History:

The Smarty Hardy has undergone two years of product development and rigorous testing, totalling to eight prototypes before the final model was accomplished. The Smarty Hardy carrying device is made in Tanzania, and tailor-made specifically for the rural African population.

Standard Phoenix type bicycle components are imported from Asia. Though being standard components, the parts are specially made for Smarty Hardy. Particularly the frame, fork, axles, rims and spokes are heavy-duty, over-sized in material thickness in order to compensate for the increased load carrying capacity. Parts are completely compatible with standard spare-parts and can, if the need arises, be changed with standard components.

The Smarty Hardy product line has been expanded to involve three-wheeled cycles. These are not the sole invention by Smarty-Hardy, but rather an imported invention, which has been thoroughly tested in throughout Asia for the past three decades.

The tricycles have been in service, and still are, in many versions. Most people are familiar with the Rickshaw version which is common throughout Asia. The basic construction of the tricycle allows for limitless means of usage. The construction can quite easily be customized for specific needs.

The tricycle has been improved to be able to sustain heavy use on some of the world’s worst roads.

A version of the tricycle is the Smarty Hardy Village Ambulance. The custom-made ambulance is ideal for areas with limited passability, particularly rural areas but also build-up areas are to benefit from availability of non-motorized ambulance units. Both the lack of motorized ambulance units and the lack of roads in the rural areas make the Smarty Hardy Village Ambulance an attractive alternative to the present situation.  The detachable stretcher makes it possible to pass even the most hostile terrain with the least possible strain to the patient.

The absence of running costs for maintenance and fuel, and the fact that the tricycle solely can be used for transporting one person makes it undesirable for usage for other purposes than what it is constructed for.

Concept:

The concept of Smarty Hardy was created in 2001, when the founder of the company, Leo Erbs, whom formerly had been employed by DANIDA as a development consultant and earlier as a volunteer for MS, conceived the idea to create a device that could be attached to an ordinary bicycle and thereby increasing the load capacity. The concept was developed on the basis of observations made throughout East Africa during the 1980’s and 90’s.

The original concept included:

        >>>Creating a device that would be able to double the carrying load.

        >>>Develop a product that could be attached to an already existing bicycle.

        >>>Develop a product that in terms of pricing and quality would be attractive to the poorest part of the population in the rural areas, whom have the greatest need for transport.

Develop a tricycle based transport unit for rural patient transport.

The Product Line was enlarged by adding tricycles, commonly seen throughout Asia.

Dimensional factors for the development of product line:

The Smarty Hardy product Line is specifically developed and constructed to cope with the present terms and conditions found throughout Tanzania. Apart from manufacturing a heavy-duty, high-quality and very durable product line, the availability of spare-parts have played a very important role in the development phase. Spare-parts are commonly available throughout the country for the Phoenix type bicycles. The spares are cheap and local bicycle smiths have a thorough knowledge regarding the construction of the bicycle and are able to repair and maintain this type of bicycle extensively.

The attachment components (Smarty Hardy device), are manufactured from mild steel plate, bars and pipes, making it extremely strong and durable, but one of the characteristics is also that the components can be welded, and thereby repaired easily and very effectively.

Questions and/or comments? 
Contact Us: Tel: 255 748 611 484  Tel 2: 255 754 250 260
P. O. Box 2610 Arusha, TANZANIA    
E-mail: smartyhardy@smartyhardy.com
Designed by: Concepts & Designs
Disclaimer - Copyright (c) 2007 Smarty Hardy. All rights reserved