% Underpowered in hilly cities like San Francisco, Seattle, etc. %
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-mit-researcher-thinks-autonomous-electric-tricycles-are-the-transportation-of-the-future-2015-11 Autonomous tricycles may be how we get around cities in the future [20151109] Danielle Muoio, Tech Insider [image http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/56421f3cdd08958c1f8b468b-1385-1039/screen%20shot%202015-11-10%20at%209.22.51%20am.png Chin's electric tricycle concept video flash ] Ryan Chin, a research scientist at the MIT media lab, has designed an autonomous tricycle for future city commuters. The electric tricycle is made of carbon fiber and comes with a foldable canopy and 250-watt motor, according to Quartz [ http://qz.com/544329/would-you-trade-in-your-car-for-an-adult-tricycle/ ]. Chin presented the tricycle at MIT's EmTech conference last week. The tricycle can navigate on its own, but the passenger must pedal to activate the motor. It uses scanners to navigate and is designed to fit in bike lanes. It can reach a top speed of 12 miles per hour. "The idea behind the persuasive electric vehicle is to persuade you to get some exercise as you get to work,” Chin said at the EmTech conference. But the bikes aren't meant to be personally owned, but shared within a city similar to the Citi Bike program in New York City. There's no mention of an app for calling the tricycles, rather someone could use one after it's dropped off its latest passenger. Chin said this model would ensure there are no shortages or oversupply of bikes at certain times of the day, MIT Technology Review reported [ http://www.technologyreview.com/news/543156/your-urban-vehicle-of-the-future-might-be-an-electric-tricycle/ ]. The tricycles could also be used to deliver packages. Chin notes there are issues with the autonomous, e-tricycle. The assisted-motor technology may encourage exercise, but it won't be popular in hilly cities like San Francisco. Additionally, there are many cities, especially in Asia, without bike lanes. But Chin's thinking is in line with what many others see as the future of city transportation. Several cities are adopting driverless electric shuttles as a new form of public transportation. And futurologist Ian Pearson told Tech Insider that he thinks driverless systems will be ubiquitous 10 years from now. [© businessinsider.com] For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Chin-s-MIT-auton-e-tricycle-pedal-to-activate-ts-12mph-tp4678681.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
