nocones wrote: If these gyros are so good at keeping it bolt upright how does it lean to turn?
The gyros are movable and in fact they move to hold it upright if it's pushed - it doesn't just use sheer gyroscopic force. So I guess the computer would actively have to allow it to lean into corners.
What vehicle did they use to try and tip it over? It looks a bit like a stainless steel Jeep. Now that has my attention.
I still feel like this is all the disadvantages of a motorcycle and all the disadvantages of a car rolled into one pointless package. Cool from an engineering/technology standpoint, but practically useless and needlessly complex.
alex wrote: Cool from an engineering/technology standpoint, but practically useless and needlessly complex.
I think you described almost every one of our vehicles.
Its advantage could be in that its so impossibly tiny - would be ideal in a city where scooters and mopeds are the norm.
But on the streets in the US, where Tiffani takes Skylar an Bradyn to soccer practice in her Unimog, while tweetfacing a pic of the nail polish she applied while merging into freeway traffic 2 minutes ago from her iDroid...I wouldnt want to compete with her in that.
dculberson wrote:alex wrote: Cool from an engineering/technology standpoint, but practically useless and needlessly complex.I think you described almost every one of our vehicles.
Not my '88 GMC pickup. 
But, yes, point taken.
4cylndrfury wrote: But on the streets in the US, where Tiffani takes Skylar an Bradyn to soccer practice in her Unimog, while tweetfacing a pic of the nail polish she applied while merging into freeway traffic 2 minutes ago from her iDroid...I wouldnt want to compete with her in that.
Quoted for awesome.
Neat concept, but I've seen senior design projects that had more real application and chance of seeing daylight - and they were developed for free.
It's neat but don't know how useful it really is and if it is half as dangerous as Segways have proven to be don't think I would want to ride in one.
Sky_Render wrote: There are no words.
"Honey, rub my shoulders for me."
93EXCivic doesn't like it so it's probably pretty nice and very usable.
1) It seems no more dangerous than a motorcycle? Potentially much safer using a "cage" similar to the Smart Cars. Not that I would ever commute on a motorcycle, but many many americans do.
2) The combination of great aerodynamics, a light chassis, and low rolling resistance (by using two narrow tires) is the holy grail of efficiency.
They've overcome one of the major difficulties of creating a truly aerodynamic and usable motorcycle for "everyone", the fact that you don't have to deal with: 3 wheels, external stabalizers, exposed legs, or ridiculous tucked positions.
I'm assuming if it's smart enough to balance that it can determine appropriate lean and measure forces to determine when to stabalize and when to roll.
Additionally you can get true year round use from a motorcycle.
Sure it has drawbacks, but saying that it's solving a non-existent problem is just being stubborn. With skyrocketing populations and a more energy conscious (either for wallet or environment) populous, this has true merit. Obviously I don't think they are targeting the "performance crowd" so it will probably not hit a home run with many people here, but you've got to think of the wider audience and larger issues it is contemporaries with.
accordionfolder wrote: 1) It seems no more dangerous than a motorcycle? Potentially much safer using a "cage" similar to the Smart Cars. Not that I would ever commute on a motorcycle, but many many americans do. 2) The combination of great aerodynamics, a light chassis, and low rolling resistance (by using two narrow tires) is the holy grail of efficiency. They've overcome one of the major difficulties of creating a truly aerodynamic and usable motorcycle for "everyone", the fact that you don't have to deal with: 3 wheels, external stabalizers, exposed legs, or ridiculous tucked positions. I'm assuming if it's smart enough to balance that it can determine appropriate lean and measure forces to determine when to stabalize and when to roll. Additionally you can get true year round use from a motorcycle. Sure it has drawbacks, but saying that it's solving a non-existent problem is just being stubborn. With skyrocketing populations and a more energy conscious (either for wallet or environment) populous, this has true merit. Obviously I don't think they are targeting the "performance crowd" so it will probably not hit a home run with many people here, but you've got to think of the wider audience and larger issues it is contemporaries with.
