What a clever idea. A scissor-folding bridge that can be transported to a disaster site where it can be extended across a river to a stranded community.
http://youtu.be/Ef8x6I8PFCA
It appears to take the weight of a car:
http://youtu.be/9RL9IB90M2o
The inventor's journey from observing a child's toy to a folding bridge is described a little bit here:
http://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/top/kenkyu/now/no20/
From the Popular Science article: "When natural disasters hit, they often destroy bridges first. So engineers from Hiroshima University in Japan set out to build a quickly built, strong replacement. Inspired by origami, the new mobile bridge spans 56 feet and takes three people less than an hour to deploy. Often no foundation work is needed, making it ideal for areas affected by earthquakes or floods. Made of aluminum alloy and steel, it's lightweight and easy to transport, yet sturdy enough for cars to cross."
http://www.popsci.com/best-of-whats-new-2015/engineering
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