The Smorgasbord

If you’re thinking being green, saving gas, and looking futuristic – the “UNO” motorcycle has all that and more!

They call the “Uno” an electric unicycle, but I don’t think that’s actually a good descriptor since it has two wheels (side by side) and it doesn’t require any balancing like a unicycle does. It has an internal gyroscope – like the Segway to keep it balanced. This blog says it’s a Segway with a seat.

There are lots of quick blog posts about the Uno and it’s creator, like this one on MakeZine, but none are quite as in-depth as the Motorcycle Mojo interview. It turns out that they found the Uno at the 2008 International Motorcycle Show in Toronto. The bikes inventor is from Canada as well, Ben J. Poss Gulak. What you might not know is that he is only 18 years old and just now enrolled in MIT.

So, how does one invent something so unique and innovative at such a young age? Well, Ben’s grandfather had a machine shop in his basement, and Ben made plenty of projects like model rockets and trains. In the 9th grade he invented a simple model car that “shot round a track using accelerator coils” that allowed him to represent Canada in an international science fair. His grandfather passed away within a month of that competition, but the machine shop was willed to Ben – who continued to learn and work on projects.

So, for the next international science fair he invented the Uno (version 1). What you see in the picture above is revision 3. The difference being, Ben got a little help creating the body and programming the digital gyroscopes for this version. Follow the Motorcycle Mojo link for the full details. You can read about version 1 of the Uno here on engadget, and here on canoe technology.

The Uno is said to be able to reach 40mph and weighs about 120lbs. It only has one control, an on / off switch. You just lean forward (or back) to move, and it’s powered by 36v wheelchair batteries. To charge – you just plug it into any standard outlet. It has a range of about 2 1/2 hours and would be perfect for commuting. I’ve read revision 3 has a top speed of 25mph for now, but with bigger motors that will increase. Even though the wheels are mounted side by side, they are independantly operated making turning more precise (treehugger).

Ben is currently looking for some investors to get this thing into production, visit the Official Uno Web Site (be warned, it’s kinda under construction a bit).

Is the Uno the only electric unicycle like thingie out there? Well, no, the Bombarider Embrio electric unicycle also exists.

So – a couple of rednecks decided to buy a dirt bike at their local flea market or yard sale. Then – they figure they’ll just take it home by strapping it to the hood of their car. Only problem is – those straps must not have been tight enough – because it falls off, right in the middle of moving traffic!