The shweeb. Human-powered monorail.
google invests $1 million to help build an urban transit system based on pedal-power. is this a good idea?
per shweeb: “by integrating the unique properties of monorail and recumbent cycle technologies, shweeb delivers a personal, efficient, and cost-effective transport solution with applications for urban commuting, recreational and fitness markets.”
a big vision to their credit. we offer reasons why this is a poor idea as conceived.
1) very weather dependant. maybe less so than a bike. admittedly, not a deal breaker.
2) an invasive, and expensive infrastructure. think hanging power lines with people on them.
3) not very efficient. the whole system is as slow as the slowest person. unlike a bike, at the mercy of the infrastructure.
4) stinky.
maybe this is a new amusement ride. let’s we where we are a year from now. btw, the shweeb is derived from the german “schweben”, meaning to float or suspend.
the shweeb is one of five winners in googles project 10^100
resources:
shweeb
agroventures
2 comments ↓
[...] urban personal transport, using human-powered vehicles on a monorail. Awarded $1 million. [ designapplause opines on this big idea. [...]
2) an invasive, and expensive infrastructure. think hanging power lines with people on them.
wrong. less expensive and invasive than roads and cars. think stinking vehicles making loud noises with people in them
3) not very efficient. the whole system is as slow as the slowest person. unlike a bike, at the mercy of the infrastructure.
wrong. when a slower person is in front of you you can push him wiehout additional effort because air friction cancels out betwen the two.
4) stinky.
not as stinky as cars. the shweebs are cleaned with water and desinfected after each ride.
maybe you should read a little bit more about a thing before you say whoy it should be bad. most probably other people already have thought of it and found solutions.
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