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Science Fiction in the News Articles
Related to material in The Roads Must Roll
by Robert Heinlein

This novella deals with the dangers of rapidly advancing technology. From the standpoint of "predicting the future" this story veers from our path; but the characters and situations are recognizable in our world.

Science fiction in the News articles describe real-world events that relate to the ideas and inventions in sf novels and movies. Select a news article:

EMBRIO Embodies The Tumblebug
   Bombardier recently came up with a new concept vehicle that "promises a whole new experience on the road." The EMBRIO would be a single-wheeled vehicle that used gyroscopes and sensors to maintain proper attitude.

Bring On The Hush-A-Phone!
   We've all read about the studies being conducted on the airlines, that perhaps one day soon we will all be forced to sit cheek-by-jowl with people who will conduct loud conversations on their cell phones. Isn't there some way to fend off this disaste

Eunicycle Single-Wheel Gyro-Stabilized Scooter
   Dr. Trevor Blackwell has constructed a self-balancing, powered unicycle he calls the Eunicycle. It's pretty close to what Robert Heinlein had in mind in 1940 in The Roads Must Roll.

Nokia Silence Booth - Shh!
   If only someone would install these everywhere...

Segway Robotic Mobility Platform Looks Like A Tumblebug
   This nifty little item might be usable by engineers as well as by their robotic applications.

Tango Motorcycle Monocycle Like Heinlein's Tumblebug
   This looks like great fun to ride, way more fun than a Segway, anyway.

Never-Stop Rail Transit System Proposed
   Take a look at this approach to a well-known problem; sf writers have their own ideas.

Self-Balancing Unicycle - Heinlein's Tumblebug
   Nifty cycle looks a lot like what Heinlein described in the 1940's.

eniCycle Self-Balancing Tumblebug
   Just the thing for engineers - if they're working on the rolling roads.

Honda U3-X Self-Balancing Unicycle Video
   With video. What's that you're saying? Another attempt to bring Heinlein's tumblebug to life? That's right.

Self-Balancing Unicycle Mythbuster Video
   Fun video shows Mythbusters Adam Savage enjoying his new SBU.

SBU Self Balancing Unicycle Perfected In V2.0
   Revolutionary device now in its second iteration; comfortable, fast and environmentally responsible transportation is ready today.

Solowheel Self-Balancing Unicycle
   I'm not sure if this is the future of transportation, but you can carry it easier than a Segway.

Self-Balancing Electric Unicycle By MIT Student
   'A tumblebug does not give a man dignity...' but it's a great idea for college students!

HushMe Bluetooth Device Reinvents The Hush-A-Phone
   'Talking into a hush-a-phone which he had plugged into the telephone jack...' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.

C1 - The Gyro-Stabilized Two-Wheeled Ground Car
   'Motorcycle-wise, but automatically, the "Dilly" leaned against its gyroscopes at precisely the correct angle...'

Honda's Tumblebug - The UNI-CUB beta
   'A tumblebug does not give a man dignity…'- Robert Heinlein, 1940.

RYNO To Heinlein - Your Tumblebug Is Ready!
   'It is about the size and shape of a kitchen stool, gyro-stabilized on a single wheel...'- Robert Heinlein, 1940.

Pinwheel Battery-Powered Unicycle Is Segway In Your Price Range
   'A tumblebug does not give a man dignity...'- Robert Heinlein, 1941

Ninebot One Self-Balancing Wheel
   'It had been a long time since the Chief Engineer had ridden one of these silly-looking little vehicles...'- Robert Heinlein, 1941

Solowheel Xtreme Heinlein Tumblebug Video
   'The cadets 'stood to horse' alongside their poised tumblebugs...' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.

Lit Motors C-1 Gyro-Stabilized 2-Person Motorbike
   'It was a small affair, ovoid in shape, and poised on two centerline wheels…' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.

Hi-Yo Modobag! Away!
   'A tumblebug does not give a man dignity...' - Robert Heinlein, 1941.

InMotion Glide 3 Electric Unicycle For The Last Mile
   '...gyro-stabilized on a single wheel.' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.

BloxVox Mutes Cellphone Convos
   'had he not been talking into a hush-a-phone which he had plugged into the telephone jack...' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.

Electric Unicycle Is A Tumblebug
   'A tumblebug does not give a man dignity, since it is about the size and shape of a kitchen stool, gyro-stabilized on a single wheel.'

InMotion V11 Electric Unicycle Gets Air (Video)
   'A tumblebug does not give a man dignity...' - Robert Heinlein, 1941.

Electric Monocyle Tumblebug Available On Alibaba
   '... it is about the size and shape of a kitchen stool, gyro-stabilized on a single wheel.' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.

When Will I Get My Unipod Gyro Balanced Personal Vehicle
   'It had been a long time since the Chief Engineer had ridden one of these silly-looking little vehicles, and he felt awkward.' - Robert Heinlein, 1940.

More Like A Tumblebug Than A Motorcycle
   'It is about the size and shape of a kitchen stool, gyro-stabilized on a single wheel...'- Robert Heinlein, 1940.

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