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Ghostrider Robot: Sterling's Smart Motorcycle?
The Ghostrider Robot (aka Dexterit), an entrant to the upcoming "Grand Challenge" race sponsored by DARPA, is an autonomous self-balancing robotic motorcycle.
Science fiction fans may remember the smart bike in Bruce Sterlings 1998 novel Distraction, which he describes as having onboard steering and balance systems. And why should you work harder at having a two-wheeled vehicle?
"Single track (two wheel) vehicles cost less, are more efficient and can traverse more extreme environments because they only have conform to the terrain in one axis.For these reasons, two wheeled vehicle are the second most common means of locomotion for humans, second only to walking!"
Update 09-Jul-2007: Why I'm updating this old article, I have no idea. However, I found this cool explanatory video - enjoy!
BTW, all the links below have disappeared. End Update.
Be sure to check out the Ghostrider Robot Motorcyle pictures, the Ghostrider team and the cool robotic vehicle videos. (Don't miss the Driving in a Circle video - see the technology, listen to engineers chortle gleefully as it works!)
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 3/9/2004)
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Related News Stories - (" Transportation ")
Tesla Electric 'Giga Train' Operational In Germany
'...the cars are wedge-shaped at both ends.' - John Jacob Astor IV, 1894.
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'THE autobus turned silently down the wide street...' - Stanley G. and Helen Weinbaum, 1938.
Volvo's Autonomous Truck
'They were automatic trucks such as are used for making deliveries...' - Miles J. Breuer, 1932.
Eviation Alice Electric Plane First Flight
'A white electric plane approached at great speed...' - Charles Cloukey, 1930.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
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