What will IT be? A hover board, I hope

[SirReel]

So, after monday will we all get to ride those cool hoverboards like in back to the future 2? That would be so awesome.
But, on the good will to mankind a non-polluting non-fossil fuel burning engine would be kinda cool too... We have to wait until monday to see...

 

[gibbs_6]

Whats so special about Monday?:think :eek: :silly:

 

[Jake T]

Isn't IT supposed to be an engine that runs on heat?

 

[Jaybird]

My guess is that IT is something to strap to your legs to help walking. Pretty lame guess, but I think I saw a thing on this inventor a few months ago and he hinted he was working on something of that nature that was going to revolutionise something. Bionic legs or sumsuch. (shrug)

 

[spanky250]

Supposedly, IT is a practical iteration of a Sterling Engine.

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

They showed "IT" on Southpark this past week. That guy with his sidekick Mr. Hat designed "IT" as an alternative means of transportation to air travel. IT had some very unique design characteristics. Anyone else seen "IT"?

 

[bud]

Some kind of inflatable floatation device? Thanks Amazon

 

[smb_racing]

sterling engines are actually kind of neat, a company not far from here manufactures them. Sunpower I believe is the name.

 

[CPT Jack]

Single axle vehicle. You don't have to balance, it does that for you using some type of gyroscope technology. The inventor in the past has made a wheelchair that can climb stairs (2 axles) and can also rise up and move on two wheels without falling over. It might be more popular than the Vespa, but change life as we know it?...doubtful.

 

[Byrd Man]

A wheelchair climbing stairs is also what I've heard, sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Can someone elaborate on the sterling engine? Is it solar powered?

 

[biglou]

That wheelchair is awesome!

I saw it on a news program with the reporter who is wheelchair-bound testing it out. Can't remember his name or the network, it was quite a while ago. To say that the chair was impressive is an understatement.

 

[Jaybird]

Well, I was close anywho. :)
I have to admit I wanted to see Charlie Gibson take a lil fall on IT. :debil:

 

[spanky250]

IT is an electric powered, reversible scooter??? After all this time, what a let-down.:mad: :(

 

[Old CR goat]

Kind of puts a new twist on "look where you want to go, not where you don't want to go".:D

Could be just the beginning. Lots of posibilities for the future I would think.
But yes, a let down for now.:mad:

 

[RM_guy]

There's no picture but this is the link to the CNN article

 

[Rodzilla]

I heard IT's overweight and turns like a garbage scow, but what does MXA know anyway;)


I'm sure a pipe and some suspension mods and it'll rock!;)

Seriously, I also hear it has a hyper efficent motor, for each hour of charge it will run for two. A world changer? prolly not. But could be the precursor of things to come.

 

[Miltonyz]

Check here it has pictures. http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/12/03/scooter.unveiling/index.html
The think that makes it crazy is that the article says that it moves you by you thinking. If thats not awesome I don't know what it

 

[canucklehead]

It doesn't REALLY move where you're thinking, but it feels that way (apparently). It detects your center of gravity and goes whichever way you lean, even ever so slightly.

Still, would be really cool. But for $3000? Not for me thanks.

Dave

 

[Milquetoast]

All that hype for an electric 2 wheel scooter? Sheesh, that's a letdown.

 

[LoriKTM]

Here's a good article on IT-- check out the video, too. Looks pretty cool.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,39936,00.html

Can go thru shallow water, over rocks and dirt... hmm, add some knobbies to that thing and then talk to me!

 

[WR 250]

I heard on the radio that they finally unveiled it....LAME! I think I'll keep my bicycle for commuting around my small town. Hmmm, I wonder how long the charge will last when it is currently 16 degrees out. I truly doubt that it works as well over snow and ice as my bike with studded tires.

Just $3000! What a deal, I need to run out and buy two of them.

 

[Hoop]

needs some handguards

I think it has potential. Just like anything on 2 wheels, all it needs is a little tuning. Knobbies, handguards, a real clutch, some suspension(!), and oh, yeah, about 5 times more horsepower! While we're at it, let's throw in a seat, so you don't have to stand up the whole damn time!

Seriously, the real innovation seems to be the balancing on 2 wheels using gyroscopes with sensors and microprocessor controls. Could there be a potential enhancement for steering damper technology? Maybe I'm an optimist...

 

[gibbs_6]

Whoa looks kinda like one of those all timey lawnmowers on the Simpsons.:eek: ;)

 

[smb_racing]

Originally posted by Byrd Man
Can someone elaborate on the sterling engine? Is it solar powered?

It's an odd concept really, kind of hard to explain. So here's a link for you to enjoy :)

http://www.sunpower.com/

 

[spanky250]

Re: needs some handguards

Originally posted by Hoop
and oh, yeah, about 5 times more horsepower!

Then it would still only have 1/10 hp...:silly: