Build Your Own Monowheel

glengineer writes "Just when you thought it was safe to buy a Segway, Popular Sci has an article on the Monster Monowheel, an 1,100 pound single wheel 'scooter'. From the article: '...works on the hamster-in-a-wheel principle: Move a wheel's center of gravity forward and the wheel turns.' It has an 80cc four-stroke Honda scooter engine and 80 pounds of lead for ballast. Scary part: the driver's seat is in the very front, and the seat scrapes the ground when braking really hard." The builder's website is theriotwheel.com.

Comments

Re:Ummmm

[fiannaFailMan]

I think that if something siezes up in the right place, it makes not much difference if you have two wheels or one.

Re:It looks really wide...

[wankledot]

What would be cool would be two large wheels in the back, with the ability to power one more than the other. Then they could be rectangular for better traction, plus you could turn on a dime (literally) and spin in place. You could work out a differential system to turn them both in the same direction for top speed, or power one more than the other to turn. Or to do it simply (but inefficiently) upt brakes on them and slow the right one down to turn right, etc.

You're right though, if it was one large wheel you would need some secondary method for steering, unlike the other one-wheel devices that rely on leaning right/left on a more motorcycle-like rounded tire.

Re:Ummmm

[cybermace5]

But a motorcycle's front wheel is free-rolling, and the cycle has a lower center of gravity. The monowheel already scrapes the ground when braking, it's not very stable as far as pitch is concerned. The driver is basically a bump on a 1100-pound wheel, and if something happens, it's all gonna roll.

Is it just me?

[JazzXP]

Personally I think the whole concept of that is really quite cool, that said, I don't think it's place is on the road with other motorists, maybe only on a race track.

Re:Is it just me?

[seanadams.com]

For some people maybe... as far as I'm concerned everyone should be allowed to drive whatever they want as long as:

a) they can go fast enough, stop fast enough, and maneuver well enough to avoid inconveniencing or endangering other drivers.

b) in the event of an impact they will not unduly endanger the lives of others. i.e. a car can be strong enough to protect you without being so heavy that it's guaranteed to destroy anything it hits.

So by my rules there would be no gas guzzling, top heavy, overweight, unmaneuverable SUVs on the road. But monocycles would be just fine by me if you want to ride one.

Personally I drive a little 2 door that stops faster than 99% of the cars on the road, can swerve around a hazard with ease, and weighs less than 3K lbs so it won't kill you if I run into your bumper. And it's got four airbags and a strong frame in case you run into me. If you want to ride a monocycle go ahead - you're endangering me less than the asshole in his Expedition, and you're doubltess aware of the... er "safety limitations" of your own vehicle and won't be dicking around those guys in their living rooms on wheels.

Re:Is it just me?

[betelgeuse-4]

Well, I'd rather be in one of these than one of these, yet the former weighs almost a tonne less. Weight isn't the only important factor.

Re:Ummmm

[Lord Kano]

I'm not so sure that it's a good idea to ride a vehicle that, if it fails at high speed, will run the driver over. All it takes is for something to seize up a little bit.

Seriously, did you read the article? The driver is held in place by a counterbalance. Even with no power, the rules of physics do not change.

LK

Re:It looks really wide...

[AmericanInKiev]

As it is - it could be useful for strange locations.

We talk about humvees being the all terrain vehicle, but in the end - the ability to "port" the vehicle (carry by hand) is what makes a vehicle trully All terrain.

a mono wheel maximized diameter while minimizing size - it is therefore the optimal design for an all terrain vehicle.

AIK

Re:Ummmm

[random735]

wrong. notice how your car tips forward during a hard stop? There may not be much rotational inertia, but there sure as hell is forward momentum and if the wheel suddenly becomes joined to the previously floating central axle, the whole thing will need to roll together. (or maybe skid, if you're lucky...all depends how much traction the wheel has).

All your forward momentum will be converted into a rotation as soon as the seize event occurs. (again unless the wheel can slide because it's on a frictionless surface)

Re:Ummmm

[Cecil]

Yes, because I know of so many people who have been maimed because their bicycle or motorcycle wheels seized up for no apparent reason out of the blue. Wait, actually, I don't even know anyone who has ever had any mechanical parts seize up at random while a vehicle is in motion.

Why do so many people insist on responding to every new idea with "Wow, this could hurt someone" hysteria? Are they like the anti-invention version of Slashdot's grammar police?

Re:Woah.

[macshit]

I would much much rather be on the road with bikers and truckers than the average joe/jane.

Doesn't it just come down to `people suck,' though? If everyone drove a motorcycle, then the average motorcyclist would be completely clueless.

[Best new auto safety feature: a giant spike in the middle of the steering wheel -- just watch how carefully people drive!]