Electric Bikes - MIT Greenwheel project
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Tom Bombadil
02-21-09, 07:50 PM
Battery, motor, and generator all in a wheel hub. Could be installed on nearly any bike. Hopefully on the market within a year or so.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29259226/wid/18298287/?gt1=45002
El Duderino X
02-22-09, 12:22 AM
That's damned interesting. Let's hope it isn't vaporware.
I'd be impressed if they can get meaningful power from a battery that small. I'm guessing it won't do pedal assist.
Tom Bombadil
02-22-09, 06:38 PM
The article says that if one pedals, it doubles the range of the battery.
The apparent innovations over the BionX (http://bionx.ca) are wireless throttle and battery density. The battery claims have been rightly questioned in the discussion (http://technology-science.newsvine.com/_news/2009/02/18/2449275-green-wheel-turns-pedal-bike-into-electric-hog#comments) thread attached to the NBC story.
Tom Bombadil
02-22-09, 07:45 PM
It is certainly VERY possible that the author of this pieces didn't get all of the facts straight. For example, maybe the range is 25 miles when you are also pedaling. 50 miles in pedal assist from this wheel would be phenomenal.
The story does state that the hub also contains a generator. If so, then it would be able to pick up the energy from the pedaling and put that back into the battery. I really like this concept but it wouldn't add that many miles to the range.
El Duderino X
02-23-09, 02:03 AM
http://jcwinnie.biz/wordpress/?p=4504
Tom Bombadil
02-23-09, 11:49 AM
http://jcwinnie.biz/wordpress/?p=4504
Thanks. That gives more info. I like the graphic showing the parts.
It seconds the claim that it has a 25 mile range without pedaling.
I love the capability that it can be charged by pedaling. So even if it were drained, if you had a long flat section where you could charge it, maybe it could help you up over the next hill.
This is exactly the kind of technology that I think will make e-bikes more popular. Just pop it onto a current bike and off you go. No wiring needed. No retro-fit kits.
Waiting for retail price now :)