Comments on: Two Wheels Good - One Wheel...

Two Wheels Good - One Wheel...

mattoxic — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:04:38 -0800

The One Wheeled Vehicle was Charles F Taylor's invention that culminated in the development of working prototypes. The site contains 3D models and animations explaining the concept. With no electronics, the machine was stabilised electro-mechanically with the use of the humble gyroscope, but the One Wheeled Vehicle is certainly not the only example of a "Gyro-Car". The Brennan Gyro-Monorail is surely worth a mention, as is the 1961 Ford Gyron, and the wonderful Schilovski Gyrocar [previously]

By: fings

fings — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:15:43 -0800

Reminds me of the Monowheel concept. You can find a number of them online.

By: Huck500

Huck500 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:52:27 -0800

You suck Dean Kamen.

By: Dr.Enormous

Dr.Enormous — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:01:11 -0800

Could it outrace these guys on their unicycles?

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:12:26 -0800

Interesting stuff. One wonders how much energy is burned just spinning the gyroscope on some of these things, and just how impractical the sophistication made them to maintain. Or, were people just put off by the seemingly unsafe balancing act? The trains are just bizarre.

By: ROU_Xenophobe

ROU_Xenophobe — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:31:47 -0800

Monowheel

By: kuujjuarapik

kuujjuarapik — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:49:39 -0800

I guess I'm wondering what the advantages of this would be, aside from the lessened friction. And I wonder if the lessened friction is worth all of the other added mechanisms.

By: ardgedee

ardgedee — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:06:41 -0800

> I guess I'm wondering what the advantages of this would be, aside from the lessened friction. There's also the ability to hypothetically climb over any surface within the tire's ability to retain traction, since there's only one whacking huge wheel. There's also the significant disadvantage of one whacking huge wheel, and its motor and control systems, consuming all available cargo space. It's the world's most versatile go-anywhere any-time transport vehicle but it can only transport itself.

By: tawny

tawny — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:11:17 -0800

The Schilovski Gyrocar is incredible. I actually thought it might be a hoax when I started reading the article. I laughed when I read that it couldn't actually make a left turn.

By: a womble is an active kind of sloth

a womble is an active kind of sloth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:23:02 -0800

Nice links. Thought I would mention a very early monorail in Ireland built in 1888, perhaps the first in the world. It was designed by a French engineer who was inspired by how camels were loaded with a bag slung on each side. It has been restored too!

By: ecco

ecco — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:25:15 -0800

Wow, just wow. The video in the second link is great when he gets to the model with a tractor tire and he starts flying down the road at what 25mph / 40 kph? On one wheel!! Thank you mattoxic