| Author | Message | ||
     Panhead_dan |
google this for more, I'm sure the pics won't show. I can't seem to post pics here for the life of me. A young inventor has created a motorbike with a twist - it uses two wheels but they are positioned right next to each other, giving it the illusion of being a powered u nicycle. And even better, it might help save the planet. Ben Gulak has spent several years building the electric Uno that uses gyroscopic technology - like the infamous Segway commuter device - to stay upright. The bizarre-looking contraption has only one switch - on or off - and is controlled entirely by body movement. The rider leans forwards to accelerate to speeds of 25mph and back to slow down. It has two wheels side-by-side and has been turning heads wherever it has been ridden. Ben Gulak designed the Uno himself with the help of a simple 3D program The green machine is so small and light it can be taken indoors and carried into lifts - and is recharged by being plugged into the mains. The wheels are completely independent, allowing the bike to turn on a sixpence and the technology takes the balance and guesswork out of riding a unicycle. Its 18-year-old creator is now looking for investors to get the Uno into production and onto the streets. Ben, from Ontario , Canada , said: 'I was inspired to make the bike after visiting China a few years ago and seeing all the smog. 'They all drive little bikes that are really polluting and I wanted to make something to combat that. 'I started with the concept because if something doesn't look cool people just won't be interested. The Uno works like a Segway - just tilt your body forward to start moving Ben Gulak turns heads from onlookers as he rides past them 'After coming up with the concept I started to build it and now have the first prototype and the reaction has been amazing. 'It has two wheels side by side and that means it is easier to turn as they are completely independent and have their own suspension. 'The bike has a 'neutral point' and when you lean forward it accelerates to keep the neutral point in the right place. 'It has a couple of gyros and is basically self-balancing - it takes the guesswork out of riding a unicycle. 'The bike takes a bit of getting used to because you have to learn to trust it. But it doesn't take long. 'It takes any weight and weighs 120 lbs and can fit into a lift so you can take it indoors to charge it up. 'Currently it has a top speed of 25mph, but that will be increased greatly with bigger motors. 'It has a range of about 2.5 hours and it is designed for the commute to work through busy towns. I believe this could be electrical alternative to the car. I'm just looking for an investor to help me get it into production. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ image001.jpg image002.jpg image003.jpg | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Take a look at this. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Looks like he's off and running! As soon as a highway capable model is available, I will buy it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
At 15MPH, I don't see that happening any time soon.  | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
I for one think it looks ugly and is a poor idea, let alone the price I believe it will not go anywhere. I am happy for the kid, well done, bravo! What will happen if you need to make a emergency stop from hitting someone/thing, you'll either face plant yourself or hit the object. FAIL - thumbs down | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Actually, you lean back and the gyros keep it stable. What keeps a motorcycle from levering the rear over the front when you brake? As long as the mass is behind the wheels while braking, there is no difference between this and a motorcycle. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
" ...You need to be cool riding on it" I say, " you need a reason to ride it" What can it do better than a moped? Arent there already electric mopeds? Is there some safety gain? I don't see it | ||
| Guell |
Im not thinking thats going to replace gas powered motorcycles ever. Thing looks uncomfortable and not very enjoyable to ride either. Thanks but no thanks. I dont think it will do any better than the segway ever did. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I'm thinking a $25 ten-speed bike is better than this thing. There is no way you can stop that thing fast. The gyros are in there connected to sensors, not to the chassis to force it to stay level. The motor keeps it level and it would work great on a level constant speed but try to stop for the tool that just pulled out in front of you? nope! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
www.derringercycle.com And keep your internal combustion engine. | ||
| Hootowl |
and what keeps it from falling into the outside of a turn? The wheels are pretty close together. | ||
| Aptbldr |
Does that machine have suspension, other than its tires? | ||
| Barker |
IMHO: Whoop-tee-F^&%ing-doo It is nothing but a uncomfortable way to be on a self balancing scooter. Good luck on getting up to highway speeds. Self-balancing scooters, like the Segway are often thought to be technological miracles, but it is not actually very hard to build one. The parts, even at small quantity retail prices, cost less than half of a genuine Segway. Check out this http://www.tlb.org/scooter.html |
