Post by Ztrl on Aug 21, 2008 16:46:26 GMT -5
August 19, 2008 - Prototype transportation devices and concept designs are hardly a rare commodity—a new design seems to pop up every few weeks—but every so often there comes a design either crazy or cool enough to garner widespread attention. In the case of this design by Art Center Pasadena student, Jake Loniak, our attentions are centered. Appropriately dubbed the Deus Ex Machina, Latin for "god out of a machine," this tricycle design both fascinates and thoroughly creeps us out. Loniak's design calls for the rider to strap the Deus Ex Machina on like a jetpack, and is capable of cruising upright or accelerating via a diving motion. When standing upright, the Deus Ex Machina closely resembles Screaming Mantis from Metal Gear Solid 4, but when in the suspended, accelerating position it looks more like the Light Cycles from Tron.
Pop-culture associations aside, the Deus Ex Machina is one impressive and innovative design. It utilizes 36 pneumatic muscles and 2 linear actuators in order to control and steer the bike. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries and ultra-capacitors power the Deus Ex Machina's in-wheel motor and control systems. Under the provisions of the design, the power system could theoretically accelerate the Deus Ex Machina to 60 miles-per-hour in as little as 3 seconds, with a run time of one hour before having to recharge. Although a relatively short spurt for a single charge, the Deus Ex Machina has an even shorter total recharge time of 15 minutes.
Currently, the Deus Ex Machina is only a series of graphic model designs, however, Loniak told PopSci.com that he believes that the design is not only viable, but also environmentally friendly.
[img src="http://gearmedia.ign.com/gear/image/article/900/900257/student-designs-wearable-motorcycle-20080819030549216-000.jpg[/img![]()
gearmedia.ign.com/gear/image/article/900/900257/student-designs-wearable-motorcycle-20080819030549216-000.jpg"]
- Jake Loniak
"I believe a working prototype could be made, but it would take a great deal of time and engineering," said Loniak. "This isn't fantasy, it's a green vehicle, and all of the numbers are based in the real world."
It remains to be seen whether or not the Deus Ex Machina will ever reach the point of functioning prototype, or mainlined availability for that matter. But, as the industry moves toward smaller, cost and fuel-efficient vehicles, designs like Loniak's might be closer to reality than some of us may think.
Pop-culture associations aside, the Deus Ex Machina is one impressive and innovative design. It utilizes 36 pneumatic muscles and 2 linear actuators in order to control and steer the bike. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries and ultra-capacitors power the Deus Ex Machina's in-wheel motor and control systems. Under the provisions of the design, the power system could theoretically accelerate the Deus Ex Machina to 60 miles-per-hour in as little as 3 seconds, with a run time of one hour before having to recharge. Although a relatively short spurt for a single charge, the Deus Ex Machina has an even shorter total recharge time of 15 minutes.
Currently, the Deus Ex Machina is only a series of graphic model designs, however, Loniak told PopSci.com that he believes that the design is not only viable, but also environmentally friendly.
[img src="http://gearmedia.ign.com/gear/image/article/900/900257/student-designs-wearable-motorcycle-20080819030549216-000.jpg[/img
- Jake Loniak
"I believe a working prototype could be made, but it would take a great deal of time and engineering," said Loniak. "This isn't fantasy, it's a green vehicle, and all of the numbers are based in the real world."
It remains to be seen whether or not the Deus Ex Machina will ever reach the point of functioning prototype, or mainlined availability for that matter. But, as the industry moves toward smaller, cost and fuel-efficient vehicles, designs like Loniak's might be closer to reality than some of us may think.
