Just ran across this link and thought I’d share. Pretty cool concept with pictures but unfortunately don’t think it’ll ever come to anything. Check out the photos via the link. I copied the article below.
http://smh.drive.com.au/future-cars/the-dysoninspired-unibike-20111013-1llkk.html
Industrial designer applies vacuum cleaner brand’s forced-air tech for a single-wheeled bike concept.
This actually might work. Ignoring the obvious - it is, for all intents and purposes, an uneven one-wheeled motorcycle - this concept uses the same technology as Dyson’s clever bladeless fan for balance and speed.
For the uninitiated, the vacuum cleaner brand’s ‘‘air multiplier’’ essentially looks like a large, fancy ring that silently blows forced air like any other desk or floor-standing fan, minus the spinning blades.
It draws air from an inlet in its base and forces it through a tiny outlet in the hollow upper ring at a faster rate.
Advertisement: Story continues below
A Singapore-based industrial designer, Imran Othman, has applied the technology to his futuristic motorcycle concept. The hubless-wheeled bike draws air through its two large rings at opposing ends and multiplies it for stability and propulsion via an electric motor.
Othman says his design objectives were to optimise ‘‘the functions, aesthetics, value, ergonomics and user experience’’, although the ergonomics appear to leave a little to be desired.
For optimum aerodynamics, the rider is forced to stretch over the bike. The rider has no choice but to rest his or her torso on the machine’s fuel tank.
Given the precarious forward angle, it would be interesting to see what would happen if a rider were forced to brake suddenly.
Othman does not go into specifics about the bike’s potential power or performance figures but with today’s rapid development of battery technology in electric vehicles, we would not be surprised if the concept outperformed today’s sports bike brigade.
