Comments on: Google Investing in Human-Powered Monorail [VIDEO]

By: Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar

Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:52:00 +0000

it would be easy to attach storage and even a extra bay for an infant. More weight = more momentum…

By: Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar

Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:50:00 +0000

Screw that, you could harness some of the energy generated by the pedalling and put it back into the power grid.

By: Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar

Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:49:00 +0000

If you would have watch their videos they state that… When one person is travelling slow at the front, another can approach from behind and push them adding more mass thus giving more momentum than a single schweeb and helping to speed up the slow person infront.

By: Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar

Josh Walter Armitage Scorrar — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:46:00 +0000

you can go way faster than you can on a bicycle too.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:15:11 +0000

@Pieter: yeah, i’m a big proponent of bicycling for transportation purposes. however, i see ways in which this can be a better option — over obstacles, in steep places, where people need or want more protection from cars… we’ll see.

By: Pieter

Pieter — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:21:23 +0000

I think something like this allready exists… it’s called a bicycle!
this is neat and cool and whatever but practical value is close to zero.

By: Sven

Sven — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:10:00 +0000

If you think this is cool, look up skytran. That is the closest thing to teleportation as there is.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:41:37 +0000

@Jim: i think there are a lot of possible applications of this. some may have to deal with such issues, but others not

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:35:47 +0000

the company says there would be two lanes (if i remember that correctly)… one for slower riders and another for faster ones. also, it’s important to note that this is not generally aimed at very long-distance trips…

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 23:42:11 +0000

It looks interesting, but not practical at all in a big city or elsewhere. There seems to be too much structure, supporting the suspended single occupant vehicle. As the person inside is in a recumbent position, it seems to be a space-wasting system. Plus, if one peddler goes slow, it will slow everyone else down who wants more speed. If there’s no way to go around someone, it seems like a frivolous means to create efficient transportation. However it looks pretty cool.

By: MG

MG — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:28:44 +0000

… and so when several hundred people need to get where they’re going, but the person in front of them is out for a sunday stroll or is a 70-year old pedaling at 5 mph… I guess everyone just stacks up behind and has to wait?

By: What about Solar?

What about Solar? — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:21:21 +0000

This is so cool! You could even take it further….Solar Powered or Battery Powered. Even Fuel Cells! Imagine how much fun it would be to go across town without all the traffic. Imagine how good of shape you can get it. This is the closest thing to flying without the risk of crashing! I could see this taking the place of driving and reclaiming lands that roads have taken up! I hope this takes off! hey Google! Are you hiring?

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:22:07 +0000

seriously this is one terrible idea. With kids and bubble gum, no way. where is one to put any carry on items ? I would be tired just after one half hour. Sorry ! Beside who would want to clean these pods after dirty diapers are left behind. It might be ok for some teens, but forget the rest of us.

By: Cool Green Morning: Friday, October 8 | Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:33:59 +0000

[…] is investing $1 million in a human-powered monorail. (Clean […]

By: Taylor Buehler

Taylor Buehler — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:39:26 +0000

This sounds like a really cool idea! My uncle works for Google, so it’d be great if this all took off!