[KL01toKA03]

While watching another video on YouTube, I stumbled on a video of the Gyro-X a prototype gyroscopically stabilized 2-wheeled vehicle. It was interesting learning about the vehicle and so I am sharing it with others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqGB1zOICfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZfpWD00Hoc

The gyroscope is tilted to maintain the balance of the vehicle, even at rest. The makers went bankrupt, and the car never made it to production. Even though it seems like an expensive solution to a non-existent problem, the uniqueness cannot be questioned.

After modifications and neglect, the prototype finally reached the Lane Motor Museum, where it was restored to its original glory.

Their website has some good pictures of the restored vehicle.
https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/coll...em/gyro-x-1967

[Thermodynamics]

Thanks for sharing, I never knew such a car existed.
In principle it's a cool concept and perhaps in modern age these vehicles can be better controlled than they were in 1967.

However, I guess, they must limited to slow speeds, like a Segway. It would be literally a boat on road given the massive flywheel around which the whole car is stabilized. Inherent danger here is the stored kinetic energy. Say a simple fail of a controller or say in the event of an accident all that kinetic energy will have a go at one instant. May be a simple dash is all that is needed to spin off to heaven.

Came across this video, same concept but an EV motorcycle. It appears with modern controls it could be a pretty robust machine.

https://youtu.be/6yIV38yohVc

[KL01toKA03]

Originally Posted by Thermodynamics

Came across this video, same concept but an EV motorcycle. It appears with modern controls it could be a pretty robust machine.

Self balancing technology can be useful in motorcycles. However, for cars, it does not provide any advantages over 4 wheels.

[alpha1]

My question remains why?
1. Why make a two wheeler "car"? Why not call it cycle?
2. Why put in a gyro, when you can put in one (or preferably two) more wheel and make it stable.

[KL01toKA03]

Originally Posted by alpha1

My question remains why?
1. Why make a two wheeler "car"? Why not call it cycle?

I think they called it a two-wheeled vehicle.

Originally Posted by alpha1

2. Why put in a gyro, when you can put in one (or preferably two) more wheel and make it stable.

This was a solution to a problem that didn't exist. That could be one of the reasons why it did not make it to production. However, it was a unique prototype.

[srini1785]

Originally Posted by alpha1

My question remains why?
1. Why make a two wheeler "car"? Why not call it cycle?
2. Why put in a gyro, when you can put in one (or preferably two) more wheel and make it stable.

Simple reason: Because you can.

These are technology demonstrators and would never make it to production. They may however find strategic roles in niche application like space or defense.

P.S : I remember a vintage toy that was based on this car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUsKPfF1zXk

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thanks for sharing! Moved to the International Scene.