GreenWheel MIT

[James1986]

Hi Guys,

Obviously this is on the front pedelecs page so most of you probably know about it now. Just wanted to say that I'm gutted that they invented it before me! Now my final year project scope has to change!

Still, its a great invention (minus the bluetooth controls). They would be much better off using a series of piezoelectric elements to launch high frequency sound pulses to activate and deactivate functions, thus eliminating the control battery, like some office intercomms use. After all, MIT made the RF piezoelectric shoe!

Maybe they could combine these to have pedal activated throttle! Ingenious.... now I have to hope they don't stumble across this thread before I've invented it!

What are your thoughts on the matter? Supposedly they will start to sell from 'several hundred dollars'. Thats quite an impressive price!

 

[Mussels]

That thing again, maybe when they have something real rather than a load of unsubstantiated claims I'll be impressed.

 

[flecc]

Sorry James, I too think it's a poor idea. The concept of a rider generating power to create a long range is a non-starter ranking with perpetual motion in silliness, it's range will be little or no better in practice than it's tiny battery permits.

It's obviously very low powered also, so the main purpose for an electric assist bike, help on hills, wont be fulfilled well.

Even the concept of everything in one unit apart from the control is far from new, Panasonic created it first in 2000 in their motor unit which only had the switch external, and way back in the petrol assist days of the 1940s the Cyclemaster wheel had everything within the hub.

The "lifetime" battery too is unproven with life not known.
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