Ford has been granted a US patent for, and we quote, a “Self-propelled unicycle engagable with vehicle”. The patent application illustration shows the vehicle’s rear wheel removed and installed on the unicycle, and off you go.
While we cannot think of many situations where you would deliberately disable one vehicle just to enable another, according to Ford, the unicycle is their concept of a multi-mode transport for urban areas.
Considering how dirty car wheels get, and the effort of jacking your car up just to ride your electric unicycle, we think this should be filed under “it seemed like a good idea at the time”.
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A good idea is to design a dedicated unicycle that folds into the car’s boot (or wherever fits) and have it unfold when needs be.
why don’t use spare tire?
Good step from FORD. They know how to make money from IP. Once TPPA approved, then who ever trying to mass production this idea..Ford will be rich..
I also must patent my ideas as well.
Proton better make the winner in design contest design a patent of its own. U know, that car that can float.
Imagine if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere without mobile receptions (think the outbacks or rural areas in some countries) and the nearest town is but miles away, at least you can use this unicycle to get to the nearest town for help rather than to just wait under the sun for that potential passerby.
Good Idea indeed…
at least we can cycle under the heavily congested urban roads.
less fuel used, less emission outputs.
Better buy a hoverboard just like the catholic priest in Philipinnes. Inexpensive.