Rolling into the realm of fantastical transportation concepts is the one-wheel Hornet eco-superbike by designer Liam Ferguson. The Hornet is propelled by in-wheel hydrogen fuel-cell powered six-phase Neodymium-Iron (Nd-Fe) electric motors.
With a top speed of 235kph (146mph), the Hornet utilizes onboard computer technology to keep the rider’s weight balanced with the momentum and thrust of the vehicle, ensuring the bike remains steady at higher speeds. The Hornet also features two small wheels located at the base of the bike to maintain gyroscopic balance when parked or stationary.
A recent winner of the renowned VACC Competition, the Hornet offers the possibility of a wild eco-ride in the not so distant future.
Via Designblog
Comments (3)
I know nothing about the design specification of this bike but burnouts/brake locks cant apply to this machine.
Brakes must be anti lock because gyro balanced transport maintains its balance by accelerating or braking ( 100s if not 1000s of times a second ) to ensure bike/passenger have the correct centre of gravity ( balance ).
If the wheel was to ever lock then the wheel would remain still and inertia/momentum would topple bike/rider as they can still move and bike wheel cant. Same with wheel spins, it must have traction control because as soon as the wheel began to spin, traction has gone and the wheel would be unable to brake/accelerate to keep correct centre of gravity for rider.
Uncle Rich is right tho "I don't care how many gyroscopes or computers", unlike 2 to 4 wheel devices that can roll to a stop should mechanical failure occur, a one wheel bike would crash instantly because its doesnt have a naturally balanced centre of gravity.
This is a very technical device. The more components and the more complicated the system then the greater the probability of a component failure. I'd love to see it on Ice, I dont believe this bike would remain upright..
I've found very little about this bike on the Web, same old text been copied/pasted to numerous websites.
Surly this is merely a proof of concept device never intended for mass uptake ? Its very clever but what possible use/advantage does it have over a normal bike ( apart from not needing to learn how to ride/balance on a pedal/motorbike.
The military may find a use as an "all terrain" unmaned recon / transport device but planes or something like the Honda ASIMO robots would have much greater adaptability & flexibility.
My guess its one of those things where humans say "we built it cos we were unable tot before but now we have the technology" and 5 years from now it will be forgotten about.
written by Nephew Rich , May 28, 2010
Brakes must be anti lock because gyro balanced transport maintains its balance by accelerating or braking ( 100s if not 1000s of times a second ) to ensure bike/passenger have the correct centre of gravity ( balance ).
If the wheel was to ever lock then the wheel would remain still and inertia/momentum would topple bike/rider as they can still move and bike wheel cant. Same with wheel spins, it must have traction control because as soon as the wheel began to spin, traction has gone and the wheel would be unable to brake/accelerate to keep correct centre of gravity for rider.
Uncle Rich is right tho "I don't care how many gyroscopes or computers", unlike 2 to 4 wheel devices that can roll to a stop should mechanical failure occur, a one wheel bike would crash instantly because its doesnt have a naturally balanced centre of gravity.
This is a very technical device. The more components and the more complicated the system then the greater the probability of a component failure. I'd love to see it on Ice, I dont believe this bike would remain upright..
I've found very little about this bike on the Web, same old text been copied/pasted to numerous websites.
Surly this is merely a proof of concept device never intended for mass uptake ? Its very clever but what possible use/advantage does it have over a normal bike ( apart from not needing to learn how to ride/balance on a pedal/motorbike.
The military may find a use as an "all terrain" unmaned recon / transport device but planes or something like the Honda ASIMO robots would have much greater adaptability & flexibility.
My guess its one of those things where humans say "we built it cos we were unable tot before but now we have the technology" and 5 years from now it will be forgotten about.
written by Nephew Rich , May 28, 2010
Definitely a cool concept but I have to agree with the other comment and say what is the advantage. You would not catch me doing 140+mph on a glorified Segway. I wonder how steering this compares
written by Justin , April 24, 2011
written by Justin , April 24, 2011
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written by Uncle Rich , March 15, 2010