Electric Uno Bike: A Clean Commute?
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 05. 1.08
A young Canadian inventor named Ben Gulak has created an innovative new electric motorbike that takes some of the lessons learned from the Segway device, but implements them in cooler package. The bike, called the Uno, looks from its profile like a strange powered unicycle but actually employs two wheels side-by-side. Riders lean forward to accelerate -- a feature used by the Segway, and can hit a top speed of 25 mph in its current configuration. The Uno also makes use of a set of gyros to enhance ease of balance, and the wheels are independently operated making turning much more precise.
Gulak, who’s 18 years old, says that the Uno is relatively simple to ride but, “takes a bit of getting used to because you have to learn to trust it.” The young inventor is currently courting investors for his Uno project, and truly believes that the vehicle might one day provide a green alternative for urban commuters.
“It has a range of about 2.5 hours and it is designed for the commute to work through busy towns” says Gulak. “ I believe this could be electrical alternative to the car. I’m just looking for an investor to help me get it into production.”
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way cool
I want to try one
and if I were a big time investor (I mean, had some money), I'd throw some money his way
and it's really inspiring to see this from an 18 year old inventor
Ok, so turning is more precise. That's great, but what about braking? I see a faceplant just waiting to happen.
I say stick with the bicycle.
That is a cool looking cycle. Great job on the fairings. Some production bikes don't look that good. I ride a 250cc motorcycle most days to save fuel (while I save for the day an EV is available). You'd have a VERY, VERY difficult time getting me talked into riding this though.
Cool! I hope he's got his patents in order. Is there an advantage of this over the traditional design? Is it mainly an aesthetic/design thing? Or does it have better range and less weight? (Easier to ride?)
Kudos to this young and talented inventor and future engineer. We need more young people to step up like this and more of us adults to support their efforts!
I don't get it. This is really not a cycle, 'cause it still uses 2 wheels. Why do we have to put 2 wheels side-to-side? Any benefit?
This is reminiscent of a similar, also Canadian, concept called the Bombadier Embrio from 2003:
http://www.gizmag.com/go/2350/
Simply brilliant! An elegant design and concept; truly inspirational. It's wonderful to see that there are still kids and young people out there that have a practical creative imagination and motivation.
I'm not a motorcycle guy by any definition, but I'd drool to get one of thse! I have a love for science, technology, and science fiction, so I'm deeply impressed with this young man. Congratulations on a terrific job!
Please let me / all of us know where we can keep tabs on its progress and future public commercialization.
This guy makes the TV monster garage look like Beany Boys. This guy is truly a creator while the other copy cat each other claiming the big prizes. Someone help this guy out. Even if this machine is not the best he will be able to come out with something better.
Scott Johnson "What about braking"
Obviously he never thought about that - thanks for the insight!
That looks like so much fun. Can't wait to see a video.
Awesome idea and even more awesome is the fact that he went for it - Good on you!
Sure this is probably not for the clumsy out there - but for someone with some skill they could really make something of this. Reminds me of the time last summer downhill mountain biking when I came across this guy going down the trail on a unicycle - now that is some serious balance.
Way to go Ben - it looks awesome and you are destined for greatness!!
Cheers - Eric - PickupPal.com
It's impressive that someone that age put together such a complete workable package.
Gadget factor: 8/10
Practicality factor: 5/10
Disadvantages to using a segway-type balancing system:
-cannot do regen braking
-cannot coast
-cannot push it home when it runs out of juice
-needs more weight for the electronics
-needs more specialized equipment and is therefore less user serviceable or changeable--both of which are somewhat important environmentally
-system failure results in almost-certain crash, whereas in a 3- or 4-wheel system only results in stopping
that is really cool! its really cool that he made that so he could look cool and still help the enviroment. way to go man!
He took a segway and stuck a motorcycle fairing and seat on top. It looks cool. It is probably about as much fun as one of those childrens rides in front of the super market.
This is amazing...i want one...=]
That's an awesome cycle! I could even keep it inside my studio apartment! I wonder how much it weighs?
Good luck with your future young man!
Obviously the majority of you aren't engineers.
Spooley, however, has made some blatantly INCORRECT statements
Disadvantages to using a segway-type balancing system:
-cannot do regen braking - YES YOU COULD
-cannot coast - WHY NOT?
-cannot push it home when it runs out of juice - AGAIN, I ASK, WHY NOT? Kickstand could have fold out roller
-needs more weight for the electronics - SO? I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS COULD BE GAS GENERATOR POWERED WITH ONLY PARTIAL ELECTRIC
-needs more specialized equipment and is therefore less user serviceable or changeable--both of which are somewhat important environmentally - HOW IS A FLYWHEEL AND GYROSCOPE NOT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY? WHERE DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR LOGIC?? I would also argue that a gyroscope is not very specialized and easily serviceable by a mechanic.
-system failure results in almost-certain crash, whereas in a 3- or 4-wheel system only results in stopping - ONLY VALID POINT, EXCEPT EASILY FIXED BY PUTTING SMALL WHEEL AT FRAME IN CASE OF FORWARD DROP (see www.monotracer.com for similar side wheels)
A few have commented that braking has not been considered--how does a segway brake? I imagine this brakes in much the same way, by leaning back to reduce speed. Greater lean=greater braking. Cool idea, maybe a few people are over-zealous with criticisms.
From the article I read, It is controlled soley by lean (I presume this is how a segway works since that was the refrence used) It looks pretty safe to me as long as the balance code (some robot guru assisted him with this) is sound. It uses 2 wheel chair motors for locomotion. Theoretically it would be capable of 40 mphish. I don't know if I would trust it this early in development to go that fast :), but, I personaly love the thing and hope he gets a chance to really flesh out the idea. As far as some earlier comments go.... I think you are right about it being fine to coast and fine for regenerative power recupe. I also think that it would be easily modified to be able to coast. (if it doesn't already) As far as weight... 120 lbs right now... not too shabby. I think for a fer bo $$ you could use LiO and drop
some more... I think that the side by side wheels are not really needed... as long as the fwd/bwd worked well then human balance would be even better... more manuverable in tight slow speed areas. I think this would be best suited for short trip round the town or commute to work deal... Anyway thats my 2 cents... maybe more like a buck fitty.. :)
insanely cool
how much would it be to buy
would it help the rider to know how to unicycle first
great job Ben!
insanely cool
how much would it be to buy
would it help the rider to know how to unicycle first
great job Ben!
This is the future. A little slow, 25mph, great distance, 2.5 hours, but I am sure that this will develop into a new generation of transport. With the big GM plants closing it is certainly well timed.
Good luck Ben.
Have some poeple here lost their gimmick-detection faculties?
Compred to my $1900 Chinese electric motor scooter with a lithium pack upgrade and performance improvements ( additional $1700), this $6000 minimum (likely much higher) toy is inferior in every way - performance, efficiency, grocery carrying capability, safety, registerability, user-servicability... ...
We need real practical EV solutions, not gimmicks.
This thing looks dangerous...
Looks like death on wheels.
Nice and good Job by this young guy, and its new experiment, may be it success in vast population area. Like China and India (others)