Shweeb, the human-powered monorail, makes hamsters jealous
Schweeb pedal-powered monorail - click above for more
As big fans of pedal-powered vehicles, we'd like to suggest that Schweeb change their name to something that doesn't sound quite so much like "dweeb." Sure, riders look a bit like hamsters moving through a Habitrail, but that doesn't mean they're not respectable. We think.
Right now, the Schweeb can't be used for transportation. Instead, it's a fun racing experience in New Zealand. Apparently, the system of enclosed pedal pods requires half the energy of a racing bike. But the idea is meant to be used as a possible inter-city vehicle replacement. These weatherproof pods can reach 56 mph (when you're really pedaling) and the more people are in a pod train, the more efficient it can get. Schweeb calls the pods:
the most efficient vehicle on earth, the most inexpensive infrastructure of any proposed urban transit and one of the highest capacity systems available – potentially delivering thousand's of people per hour in a very small airspace. All this with zero carbon emissions and no parking worries or cost!
We like it, but we also like the tubes they use to get around in Futurama. Whatever makes the PUMA look boring is OK by us. Watch some videos of the Schweeb in action after the jump.
Gallery: Schweeb Human-powered monorail
[Source: Schweeb via Treehugger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BoneHeadOtto 8:26PM (7/21/2009)
"the most inexpensive infrastructure of any proposed urban transit and one of the highest capacity systems available"
actually the sidewalk has that title and is about as effective for public transportation as this novel toy. Neat and fun idea but not practical. And certainly not viable public transportation.
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f1tifoso 9:43PM (7/21/2009)
70kph is just under 44mph, not 56mph.
Cool idea though but not a single suit would have it....
maybe disneyland would buy one?
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paulwesterberg 10:49AM (7/22/2009)
Still much faster than road speeds on most city streets.
Matt 9:44PM (7/21/2009)
Half the energy of a race bike? I'd love to see how they came up with those numbers. Also, no parking worries? Where are all of the pods on the monorail supposed to go? They can't all be in use at any given time (if they are you can't get one to use), therefore at least one will be parked on the track most of the time, thereby being in the way of others needing to pass. Try again New Zealand.
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Chris M 10:10PM (7/21/2009)
Well, if it incorporated some sort of switching systems, then the stations and the extra pods could be located "off-line" and not block people travelling through. That's the way a PRT system is supposed to work. However, I don't think it will be a serious contender for mass transit, it's designed mainly for recreation and exercise.
Matt 10:30PM (7/21/2009)
I'm familiar with switching stations, but how would you work it out with pedal powered pods? I just don't think this can work as shown.
Ernie 1:37PM (7/22/2009)
"Half the energy of a race bike?"
Oh that's easy. They have an aerodynamic shell. Without that, a cyclist has a coefficient of drag that's comparable to a minivan (no kidding!).
Matt 1:58PM (7/22/2009)
That's assuming that drag is the only force in play. I'm guessing that pod weighs something like 100 lb or more. Even with a steel track and a nice bubble shell you probably can't move it up a hill with ease. What's more, that bubble has a pretty big cross section, and while it is an efficient shape, there is more of that shape to contend with. So, even though the Cd is lower I'd think its resistance will still be close to that of a cyclist in race position.
Luke 10:03PM (7/21/2009)
Two words come to mind: "solar" and "oven"
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nrb 10:59AM (7/22/2009)
That was my first reaction, upon seeing the picture. Nice little sweat boxes.
Rick 1:51PM (7/22/2009)
Exactly me thought. A fan, or solar powered ac unit, something. Or a window at least instead of those tiny circle vents!
FitFan 4:50PM (7/22/2009)
I wouldn't mind watching #5 sweat.
Chris M 10:06PM (7/21/2009)
Plexiglass bubble, bright sun, no air conditioning, pedalling hard - sounds like a sweat factory! Might be kinda fun on a cool day, but it really can't be considered a serious transportation system.
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M Guy 11:01PM (7/21/2009)
Single file muscle powered transportation? I have my doubts.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:55PM (7/21/2009)
Yeah. Get behind a slow person or a person who decided to take a phone call and you're boned.
MikeW 10:03AM (7/22/2009)
No, you just pedal harder.
Speed his/her a$$ up!
Slow-twitch this#
Ken 11:09PM (7/21/2009)
Can I just sit back and let the pods behind me push me along? LOL...
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Snoopy 11:09PM (7/21/2009)
Looks like it would be a lot of fun, but I don't thing it would make sense as a people mover. I wonder if they could bring that to Canada's Wonderland. That would be pretty sweet.
Maybe they could make it an Olympic sport! Not that I watch the Olympics, I just think it would be cool as a competitive sport.
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Killroy 1:23AM (7/22/2009)
This is awesome from a engineering perspective. The track is perfectly smooth so you don't have to deal with road roughness and pot holes. The recumbent position makes for a small cross-sectional area and the bubble makes for a really low coefficient of drag. The 3 advantages of a conventional bicycle mean really low motion resistance for achieving high speeds at low power output.
Right now it is jut a fun ride. Though it wont replace the conventional bike any time soon, I think with investment it is possible to implement as human powered transportation.
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John Rowell 11:33PM (7/21/2009)
I don't see this catching on as a transportation option, but it sure looks like a lot of fun!
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