Automobiles in the classic cartoon “The Flintstones” were all foot powered. Since the invention of the bicycle, there has not been a whole lot of improvement within the area of human-powered autos besides engineering challenges. Some slight changes have been made. There is a pretty large break through that’s about to be hitting city roads. There’s a design firm from Oregon that has come up with a human powered automobile suitable for urban and residential travel. The vehicle they invented sustains 25 to 30 mph easily and has electric assistance. It’s a win, win situation, using no gas and keeping the driver in shape.
The HumanCar
Charles Greenwood saw the opportunity for a human powered vehicle for urban applications in the late ’60s. The idea that he and the team he works with was to create an automobile that can be run by human effort without needing a traditional motor, that travels at the very same speed as cars effortlessly in urban and residential areas. The vehicle needs no gas, produces no emissions, and gives users a workout too. According to the Daily Mail, there are already about 100 orders in, and full production will start when orders hit 800. Once the company enters production capacity, it will already be profitable.
Row, row, row your car
Passengers use a rowing motion to drive. The HumanCar Imagine PS will cruise at 25 to 30 miles per hour, though experimental models have been clocked at 60 mph. It seats four, however if fewer than three people are aboard, the motor could be used as a boost. 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 site, so it is not solely for the uber-fit.
Not the newest idea
The is definitely aimed at in the city and around the block driving. The DOT has already given it the seal of approval for exactly those purposes. This is not in any way the first foray into advanced man run vehicles. Other things like man powered airplanes like the Gossamer Condor and Gossamer Albatross are cool, but have no consumer purpose. It’s an interesting coincidence. A vehicle for the future comes straight from “The Flintstones”.
Additional reading
Daily Mail
dailymail.co.uk/motoring/article-1304120/The-human-powered-car-reach-speeds-60mph.html
Human Car
humancar.com/index.htm
