Monday, June 2, 2008

Zero Emissions UniMotorcycle


On Popscience, a 19 year old at MIT thinks he has the answer to the harmful emmissions caused by millions of motorbikes. On a trip to China, Ben Gulak was disgusted by an incredibly thick haze of smog hanging over the city near Beijing Int'l Airport. When he saw the amount of motorcycles in the city, he understood that part of the problem was the large amount of dangerous emissions being spewed out by the machines. He decided to try and figure out how to solve the eco-unfriendly problem.


In comes the Uno. Built with two wheels for stabilization and power, the Uno is Ben's vision of the ultimately clean and compact motorcycle. "When he got home, Gulak drew up a plan for an all-electric unicycle that would emit no fumes and, he figured, be easier to weave through crowded streets than a standard two-wheeler. To give the ride more stability, he put the wheels side-by-side just an inch apart and directly under the rider, who accelerates by leaning forward, as he would on a Segway. When the rider leans into a turn, the inside wheel lifts and the outside wheel lowers, so both stay firmly on the ground." Article from popsci

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