Project PUMA

[EricVanWyk]

I saw one of these going up and down the streets of manchester during my lunch break a week or so ago. They look like fun.

[JamesBrown]

Aside from the Cool Factor, is there any real reason for this vehicle to have 2 wheels? It seems like GM designing this with Segway will really just make it a more expensive vehicle then necessary. wouldn't it be cheaper to produce a more traditional (4 wheel) vehicle with similar range and performance specs?

-James

p.s. Is it just me or do those rear wheels look very familiar?

[SuperJake]

All of these electric vehicles are awesome, and I wish I was in a position to try them out. Unfortunately, my commute is about 50 miles each way and 80% of that time is on highways. I need something that will guarantee me 150 miles on a single charge while protecting me from drivers on the Mass Pike.

[EricVanWyk]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

Aside from the Cool Factor, is there any real reason for this vehicle to have 2 wheels? It seems like GM designing this with Segway will really just make it a more expensive vehicle then necessary. wouldn't it be cheaper to produce a more traditional (4 wheel) vehicle with similar range and performance specs?

-James

p.s. Is it just me or do those rear wheels look very familiar?

If you look at it from the back, it looks like they took two segways, chopped off one wheel from each and bolted them together.

I'm going to guess that it balances because this came from Segway asking "Now what do we do?" However, two wheels is more efficient than four: The iBots most efficient means of locomotion is in balance mode, assuming you keep moving and don't burn power balancing in place. I did notice a small caster wheel, perhaps this deploys at stop lights?

I don't really know, I'm just enjoying the guessing game.

[henryBsick]

Now there is a video.

[sanddrag]

Are those the same 8" Skyway wheels we received in the KOP a few years back? :-D

[Matt C]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Are those the same 8" Skyway wheels we received in the KOP a few years back? :-D

The fronts look like Skyway wheels as well.

And yes, the rears look similar to the Skyway wheels we recieved every year for as long as I can remember (pre Andy Mark).

[Stu Bloom]

The REAL reason I'm selling my Segway ... starting my P.U.M.A. savings account ...

While it does look like fun, I see similar obstacles to mainstream acceptance as what the Segway encountered. They still haven't been able (willing?) to lower the price of a Segway after 5+ years ...

[Matt C]

Mass acceptance of any system like this still remains an infastructure problem. When you are done with your 35 mile drive . . where do you plug it in?

[RyanN]

Just my personal opinion, but I really don't like the idea... I love electric vehicles and the idea of the balancing Segway, but not for a vehicle to move people to work and such. I'm sure there is a decent amount of waste energy to keep this thing balanced all the time, which will decrease the distance you can get with one. Why not add a front wheel for steering or just a dummy wheel, that way you don't waste energy keeping it balanced and you can also add more battery packs to increase the distance it can go in one charge.

This is in no way a slap to the face to Dean Kamen or GM, just that I don't particularly like this design for the reasons mentioned above. Dean Kamen should be inspiring to everyone in the world and he's a brilliant man with many successes. Dean Kamen is my favorite celebrity and GM (Chevy) is my favorite brand of truck.

Other than those problems, I think it's pretty neat.

Maybe I just don't understand the purpose of this? And yes... I know it has front wheels, but they aren't supposed to touch the ground.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by RyanN

Just my personal opinion, but I really don't like the idea... I love electric vehicles and the idea of the balancing Segway, but not for a vehicle to move people to work and such. I'm sure there is a decent amount of waste energy to keep this thing balanced all the time, which will decrease the distance you can get with one. Why not add a front wheel for steering or just a dummy wheel, that way you don't waste energy keeping it balanced and you can also add more battery packs to increase the distance it can go in one charge.

...

Maybe I just don't understand the purpose of this? And yes... I know it has front wheels, but they aren't supposed to touch the ground.

Per GM's FastLane blog, it does rest on the front wheels when stopped. (I presume that the rear wheels are there as a safety precaution.) Keeping it on two wheels does offer the big advantage of a turning radius of zero. As someone who has to maneuver big cars through tight spaces on a daily basis, I like cars with small turning radii--and it doesn't get any smaller than zero.

Any vehicle derived from the PUMA can't possibly be the solution for everyone--there will still be a need for transportation for groups bigger than two (and, presumably, loads bigger than a quick supermarket run). But if it's just you and everything is a mile or two away, a potentially-capable vehicle for a few thousand dollars (the bandied-about figure is 1/4 of the price of a regular sedan) seems appealing.

[Stuart]

well its interesting, and I think it might work . . as a research project in to efficient battery technology and electric vehicles.But not as a commercial product. Unfortunately it will compete in the same arena as . . legs, and its hard to beet free. not to mention the powerful Adidas lobby in congress.

but on a serious note is any one really really frighten about GM when they are in the state that they are in and this is the news they come out with. I know the need to show they are on a new path and are looking forward towards the feature, but wouldn't releasing details on a car that costs 15k but only costs 2k to manufacture be better news . . this looks kinda . . "new coke"ish to me.

[Stu Bloom]

Originally Posted by RyanN

... I'm sure there is a decent amount of waste energy to keep this thing balanced all the time, which will decrease the distance you can get with one. Why not add a front wheel for steering or just a dummy wheel, that way you don't waste energy keeping it balanced and you can also add more battery packs to increase the distance it can go in one charge...

Actually if the drivetrain/balancing technology is anything like the Segway (and I presume it must be very similar) then there is VERY little energy used for balancing. In fact, a Segway can balance (not moving) for a couple of days before the battery is depleted. Also, when "braking"/slowing or going down hill the batteries are actually charging.

Originally Posted by Stuart

... Unfortunately it will compete in the same arena as . . legs, and its hard to beet free. not to mention the powerful Adidas lobby in congress...

Can your legs go 35 mph ??