Build Your Own Monowheel 209
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.
It looks really wide... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:5, Insightful)
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:It looks really wide... (Score:5, Insightful)
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:It looks really wide... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:2)
Someone else mentioned helicopters as an ideal ATV.
I would suggest the recent "unpleasantness" suggests that helicopters are their own worst enemy.
This vehicle may be ideal for retrieving heleicopter pilots from enemy territory - they can get through the jungle - they can be ported over fallen trees - a good deal like motorcycles - only somewhat lighter perhaps.
AIK
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:2)
The Helium however is hyperbole. just filling something with helium doesn't do it - you need a lot of space - you aren't even within a few orders of magnitude on your lighter than air pontoons.
AIK
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:2)
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:2, Funny)
Man invented the ultimate ATV a long, long time ago. It's called the Helicopter.
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:2)
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:2)
The counter weight - unless it is honest payload is a weakness.
The Segway is functionally similar - and also started life as a monowheel which doesn't require a counter weight.
A version of this for two people might be a portable design.
AIK
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:3, Funny)
Do you mean, like a...Segway?
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:3, Interesting)
This is kind of off the subject, but it's a three-wheeler also.
T-Rex [motobykz.co.uk].
I've seen a few of them here in Montreal, especially during F1 season.
Apparently it's a road rocket, but given the low seating position and view that the rider/driver (as compared to a bike) has you'd have to be extra super careful when piloting it. Very cool, though, it never fails to attract more attention than the usual Ferraris and Bugattis.
Re:It looks really wide... (Score:2)
The first thing that came to mind was the Toyota Prius transmission. It's continusely variable from forward through reverse. The actual gearbox is very tiny and needs no clutches or friction bands/plates of any kind. The mechanical part they just call a power split device in the new car. The variable ratio is all taken care of with a pair of motor/generators on a gear
From the FAQ (Score:2)
It's an 1100lb motorized single-wheel vehicle, with the driver in front. Why, what does it look like?
Is it NEW?
Completely. There's nothing like it. It's the first radical departure in single-wheel designs in over a hundred years.
Can I BUY one?
Are you NUTS? Yes? Then of course you can buy one. These are prototypes, and so stupidly dangerous, but if you'd have bought a Wright Flyer in 1904, then contact us NOW. And if you want us to build you something similar, or something en
See also... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:See also... (Score:5, Funny)
What impresses me MOST... (Score:5, Interesting)
... is that they have a version that is licensed as a motorvehicle in California.
Re:What impresses me MOST... (Score:5, Funny)
is that they have a version that is licensed as a motorvehicle in California.
You're impressed that California found a way to tax this thing? I'd be impressed if the builders found a way to avoid it.
Re:What impresses me MOST... (Score:5, Funny)
Front-end impact, 5 MPH: occupant's legs broken off, driver seat torn off and subsequently run over by vehicle. Comparable economic impact to modern SUV damage estimates.
Side impact, 5 MPH: vehicle tipped on side, occupant's left arm broken off, driver seat broken off due to shear force and subsequently crushed under vehicle. Comparable results to Segway Human Transporter.
Head-on impact, 120 MPH combined: occupant broken into several pieces, many of which fused to the vehicle and subsequently crushed under weight of vehicle. Comparable to average damage when involved in a collision with an SUV.
Re:What impresses me MOST... (Score:2)
You figure it out.
Ummmm (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Ummmm (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Ummmm (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Ummmm (Score:4, Insightful)
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:Ummmm (Score:5, Informative)
Indeed. If the mechanism that allows the wheel to spin independently of the driver were to sieze up at 60MPH, what do you imagine would happen to that massive wheel's rotational inertia?
It woudn't be pretty.
Re:Ummmm (Score:1, Funny)
1,100lbs of steel and rubber behind you. At least with a motorcycle you might be ejected instead of turned to jelly right away.
Re:Ummmm (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ummmm (Score:4, Insightful)
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:Ummmm (Score:2)
I wasn't suggesting that it would happen, I was just responding to the notion that the laws of physics would prevent the driver from being hurt if if did happen. They wouldn't.
You're right... wheels do not tend to sieze up for no apparent reason, but gasoline engines easily can... if you get a leak in the oil pan.
That said, I'm sure the possibility that the engine could crap out was taken into t
Obligatory (Score:2, Funny)
You must be new here...
Re:Ummmm (Score:2)
Re:Ummmm (Score:5, Funny)
1. Wheel locks up. (Conservation of momentum requires that the vehicle continue moving forward.)
2. Because of the seize event, the frame now spins with the wheel.
3. Look who is spinning with the frame, that flat guy. See him, no look now, see him? No look again, there he is, wait, he will spin back around, see him now?
