FlyRad power unicycle
Developed in Germany, the FlyRad is powered by an electric motor and used with skatesThough it's not likely to challenge the Honda U3-X as a one-wheeled means of inter-office transportation, the German-designed FlyRad powered unicycle does have a number of features that could increase its appeal amongst gadget lovers and adventurous types.
It has a cyberpunk/vacuum cleaner look, it can use green energy to recharge its batteries and it's almost silent. And at 24kg it could almost be swung like a cricket bat.
Powered by a 500W electric motor, the FlyRad is designed to be used in conjunction with inline skates (roller skates?) and can reach speeds of up to 40km/h - fast enough to knock your teeth out or break a bone or two in the right circumstances. Indeed, it looks kind of unfinished in its construction, which is part of the appeal -- it looks dangerous!!
But its creator, Thomas Rank, says the contraption is relatively safe and can be used standing up or even sitting down, thanks to a neat foldable seat section. Steering is taken care of by the riders skates.
Fitted with standard 36v batteries the 24kg FlyRad can travel around 50km (31 miles) and takes around four hours from a regular wall socket for a full charge. There are also more powerful electric motors on the cards, rated at 1000W.
The FlyRad design won a silver medal at the international trade fair for Ideas, Inventions and New Products, or iENA 2010, which was held in Nuremberg, Germany, in October.
Designed as a form of environmentally friendly transportation as well as for fun and extreme sports, the FlyRad took a silver medal at iENA 2010, the International Trade Fair for “Ideas-Inventions-New Products” held in Nuremburg in October.
The German public will be the first to get to taste the new FlyRad when the product is released at retail in 2011, and if successful it will probably find its way into other markets. Could it be a world-wide smash hit? It really depends on the price. Check out the video below to see the FlyRad in action.
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