 |
| Bycycle Technology Source: Lennart Tange, cc-by-3.0, flickr |
A bicycle may be a mechanism of chains and wheels but this low-fi method of transport is becoming increasingly high-tech. Many designers are now pushing the boundaries of what is possible with just two legs and two wheels.
Here are some of the most innovative designs around at the moment:
1. Graeme Obree’s Beastie
Described as an ‘aerodynamic human missile’, Graeme Obree’s Beastie is a bike that bears no resemblance to the kind you’d find in a cycle lane. The space age design looks like the work of NASA, when it fact, Obree himself built the bike – mainly in the comfort of his own kitchen!
Obree has designed a bike that flips the position of the cyclist so that he is facing down and stretched out horizontally. When travelling, his chin is a mere 2cm from the front wheel, with just a small peep-hole for his eyes. The skeletal structure of the bike is then coated in a smooth shell of Kevlar and fibreglass.
The bike was designed for this year’s world record attempt at Battle Mountain, Nevada and Obree aimed to hit speeds of 100mp/h. Obree is no stranger to records – he broke the world record for cycling the longest distance in an hour in 1994. Back then, he was riding another unusual creation: a bike which he made from spare washing machine parts (among other things!).
2. 3D Printed Nylon Airbike
3D printing is the latest technology taking the design world by storm. The principle is simple – just like you can print any image onto a piece of paper, a 3D printer prints any object in three dimensions. The technology could completely change what it is possible to create in our own home – plus revolutionise how people go about making prototypes.
A few years ago, the first 3D printed bike has been made/ printed, called the Airbike. The nylon bicycle is as strong as steel, as well as being 65% lighter than a normal bike. It proves that it is possible to print objects that are both complex and very strong.
At the moment, this prototype is sadly not for sale. But the design does suggest a future where you may be able to print our own bike, or even spare parts for your bike.
3. Michelin Self-Healing tyres
The ‘wheel’ was an invention that changed mankind, but thousands of years later, Michelin have reinvented the wheel with an amazing ‘self-healing tyre’.
This may sound a bit space-age or like some crazy James Bond gadget, but the technology is real and deals with a very real problem for many bicycle commuters. Punctures are a huge annoyance –particularly in cities, where nasty shards of glass clutter up the road, pavements and cycle paths.
To solve this problem, the self-healing tyre has compression dimples on the surface which change the distribution of pressure across the tube’s surface. This has the effect of causing the inner air pressure to squeeze the hole shut.
4. Luminescent Bikes
Cycling at night can be a dangerous task if you don’t have the proper lights. Seattle-based design firm, Teague has designed a concept bike which is both practical at night and extremely stylish (in a glowing sci-fi way!)
The frame of the bike is partly coated with photo-luminescent powder to enable it glow at night. It’s not just the frame that is lit up, Teague have designed a clever indicator and brake light to add to this fluid, glowing design. You can see how the bike works in this video.
This truly is space-age cycling and I can imagine the streets of the future to be lit by a blur of illuminated bikes.
5. Japan’s High Tech Underground Bike Park
This last innovation may not involve an actual bike, but instead it is an ingenious way to store bikes in a jam-packed, space-starved city. The solution is simple: you have to go underground. In Japan, these bike parks have become a common sight, helping cities cope with increasing traffic.
But in order to safely and easily store bikes underneath the busy streets, you need a lot of high-tech wizardry. In this video, you can see how the underground bike park works through a series of robotic arms. Once you bike is safely stored underground, you then get a card which you can use to collect your bike. Not only does this idea save space, but it massively cuts down on bicycle theft.
A lot of this technology may be a long way from becoming commonplace but it offers a glimpse at a future where the humble bicycle is a very high-tech gadget. The kind of bikes we use every day have developed too, with carbon frames and hybrid bikes becoming the most popular choice for many commuters and weekend riders. Plus, lots of high tech apps helping cyclists train and navigate. With all this technological development in cycling, the future is definitely bright for cyclists!
Do you know of any innovative bike designs? When do you think this technology will become commonplace? Share your thoughts below.
Gavin Harvey is a fitness instructor with a passion for cycling. When he’s not planning an adventurous cycle ride for the weekend, he’s commuting through the city by bicycle.
0 comments :
Post a Comment