Mercedes-Smart car concept makes us cringe

Don’t go by the innocent looks of the concept you see here, for if it has its way, the Smart is going to get very ugly in 2010. And that is perhaps why we see a snarky look on the trying-so-hard to look innocent face. Designer Mori Love has put up solar panels on the roof to feed the car’s batteries, and given the car egg-shaped doors to mingle with the shape and allow easy access for four passengers. The rims have been shaped as thunderbolts to declare in a loud voice that the car is electricity-powered.

Saab 9-Griffin concept banks on unconventional looks

We would applaud a car that had the wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, but the 9-Griffin concept doesn’t actually follow its name; though it does have an unconventional design. The Saab luxury sedan goes asymmetric in design, pushing the driver a bit ahead of the first seat passenger. Windscreen on the four-seater concept follows the asymmetry and creates a bubble around the driver’s head.

Audi D7 Concept goes all flashy

The Audi D7 concept was a part of Iran’s concept car exhibition “From Dream to Reality,” and it comes across as a flashy super sports car. It gets a front mounted electric engine for power, but the most striking part of the design is its use of Neon lights, for not just a flashy body, but even for headlamps and tail lights.

The lights run across the length of the body, making it easily recognizable at night, but the job they do as headlights is most likely not very useful. More so, when you’re talking of a super sports car, how effective can those faint lights be at high speed

Colorful Peugeot NJooy replaces tires with balls

Driven by the desire to explore the different ways of moving a car, industrial designer Wesley Saikawa designed the Peugeot NJooy Concept. Conceptualized under the theme of “P.L.E.A.S.E. innovate!”, this concept car grabbed the first runner-up position at the 4th Peugeot Design Contest. The concept car stands apart from the crowd for its unusual make, where tires are replaced by balls and the silhouette reminds us of the old F1 cars. The vehicle shows an organic shape with vivid colors and a place for just one driver, in order to keep the focus on the pleasure of car driving. The renderings are simply outstanding, but I’m afraid this car with balls will never see the light of day

Designer creates concept for an unlikely brand: Chanel Fiole

Korean designer Jin Young OJ has created a concept car, for Chanel. The brand is far from cars, and designers usually build upon the designs of established car corporations and follow the design language. The designer’s interpretation for the Fiole concept is a luxury sports car with a 2+2 seating arrangement. The design looks good, and is based on the black-white contrast so prevalent with Chanel. She has created quite a car; we’re tempted to make parallels with the Batmobile, but that would be another huge contrast.

Chiron Transportation to Minimize Ecological Damage

To meet logistic purposes, the flexibility of commercial road vehicle is essential. But transportation by road is one of the major reasons of environmental pollution and the planet is paying a high price to increase the economic efficiency. Chiron is a means of transportation designed to minimize the ecological damage which combines the flexibility of road vehicles with the environmental suitability of the railway. This design incorporates the latest 21st century engine that applies an algae-powered fuel cell which will surely increase the business efficiency by minimizing the fuel cost. Moreover, this concept includes satellite tracking system to navigate the supplementary dimension of railroad

Robotic taxi runs without driver

Hailed as the Robot Taxi, the futuristic car by Kubik Petr is essentially intended for big cities to transport a maximum of two passengers with regular hand-held baggage. The taxi is composed of two main parts – an undercarriage and a cabin. The car is driven by two electric motors, which are integrated, into the rear wheels. To ensure maximum mileage, the car will be built from lightweight materials. Kubik believes that the car can do 90kmh and can operate for 20 hours without a recharge. Whenever a person needs a ride, he/she will have to call the Robo Taxi operator who will then scan the system for the nearest taxi and direct it to your location. The users can then set their destination by using the in-built touch panel for a safe and comfortable journey.

