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November 12, 2003
Bombardier Embrio -- Unicycle on Steroids
The Segway is to the Bombardier Embrio (pictured) as a Cessna 172 is to an F-14 Tomcat. They'll both get you there, but you will get way more cool points if you arrive on the Embrio.
According to this article in Forbes, the Embrio is a one-wheel, fuel cell-powered concept vehicle. It uses gyroscopes (a la the Segway) to balance the rider on a single wheel. When slowed under 12 mph, a secondary wheel drops down from the front to help the rider balance when he/she comes to a stop.
Basically, I want one. I know it's just a concept, but I want one anyway. I've been looking at alternate means to handle my 5 mile daily commute on city streets, and this might just be the ticket. Now if I can just wait, oh, 10 years until fuel cells become viable...
Comments
Holy Mother of God, what a vehicle! Looks like it came out of the same team that designed the Gundam Japanese anime robots. I want one too.
Posted by: Sam at November 12, 2003 11:49 AM
Heh - we could roam around in packs!
What kind of noise does a fuel-cell powered engine make? :)
Posted by: Dan at November 13, 2003 1:36 AM
On hybrid fuel cell cars, you get a vrrrm when accelerating and deccelerating with the regular fuel system, but when the fuel cell kicks in, things are oh so quiet.
Posted by: Sam at November 13, 2003 9:45 AM
sweet.....so wed be covert.
Posted by: got mace? at December 1, 2003 2:20 AM
I *need* one of these ASAP! :D The only thing cooler than the New Beetle, IMHO.
Posted by: Darel Finley at December 4, 2003 12:48 AM
Leave it up to the French Canadians to screw up a motorcycle. How the hell are you supposed to do a wheelie on that thing?? Hey, I know that there's more than one way to skin a cat, but these guys are trying to de-bone a moose here. This is just a modernized version of the old one wheeled Cyclops. Nothing personal guys, but I for one wouldn't be caught dead on something that looks like a personal shaver strapped to my ass.
Posted by: Orf at January 2, 2004 2:18 PM
You're *always* doing a wheelie on this thing!
Posted by: Sam at January 2, 2004 2:41 PM
OOOOO....nice! my godness...where i can buy this things? around how much the price?
Posted by: rony at May 29, 2006 4:29 AM
Well for a bunch of "Canucks" it is pretty cool looking. But now I'm too damned old to ride one, at least when it comes out anyway! Why the hell does it take so long to get something eye catching on the street? When I first seen the XLR Caddy come out, i thought now that's a ritzy cool car with some serious horses. But GM farted around with the engine and the lines a bit, and now they have a 70K dollar pile of crapola. Hope Bombardier engineers will pull their heads out long enough to leave the original concept in tact.
Posted by: F.A.R.T. at July 21, 2006 2:54 AM
Hehe, I know this reply is over a year late, but damn, I want one of those things. I just had to say it.
Maybe one day Ill actually get one...
Posted by: Alexeon at November 2, 2007 2:10 AM
that is the coolesd thing i have ever seen
Posted by: hayse at November 14, 2008 3:30 PM
Damn! god i want one. That looks cooler than my car. Imagine Wolverine on one of those!
Posted by: Amazed at April 22, 2009 4:51 PM