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Orb-it
on a wheelchair without wheels, balanced on a ball | |
You’ll be sitting pretty, seated on this Segway on a sphere, leisurely gliding forward, backward and sideways at the touch of a joystick. Like a circus performer on a large ball, the Orb-it balances and propels you by rolling and making quick, precise adjustments to its spherical tire.
The machine
is crammed with electronics, gyroscopes, motors and batteries and rests on the ball via suspended, maneuverable drive wheels. The wheels are steered for changing direction of movement, turning (yaw) and balance.
When starting, the Orb-it rolls its ball first slightly backward, to move the machine’s center of gravity in front of its point of contact with the ground, before then proceeding forward. Consequently when stopping, the ball is first accelerated somewhat to lean the machine and passenger behind the point of contact before braking.
Operation is easy. For example to move to the right while still facing forwards, just tilt the joystick to the right, or to turn right and then proceed facing in that direction, twist the joystick clockwise and then tilt it forwards.
All you have to do is climb on, grasp the control, settle back and whiz along, having a ball.
(?) illustration
http://www.geocitie...rjohnnie/orbit.html
[FarmerJohn, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
Inspired by Rods Tiger's posting and annos
http://www.halfbake...idea/Segway_20Shoes
[FarmerJohn, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
(?) iBot
http://www.indetech.com/ibot/index.html
[egnor, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
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Killer illustration. Nutty idea. |
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Man, and to think that I was going to ask for a mundane digital camera for christmas! |
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What would happen if the operator sneezed? |
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advice on dismounting while maintaining a cool and ladylike demeanour please. |
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egbert: A pigeon might be run over. |
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po: A telescoping joystick is in order. |
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Alternative for po: perhaps the giant ball could deflate, lowering the seat to the ground. |
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The technology used in the Segway HT was actually developed for a previous Kamen invention, the iBot, which is a self-balancing wheelchair. It doesn't use a giant sphere, but the system it does have can climb stairs and elevate its user to a standing position. |
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The illustration's nice; your details obviously vary. Can passengers ride on the other sides of the ball? |
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Good point, egnor. Incidentally the iBot was just this month approved by the Food & Drug Administration for sale in the U.S. Only $28,000 US. |
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What about a bouncing version for those "bouncy sports"? Croissant! |
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That's a fun idea. Plus, the illustration is a hoot (paying particular attention to the grin on the gentleman's face as he tips his hat whilst firmly grasping his joystick). (+) |
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I could picture these doing seemingly impossible tricks at a circus. |
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The trick will be to mount and dismount. If the Orb-It is balancing with no occupant, then its weight has shifted forwards. However, once a person steps up with one leg, the ball will have to zoom forwards to recover, running over your other foot. A low-to-the ground version would probably be preferrable from an engineering challenge standpoint. |
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What's a Segway? (I know what a segue is though.) |
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"What's a Segway?"
According to some internet sources, the i Series comes in at about 83 lbs. |
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+ , if for no other reason than the beautiful illustration. |
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Po: Do we have to be cool and ladylike??
FJ: I love the illustration, it is fabulous!+++ |
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Maybe design a sidesaddle orb-it...? |
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+ for reminding me of the Ambiguously Gay Duo cartoons on SNL |
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the joystick could be on the side like in the Airbus |
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not to get all carried away with how great the illustration is, but what's the point? |
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Love the period dress, it adds a steam-punkesque flavour to it all. Come to think of it, this should be steam powered! |
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This is nice. I've looked at the illustration 3 times now. |
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Segway is not for people with reduced mobility. You actually need a good balance to climb on one and to get off. Segway is designed for lazy people who don't want to use a bicycle. |
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I was searching before posting this same idea and wouldja lookit that, FarmerJohn beat me to the punch eight years ago. |
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I would like to see the illustration but geocities no longer hosts it. Is there a way to save sketches, (well better ones anyway) to the Halfbakery itself so they can't randomly vanish? |
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The second link is flagged but it works just fine, except 'Segway shoes' isn't posted or annoed to by [Rods Tiger] |
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