21st Century Sinclair C5?

[morphix]

It's electric, has two wheels, but a steering wheel.. is it a motorbike or a car!? The C5 was a spectacular failure, ok it's a different manufacturer but what makes them think people will rush out to buy out a C1?? I guess the enclosed roof is an improvement on the C5 and it will go faster.

Rekindle the Excitement | Lit Motors, Inc.

Check out the Cargo carrier

Where would you stand on using one of these C1 on UK roads? Presumably it would need to be licensed as a motorbike rather than a car?

Utilizing electronically controlled gyroscopes located under the floor (putting out over 1,300 lb/ft of torque), the vehicle balances at a stop and stays upright in the event of a collision. In-wheel electric motors (40 kw) provide the power and regeneration, while hub steering keeps you pointed in the right direction. With a top speed of over 120 MPH and battery packs providing 200 miles per charge, the C-1 is perfect for commuters and city dwellers alike.

 

[flecc]

Yes, it would be a motorbike, but I doubt we'll ever see it. I fail to see that there's any sense in these gyroscopic concepts like this and the Segway, just using extra energy to stay upright when an extra wheel does the job without energy expenditure. There's a prior Swiss design which uses automatically extending small outrigger wheels when speed drops instead of gyros, more sensible. Also the Peraves Monotracer with auto outriggers.

They'll have to drop the C1 designation anyway, that's already used by BMW for their urban scooter
.

 

[trex]

Using two gyroscopes to give the bike the stability of a small car is a fantastic idea.
The LIT bike is surely safer and much better suited to commuting than the electric bikes don't you agree?

 

[flecc]

The LIT bike is surely safer and much better suited to commuting than the electric bikes don't you agree?

No, I don't agree. Parking problems that the e-bike doesn't have, plus all the bureaucracy that comes with registered motor vehicles. The body is all wrong for in heavy traffic use, needs to be more upright and better visibility, more like the Renault Twizy body perhaps.

And why waste power on gyroscopes when the Twizy does it in less length with four wheels and amazing stability in corners due to it's low battery weight?
.

 

[NRG]

I alway loved the Carver concept...shame they went under....

Jeremy Clarkson - Carver - BBC - YouTube

 

[flecc]

Yes, that Carver banking three wheeler did have a certain appeal, albeit at a huge price. Best for the open road though, like the Lit this thread features, its very long for what it does.

I assume the Lit will have to bank in corners to be practical, and that introduces all sorts of gyroscopic problems. As a 120 mph two wheeler, just relying on gyroscopes to remain upright at all times would require huge gyroscopic power. Somehow it doesn't seem a thought-through concept.

 

[trex]

I can think of two situations where the gyroscopes can be a big help: it starts like a car and a better chance of escaping serious injuries when hit by a lorry.
The LIT may not be ideal at 120mph but around 40-60mph, I can't remember a more agile design.

 

[10mph]

People have been trying this sort of thing since The Schilovski Gyrocar, conceived in 1912, and built and tested by the Wolseley Tool & Motor Car Co. 1913-1914.

Unfortunately with only one gyro that gyro car could only bank for right hand corners! Perhaps two counter rotating in the C1 overcomes that problem.

One would have to see the full details of technical specs which the C1 people think they can realistically achieve to understand whether it will offer any advantage over existing vehicles.

 

[trex]

The 1913 Gyrocar weighed 2.5 tonnes, the Honda U3-X a mere 10 kgs. That shows how much progress has been made in gyroscopic use in transport. The C1 could be half as agile as the Imperial Speeders in Star Wars! Just imagine that!

 

[flecc]

The C1 could be half as agile as the Imperial Speeders in Star Wars! Just imagine that!

But we will never know.

 

[steveindenmark]

Heres Clarkson having a go in the Ecomobile, which is something similar.

Car or Motor Bike? Jeremy tries out the EcoMobile - Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld - BBC - YouTube

There is no indication how much the LIT will be. It does have a good distance on one charge if their blurb is correct 150 - 200 miles.

Steve

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There is no indication how much the LIT will be. It does have a good distance on one charge if their blurb is correct 150 - 200 miles.

Steve

They said $16000, but they don't start making them for 2 years.