The Hanna Barbera cartoon “The Flintstones” was a long running program about a stone age family. There were vehicles, although the cars within the show were all powered by foot. The first car driven by man power on a large scale was the bicycle. There hasn’t been a titanic amount of improvement on that basic mechanism. Until now, that is. A design firm out of Oregon has come up with an automobile that can sustain speeds of about 30 mph, with electric assistance. It is a win, win situation, using no gas and keeping the driver in shape.
It’s known as the HumanCar
An opportunity was noticed by engineer Charles Greenwood, to create that uses human power and provides good exercise. He and the rest of the engineers and designers he works with have been at it for awhile. The goal was to create an auto that could travel at car speeds with no engine to speak of. The car needs no gas, produces no emissions, and gives users a workout too. According to the Daily Mail, you will find already about 100 orders in, and full production will start when orders hit 800. Once the business enters production capacity, it will already be profitable.
Rowing not just for boats
The vehicle is not pedaled. Rather, it is rowed. The HumanCar Imagine PS will very easily hold at 25 to 30 mph, but experimental models have been clocked at 60 mph. There is a rechargeable electric motor aboard, and the four seat should have the motor on if fewer than three are aboard. Steering is done by leaning, similar to a motorcycle. Greenwood is older than 60 and routinely drives one, and part of the testing was using senior citizens to drive it, according to the HumanCar website, so it is not solely for the uber-fit.
Older ideas nevertheless work
The automobile has a limit. It is geared for trips in the city or around the neighborhood. It is already street lawful. The DOT has approved it for exactly those uses. This is not by any means the first foray into advanced human powered vehicles. Other things like man run airplanes like the Gossamer Condor and Gossamer Albatross are cool, but have no consumer purpose. Interestingly, “The Flintstones” may have inspired a car for the future.
Additional reading
Daily Mail
dailymail.co.uk/motoring/article-1304120/The-human-powered-car-reach-speeds-60mph.html
Human Car
humancar.com/index.htm
