If an 18 Year Old Can Do This...

DaveinOlyWA · 05-12-2009, 11:09 AM

here is an email i received about an EV cycle invented by an 18 year old which as we all know is fair competition for all the other transportation companies out there right?

How cool is this..... My first question was which end is the front.

From the photos below I think it will take a brave sole to want to go fast on this thing.

A young inventor has created a motorbike with a twist - it uses two wheels but they are positioned right next to each other, giving it the illusion of being a powered unicycle. And even better, it might help save the planet. Ben Gulak has spent several years building the electric Uno that uses gyroscopic technology - like the infamous Segway commuter device - to stay upright.
The bizarre-looking contraption has only one switch - on or off - and is controlled entirely by body movement. The rider leans forwards to accelerate to speeds of 25mph and back to slow down. It has two wheels side-by-side and has been turning heads wherever it has been ridden.

Ben Gulak designed the Uno himself with the help of a simple 3D program The green machine is so small and light it can be taken indoors and carried into lifts - and is recharged by being plugged into the mains. The wheels are completely independent, allowing the bike to turn on a sixpence and the technology takes the balance and guesswork out of riding a unicycle.
Its 18-year-old creator is now looking for investors to get the Uno into production and onto the streets. Ben, from Ontario , Canada , said: 'I was inspired to make the bike after visiting China a few years ago and seeing all the smog. 'They all drive little bikes that are really polluting and I wanted to make something to combat that. 'I started with the concept because if something doesn't look cool people just won't be interested.

The Uno works like a Segway - just tilt your body forward to start moving

Ben Gulak turns heads from onlookers as he rides past them 'After coming up with the concept I started to build it and now have the first prototype and the reaction has been amazing.
'It has two wheels side by side and that means it is easier to turn as they are completely independent and have their own suspension.
'The bike has a 'neutral point' and when you lean forward it accelerates to keep the neutral point in the right place.

'It has a couple of gyros and is basically self-balancing - it takes the guesswork out of riding a unicycle. 'The bike takes a bit of getting used to because you have to learn to trust it. But it doesn't take long.
'It takes any weight and weighs 120 lbs and can fit into a lift so you can take it indoors to charge it up. 'Currently it has a top speed of 25mph, but that will be increased greatly with bigger motors.
'It has a range of about 2.5 hours and it is designed for the commute to work through busy towns. I believe this could be electrical alternative to the car. I'm just looking for an investor to help me get it into production.

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JSH · 05-12-2009, 11:16 AM

Interesting but I doubt it will go anywhere. It is basically a segway that one sits on instead of stands on. It has a larger footprint but the same performance. We have already had a major corporation present this idea (Segway) and it was effectively banned from use by regulations. (Can't use it on sidewalks because it is too fast but can't use it on roads because it is too slow.)

Still cool though.

qbee42 · 05-12-2009, 11:42 AM

It doesn't have to be slow. On the other hand, I don't want to go fast on one. Braking is my big concern. If you tried to stop fast, the whole thing would go end for end. The only way the gyros can prevent that is to prevent you from stopping quickly. The problem is inherent in the design.

Tom

prius2go · 05-12-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbee42

It doesn't have to be slow. On the other hand, I don't want to go fast on one. Braking is my big concern. If you tried to stop fast, the whole thing would go end for end. The only way the gyros can prevent that is to prevent you from stopping quickly. The problem is inherent in the design.

Tom

The answer is to put one wheel in front of the other

DaveinOlyWA · 05-12-2009, 12:12 PM

its slow, but its still transportation and maybe we need to look at regulations governing use of NEV's since this is simply a smaller version...

obtw, i know someone who has a segway. his range is much shorter making it ineffective for commuting and his speed is MUCH slower making it illegal to use on the roads around here.

otoh, NEV's are legal here, so your Segway argument does not work, at least here it doesnt

**TonyPSchaefer** · 05-12-2009, 01:15 PM

Did you guys see the Dragon's Den video on the website?
UnoCycle

dogfriend · 05-12-2009, 01:59 PM

For some strange reason, it reminds me of Mr. (Ms.) Garrison's invention when he (she) gets fed up by the airlines.

daniel · 05-12-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

Did you guys see the Dragon's Den video on the website?
UnoCycle

Is that for real? Did they really give the kid $1,250,000 for 20% of a company that consists of nothing but his concept, and presumably, any patents he's gotten on it? Not to mention the possibility that Segway might decide to claim he's violated some of their patents, since it sounds like he's using a similar balancing and control system.

And is it their own money they're investing, or are they reps from all those magazines listed on the web page, doing this as a promotional gimmick?

As for the uno itself, it looks cool, but it also looks uncomfortable. In the photo he appears to be almost upright, but in the video he's practically lying on his stomach on the thing with his legs curled under.

I really think an electric motorbike makes more sense for practical pollution-free transportation.

I'll give the kid credit for being a wiz, though.

DaveinOlyWA · 05-12-2009, 02:28 PM

well, lets face it. i would not use it. too old, but for younger commuters living in very congested cities, i would think it ideal. parking is an expensive proposition in NY... u could take this with you, or at least lock it to something if going into a store or something.

but its an idea, an option we currently are not using and we still need to understand that what we are doing now HAS TO CHANGE

the video says it does 15 mph, the email says 25 mph. well 15 mph will not go on the streets and sidewalks are out.

lesturner · 05-12-2009, 03:14 PM

I would not want to be on that when a gyro failed... At least with most current vehicles, they just roll to a stop when they fail....

Can you say FACEPLANT!

