Physics Students Build Drivable Couch

Radish03 writes "Some of my fellow members of The Society of Physics Students at Purdue University have, in an effort to preserve our beloved, antique couch, motorized it. The blue vinyl couch, named Mojo, was spotted driving around the Purdue campus on Thursday. Mojo, which has been extensively reupholstered with duct tape, features headlights, a glove box, and a radio and sound system will be added soon. Mojo has recently received sponsorship from Duck Tape and after appearing in several local newspapers, is in on the road to New York and set to appear Monday morning on Good Morning America. There are also a few pictures and videos of the couch in action."

Comments

Sorry to Troll

[XBL]

This has been done before, as a previous post links. NOT an original idea. Also, I'd be more impressed if this thing was electric. Driving around with a 2-cycle lawnmower engine doesn't sound very... high tech or comfortable. Whatever... hope they enjoy their geeky short-term fame which is not deserved.

Re:Sorry to Troll

[mughi]

This has been done before, as a previous post links. NOT an original idea.

True. But there is one that one bit that makes this somewhat more geek-worthy. They actually got sponsorship from the Duck tape people themselves. Not bad for a little week's hack.

Re:Sorry to Troll

[Anonymous Coward]

Gas power not cool enough? I was thinking the exact opposite. I've built my share of things powered by electric motors, and transfering power from an electric motor to the wheels and being able to do fine speed control is easy compared to making a geared mechanical transmission for a gas engine. Transmissions are non-trivial. I'd say a very small number of people can explain how an automatic transmission and a torque converter work, even in the geek community

Re:huh?

[Jazzer_Techie]

As a physics major at MIT, I think I'm qualified to comment on this one. Technically, you probably don't have the time to do this kind of thing. However, by sacrificing sleep and working diligently, you make time for crazy projects. If you don't take time to have at least one fun, non-academic project/activity you will go crazy. It's well worth the time for self-preservation alone.

Re:Sponsored?

[jericho4.0]

Why are you wasting your time here, when you could be feeding the homeless?

Re:huh?

[Spock the Baptist]

Being a physics major is no fun...

I beg to differ...

I had a great deal of fun as a physics major.

Of course once you get your baccalaureate, and advanced degrees;
you get to have the real fun when people ask what your occupation is.

Avg. Joe: So what do you do for a living?

Physics Dude: I'm a physicist.

Avg. Joe: (Incredulous look) For real???

Physics Dude: Yep, afraid so.

Avg. Joe: (Look of awe and astonishment!) I barely passed high school physics...

Majoring in physics won't bring you love, but it will bring you respect.

And at my college...

[skogs]

Instead of letting some moronic students suck bandwidth...we would have gotten expelled. Seriously, go to a 'normal' university with rules and such where 'free thinking' is not so purvasive and you get in trouble for things like this.

While I do think its a waste of time, I also think it was worth it for the entertainment value to the people involved...whether it should be newsworthy that some nimrods put a couch on top of their mower or not...

wow. This is sad. Can't wait till these guys get into the real world and try to get jobs...what have you done? ...err...well I went to MIT...but really I'm most proud of my extracurriculars...reallY? did you help the homeless or solve the problems of some inner city children? ... no I built a couch that could go down the sidewalk, jee I loved that couch...