Teen engineers create eco-minded electric unicycle

Two clever Canadian teen-scientists have built a bizarre, eco-friendly electric bike which runs on principals similar to those of the Segway -- but looks way cooler. The motorized prototype (called either the "Uno" or "Tango," depending on who you speak with), sports two wheels side-by-side, sort of like a double unicycle which the rider sits directly above. The bike, based off of the frame design of a Yamaha R6 sport bike, can reach speeds of up to 40 MPH, and uses accelerometer technology to keep its balance. Inventors Ben Gulak and Jason Morrow say that the bike beats out the Segway in terms of speed, and delivers better maneuverability than Bombardier's Embrio unicycle concept. The whole package is surprisingly powered by amped-up wheelchair motors and 36-volt batteries. Next up, the young men plan to assemble a rag-tag band of colorful characters, get on their bikes, and ride into Neo-Tokyo during a riot.

[Via Ubergizmo]

[DUG E. FRESH @ Jul 31st 2007 6:26PM]

Let the FUN Begin!!!

[Glazun @ Jul 31st 2007 6:27PM]

Well thats cool.. but i wonder how it would do where I live, with all the hills..

[Glazun @ Jul 31st 2007 6:27PM]

Well thats cool.. but i wonder how it would do where I live, with all the hills..

[yao @ Jul 31st 2007 6:33PM]

what's the point?

they modeled this after a sport bike... but how is this superior to... say an electric sport bike? will it be legal to ride these on sidewalks? it seems unlikely given it's apparent mass and high speeds (not even bicycles are allowed on sidewalks).

[cmonkey @ Jul 31st 2007 7:16PM]

I was waiting for someone to ask this question. The whole point is manuverability. This, unlike a normal bike, could turn on a dime (in theory) or remain standing upright while not in motion.

[kyle allen @ Jul 31st 2007 8:31PM]

what do you mean by saying "whats the point?" its awesome! it doesen't need a point!

[nikster @ Aug 1st 2007 7:01AM]

RTFA! The point is "to assemble a rag-tag band of colorful characters, get on their bikes, and ride into Neo-Tokyo during a riot."

Good enough for me!

[Timmay! @ Jul 31st 2007 6:41PM]

Brings back memories of Venus Wars

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0135037/

[Slvrgun @ Jul 31st 2007 7:37PM]

It sure does...

[Grey Acumen @ Jul 31st 2007 6:54PM]

If it could go a little faster, this thing would be awesome. You could pretty easily fit this in the back of your car. It almost looks more like half a motorcycle. I somehow doubt you could bank on it like one. If they ever get to that point, let me know, I'll be in.

[Jeff @ Aug 1st 2007 10:26AM]

Oh, whatever... "if only it was faster", if only it could this, or if only it could do that ...then you'd buy one? Bullshit. If it was capable of whatever absurd shortcoming you were able to point out, you'd just think of a different shortcoming instead. This thing could navigate from point A to B completely autonomously and hover on water, but you'd still be in here trying to act superior by complaining it didn't have ABS.

[Grey Acumen @ Aug 23rd 2007 11:30AM]

Well, you've confirmed yourself as a troll, Jeff. A mentally deficient one at that.

A few posts down you're talking about bad design and how it would need to blame failure on Big Oil companies. And now you're getting on my case for wanting it to go faster than 40MPH?

Even if that other post wasn't you. Where the heck do you get off telling me what I would and wouldn't be interested in getting?

I'll tell you right now, you posterboy for an abortion clinic, the design itself limits it from being used for personal commuting. You would look like a retard(or in your case, like even MORE of a retard) if you were driving down the sidewalks on that thing. But if you could actually use it like an ultra compact Motorcycle, this could actually be fun.
Now, from this angle, if it had a top speed of 100MPH and I was bitching about it, you might have a point, but 40MPH MAX means that you've cut yourself off from highway travel and even a number of regular roads, which easily range from 45, 55, 65, and 75MPH.
40 just doesn't hack it, other than that I actually find the design incredibly interesting. So STFU and find something to troll about where you don't look like a complete moron. That'll probably be difficult given your obviously limited intelligence, so my recommendation is to find a topic about you to troll on. At least then everyone will agree with you when you start calling it a failure.

[Naveed @ Jul 31st 2007 6:53PM]

rock on

[Ant @ Jul 31st 2007 7:01PM]

I looks frigin lethal to me. Segways take a bit of skin off your knees if it all goes wrong but this thing leaves your face on the road and then goes to work on catapulting you into the on coming traffic. Four wheels are better than two but one wheel should be left for street performers.

[Ant @ Jul 31st 2007 7:04PM]

Just noticed there are two wheels side by side, silly me. Still it looks lethal and they need a cable tidy. Lol

[widgetware @ Jul 31st 2007 8:23PM]

The security is a huge point, that could turn it into a no-go^^

It wouldn't be that lethal if you would drop backwards, then it would even have a better crash performance than a regular motorcycle because I suppose modern backshields allow you to slide over the asphalt without that much damage (as long as you dont start flipping) so the most dangorous part (of reality rides) is the 500pounds of metal ramming you into the guard rail.

