31–40 of 164 posts
How much force would it take to knock the C1 on its side? According to Lit, a small elephant would have to hit it broadside to put the C1 on the ground. So… a car hitting the side then?
There's a (different) reason medical personnel refer to them as "donorcycles"...
Even if it is a very technically cool thing.
Remember the last two-wheeled, gyro-stabilized future of transportation? The one that was largely a commercial flop, and which the company president ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Heselden ) _drove off a cliff_.
This was what I thought they were talking about when I saw the headline. I assumed this was an amused look back on the good ol' days. I never did understand why anyone ever thought the Segway would revolutionize anything. I don't see the big advantage, and - frankly - you look downright ridiculous riding it. And yes - I did get to ride it. It's kind of cool for the novelty factor, but I fail to see any incredible adv…
If they added two more wheels instead of the gyros, they'd get passive stabilization and lower cost. They'd also get more room for a larger battery and cargo or passengers. And since roads and parking lots are already designed for 4-wheel vehicles, the extra width wouldn't be much of a disadvantage.
Will this need redundant gyros? Otherwise isn't it too risky if one blows out while you are driving?
The dangers of that are roughly similar to a blowout in a normal car, momentary but nearly complete loss of control.
Remember the last two-wheeled, gyro-stabilized future of transportation? The one that was largely a commercial flop, and which the company president ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Heselden ) _drove off a cliff_.
Worth clarifying that he didn't drive off a cliff in an act of suicide- it was an accident.
Reminds me of the BMW C1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_C1
And will be killed for the same reason. Country A will insist that it's a motorbike, require you to wear a helmet and have an enhanced heavy bike licence (because of it's top speed) Country B will insist that it's a car and require seatbelts, airbags etc. Country C will only allow electric bikes that have a top speed of 15m/h
You certainly mean km/h.
Will this need redundant gyros? Otherwise isn't it too risky if one blows out while you are driving?
All the seating and cargo capacity of a motorcycle, with the visibility of a car! There's no way in hell I'd split lanes on that thing; when I'm on my motorcycle, I have no obstructions and can see all around me, and definitely know where the edges of my bike are. This looks like a low-slung claustrophobic nightmare. Even if it is a very technically cool thing.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The segway does what it's supposed to do. I think it has it's useful niche. It was marketed as a replacement for all transportation, but that is silly because only because of the cost.
Speaking of cost, this vehicle will start for ~$24,000. I mean, I'd buy it for... maybe $5000ish, if I were feeling particularly spendy?
You can also deduct the cost of fuel over the vehicle's lifetime. For someone commuting one hour each way to work five days a week, the cost of gas for a big car can exceed $200/month, $2400/year, or $12,000 over the course of five years. That makes the up-front price seem quite a bit more competitive with gas-powered alternatives.