Toro Tractor Combines Strength and Elegant Shape of Lamborghini Car

Lamborghini is world renowned because of their high profile cars, but long before these supercars were roaming in the earth, the company was a leading tractor manufacturer. This innovative concept design of a Lamborghini tractor TORO is aimed to combine the today’s stylish Lamborghini cars with their triumphant tractor line to develop a consistent brand image. After plenty of revisions, the final design that has come out is being considered as the coolest tractor in the world. TORO comprises the strength of an efficient and powerful tractor as well as the elegance of a perfect shape that a Lamborghini car supposed to have. Jason Battersby, the designer, is 23 years old and currently a student at the Umea Institute of Design in Sweden.

Peugeot Clear by Alan Kravchenko

Small in size just enough for one the Peugeot clear is a classy model that creates a divine beauty and permeates an aroma of excellent design in its features. Suitable for incredible speed it has an electric motor that heightens the electrical systems to work fluidly and almost effortlessly. The hydrogen and oxygen cylinders are well placed to improve the engine function on a car that uses little fuel. Heat in the sleek car is a thing of the past with the tunnel cooling radiators owned by the concerted elements of fuel. Peugeot clear is the newest sensation of affordable individual designed car.

Futuristic travel-friendly Jednostopeho concept vehicle

Created for the Swiss company Paraves Ecomobile, Jednostopého is a brand new concept vehicle that aims at taking civilian transport truly into the future. The brainchild of Design Brothers, the design draws upon the principles used by jet fighters with its frame focusing mostly on a stream lined figure that can offer both speed as well as fuel economy and efficiency. A lowered front wheel offers the driver a better view of the road ahead allowing him to better control the vehicle. The slim design bodes well for the traffic and parking situation as well while a straight-line seating arrangement allows both the driver as well as the passenger to gain a panoramic view of the surroundings. Aircraft seats offer greater comfort reducing fatigue and therefore make this vehicle an ideal long-distance traveler

Pathfinder – futuristic amphibian vehicle for future nomads

Traveling across seven seas can be more eco-friendly and fun without resorting to fuel-guzzling aircrafts or ships, if only Pathfinder finds its way to the production stage soon. The designer, has fantasized about an amphibian vehicle that seems to be an ideal solution for traveling across the globe in the future. This car and sailing water vessel is at ease on concrete roads as well as on blue waters. The moment you get bitten by a travel bug, just step on the Pathfinder and drive till you reach land’s end. Then simply shift in the sailing mode and cruise away to glory. Another prime feature of this futuristic two-in-one vehicle is that it is 100% eco-friendly.

The blade runner will take transportation to a new level

Commuters with retractable wheels are common on waters, when the amphibious vehicle hits the ground. A same way to retract the wheels for multifarious purposes could be handy even for a pure commuter like a bus. The Blade Runner does use the retractable wheel technology to hit the roads and the rail tracks at different times.

Peugeot Sphe’ra – Futuristic concept car floats entirely on magnetic field

Here is yet another eye catching concept car, can’t say whether it will ever see the real roads, but if ever came into existence, it will be cutting edge design in the automobile world. Utilizing “state of art” technology “Peugeot Sphe’ra” boasts of some special features like a maglev system for propulsion.

2007 Peugeot Design Contest: Peugeot PLAIRE

Inspired by open wheel hot rods of the 50’s combined with the sporty roadsters of today, this hybrid vehicle is designed to capture the spirit of driving pleasure with the efficiency of a modern compact.

Concept Car Peugeot LiiON By Sano Cristian

The Concept LiiON by Sano Cristian, 27 years old from Romania. It is a 3-wheeled concept vehicle, with a single wheel at the back, and it is able to lean from side to side for cornering. The vehicle is powered by an electric motor powered by lithium ion cells (hence the name LiiON) which drives the single rear wheel.

