JMU AFV Lab Blog

Saw this a while back and thought I would introduce it to this blog. It is not the first motorized unicycle, nor is it really a unicycle, as it has two wheels. However, it is curious as an extension of the Segway, and its inventor is 19 years old.  Go to http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-562726/Hold-tight-The-worlds-unicycle-MOTORBIKE.html to read the full article.

Hold on tight! The world’s first unicycle
MOTORBIKE

A young inventor has created a motorbike with a twist ? it uses two wheels but they are positioned right next to each other, giving it the illusion of being a powered unicycle. And even better, it might help save the planet.

Ben Gulak has spent several years building the electric Uno that uses gyroscopic technology - like the infamous Segway commuter device - to stay upright.

The bizarre-looking contraption has only one switch - on or off - and is controlled entirely by body movement.

The rider leans forwards to accelerate to speeds of 25mph and back to slow down. It has two wheels side-by-side and has been turning heads wherever it has been ridden.

Electric Unicycle and Inventor Ben Gulag

Ben Gulak designed the Uno himself with the help of a simple 3D program

The green machine is so small and light it can be taken indoors and carried into lifts - and is recharged by being plugged into the mains.

The wheels are completely independent, allowing the bike to turn on a sixpence and the technology takes the balance and guesswork out of riding a unicycle.

Its 18-year-old creator is now looking for investors to get the Uno into production and onto the streets.

Ben, from Ontario, Canada, said: “I was inspired to make the bike after visiting China a few years ago and seeing all the smog.

“They all drive little bikes that are really polluting and I wanted to make something to combat that.

“I started with the concept because if something doesn’t look cool people just won’t be interested.

Electric Unicycle in operation