05-12-2009, 11:09 AM	#1
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,378 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts Friends: 10	If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... here is an email i received about an EV cycle invented by an 18 year old which as we all know is fair competition for all the other transportation companies out there right? How cool is this..... My first question was which end is the front. From the photos below I think it will take a brave sole to want to go fast on this thing. A young inventor has created a motorbike with a twist - it uses two wheels but they are positioned right next to each other, giving it the illusion of being a powered unicycle. And even better, it might help save the planet. Ben Gulak has spent several years building the electric Uno that uses gyroscopic technology - like the infamous Segway commuter device - to stay upright. The bizarre-looking contraption has only one switch - on or off - and is controlled entirely by body movement. The rider leans forwards to accelerate to speeds of 25mph and back to slow down. It has two wheels side-by-side and has been turning heads wherever it has been ridden. Ben Gulak designed the Uno himself with the help of a simple 3D program The green machine is so small and light it can be taken indoors and carried into lifts - and is recharged by being plugged into the mains. The wheels are completely independent, allowing the bike to turn on a sixpence and the technology takes the balance and guesswork out of riding a unicycle. Its 18-year-old creator is now looking for investors to get the Uno into production and onto the streets. Ben, from Ontario , Canada , said: 'I was inspired to make the bike after visiting China a few years ago and seeing all the smog. 'They all drive little bikes that are really polluting and I wanted to make something to combat that. 'I started with the concept because if something doesn't look cool people just won't be interested. The Uno works like a Segway - just tilt your body forward to start moving Ben Gulak turns heads from onlookers as he rides past them 'After coming up with the concept I started to build it and now have the first prototype and the reaction has been amazing. 'It has two wheels side by side and that means it is easier to turn as they are completely independent and have their own suspension. 'The bike has a 'neutral point' and when you lean forward it accelerates to keep the neutral point in the right place. 'It has a couple of gyros and is basically self-balancing - it takes the guesswork out of riding a unicycle. 'The bike takes a bit of getting used to because you have to learn to trust it. But it doesn't take long. 'It takes any weight and weighs 120 lbs and can fit into a lift so you can take it indoors to charge it up. 'Currently it has a top speed of 25mph, but that will be increased greatly with bigger motors. 'It has a range of about 2.5 hours and it is designed for the commute to work through busy towns. I believe this could be electrical alternative to the car. I'm just looking for an investor to help me get it into production. \\|\|\|/ (@@) ooO_(_ )_Ooo________________________________ _____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|_____\| ___\|____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|_____\|____ _____\|_____ Ed Humphreys _____\|_____ Creator of The Eagle's View Eagle_View-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Attached Thumbnails __________________ My Blue 2010 : Last tank 541.9 @ 49.48 pump (56.7 MFD) 5.54 CPM, 21 MPH, Lifetime:5442.2 miles 56.5 MPG pump. (62.22 MFD) 4.72 CPM. Summer MPG 57.4 Winter: 49.5 My 2006 SPM: Last tank 376.6 miles @38.21 pump (40.8 MFD) 7.17 cpm winter mpg 49.64 summer mpg 53.41 lifetime: 42,563.5 miles 51.5 mpg pump (52.7 mpg MFD) 5.51 cpm My 2007 Zenn total "fuel cost" $166.58 on "about" 9599.7 miles. 1.74 cents per mile (granted i plug in for free at work!!) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power)

05-12-2009, 11:16 AM	#2
JSH Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Heart of Dixie Posts: 2,497 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 3 Thanked 83 Times in 55 Posts Friends: 2	Re: If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... Interesting but I doubt it will go anywhere. It is basically a segway that one sits on instead of stands on. It has a larger footprint but the same performance. We have already had a major corporation present this idea (Segway) and it was effectively banned from use by regulations. (Can't use it on sidewalks because it is too fast but can't use it on roads because it is too slow.) Still cool though.

05-12-2009, 11:42 AM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,477 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 389 Times in 290 Posts Friends: 10	Re: If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... It doesn't have to be slow. On the other hand, I don't want to go fast on one. Braking is my big concern. If you tried to stop fast, the whole thing would go end for end. The only way the gyros can prevent that is to prevent you from stopping quickly. The problem is inherent in the design. Tom

05-12-2009, 12:12 PM	#5
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,378 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts Friends: 10	Re: If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... its slow, but its still transportation and maybe we need to look at regulations governing use of NEV's since this is simply a smaller version... obtw, i know someone who has a segway. his range is much shorter making it ineffective for commuting and his speed is MUCH slower making it illegal to use on the roads around here. otoh, NEV's are legal here, so your Segway argument does not work, at least here it doesnt

05-12-2009, 01:15 PM	#6
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,498 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	Re: If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... Did you guys see the Dragon's Den video on the website? UnoCycle

05-12-2009, 01:59 PM	#7
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 4,961 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 282 Thanked 175 Times in 147 Posts Friends: 11	Re: If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... For some strange reason, it reminds me of Mr. (Ms.) Garrison's invention when he (she) gets fed up by the airlines.

05-12-2009, 02:28 PM	#9
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,378 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts Friends: 10	Re: If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... well, lets face it. i would not use it. too old, but for younger commuters living in very congested cities, i would think it ideal. parking is an expensive proposition in NY... u could take this with you, or at least lock it to something if going into a store or something. but its an idea, an option we currently are not using and we still need to understand that what we are doing now HAS TO CHANGE the video says it does 15 mph, the email says 25 mph. well 15 mph will not go on the streets and sidewalks are out. Last edited by DaveinOlyWA; 05-12-2009 at 02:32 PM.

05-12-2009, 03:14 PM	#10
lesturner Taming the Dragon - Tennessee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bremen, IN, USA Posts: 62 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: If an 18 Year Old Can Do This... I would not want to be on that when a gyro failed... At least with most current vehicles, they just roll to a stop when they fail.... Can you say FACEPLANT!

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