Slashdot Mirror


Going Faster Than the Wind In a Wind-Powered Cart

Shawnconna writes "Can a wind cart travel faster than the wind? A group of makers say, 'Yes!' Make: Online has published a story about the Blackbird wind cart that just set a record. This is a follow-up to an earlier story in which Charles Platt built a cart based on a viral video where a guy claimed he'd built a wind-powered vehicle that could travel downwind faster than the windspeed. Charles built one and said it didn't work. Heated debates broke out in forums, on BB, and elsewhere on the Net. In the ensuing time, a number of people have built carts and claimed success, most principally, Rick Cavallaro. He got funding from Google and JOBY to build and test a human-piloted cart. They claim success, with multiple sensor systems on board, impartial judges and experts in attendance."

6 of 315 comments (clear)

  1. Two words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    TACO Bell

  2. Re:store and release energy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's not the point. They show that they can go straight downwind (i.e. in the same direction as the wind) faster than the wind with nothing but the wind at the same time for the energy source.

  3. Re:Duh? by camperdave · · Score: 4, Funny

    It should be easier than in a sailboat. After all, all you need to do is find a steep enough hill.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  4. Re:Mythbusters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Something almost scientific that ends with an explosion?

  5. In this atmosphere... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...we obey the laws of thermodynamics.

    1. Re:In this atmosphere... by maxwell+demon · · Score: 2, Funny

      ...we obey the laws of thermodynamics.

      I don't! :-)

      --
      The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.