Well put. And I like it. I am not sure it would work for me in Suburbia, land of the Escalade riding on 24s but I think in an urban environment it would/could have a very useable application. Don't think I would want to be in that on the Interstate during rush hour anyway. Cost might be the deciding factor.
You need to take it in context of the city in which it was shown: San Francisco.
So it is an ideal vehicle for a city like that.
Neat concept, but as noted earlier it's no more useful in the real world than a Segway. Which, as we all should recall, was going to change EVERYTHING.
Where I got the giggles was when Lil Miss High Tech got out after it was parked and I didn't see the 'kickstand', looked like the gyros were keeping it upright. I hope they have a really superb battery system, it would not be good to come back and find the thing lying on its side in the parking spot.
I'd feel safer on my bike than one of those..... and I have commuted on a bike year round, so I know the drawbacks.
pres589 wrote: 93EXCivic doesn't like it so it's probably pretty nice and very usable.
Probably. Off to look for Peugeot 504 wagons. 
Cotton wrote: and I have commuted on a bike year round, so I know the drawbacks.
I commute on my bicycle year round: I would kill for a heater in winter and cover from the rain. I have very expensive and nice rain/winter gear, I would still rather just wear whatever I want and jump on my bike.
Cotton wrote: I'd feel safer on my bike than one of those.....
You've ridden one? Odd, I didn't think they where out yet?
914Driver wrote: Gimballed gyros aside, what powers it? Dan
Mine would have a Hayabusa engine
accordionfolder wrote:Cotton wrote: and I have commuted on a bike year round, so I know the drawbacks.I commute on my bicycle year round: I would kill for a heater in winter and cover from the rain. I have very expensive and nice rain/winter gear, I would still rather just wear whatever I want and jump on my bike.Cotton wrote: I'd feel safer on my bike than one of those.....You've ridden one? Odd, I didn't think they where out yet?
Commuting on a bicycle and motorcycle are two very different things. My k1200s has great wind and rain protection as long as you keep moving. I can commute on that bike in a storm with good gear and get damp.....I can commute in the same storm on my Triumph and be completely soaked...got so soaked one time it killed my cell phone. As far as winter riding and gear....If I can run 80-90 and tolerate it on my bike you must have garbage gear not to be able to tolerate it at bicycle speeds. Am I "warm"? no, but I make it to work without hypothermia lol and my commute is 36 miles one way and mostly at interstate speeds.
I don't need to "ride" one to know I'd feel safer on my bike. Not that I would call commuting in that thing "riding". Hell sometimes I feel safer on my bike than some of the cars I own.
@cotton
I do think we've run astray from the actual topic. 
In this concept vehicle you could wear what you wear in a car vs on a motorcycle you have to wear rain/wind resistant gear if you don't want to freeze your balls off or drown. Even wearing proper gear it's impossible to argue that you are (in regards to creature comfort) more comfortable exposed to the elements than inside a sealed cabin.
So it has, while maintaining what most people consider a required amount of elemental protection, managed to attain motorcycle-like efficiency (arguably better with it's slippery aerodynamics). My only real point I guess, I was just poking fun at your: "I prefer my derp-a-herp to this herp-a-derp (that I've never actually tried)" statement.
cotton said: you must have garbage gear
My gear is actually very nice! Bicycling is just a different animal, especially during the winter. You have to manage the "exhaust" heat coming from your body vs the insulation you stack on. It's a delicate balance and you almost always start off cold when you first leave to avoid over-heating after your body has warmed up. Additionally motorcyclists get the advantage of a full face helmet!
In reply to accordionfolder:
Fair enough. I shouldn't have commented on your gear....I've never commuted on a bicycle,so while I'm very familiar with motorcycle gear, I have no idea what you guys wear during winter.
As far as the subject of this thread... I don't think it's something I'd ever want and I still think it's an odd compromise, but maybe I'll get a chance to drive one to know for sure...if they ever actually make it to market.
Sky_Render wrote: There are no words.
That looks like crash test dummies posing for a how-to article on sexual positions while driving.
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