New crappy invention by GM and a waste of billions

[Dripping Rain]

the cubicle of death
it may be premature but imho this will never see the light of day. resources, money, time wasted on a crappy pointless impractical project.
Your tax dollars at work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZumhlkdBw3U
ill probably make something like this or even better for free as my senior year project
good night

[sparebulb]

It has been pitched the last couple of day as "from the maker of the Hummer...." and Segway. I figure that the most appropriate name would be the "Slummer". (my trademark)

Can't you see that piece of crap tooling through the crowded streets of Dehli?

[amonasro]

Wow. Take the failed Segway recipe, add a cup of ugly, two tablespoons of impractical and five gallons of unsafe. I can't imagine what would happen if one of these death traps encountered a NYC pothole or aggressive cab driver.

[robert4rp08]

I think it's pretty sweet.

[EgwaTlvdatsi]

Hmm...I guess if I tie my kids to the top, and tie my wife to the back, then that'll leave enough room to put the groceries on the second seat...

[schiffstudent]

Wow. Take the failed Segway recipe, add a cup of ugly, two tablespoons of impractical and five gallons of unsafe. I can't imagine what would happen if one of these death traps encountered a NYC pothole or aggressive cab driver.

How did the Segway fail? They're expensive, but the gyro technology in it is unlike anything else out there. Granted this needs to be redesigned and beefed up into a safer/esthetic version, but at least it's a change towards electric vehicles.

[Bman]

WTF!?!

I got a better zero emission vehicle if you live in the city. I bet it's a lot cheaper also.

http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/oap/images/atlas%20bike.gif

Hello people. We invented these a while back. Better in every way than that stupid ass thing.

[heavenlyboy34]

that would be practical in the Arizona suburbs, IMHO (except the scarier neighborhoods...the gang thugs'll get ya! :eek:).

[LATruth]

I see senior citizens riding around the mall in this...

[Golding]

It's ugly, but I do rather like the idea of automated travel and communicated presence on the road for the sake of avoiding accidents.

[LATruth]

It's ugly, but I do rather like the idea of automated travel and communicated presence on the road for the sake of avoiding accidents.

Obama will have a back door to this too, one day you think you're going to to grandma's, but end up at the gestapo HQ. No automation for me. You will have to scan your thumbprint to start the freaking thing... (yeah I'm going a little far)

[sdczen]

I'm sure we can all anticipate the headlines and photos of the first one of these that gets creamed by a taxi driver in lower Manhattan.........

......And the comes the regulations. Airbags, seat belts etc... blah blah blah

[Uriel999]

that would be practical in the Arizona suburbs, IMHO (except the scarier neighborhoods...the gang thugs'll get ya! :eek:).

The gangsta thugs will be using them for drivebys

I'll stick to bunchies

[Objectivist]

What happened to the Segway being the transport of the future? By the way, where do these idiots think the energy is coming from to charge these things at night?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENRiWNEGZDc

[TastyWheat]

That would be great if we all lived downtown, but I'm not commuting for an hour in that two-wheeled pinata.

[Objectivist]

That would be great if we all lived downtown, but I'm not commuting for an hour in that two-wheeled pinata.

Don't big cities have a problem with car jackings?

[Golding]

Obama will have a back door to this too, one day you think you're going to to grandma's, but end up at the gestapo HQ. No automation for me. You will have to scan your thumbprint to start the freaking thing... (yeah I'm going a little far)What if your grandma works for the gestapo? No disappointment, right? :)

[akihabro]

Looks like a deathtrap! Get a bike, scooter or motorcycle. If you get good gear you can fly off your motorcycle and walk away lol.

[akihabro]

That would be great if we all lived downtown, but I'm not commuting for an hour in that two-wheeled pinata.

I'm going to get my electric bat and chase you. Andale mejo!

[FindLiberty]

PUMA could have also been designed on a napkin in a restaurant by well intentioned gubermint planners. The comment on this thread dealing with the backdoor to deliver you, in your ride, directly to a NAZI interrogation compound is chilling...

Hitler envisioned an affordable car for the masses. Porsche's design floated around from Zundapp to NSU and finally the company that would become VW.

It was originally designated KdF-wagen, KdF stood for one of Hitlers motto's: Kraft durch Freude, or, "Strenght through Joy''.

Interesting logo ideas:

PUMA - software division (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8OdwcdqVhw&feature=related)

PUMA - Logo design testing FAIL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJQptlV2uTg&feature=related)

Unrelated logo testing FAIL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0-Q0Amthc4)

PUMA - anti-theft system drama FAIL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8dl4faCpJE&feature=related)

Notes: PUMA stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility.
Nazi stands for National Socialism, a form of fascism incorporating elements from both left and right-wing politics.

