Duke students build 70+ MPH racing electric monowheel

A team of engineering students at Duke University are working to break the fastest monowheel record with an electric monowheel. Check out the full story at: wp.me/pa0wC0-zNq
⛑️ My safety gear:
Bike helmet: amzn.to/3bn4g6J
Motorcycle helmet: bit.ly/Good_Helmet
Mesh jacket: bit.ly/Mesh_Jacket
Armored jeans: bit.ly/Riding_Jeans
Armored boots: bit.ly/Riding_boots
Armored gloves: bit.ly/Riding_Gloves
🎥 My filming gear:
Pretty product shots: amzn.to/31J4mRt
Invisible selfie stick camera: amzn.to/2SAMyUz
Chest mounted camera: amzn.to/39oFhxR
Drone: amzn.to/2vlrppt
🚲 My favorite e-bikes:
Lectric XP $979: bit.ly/LectricXP
Ride1Up 500 Series $1,099: bit.ly/Ride1Up500Series
Swagtron EB12 $999: bit.ly/SwagtronEB12
Rad Power Bikes:
Juiced Bikes: bit.ly/Juiced_Bikes
🛴 My favorite e-scooters:
WideWheel Pro: bit.ly/WideWheelPRO
Mantis Pro: bit.ly/FFR_Mantis
Dualtron Thunder: bit.ly/Dualtron_Thunder
Turbowheel Lightning: bit.ly/turbowheel-lightning
Emove Cruiser: bit.ly/Emove_Cruiser
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links: 9to5mac.com/about/#affiliate

[@SwitchModeMutations]

Initially he couldn't get project funding... but after teaming up with the high velocity spinal injury research group all impediments were rapidly removed.

[@BrandonTylerGoogle]

lol!

[@AMT12765]

wow, honestly not a bad idea. I wish I had thought of that.

[@Schultz2322]

I feel like you could easily snap your ankles too

[@phamnuwen9442]

The wheel seems to impact the driver's neck in every accident.

[@flatsixx]

I wrecked, but fortunately, my neck broke the fall.

[@Mamo878]

As my mom used to say all the time, "this is going to end in tears."

[@edwardk3]

She is wise in the ways of motoracing

[@AMT12765]

my mom did indeed join to watch one run. and indeed, she basically walked away in tears after watching me drive.

[@peggy-suetarwater4671]

Lolol

[@aeredhaelredfalen6194]

Your mom was Marvin the Paranoid Android?

[@BAM_BAM_XCI]

He should have hellies

[@espen5122]

Reminds me of a south park episode.

[@sharpcarco]

The IT 😂😂😂

[@richardides2035]

mr. Garrison should sue them !

[@livingcorpse5664]

Oh god I was hoping no one would reference that.XD

[@MoveInSilence23]

I know I wasn't the only one who thought South Park 🤣 LMAO

[@GerhardSchroeder]

Right now the monowheel doesn't seem very stable, they need to add grips at the back and front.

[@dgk030593]

Reminds me of Jack Atlas’ D-Wheel in 5D’s

[@bigmike7944]

Was totally thinking the same thing

[@iforce2d]

The wheel needs more weight so that stronger gyroscopic precession wouldn't let it get the speed wobbles so easily. That would make it harder to turn (not that they seem to be able to turn it as it is) so a wider tire with rounded surface would be necessary. Using feet might be instinctive but mostly just ends up with pilot-induced oscillation. If you're gonna get anywhere near 70mph you could probably steer with aerodynamic effects (eg. aileron). Gyro- assisted rudder could also be useful. Might wanna add a 5 point harness and roll-cage as well...

[@harryprice208]

Wouldn't a thicker & wider tire improve stability? I'm looking at you, OneWheel.

[@AMT12765]

a wide tire makes it too easy of a project ;)

[@Sebastianator01]

@@AMT12765 really?? I saw a video where a guy used bicycle tires and the stability was garbage. Unless the monocycle is aero dynamic on its own.

[@LabratTremulous]

This is exactly the kind of futuristic vehicle we need! Thank you for trying to accelerate science and design at once!

[@whatsmyname3539]

These were first built in 1971

[@tx4441]

@@whatsmyname3539 First built in the early 20th century/late 19th century actually

[@user-qo5xx5nm2e]

They were discontinued a while back. But I always wondered what we could do if we resumed production with today’s technology

[@lektwik]

The one thing I see missing in all modern monowheel designs is a fat tire as opposed to a skinny hard tire. If you look at historical designs you will see that the ones with best handling have fat pneumatic tires

[@davidfenwick987]

Looks like a hospital visit in the making. Fundamentally unstable from the rotational dynamics viewpoint.

[@Sebastianator01]

That’s inventing and testing for you. Should’ve seen the safety standards back when the mono wheel was first invented. (1930).