But I truly don't want to sit on this think when the gyros stop working^^

One way to solve this could be the direkt connection of the wheel itself and horizontal gyros, so as long as you move you have gyros running, and some external for parking.

The Embryo had a way better solution to this, there were two front wheels that worked as a "landing" gear, and could prevent further damage to the driver ('s face).

Anyway, although it is cool that rides like this become reality, it's still a mockoff of the Embry, which had actualy a better design^^.(Using the different contact positions, for steering, of one wheel is truly genious in my opinion, because you dont have any moving parts so less wear = more enviromental friendliness^^)

When somebody produces that and adds several backup systems (gyros) I'll get one immediately!^^

Have a nice day.

[stewart @ Jul 31st 2007 8:08PM]

The only way this thing will run on principals is if you grind up high-school administrators. Otherwise, it will have to run on principles.

[Josh @ Jul 31st 2007 7:27PM]

Step 1: Design a "green", electric vehicle so ugly nobody will ever want to ride it.

Step 2: Fail to get a manufacturer that will touch your stupid vehicle with a 10-foot pole.

Step 3: Invent stories about how "Big Oil" is trying to keep you down so you don't feel so bad about inventing worthless devices.

[kyle allen @ Jul 31st 2007 8:30PM]

Step 1: Design something cool

Step 2: get insulted

Step 3: see how you like it

[Josh @ Jul 31st 2007 11:23PM]

The "you have to do it too before you're allowed to critique it" argument never fails to amuse me.

I hope you never cheer at sports games, unless you're a member of one of the teams. I hope you never participate in betas and leave feedback either, unless you're one of the developers. And you'd better never criticize the government, unless you're the President or a member of Congress.

As an aside, if these guys' faith in their device is so low that the opinions of some guy on the internet that they've never met affects them...

[riggs @ Aug 1st 2007 10:47AM]

you amuse easily.

[jimeagle @ Jul 31st 2007 7:39PM]

Thats awesome! Its a segway but more manly, they need to make one with beer holders and a massive chunky wheel.

[angelsvairwaves1 @ Jul 31st 2007 7:47PM]

Wouldnt a regular unicycle be just as eco friendly?

[paul34 @ Jul 31st 2007 7:49PM]

they should've saved this for their senior project in college! Well, actually, maybe they can still use it... so no work necessary for the future

[sevoneone @ Jul 31st 2007 7:55PM]

The 'split-wheel' design reminds me of the Dodge Tomahawk, I hope they don't catch any flack for their design being too similar.

http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/tomahawk.html

[kyle allen @ Jul 31st 2007 8:37PM]

and the doge reminds me of the game extreme-G for n64.

[Alex @ Jul 31st 2007 7:53PM]

Look mom, no hands!

[Orac @ Jul 31st 2007 7:57PM]

Looks to me like someone has been watching too much "Code Lyoko".

[Zeus the God @ Aug 1st 2007 4:46AM]

Looks like someone's gay.

Jokes, but seriously, cartoons are for kiddies.

[Egfrow @ Jul 31st 2007 8:09PM]

Mr Garrison had already invented this little dodad in 2001.

http://allsp.com/l.php?id=e76

[scott @ Jul 31st 2007 9:47PM]

Minus, you know, the sodomy and stuff...

(full episode, SWEET!!!)

[Geir E @ Jul 31st 2007 8:12PM]

Looks comfortable to hit a curb or an obstacle in 40 mph that blocks the wheels.

[Basar Kazi @ Jul 31st 2007 8:36PM]

Oh that is the coolest thing I have seen this year.

[Nikita @ Jul 31st 2007 8:58PM]

i wish i was this smart

[Evan @ Jul 31st 2007 9:57PM]

I saw this at the International Science Fair in NM. It looked so cool, I wanted to ride away with it...

[carishon @ Jul 31st 2007 11:40PM]

i wonder, how "eco-friendly" are the parts the bike is made of? looks like a whole lot of circuitry and heavy metals.
cheers,
G

[Jongscx @ Aug 1st 2007 12:24AM]

Unless its controls and restraint system are changed to be more like those of Mr. Garrison's machine, I refuse to take part in it...

[Aditya Matharu @ Aug 1st 2007 4:29AM]

Hey Doesnt that look like the bike from the 80s cartoon SPIRAL ZONE??

They finally made it reall...... kickass... now all we need is the Commander's War Wheel from the same. :D:D Thatll be soo geeky. lolz

[Ben H @ Aug 1st 2007 8:14AM]

YAMAGATO WHY!!?!?!?

I bet Kaneda's bike would still look cool even as a unicycle.

[riggs @ Aug 1st 2007 10:50AM]

shoot, kaneda's bike would look good as a bicycle.

....KANEDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[Sean @ Aug 1st 2007 12:43PM]

They "designed" one. It was just a model, it doesn't actually do anything.

[Sean @ Aug 1st 2007 12:45PM]

Not that I didn't like the the embrio, it was beautiful. It's nice to see someone actually applying the technology though.