Focus Designs Self Balancing Unicycle on an errand

My wife dislikes to pump fuel in the stinker (infernal combustion engine vehicle) and was on her way elsewhere. I hopped on my new transportation device, the Focus Designs Self Balancing Unicycle. With an advertised range of ten miles, and possibly a realistic eight, I can travel to many destinations, including the local petrol station.

The first clip captures the backside of my travels, just after passing the intersection to a subdivision, navigating the rail-work on the sidewalk. The second clip shows clearly that I've yet to master the turn and have to dab my foot down to re-establish my balance. After I pass the camera, you can see the final seconds in the reflection of the pick-up truck tailgate.

I have helmet camera footage of the same trip, but it's meaningless. The same video could be taken from a person on foot, walking on the sidewalk. I hope to rig up a different camera mount on the unicycle, to provide more entertaining viewing.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• self-balancing
• unicycle
• focus
• designs

[MelloVEL0]

I'm trying to learn to ride a unicycle, this is cheating! :) Though I wouldn't mind a go!

[freddotu]

take a look at ride the unicycle d o t c o m and click on the book link. Six dollars for the pdf download and it's a great way to learn to ride a pedal unicycle. I did just that a couple of years ago and it made the process so much easier. It's not easy, but the book made it easier. A lot more physical work than the SBU, however!

[MewFushisDad]

How does it work?

[freddotu]

Consider it to be half of a Segway, in that the motor keeps the wheel under the rider to stay balanced. The rider need only manage left and right balance (and turns). Because of my previous pedal unicycle experience, it was pretty easy, but the learning curve is shallow for non-unicyclists too. One weekend is all it would take to be able to ride steady, I think.

[duffmetal1970]

neat !