[@capt.boedeker1785]

I’m guessing having rollerblades or Heelys would be cheating?

[@tenzinlee6393]

Interesting idea, but yeah it's additional wheels :( Perhaps some sort of low friction shoe though.

[@davidnelson7719]

I don't know... I wouldn't begrudge someone with a bike using their kickstand to stay upright at low (0) speed.

[@Kia044]

I thought so to, but what about some sort of balancing rod with computer control, that would counteract the wobble that starts when the rider begins to lose control?

[@infinite0hacker447]

@@Kia044 Your talking an easy 5k for that you would need to redesign the mount for the engine,seat,ect to move separate from the main wheel in order for that to work

[@pencestreams9103]

Well it's just difficult to keep your feet straight from that position. Rollar blades would gradually spread your legs apart pretty quickly.

[@OnnoterWisscha]

Guys, if stability remains an issue, you should take a closer look at the 1930’s versions. They apparently have a steering mechanism that shifts the center of gravity to the left and right: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3Wcp2ysbKmVp80

[@maddogz4344]

I appreciate the mount your friends theme song in this video.

[@heyblenda]

oh yes, I knew I've heard it somewhere before!! thanks man

[@Battlemaul123]

Wow, I was wondering what this music was

[@ramEJ25]

Looks like lots of fun! Applying proper motorcycle riding techniques like getting those knees clamped around the central mechanism using the thigh muscles instead of waving in the breeze would improve the stability - actually riding a motorcycle properly requires this kind of core stability. I see the riders missing this technique.

[@xxxdiresaintxxx]

Would some sort of wheels on the bottom of their feet help so when they are balancing or steering they don't create so much drag which in turn causes more instability.

[@helenlawson8426]

Looking at it the seating or battery needs to be motorised to be moveable automatically forwards and backwards to counter acceleration & deceleration and side to side to help stability. Think like a hang glider but the stabilising movements are automated and so much faster than human reaction. Just an idea x

[@leonjohansson6542]

Airplane pilots identify those movements before the crashes as "pilot induced occolations". You have to either learn how to manually dampen the occolations or figure out a mechanical/electrical override that will elimate the problem.

[@jakesteel3020]

Use a bigger wheel to improve stability? Maybe some kind of arm rest protrusions on each side to prevent scraping If you lose stability?

[@logankruse8032]

It'll be cool to see a V-Twin version of this in the future. I'd rock that

[@PuckoBblu]

Monowheel on spd 10+ km\h has no vertical stability during stopping. For the purpose of stabilily I would try to place mighty gyroblock in lower or upper part of the monowheel.

[@graham1034]

Maybe add some small stabilizing wheels that can assist at start/stop speeds (i.e. training wheels) and be retracted once at speed.

[@300zxdriver]

Needs some loop type roll bars, look more like a ball. That way you wouldn’t get hurt in a crash.

[@andreww2927]

It may counter efforts for effeciency, but perhaps adding mass to the rotating portion would increase the centrifugal force at lower speeds? Someone else commented on using a suspended support for the drivetrain, making that less impactful should an oscillation start. Combining those two design changes might make it safe and stable enough to achieve 80 mph.

[@WisePlagueis]

Using mass transfer to accelerate is a very clever idea. I am impressed

[@mealman0447]

Thats cool, but where do we buy one?

[@TheArfdog]

Man, my eyes must be deceiving me... that's the slowest 70 mph i've ever seen!

[@hadesomegamoto7639]

Heh reminds me of the Gantz bike. I'm surprised they didn't have some kid of training wheel on it, that thing looks hella dangerous the wheel could pin you down.

[@chrisrosenkreuz23]

why don't they embed some gyros to counterbalance inertial pull (the wobbly bit at the start). I mean like the ones in those mechanical dogs that keep them level at all times

[@MichaelRada-INDUSTRY50]

check EUC named VETERAN SHERMAN, yesterday hit one of the rider 70 km/h in the city

[@Zim_Baubwe]

Why not add a wider wheel in order to help alleviate some of the balancing issues?

[@bogdankoretski]

You put that into a sphere and keep the monowheel part stabilized(Idk... gravity-based, or sort of gyroscope ) and responsible for steering and let the sphere around be responsible for the safety and stable contact with a ground... of course there might be options for the sphere's construction( fixed part and moving part like a 'conveyer belt' type). At least this construction will make commercial sense and take less space on roads, be safe to ride in the car flow( no likely to motorcycles or scooters ), low deterioration and possibility to use specifically for personal transportation in the city in a vehicle sharing infrastructure .

[@sharpcarco]

This is crazy!!!

[@dantebarnes8187]

My Mom always said,hold my beer!

[@lorenzopiccioni9920]

Monowheel: exists Me: now i can become Jack Atlas

[@CopperHeadProjects]

Blueprints please!!

