The German car manufacturer Audi has developed a prototype of an all-carbon electric mountain bike that can reach 50 km/hour. Its Wi-Fi connection allows its five driving modes to be controlled via a smartphone.
What can an Audi electric mountain bike (ATV) look like? It's a futuristic-looking machine that could be ridden by a few masked superheroes.
Named Audi e-bike WörtherseeThis prototype was unveiled by the German brand at its annual show dedicated to its design innovations.
This e-bike is an all-suspension electric ATV, i.e. equipped with a rear shock and a front fork offering 130 mm of travel. Its full carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) frame weighs only 1.6 kg. Its 66 cm wheels with blade-shaped spokes are made of the same material. The bike is equipped with a removable 48-volt lithium-ion battery (delivering 530 Wh) that can be recharged in two hours. It powers an electric motor housed in the bottom bracket housing that delivers a maximum torque of 250 Nm and can propel the machine at 50 km/h with a range of 50 to 70 km depending on whether or not the cyclist helps the bike while pedalling. But that's not all...
Trial champion Julien Dupont tests Audi's e-bike. © Audi/YouTube :
A touch screen embedded in an ATV
The Audi e-bike also incorporates an electronic assistance system that allows you to reposition the bike on the rear wheel and ride without losing your balance.
The driver can choose one of the five available driving programs from the touch screen integrated into the top tube of the frame or via his Wi-Fi connected smartphone. For example, "Wheelie" is the mode that allows the rider to ride on the rear wheel with electronic assistance. You can set a fixed pitch angle so that "the integrated sensors measure the angle of the rear wheel. If the current angle deviates from the angle programmed into the smartphone, then the electric motor intervenes," explained an Audi spokesman.
More experienced riders can also opt for control using body movements. The principle is then similar to the Segway gyropod with gyroscopes coupled with algorithms that constantly monitor balance and speed. The e-bike accelerates if the rider leans forward and slows down if he shifts his weight backwards.
E-bike, just a prototype but...
The on-board computer displays the selected driving mode, battery status, speed, distance travelled and altitude. Just as freestyle riders do, the rider can perform a large number of tricks with the bike by using the rear wheel drive system to overcome obstacles, jumping, etc. The computer displays the selected riding mode, battery status, speed, distance travelled and altitude difference. His route is recorded, he scores points each time and he can share this information with his friends via Facebook. A little futile, some would say, but well thought out. The Audi e-bike is currently only a "concept study" and its marketing is not planned. "But Audi is of course very interested in the reactions of the media and the public," we were told.
Original article: http://www.futura-sciences.com / 27 May 2012).
{Jacuzzi on}