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Topic: Tech Industry

Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

Summary: SmartPlanet gets an exclusive first look at the C1-concept vehicle and its patented gyroscopic stability technology that helps prevent it from tipping over.

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Lit Motors CEO Daniel Kim wants to reinvent the motorcycle as we know it today. His idea? To design and manufacture a fully enclosed, two-wheeled motorcycle that runs purely on electric. SmartPlanet gets an exclusive first look at the C1-concept vehicle and its patented gyroscopic stability technology that helps prevent it from tipping over.

Topic: Tech Industry

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13 comments
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  • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

    And the question remains, WHY?
    NoAxToGrind
    Reply 1 Vote

  • Not new

    To a large degree all two wheeled vehicles have gyroscopic stability. If you don't believe me, try to balance a bicycle that is not moving, or lean a motorcycle that is sitting still. Both are simple tasks once the wheels (gyros) are spinning.
    itpro_z
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

      @itpro_z well... yet they managed to patent the gyroscopic stability technology
      pupkin_z
      Reply Vote

    • It isn't moving

      @itpro_z If you watch the video, you see they try to tip over a vehicle that is not moving. There's the magic.
      keaura
      Reply 1 Vote

      • Yeah, still not impressed.

        @keaura, First, I have difficulty calling this a motorcycle since it is enclosed. Second, it will take power from the batteries to spin up the gyros, which will shorten battery life. Why not just make it a 3 wheel design, which would accomplish the stability without the complexity and power drain?
        itpro_z
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

        @itpro_z ... yeap, 3 wheel design will do the same, at least it seems this way.
        pupkin_z
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

      @itpro_z Gyroscopic effect is only a minor player in bike stability:

      http://anguishedrepose.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/its-mass-distribution-not-gyroscopic-effects-that-makes-a-bike-stay-upright/
      rbgaynor
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

        @rbgaynor I am not sure... the way their bike behaved is very similar to how the spinning harddrive behaves. Try to tilt a working 3 TB (or more) external harddrive and then compare to the non-working and you will see what I mean.
        pupkin_z
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

        @rbgaynor I'd like a fact check and a research check on that. Gyroscopic motion is well studied and mathematically defined - the article you link to claims there's uncertainty about it, but my college physics textbook says otherwise. You can certainly calculate and measure gyroscopic motion.
        CobraA1
        Reply Vote

  • Awesome

    This is so cool. I hope this is really successful.
    keaura
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

    It's been done. The X-Tracer an electric powered enclosed two-wheeler won the 2010 Automotive X-Prize Alternative Class. There is a gasoline powered version called the Ecomobile.

    http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/teams/xtracer?carId=138

    http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/13/business/la-fi-1113-etracer-20101113

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzK012GjjX4&NR=1
    super_grover
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

    Just look at that pink unfinished scooter gas tank,.very hilarious thing you can find on high-tech concept bike,.keep that ex drinking water container on the bike and you will have an eco green concept bike,.
    yuki2009
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Lit Motors unveils concept motorcycle with 'gyroscopic stability' (video)

    itpro_z A three wheel version called Carver ! is availible in Europe for about $48K
    http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/brinks-dynamics-carver-ar59362.html
    Canuuk
    canuuk
    Reply Vote
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