Core77

New electric vehicle with an unusual form factor

By Rain Noe - April 30, 2008

in Object Culture

Canadian teenager Ben Gulak has invented a rather unusual vehicle: a unicycle with two wheels. Well, isn't that just a bicycle, you say? Not if the wheels are next to each other.

Powered by an electric motor, Gulak's Uno only has an on/off switch and is controlled like a Segway: lean forward to move forward, lean to the side to turn, lean back to slow down and stop. Segway-like gyros keep you from falling, and because the wheels operate independently of each other, the Uno can turn on a dime.

We have no idea where the kickstand is, and Gulak has no idea when the Uno will go into production; he's currently seeking investors.

via daily mail

o

Favorite This
Q
14

Comment

Comments

Lisa

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Fantastic- this kids gonna make a name for himself. That is quite an interesting design and looks very useful for city folk. It's space saving, low emissions, low fuel consumption- just great! Great job young man, great job!
!Report as spam
Ingo

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

funny idea... would love to see it in a curve or when you brake :) I've seen another funny electric thing on a German trade show (EUROBIKE) its called ELMOTO, the guys said that it will be on the market by spring next year... we will see :)... but riding it was great fun www.elmoto.com
!Report as spam
Whisky India

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

i don't like the idea actually. In case of higher velocities, one will be forced to use his face as a brake. By higher velocities I mean those above 30 km/h. In that case, when you need to stop immediately, the forces would be big enough to push the rider to the front and... well, figure out the rest...
!Report as spam
Marc-Andre Renaud

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Finally proof that it takes about 18 years before science fiction becomes science fact. Does anyone not remember motorized unicycles in the anime "Venus Wars"? Personally I'd like to see the bike without the fairings because they're just too distracting. I hope this designer gets investors soon.
!Report as spam
Kal

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Great find, Rain. I want one!
!Report as spam
Radfahrer

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Wicked cool. I want one. More to the point its ingenuity like this that will get electric vehicles the attention they need. Wonder what the specs are as far as speed and range.
!Report as spam
warren

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

seems like a missed opportunity in terms of styling.
!Report as spam
brian

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Jay's right... The first picture even shows it... Funky ride, man!
!Report as spam
aleix

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Just take a look at bombardier's "embryo one" concept from 10 years ago or more.

!Report as spam
David

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Great thinking... just the type of forward approach to complex problems
!Report as spam
dc

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Yup, looks like the foot rests double as kickstands (in the first photo).
!Report as spam
Jimmie

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

How does a teenage kid get the resources together to fabricate such a thing? Let alone the design. amazing
!Report as spam
Steve Portigal

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Reminds of the Bombardier Embrio from 5 years ago! That thing was everywhere!

http://www.gearbits.com/archives/000336.html
!Report as spam
Jay

16 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

The kickstand's on the back...see.
!Report as spam