[@alexanderl7491]

Monowheel...monowheel....monowheel!

[@pinkelephants1421]

Haven't a clue about engineering but from watching the clip that monowheel seems decidedly narrow. Could expanding the width create greater stability both from a width perspective & provide more room for extra battery modules [& weight], making a greater contribution to the lower centre of gravity?

[@liamc8085]

but then its harder to turn

[@pinkelephants1421]

@@liamc8085 Like I said, I've not got a clue about engineering so you may well be right.

[@JDOG1337]

They need to consult with the Mechagon engineers.

[@lostnamenowwhoami]

I could imagine when he is trying to balance, he is putting weight on the handlebars, introducing yaw, then any corrections just cause an increasing "flutter". I would say it possibly needs a different steer mechanism, perhaps floating the weight of the passenger, or perhaps a single yolk steering from the centre. I'm sure there's a thousand things to consider, but as is, I wouldn't take it up to those speeds.

[@notjoaquin7733]

mono wheel is basically bb8 with out head and just circle

[@HjMaswadyHjAmjah]

Might come in handy for excursions into the Spiral Zone...;-)

[@aintpat]

When decelerating, it is inherently unstable because the center of gravity is behind the point of contact. I don't see any way around that other than perhaps active damping of some kind.

[@paultreneary]

Ah yes. Helmet: check; leathers: check; gloves for when you fall off at low speeds - ouch.

[@nikolnolastname4473]

At least they dont have to get spitroasted to get it going.

[@scottstensland]

needs to have 3 orthogonal spinning mass discs driven by 3D gyro sensors to counterbalance wobbles along any axis ... I have seen a Swiss univ project which was a cube shaped robot with no exterior moving parts yet used spinning mass to allow a walking behavior driven by gyro feedback ... see their project kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJCZoWBnf5poZ7s or just google : The Cubli: a cube that can jump up, balance, and 'walk'

[@andregustavo2086]

Nothing new... It's inspired in the dynasphere of the 20th century

[@zeezappier7345]

Hectic crazy stuff 😰

[@doruprogramatoru9732]

my advice is to make a motorcycle wheel form, but with more width to have grip

[@nicoxis]

to be honest, stability seems much more of an achievement than high speed

[@AttemptMade]

Dude, wear in-line skates, it’ll take you up to speed without hurting yourself. Ask my mother what happens when you put your feet down on a motorcycle going 25 mph. I’ll give you a hint it involves necrotic bone and 2 new knees and a new hip for an otherwise healthy 45 yo woman.

[@nicholasclark13]

Wolfenstein bike!!!!

[@SAMZIRRA]

You need to get all the weight in front of the rider to avoid the death wobble

[@LucienYT]

...pretty sure I saw this thing on South Park years ago... 😅😅

[@TheLittlePidgey]

YUGIOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ON MOTORCYCLES

[@donvee2000]

They're gonna break their necks.

[@mrmaniac3]

The stog

[@seb.]

areo must be challenging... breaking record, or breaking some bones

[@badimpulses17]

I'm not a engineer but maybe putting two small wheels in the front or back might stabilize the Monowheel.

[@johnkenny4017]

That thing looks dangerous

[@DJRevolver1]

Trying to play Boarderlands in real life

[@adamcboyd]

Just put wheel on your heels that brake when you pull your toes up.

[@far1002]

Add gryo scope lol

[@enzannometsuke8812]

Yup, but have to watch out for tilt of wheeling turn making the gyros pull it into the turn (down) instead of balancing. Mass needs to be in a gymbal

[@SiroWan]

EV360 needs two gyros.

[@austinsmith9413]

Tires need more weight for better stability. Maybe you could just build a high speed electric unicycle. It should qualify for the monowheel record and I personally took one to 40mph without any problems.

[@xxnotmuchxx]

Might help making the wheel fatter?

[@chrisrosenkreuz23]

yes, in that it would look more badass

[@robozstarrr8930]

add sum training wheels first.... reminds me of GANTZ ! Cheers

[@18matts]

I hope nobody dies.

[@sv650nyc7]

He needs to be looser on the handles. Looks he's trying to over-correct instead of letting the wheel stabilize itself.

[@zekeyeager6836]

Looks like a beta version of a bike in the wolfenstein which the protagonist uses

[@jadamcak]

2:10 @Electrek.co Why they don't use inline skates instead of boots??? Inline skates can work like helper wheels on child bike in slow speeds. Or modified inline skates with only 1 or 2 wheels...

[@far1002]

U could break ur ankles lol.

[@AMT12765]

We tried them! There are several drawbacks with skates: first, keeping them parallel with the vehicle is extremely hard. Generally, since the vehicle is driving you forward, the skates will either start to split apart or drive inwards, especially because at higher speeds even with small differentials from parallel, you'll either get a painful split from your feet going outwards or drive your legs into the wheel. Additionally, stability during slowdown (I don't think any successful slowdown videos were included in this particular video lol) comes from using your boots to essentially plant into the ground and bring you to a stop. Can't do that as easily if your boots are wheels.

