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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.
Sound appealing? Here's how it would work:
Technology will be used to harness the laws of physics, with the gyroscopes and sensors, a high-performance braking system, active suspension, night vision and robotic assistance. A digitally encoded learning key will start the engine. To move forward, the rider activates a trigger on the left handlebar. The landing gear retracts when the speed reaches 20 km/h. To turn, the rider leans in the desired direction.
I love it when technology is used to harness the laws of physics.
Science fiction enthusiasts may recall the smart bike from Distraction, the 1998 novel by Bruce Sterling. Those well-versed in the classics may also remember the tumblebug from Robert Heinlein's 1940 novella The Roads Must Roll. As the folks at Bombardier say - "riding the Bombardier EMBRIO concept in the real world would be a thrill." We agree!
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/30/2003)
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