Generally, monowheels are that wacky, wildly futuristic transport that we lump in the same category as hoverbikes and jetpacks: strange, currently impractical, but very cool. Not content with waiting for the distant future, [Sam Barker] made his own electric monowheel. (Video, embedded below.)
The hardest part of any monowheel is that the outside rim needs to stand enormous abuse. It supports the weight of the vehicle and provides most of the structural integrity, but also is the means of propulsion. [Sam]’s first thought was to use a trampoline frame as it is a round and reasonably sturdy tube steel. He 3D printed the rollers that connected the subframe to the trampoline frame. Flat bar stock was used to make the angles inside the subframe and straight tube steel connected the inner frame into a trapezoid. The trampoline frame was welded together and on the first test spin, it broke apart from the stress. It simply wasn’t strong enough.
Not to be dissuaded, he found a company that bends steel into custom shapes. He stole the e-bike kit from another bike he had converted earlier, and the wheel was turning. Some handles and foot-pedal later, it was time for a proper test drive. Overall, the result is pretty impressive and the double-takes [Sam] gets while riding down streets in town are wonderful. If you’re looking to scratch the monowheel itch, check out this wooden monowheel.
Same joy as this kid had a 100 years ago :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF0rqlgdaHM
Maybe one day someone will figure out a way to brake effectively.
Lol I’m of the age where when someone says a hundred years ago I automatically assume 19th century! Cool video
That’s rather cool. And also shows that vehicle emissions were a problem in the horsedrawn era too….
Just use rollers instead of shoes
I was thinking a pair of heelys might be good in this situation. Tip your feet back to roll, tip them front to brake.
The big problem that I see is that he can’t be completely inside the wheel because it’s still too small, and that makes it harder to keep balance.
Center of gravity is too high, would be more stable lower. Also all weights needs to be below the human speciment.
Not at all, the center of gravity should be high so that the motor can actually have some way to influence balance.
I want to know where do you get the tire?
The video says he cut a couple of regular bike tires and glued them to the outside of the steel wheel.
Solid tyres are easy. Pneumatic a challenge:
https://youtu.be/2WCnXKMPBqM
Something about it is telling me it wants to use similar balancing control methods as a Segway.
As others have said, it needs to be bigger. That will allow him to fit inside the frame and more easily transfer his weight side-to-side when needed. I think this would also allow putting more weight closer to the outer edge/bottom of the wheel.
That was my thought too. I ride an electric unicycle and it works wonderfully. Add that kind of control scheme, and you can free up BOTH of your hands while driving.
“I’m not basing my design off the South Park one.”
Coward.
I saw it before here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGKR1Z1lRik
it might profit from a g-sensor module, with a control loop to the motor driver, that prevents you from looping around in the bike. I believe audi one made an e-bike with a safe wheelie control where the motor wouldn’t let you exceed a certain angle.