EMBRIO - One-Wheeled Motorcycle

The EMBRIO Advanced Concept is a one-wheeled recreational and commuting vehicle for the year 2025, designed by the Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products. Although the riding position is similar to that of a motorcycle, the vehicle uses sensors and gyroscopes to balance up to two passengers on a large single wheel whilst driving.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL NAME: EMBRIO Advanced Concept
DEVELOPED BY:Bombardier Recreational Products
STATUS: Concept
YEAR: 2003
DRIVE SYSTEM: Fuel cell electric
FUEL: Hydrogen
LENGTH: 1,240 mm (48.8 in)
WIDTH: 700 mm (27.5 in)
HEIGHT: 1,200 mm (47.5 in)
WEIGHT: 164 kg (360 lbs)
SEATING CAPACITY: 2

Although the vehicle will also remain stable when motionless, with two small front wheels deployed at speeds below 20 kilometres per hour (12.5 mph). To move forward, the rider activates a trigger on the left handlebar. At a speed of 20 kilometres per hour (12.5 mph) the front wheels or “landing gear” retracts so the rider is balancing on the large single wheel. To turn the rider leans to the left or right. The brake is activated by a trigger on the right handlebar. Fuel cells running on hydrogen provide electricity for the electric motor which drives the single wheel.

SkyTrain - Individual Maglev System

The American company UniModal Transport Solutions developed a concept for a very high-capacity and high-speed Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) network.

This SkyTran system operates with individual, two-passenger vehicles, which are propelled and suspended by a maglev system from overhead guideways. These are laid out in a one mile by one mile networked grid throughout the city. A large number of small departure and exit portals are placed underneath the guideways at approximately every 400 metres or at every city block.

SkyTran has no fixed routes or timetables. Users can simply enter any departure portal, get into the first empty vehicle in the queue and select their destination. The vehicle then speeds up on the acceleration lane and enters the high-speed overhead guideway.

At the selected exit portal, the vehicle enters a deceleration lane where the speed is reduced until it stops at the arrival portal. Individual vehicles are capable of speeds up to 160 kilometres per hour within city limits or 240 kilometres per hour between cities. A very short braking distance allows a distance between traveling vehicles of a mere 25 metres.

The World's Tallest Snowwoman

With skis for eyelashes, giant wreaths for eyes, and red-painted tires for a mouth, this super snowwoman is 122 feet tall. The world’s tallest snowman isn’t a man at all.

Creators unveiled a 122-foot snowwoman in Bethel, Maine Friday morning.

With skis for eyelashes and red-painted tires for lips, she is a whole-lot-of-woman.

Maine creators named their snowwoman “Olympia” after their Senator who is ironically named Olympia Snowe. Olympia knocked “Angus, King of the Mountain,” the record holder since 1999, right out of the park.

The 1999 record holder was named for Angus King, who was governor in Maine at the time, but Angus isn’t King anymore.

Olympia’s creators made her arms out of pine trees and she too has her share of glitz and glamour as a giant snowflake pendant, more than six feet in diameter, hangs from her neck.
This ice princess will be around for a while; she isn’t expected to melt until May.