Humancar: Ready for Prime Time?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.29.08
When we last looked at the Humancar, Collin noted "we aren't convinced it's the future of transportation, but it's a pretty cool application of technology and a dang interesting concept."
Now it is back, and going on sale this Earth Day for $ 15,000. It has more trademarks than you can shake a lawyer at, and is now the Imagine™ LMV HumanCar® with BodySteer™ chassis and SyncGuideway™ compatibility, an exoskeletal safety cage chassis, dual electric motors, variable human power input. "The Imagine™ LMV will rock the world."
PSFK tells us "The HumanCar started life as a flash of inspiration in the mind of Charles Samuel Greenwood, an engineer and drag racer in the late sixties. The project has been passed down a generation to Charles’ son Chuck....His passion has made the HumanCar a reality and he clearly believes the machine has more to offer then simple transportation; test drivers regularly come back with their friends the following day, desperate for another ride. By all accounts the act of moving the vehicle together is a powerfully unifying and life affirming activity."
The brochure says: A simple yet robust control system is utilized in the basic model. Conventional mini-contactors connect both motors in parallel for acceleration. Alternatively, they are reconnected in series when the brake lever is actuated. This creates a much higher output voltage that is temporarily stored in a small bank of ultracapacitors, and then re-regulated down nominal storage battery voltage.
"The high end state-of-the-art system uses a pair of 3 phase AC frameless motors along with a special controller adapted from machine tool industry, and 200 VDC NiMH batteries (or Lithium Ion if functional and available). This system achieves a much higher total efficiency, but at a correspondingly much higher price.
So what is the point? PSFK suggests that "The bicycle remains a triumph of human ingenuity and a supremely efficient way of moving from a to b. However, there are drawbacks for the cyclist, you are alone and vulnerable on your bike and when it rains… you get wet! The HumanCar changes all that by offering communal pulling power and a roof."
We suggest that this might be offset by the need to put together a car pool every time you want to go anywhere, or that you cannot go where a bike can go or park anywhere. But it does look like fun. ::Humancar via ::PSFK
I like the idea, but $15,000 seems a little steep. A Cycles Maximus electric assisted rickshaw would only set you back $10,500 and you could make your money back giving rides :o)
Bike commuting advantages such as splitting lanes in gridlocked traffic, and parking anywhere are completely negated by this thing, not to mention the exorbitant cost. I'll continue riding my bicycle.
"If it rains you get wet...."
Do you see a way to keep the rain out if the vehical is moving, or if a passing vehical splash some water?
For $15k a vehical, I would think they could have a website that told me more then a bunch of made-up buzz words.
No offense, but this is what happens when a good idea is taken too far ...
A quad-cycle is a great idea ... this is too much like a car!
Agree w/Gary K, I'll keep riding my Voodoo thanks.
It generates electricity as well as purify water. The company has plans to stamp units from recycled plastics and given out for near free. The implications are giant. The vehicle will change as it's very uncommon for a car manufacturer to show final renderings of design before launch. Bubble tops with integrated PV panels and such are all a part of the big picture....
When you see one in person you will understand the price. It's more akin to a spaceship than anything. They are beautiful.....
Please stay tuned.