Electric motorcycles are getting more and more common, and while we don't think they'll ever quite capture the rush of an internal-combustion engine threatening to fly into bits as it screams toward red-line, they are starting to offer their own... unique charms. This model is a Norwegian prototype, based on a Honda chassis that had its tail chopped and motor stripped, replaced by stacks of Nickel-Metal batteries, then wrapped in some custom bodywork. The bike sports a touchscreen dash powered by Ubuntu that offers both stats about the bike (speed, temperature, etc.) as well as GPS navigation and, presumably, on the go games of Tux Racer. It's a one-off built by Green School Motorcycles and Akershus University College, and there's plenty more information about it in a video at the source link below -- if you speak Norwegian.
Update: We have a slightly more flattering picture courtesy of Robert at Green School Motorcycles.
[Thanks,
dsbilling]
posted March 4th 2010 9:21AM
As awesome as Linux is, I've never liked the idea of using general purpose OSes for highly specific applications like these. I remember I was at the airport once and the flight information screens had BSoDs on them, though that's not nearly as bad as things like voting machines running windows, which the company defended by saying, "We're completely secure; we installed antivirus!" If Linux is only powering information readouts that's not as bad; I just hope it's not used for actually controlling the bike.
@Atkins
Touche. But I meant things like ECU and ABS software. You know, the stuff that's failing left and right on Toyota even though they won't admit it. :)
@Atkins Then why are they doing recalls in europe, china, and japan as well?
Forget Tux Racer, how about some Tron!
This is awesome. Wouldn't mind a motorbike with a Plasma-powered dashboard, myself.
Limitied range: Strike one
Too quiet: Strike two
Ugly: Strike three
Think I'll keep to the more traditional, fossil fuel powered, varients for a few more years.
Unless thats a Dunlop, they put the front tire on backwards.
Literally "runs" Linux :)
@Atkins I'm confused. Do you mean actual 10 months, or just 2?
@loocas
I think he means that nothing in the 10 months left of 2010 will come out that will be better than this, which means that according to him, this is and will remain the best thing to happen in 2010.
What else would it run? Windows Vista?
@CorporalAris LOL
Finally! this is the year of Linux On The Blacktop!
i can picture the windows version blue screening and crashing into something
Great. So, while I am flying down the freeway at 90mph some fool in a car next to me can hack my computer and cause me to crash.
Mechanic: What seems to be wrong with the bike?
Me: It just keeps on saying 'kernel panic'
Looks like my old SGI 320 desktop...