Re:Ummmm (Score:3, Interesting)
spins with the wheel.
um... yeah. except that the weel weighs almost nothing (it's a big tire with a gear bolted onto it. the heavy part is suspended in the middle, and consists of several counterweights, etc.
thus, the inertia of the weel is almost nothing compared to the intertia of the non-rotating bits, and isn't going to flip you over, any more than your car filps over during a front stop.
moron.
Re:Ummmm (Score:3, Insightful)
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 frictionle
Re:Ummmm (Score:4, Interesting)
Cool, the latest from apple: The iWheel. (Score:4, Funny)
Can I get an Envirofriendly Gas Hybrid Model in Candy Apple Red?
and does it have an iPod hookup?
Re:Cool, the latest from apple: The iWheel. (Score:3, Funny)
Nifty! (Score:5, Interesting)
But, for those of you who don't RTFA: You ride in FRONT of the wheel. It's *really* fuggin' cool looking.
Yeah... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Nifty! (Score:3, Interesting)
Really curious how this guy turns with that tire. Someplace there is a copper mine with a dump truck that lost a wheel, and it looks like the joker got away wi
Re:Nifty! (Score:2)
Re:Nifty! (Score:2)
This is the bloke who was the judge/expert:
http://www.americanroadshop.com/Th e _Monocycle/the_ monocycle.html
He also holds the world speed record for monocycle driving... and sells them, for you rich geeks who want to ride up to work in something different.
Scary part: (Score:5, Funny)
In other words, Ford owners will feel right at home.
Crazy (Score:5, Interesting)
The Bikers know how do to it (Score:5, Informative)
Automobile Mag [automobilemag.com]
Re:The Bikers know how do to it (Score:3, Funny)
Re:The Bikers know how do to it (Score:5, Interesting)
Here's a video link [pipex.com] from a link from the article [pipex.com]. It's described as what "must be the first operational V8 monowheel."
Nifty! Though I do like the RIOTWheel too...
I love the diagram on their site... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I love the diagram on their site... (Score:4, Funny)
Of course, I could just be jealous because I look like E.T. when I take my shirt off... but I digress.
nice (Score:3, Funny)
Steamroller (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Steamroller for one (Score:2)
Re:Steamroller (Score:2)
I was riding the bus the other day and we were stopped at a red light. Being close to the front, I was gazing mindlessly out the front window when I saw a head go whizzing by.
At the time, I'm thinking, "there's no way a ped could have crossed the street that fast", and, sure enough, I look right and it's some fat (likely a UNIX admin), long-haired guy riding a Ginger.
Thank God the dork police stopped him and gave him
Is it just me? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Is it just me? (Score:5, Insightful)
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? (Score:2)
I guess the alternative would be that if a person wasn't protecting themselves and hurt themselves, then the stat
Re:Is it just me? (Score:3, Insightful)
Whackety - Whack! Don't Talk Back (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Whackety - Whack! Don't Talk Back (Score:4, Funny)
Twisted Metal (Score:2, Funny)
Amazing (Score:5, Funny)
This is new? (Score:5, Interesting)
It's also a very retro-looking thing, built sometime around the early Thirties.
rj
Re:This is new? (Score:2, Informative)
Uh, I don't think you understand the concept of 'monowheel' ... It means 'one wheel', so it doesn't matter if there's an axle or not.
It's from the Greek, 'mono' meaning 'one wheel', and 'wheel' meaning 'duh' ;-).
Re:This is new? (Score:3, Informative)
rj
Re:This is new? (Score:2)
Re:This is new? (Score:2)
rj
Woah. (Score:1)
Re:Woah. (Score:2)
Re:Woah. (Score:1)
Re:Woah. (Score:2)
That might also point out that a moron driving a car (or an SUV for that matter) is probably a large contributor to motorcycle fatalities.
An experienced motorcycle rider (5 or more years) compared to an experienced car driver (5 or more years) is much much more safe, however it is the lack of attention paid to driving by the car driver (cell phone, smoking, eating, drinking etc) that leads
Re:Woah. (Score:2)
If your riding a crotch rocket (My prefference, like the full fairing style) you can always grab a messanger bag, the larger ones hold about as much as saddle bags on your typical cruiser/hog/touring bike. I recomend timbuk2.
I live in the land of bad drivers (upstate NY. blame the snow if you must) so I have a very keen idea on what it takes to be a good d
Re:Woah. (Score:4, Insightful)
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!]
Re:Woah. (Score:2)
Really I dont think you (or at least I cant, at least nothing I wouldnt hear through the headphones anyway.) can hear shit anyway once you get up to high enough speeds. I kind of equate it with a car driver going 70+ with the windows down, can't really hear much, besides wind noise.
I also might venture to point out: I drive at night when I make long trips, less assholes on the road = better time, more fun, less likely to get cut off by a soccer mom in an SUV.
Re:Woah. (Score:2)
of course I think everyone should be required to drive ONLY a motorcycle for at least 4 years, this way the morons will be weeded out. Like to talk on the cell phone ? drive an SUV to feel "above traffic" ? you die on a bike. its that simple. no fucking multi-tasking in the 3000lb wrecking ball.
