Twitter headlinesPersonal Transit
[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
Peugeot Shows Three-wheel Drive Hybrid Scooter Concept: the HYbrid3 Evolution
November 11, 2009
| The HYbrid3 Evolution. Click to enlarge. |
At the Milan International Cycle and Motorbike Show, Peugeot is presenting a three-wheel drive hybrid scooter concept: the HYbrid3 Evolution. The scooter delivers 36 kW (49 bhp) of power, with fuel consumption of 2.0L/100 km (118 mpg US) and 48 g/km of CO2 in the combined cycle.
The HYbrid3 Evolution is a roofless—and higher-powered—version of the HYbrid3 compressor, presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The HYbrid 3 Evolution features electric motors in each of its two front wheels and a naturally aspirated engine at the rear. There are no mechanical connections between the front and the rear, with everything controlled electronically (“by wire”), which works in favor of the vehicle’s compact size.
More... | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
BMW Motorrad Develops C1-E Electric Study as Contribution to eSUM
November 06, 2009
| BMW Motorrad concept C1-E. Click to enlarge. |
BMW Motorrad has developed an electric study vehicle, the C1-E, as a contribution to the European safety project eSUM. This study unit is based on the concept of the BMW C1, and is characterized by a very high level of active and passive safety.
The electric motor employed in the study has been designed for city use and is based on components by the company Vectrix. The motor obtains its power from a lithium-ion battery and thus possesses sufficient power for mastering most inner-city traffic riding. Alternatively the vehicle could also be equipped with an efficient, low-emissions internal combustion engine.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Honda Develops New Experimental Personal Mobility Device
September 24, 2009
| The U3-X. The two seat pads and the foot rests fold into the body of the device when not in use. Click to enlarge. |
Honda has unveiled the U3-X, a compact Li-ion-powered experimental personal mobility device that fits between the rider’s legs and provides free movement in all directions just as in human walking: forward, backward, side-to-side, and diagonally. Honda will continue research and development of the device including experiments in a real-world environment to verify the practicality of the device.
This new personal mobility device makes it possible to adjust speed and move, turn and stop in all directions when the rider leans the upper body to shift body weight. This was achieved through application of technologies including Honda’s balance control technology, which was developed through the robotics research of ASIMO, Honda’s bipedal humanoid robot, and the first—based on Honda’s assessment—omni-directional driving wheel system.
More... | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
Honda Announces New Dual Clutch Transmission for Large-displacement Sport Bikes and CV-Matic Automatic Transmission for Cub-style Scooters
September 08, 2009
| Honda Dual Clutch Transmission for motorcycles. Click to enlarge. |
Honda has developed two new transmissions for its motorcycle product lines. The new Dual Clutch Transmission is the first fully automatic motorcycle dual clutch transmission for large-displacement sport bikes. The new CV-Matic automatic transmission can be used in combination with Cub-style engines.
Dual Clutch Transmission. The Dual Clutch Transmission provides riders sporty riding enjoyment with easy operation, while its superior transmission efficiency delivers fuel economy equal to or better than a conventional manual transmission. A new VFR large-displacement sport bike equipped with the new transmission will be released in Europe and North America in 2010, with sales to commence in Japan at a later date.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Piaggio Introduces Plug-in Hybrid Version of MP3 Scooter
July 08, 2009
| The MP3 hybrid. Click to enlarge. |
The Piaggio Group has introduced the MP3 Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid version of its MP3 three-wheeled scooter. With a grid-chargeable Li-ion battery pack, the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid reduces both fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50%. The MP3 Hybrid has a Euro 3 emissions rating.
The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid incorporates a parallel hybrid drive in which the 124cc combustion engine and a 2.6 kW, 15N·m synchronous brushless permanent magnet traction motor are mechanically and electronically linked and simultaneously supply power to the wheel. The hybrid powertrain offers combined power of 11 kW (15 hp), with combined torque of 16 Nm (12 lb-ft).
More... | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
The Long View from SAE 2009 World Congress
April 29, 2009
by Bill Cooke
On 20 April, the opening day of the SAE 2009 World Congress, the AVL Technology Leadership Theater presented a forum on “Green Mobility—The Long View”. Organized by Shane Chang at Honda Research Institute USA Inc., the session counted among its panelists:
Professor John Heywood, Sun Jae Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Sloan Auto Laboratory at MIT. Dr. Heywood recently co-authored a study called “On The Road in 2035—Reducing Petroleum Consumption and GHG Emissions.”
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
GM And Segway Partner on Urban Personal Mobility Electric Vehicle
April 07, 2009
| The Project P.U.M.A prototype takes a test drive in New York. Click to enlarge. |
General Motors Corp. and Segway are unveiling a new type of personal mobility vehicle targeted for city use. Under “Project P.U.M.A.” (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype urban vehicle that has only two wheels.
Project P.U.M.A. combines technologies developed and demonstrated by GM and Segway, including electric drive and batteries; dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing); all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and autonomous driving and parking.
More... | Comments (27) | TrackBack (0)
Evaluation of Shared Low-Speed Link to Public Transit Finds Demand Higher Among Day Users Than Commuters
November 29, 2008
Researchers from the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis have published an evaluation of the results of the 16-month EasyConnect field test in the San Francisco Bay area. EasyConnect was launched in August 2005 to test and evaluate the potential for a shared-use low-speed mode vehicle service at bridging the “last mile” from a public transit station to the workplace. The program used electric bicycles, non-motorized bicycles, and Segway Human Transporters (HTs). (Earlier post.)
Although in concept the program was more focused on commuters, the results of the analysis found higher demand among day users (e.g., for lunch, errands, and business meetings) than among commuters (i.e., getting from the public transit station to work and back). The electric bicycle had the highest low-speed mode share (68%) relative to the conventional bicycle or the Segway HT for commute travel; for day use, however, the Segway had the highest share (52%).
