Posted on 08/15/2010 7:38:06 PM PDT by Willie Green
The HumanCar is the souped-up, street legal version of an old railroad handcar. The four-seater can reach 60 mph when all four passengers are cranking - and there's an electric battery to keep it going when you need a break.
This particular model is the HumanCar Imagine PS, the latest invention of engineer Charles Samuel Greenwood. He's been working on his dream of human-powered automobiles for over four decades, and in the past few years he's created working two- and four-seater models.
Although it might seem that getting even a lightweight car up to 60 mph (or 30 mph on hills) would be a herculean task, Greenwood insists that even a senior citizen in decent shape could operate it successfully. (And there's proof of that in the video below, in which Greenwood takes the car out for a very fun-looking drive.) Of course, it helps that the car has electric plug-in capabilities, so the car can still reach its top speeds even when four occupants aren't rowing their hardest.
(Excerpt) Read more at io9.com ...
For stopping you just need to wear extra heavy soled shoes.
OMG. It looks like a soap box derby car for 4.
I can’t see me sharing the road with a semi in that.
Remember Al Capp’s Nomotocar? It operated on your breathing.
Had to quit making them because every time a guy saw a good looking girl the car would overspeed and wreck.
Hmmm! The Flintstone’s mobile.
Oh, you could share the road...up to the point you are either squished or blown off the road.
I prefer a Mercedes S550, no peddling required.
Hmmm! The Rubble mobile.
I think I saw that on an episode of South Park.
How many treadmills with hamsters to power an on board charger?
Or why not have an aquarium with electric eels?
Or a small winch of carbon thread and a mylar kite?
Or when parked in remote areas an extend-able fiberglass pole with a pair of copper hooks and just get the power right off the power line, all you need is a voltage dropping transformer an an ac to Dc rectifier.
Flintstones!
Meet the Flintstones!
They’re the modern stone-age family.
From the town of Bedrock,
They’re a page right out of history.
I'm not sure it's progress when you go more primitive than a team of horses.
Maybe he should focus on border collie power.
The 2011 Chevy Silverado from Government Motors.
"Yes, thats right after all of the advances of modern man we are finally now able to make a rail car that isn't on rails. Everyone rejoice!"
Next up
Eels! Powering the future.
NO WAY 60 mph on level ground.
Think I was low on weight, riders and drag.
Plug in your numbers:
Bicycle Power Calculator
http://www.mne.psu.edu/lamancusa/ProdDiss/Bicycle/bikecalc1.htm
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