Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: ManWorkinghere on January 10, 2014, 07:49:08 AM

Title: Wearable Motorbike Makes Batman’s Toys Look Pedestrian
Post by: ManWorkinghere on January 10, 2014, 07:49:08 AM

Anybody get one of these for Christmas this year?

(http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/skelebike.jpg)

Meet the Deus Ex Machina, a wearable motorbike that brings superhero-style transport into the real world (almost). The pretentiously named vehicle clamps to the rider like Ripley’s exoskeleton in Aliens, and will power them to 60 mph in just three seconds, topping out at 75 mph.

Of course, even with three wheels the upright design would be unstable at that speed, which is why the skelebike moves the rider into a scary head-first horizontal position as it gets faster. Sensors detect the wearer’s movements and send them to 36 pneumatic muscles which control the positioning and steering of the machine.

The name is sadly appropriate. Right now Deus Ex Machina exists only inside a computer, but college-going designer Jake Loniak says that all the tech needed is currently available, right down to those "muscles" which are made by a German company called Festo. To be honest, we don’t know whether this is simply preposterous or the greatest motorbike (trike?) we’ve ever seen. I’d certainly try it out, but flying along at 75 mph with my face inches from the asphalt might be a little too scary.

A Wearable Motorcycle (http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2008-08/wearable-motorcycle) [Popsci via BBG]
Deus Ex Machina — The Wearable Motorcycle (http://devicedaily.com/gadgets/deus-ex-machina-the-wearable-motorcycle.html) [Device Daily]

Title: Re: Wearable Motorbike Makes Batman’s Toys Look Pedestrian
Post by: just gone on January 10, 2014, 10:53:13 AM

Quote from: ManWorkinghere on January 10, 2014, 07:49:08 AM

.... but flying along at 75 mph with my face inches from the asphalt might be a little too scary.

Not a problem, they make a trainer for that. Helps you get used to the speeding asphalt/cement/bobsled run under your nose before you move on to the powered model.  ;D

http://youtu.be/cNVslA7T2q8 (http://youtu.be/cNVslA7T2q8)

http://www.break.com/embed/181332 (http://www.break.com/embed/181332)

Title: Re: Wearable Motorbike Makes Batman’s Toys Look Pedestrian
Post by: stevewfl on January 10, 2014, 11:09:01 AM

Short wheelbase, appears the first speed bump at speed will put one flat on their face  ;D

Title: Re: Wearable Motorbike Makes Batman’s Toys Look Pedestrian
Post by: Son of Pappy on January 10, 2014, 11:39:09 AM

Quote from: stevewfl on January 10, 2014, 11:09:01 AM

Short wheelbase, appears the first speed bump at speed will put one flat on their face  ;D

Fixed with chin, cheek, and forehead pucks  ;D  A rigid cup may be on the short list as well :o

Title: Re: Wearable Motorbike Makes Batman’s Toys Look Pedestrian
Post by: Gumby on January 10, 2014, 11:55:52 AM

I'd take it for a whirl.  :cool:

Title: Re: Wearable Motorbike Makes Batman’s Toys Look Pedestrian
Post by: MrPepsi on January 10, 2014, 03:20:37 PM

This is just another way to prevent people from texting while driving. ;D