[@BicBones]

@@AMT12765 and what about using a much wider tire, wouldn't that increase stability enough to not have your feet drag?

[@jadamcak]

@@AMT12765 Thanks.

[@Johndoe-um8hz]

They can put 2 more little wheels, front and back for stabilization. I know it's no more mono wheel but its usable

[@Vamanos46]

There is not enough rotational mass with the circular tread to create whatever "gyroscopic effect" this guy is talking about. 1) Increase diameter of the wheel Or 2) Bring the CoG lower to the ground .. unless you want the rider will become part of the spinning masses tumbling down the tarmac.... Maybe THEN you will get enough gyroscopic effect for stability. 🤦 Edit: A fundamental issue I noted watching him wobble before his fall: rider is sitting upright in seat with feet up on the footrest bringing his CoG much higher than ideal. The closer he sits towards the center of the monowheel the worse the stability. So: 3) bring the handbar closer to rider and tweak foot rest position so as to facilitate bringing down rider closer to the ground (he currently cannot recline backwards comfortably)

[@nihatasay8733]

00:40 & 2:22

[@AMT12765]

crashing is kinda fun

[@bligward6609]

Neck cracks* dies*

[@TheFlatEarthChannelcom]

Gravity is only a theory, can’t be proven why it doesn’t work in real life application as you demonstrated

[@MrFreeze29]

Will he have legs when this test is over?

[@AMT12765]

tbh probably not

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

I could make it work. Where's my 10 million bucks tho. I'll take it up front.

[@KacheyRU]

а теперь вы на этой штуке заедете на горочку. лучше всего - не с разгона. ездят уже похожие коляски по нашим курортным городам.

[@joecaner]

It looks like an accident just waiting to happen....

[@martinzitter4551]

KILO'METERS, not kalamaduhz.

[@Pokeydope]

Southpark's version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHiug2SQZtGFn80

[@dj007j6]

Not innovative but great engineering challenge project for the students at Duke. College students Probably in over their head in trying to achieve that speed. Needs a stunt man and supervision.

[@salvaspin9905]

Secondo me, dovreste renderla autobilanciata e/o ingaggiare uno stuntman per esplorare tutta la libertà di movimento che il veicolo offre.

[@lmtoakley]

Roller skates

[@zitroneeng8968]

General Kenobi

[@AirwavesEnglish]

This neck-breaking device looks EXTREMELY unsafe. They should build retractable trainer wheels that retract above a certain speed in order to make slowing down and accelerating MUCH safer.

[@dandywaysofliving]

At least install them as a safety measure . like a brake but instead it's extra wheels to provide proper stability . Humanity and its hubris

[@jonp3674]

I don't know if it's against the rules but it looks like a perfect candidate for a PID controller to auto stabilise it.

[@ahaveland]

Super sketchy! Recommend having children before attempting this, and perhaps try adding a tail fin and rudder controlled with a gyro chip.

[@ismailnyeyusof3520]

Needs more work. The students have to get more knowledge about control systems. Their mono wheel cycle is way too unstable to be safe, especially if they want to break the speed record. They are more likely to break their own bones riding that thing.

[@12kenbutsuri]

Interesting, but that will make me motionsick.

[@shawng33]

STOP!

[@ulflundell8400]

Tak, oczywiscie zbudowali samodzielnie 🤣 raczej skopiowali ze starych artefaktow ...

[@Robertofosa]

Put a yugioh deck onit then we got a deal.

[@0IIIIII]

There needs to be a better place to rest your feet

[@jeffnreno5080]

Jimmy Neutron comes to mind...;-)

[@BeyondWrittenWords]

no

[@theraplawyer]

It's clear this guy cannot ride. Get Hunter Howell or someone similar.

[@darkseid6412]

ENGINEERING STUDENTS!!!! IVE SEEN HOBBYISTS WITH BETTER MONO-WHEELS!!! I CLICKED ON THIS BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD BE FURTHER AHEAD, SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE EDUCATION STANDARD THESE DAYS!!!!HAHAHAHA!!!

[@enzannometsuke8812]

Same

[@AA-zq1sx]

Darwin award in the making? I love how these guys got accepted into Duke for engineering but they can't figure out their vehicle is a total engineering clusterf%$@. There's more common sense in the comment section on this video than on their entire team!

[@Thoracius]

What mistakes did they make?

[@enzannometsuke8812]

@@Thoracius what DIDN'T they make more like. This video was extremely disappointing

[@matamerapido9920]

South park

[@Supaxiro]

This doesn't look sensible.