Future Vehicle: Peugeot Mistral by Xavier Sandrin

This is 23 year old Frenchman Xavier Sandrin’s Peugeot Mistral. Conceived as a sportscar, the Peugeot Mistral, obviously designed as an open wheel roadster promises the driver pure pleasure of control. Instead of all the previous concept car entries so far which use futuristic powerplants of one sort or another, Sandrin has decided to conceptually equip his Peugeot Mistral with a hybrid powertrain system

Moville - A green drop in ocean of futuristic car

Design contests aim to squeeze the best out of grey cells of creative thinkers who dare to give shape to their visions of a reliable future. One such contest is the 5th Peugeot Design Contest where Woo-Ram Lee of France conceptualized a car which is aptly designed to evolve within the cities of the future, whilst retaining the key values of the 21st century. Christened as Mo Ville, this single seater is intended for the Megapolis. This eco-friendly auto consists of a tear shaped capsule over an electric drive train while the three magnetic ball wheels render frictionless motion through electromagnets. Programmed with an artificial intelligence, this robotic car is capable of recognizing its owner and welcomes him/her with open doors. Fitted with a self driving feature, it can also be manually driven with wireless digital gadgets like cell phones and portable game consoles.

Futuristic GTA cars with organic shapes are aimed at saving road space

The problem of congestion on roads would soon hit epidemic level across global cities like Toronto. The need of the hour is thus that commuters use very little of the available space by choosing design ergonomics defined by multiple usage. The GTA car is based on organic shapes that give it a rare form without compromising on the functional part

Hussar Dakar rally vehicle concept

The Hussar Dakar rally vehicle concept gets its inspiration from the Hussars and looks every bit as tough as the warriors. An inspiration that will work well for this vehicle built for off-road endurance racing, the Dakar Rally. It is built to combat the tough terrain, and judging by the looks, it just might.

Go Spinning in the 360 Degree NASA Concept Car

Design is one of the most important aspects of car-making for it’s where the making of a car begins as they say it all begins on a paper and ends when the wheels are affixed. To get more and more customers to buy a particular car, the design plays a very vital role indeed, for only the ones who know what they want buy a car of their choice and for the others, choice means a good design. In the times to come, car-designing would head towards a different domain where design with multiple benefits would be preferred. At that point in time designers like Marek Kedzierski and Michal Vlček would be hailed for their creations such as the NASA Concept Car. Ask me what is special about the design-well, it is the ability to rotate 360 degrees with extreme ease that inturn enables the car to be driven sideways. The only problem (which would hopefully be taken care off in the future) is the way the head is left outside, where the rest of the body is immersed in the car. The immediate solution could be the use of helmets but then it is supposed to be a car, a confusing automobile future beckons! More Images after the Jump

Spheric futuristic car smoothly rolls on the future roads

Here comes one more ingenious attempt for the roads of the future. Conceptualized by Daniel Fitzgerald, Spheric was intended to roll in the 5th Peugeot design competition. Akin to the recently featured Mo Ville, this car-of-the-future also derives its form from a water droplet. Wondering how Spheric’s bulbous shape can be compared to a water droplet? Daniel justifies it with the adjusting tapering rear of its spherical form. This along with the flexible front wing profile on the front, allows the driver to reduce wind friction for straight highway driving. Further more the driver can switch their profile to increase the cars down-force when cornering

CyCab: Autonomous urban vehicle for the future

We have seen a number of driverless urban vehicle concepts that aim to make transport in the future simpler, but the CyCab is the one closest to production. Developed by French company INRIA, the system uses real-time kinematic GPS to ascertain its exact location and move to the desired destination. The real-time kinematic GPS used by the cab provides accuracy to within a centimeter and is also used by cruise missiles.

MoBib - A library on wheels!

Designed by Jacobus Marx, the moBib is a library on wheels, which comes equipped with state-of-the-art features. The easy accessibility of the mobile library is courtesy of the donor vehicle’s large entrances. When compared with the current vehicles, the side entrance for the moBib is approximately 40 percent larger and the rear is 26 percent larger. There are steps for side and rear entrance, and you will find handrails on both the sides. The movable shelves are the core of the design. They not only increase the library’s capacity to hold books but also make it possible to serve more patrons at once. The shelf mechanism consists of a hinged arm, with a shelf attached to a revolving bracket sliding in the groove of the arm by means of a nylon wheel. A track on the floor, along with a peg on the shelf, guides the shelf into the right position and locks it in place with the aid of a latch on the other end of the shelf