Best Quote from the Article (Score:3, Interesting)
Mr. Garrison? (Score:1)
Mr. Garrison's invention? (Score:3, Funny)
I'm just waiting... (Score:2)
Re:I'm just waiting... (Score:1)
Monowheel!
Monowheel!
Mono... D'oh!
You aint seen nothin! (Score:1)
I was there last year and if you think this is something ..... well, you just gotta go see for yourself.! [burningman.com]
ps. lotsa cool technostuff too, and some MS guys talking about doing wireless vid-phones through the city, next year, well, we'll see. the whole thing is supposed to be anti corprate, so...mabey some OSS?
How much would 'they' charge (Score:5, Funny)
I wonder if this would be free?
Cheers
Umm... (Score:3, Funny)
I never thought that. Well, I started to, once, and immediately preemptievly kicked my own ass.
What a great idea! (Score:5, Funny)
More power than my current setup? (Score:2)
Now to find myself a giant miniature space hamster...
My Monowheel Experience (Score:4, Informative)
For those interested, monowheel vehicles have a vocabularity of their own. For example, gerbilling is when a rider rotates around inside a monowheel due to a sudden force (such as when the wheel stops), much like what happens when a rodent stops running in an exercise wheel. Another loss of rotational control is due to the snowball effect. Snowballing is when a monowheel develops a coating of snow while rolling in much the same way you might build up layers on a snowball by rolling it. Be very careful when driving these things during winter! Monowheels are very efficient vehicles and even when driven on nearly flat ground-- even a small gradient can lead to rolling out of control.
Monowheels will never be practical vehicles. However, as recreation vehicles, they are quite fun. They're a ride, literally. There's nothing quite like steering around in one of them and feeling the unique forces that can only be felt inside of a big moving wheel. I can tell you personally that gerbilling and snowballing are both enjoyable activities assuming you take the right precautions.
Re:My Monowheel Experience (Score:4, Funny)
Lucky someone didn't take that statement out of context, you could be portrayed as someone decidedly unwholesome.
This monowheel is different than most (Score:2)
The mechanics are housed totally within the wheel, and the seat for the rider is in front of the wheel, with a clever crane/counterbalance system to keep the rider suspended in mid-air.
Considering this, do things like gerballing still apply? When the brakes are applied real hard, the bottom of the rider's seat
Re:My Monowheel Experience (Score:2)
Should I? No, maybe I won't...
Oh, crap. (Score:5, Funny)
Well, it seems two definitions of the term "tire tracks" will finally meet...
Re:Oh, crap. (Score:2)
Does it come with a set of Fred Flintstone feet? (Score:3, Funny)
Another design - sit inside... (Score:3, Informative)
The killer was the Monster version that had one of those tiny Buick V8's driving it. From what I remember of the article, he bailed it at something like 50 once...
There have been a LOT of these things built over the years. Check out:
http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT
Now, as for this specific machine . . . I'm not sure I want my ass hanging out in FRONT of the rest of my vehicle like that. A motorcycle is bad enough with only a little overhang between you and the rest of the world. This thing just seems suicidal...
Pics! AKA Karma whoring for profit! (Score:2)
http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT
Junkyard Wars (scrapheap challenge) (Score:3, Interesting)
Their designs were based on the rider being inside the wheel. Picture a round cage with a seat. The seat is off-center so that it is near the bottom of the inside of the wheel. Thus the rider's weight is not in the center of mass (this is deliberate). When you accellerate the wheel, the torque swings the inner cage forward, making the rider's swing to the front, and when you apply the brake, the rider is swung backward. This is nicely stable because this is slightly countered by the tendency of the rider to get "left behind" when the vehicle accellerates, or get "thrown" to the front when it decellerates.
One effect of this is that the maximum amount of accelleration or decelleration force is mostly a function of the rider's mass. If the vehicle is accellerating, then the rider is perpetually "falling" from the front down to the bottom, and this "falling" force translates into the Newtonian
equal and opposite reaction" against the engine spinning the wheel. (Without this, the wheel might stay put on the pavement while the inner cage spins around.) So, the fatter the rider, the more push the vehicle can have (but, of course, the more push it *needs*, so I don't know if this is really helpful or not).
Anyway, it was a cool episode right up to the moment they started actually trying to race the vehicles. Then it was comically SLOW. I think the teams actually made good vehicles, but they didn't have the driver skill to use them, and so they were too frightened to make them go. I suspect it was something akin to trying to use a unicycle.
The vehicle is steered by the leaning of the driver, and it balances a bit like a unicycle.
Looks fine but..... (Score:2, Funny)
Video of another one. (Score:2)
There's some (small but cool) video of it in action on the page.
Re:that heavy? (Score:1)
What car do you drive? Even a Dodge Atos [yahoo.com] weighs about 800 kg?