[Working Poor]

I noticed that the comment section had been disabled on this video. I guess they do not care what potential buyers have to say.

[Objectivist]

I noticed that the comment section had been disabled on this video. I guess they do not care what potential buyers have to say.

My thought exactly! I wanted to ask where they planned on getting the electrical energy to power those turds.

[coyote_sprit]

I can imagine someone putting it to auto destination and then getting there car jacked. The criminal ends up at the dude's house and robs the place, lol.

[smithtg]

WTF!?!

I got a better zero emission vehicle if you live in the city. I bet it's a lot cheaper also.

http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/oap/images/atlas%20bike.gif

Hello people. We invented these a while back. Better in every way than that stupid ass thing.


I think a 50cc moped is better than GM's thing and an upgrade to your bicycle lol

[idiom]

The segway somehow got banned in New Zealand for being too slow for the road, but to fast for the sidewalk.

Those PUMAs likewise need a city or suburb designed for them.

Bicycles work really well in Amsterdam, partly because the city is flat as a pancake, but mostly because there are large segregated cycle lanes *everywhere*, bicycle stands *everywhere* and space for you *and* your bicycle on the Metro.

America is designed to have large cars travelling a lot. That is the major problem.

[acptulsa]

A Seguaymobile :rolleyes: So, the gyro is cute and tricky and gets the thing attention--and it reminds me of a cute toy that came out when I was a kid (it just had a weight in the bottom). But tell me the truth--is the gyro really lighter than a third wheel? And if not, is there a serious point to this? Because I know the enclosed version needs a bigger, heavier gyro...


It's ugly, but I do rather like the idea of automated travel and communicated presence on the road for the sake of avoiding accidents.

And I like to drive, so I will fight this tooth and nail. Not because I don't think there are a bunch of crappy drivers out there who would benefit, but because one foot down the slippery slope will inevitably result in me being disallowed control of my own car. And that's a double injury to me. One, there's no fun in it. Two, I'm smarter than a computer.

I have a completely manual camera. It's a pain in the ass. But since I'm smarter than any camera computer, I can get some photos out of it that no one without a manual camera could possibly get. Likewise, these traffic 'Big Brother' computers are not infallible, and if you think I'll happily sit powerless in my car while 'the system' tries to kill me because someone's sensor isn't working and someone elses transponder isn't working and the computer can't see what I can see, you've got me confused with someone else.

[Kraig]

New invention + company in need of bailout = lolololol

[constituent]

that thing is the shit. i'd use it for back roading.

[constituent]

I think a 50cc moped is better than GM's thing and an upgrade to your bicycle lol

you can get an electric motor put on the bike. i've seen some that'll do >20 all day.

[constituent]

And I like to drive, so I will fight this tooth and nail. Not because I don't think there are a bunch of crappy drivers out there who would benefit, but because one foot down the slippery slope will inevitably result in me being disallowed control of my own car. And that's a double injury to me. One, there's no fun in it. Two, I'm smarter than a computer.

I have a completely manual camera. It's a pain in the ass. But since I'm smarter than any camera computer, I can get some photos out of it that no one without a manual camera could possibly get. Likewise, these traffic 'Big Brother' computers are not infallible, and if you think I'll happily sit powerless in my car while 'the system' tries to kill me because someone's sensor isn't working and someone elses transponder isn't working and the computer can't see what I can see, you've got me confused with someone else.

I have a revolutionary solution for you. It's one my secret inventions still though. Give me five years w/out time to hash it all out on the comp. and i'll spill the beans.

[acptulsa]

you can get an electric motor put on the bike. i've seen some that'll do >20 all day.

Very handy for those who get nervous flying a bicycle down hills so they'll have some momentum for climbing the next one. The motor acts as a generator downhill, and the battery helps you up the next one. Works without the excess speed.


I have a revolutionary solution for you. It's one my secret inventions still though. Give me five years w/out time to hash it all out on the comp. and i'll spill the beans.

My idea of a revolutionary solution to our current problems is, get rid of the goofy regulations that make it illegal to build and sell a 1964 VW, or a 1964 Dodge Dart. Update the driveline of either with knock sensors and overdrive and you have a very light, very useful, very efficient automobile. Of course, you don't have five pound electric motors to move your window glass up and down or air bags waiting to obscure your vision and break your arms as you try to minimize the damage and injury in an accident, but you just can't have everything...

[Dripping Rain]

It's ugly, but I do rather like the idea of automated travel and communicated presence on the road for the sake of avoiding accidents.

i prefer freedom

[Ninja Homer]

This is why failing companies shouldn't be bailed out.

First they come up with this stupid idea.
Then they're going to use taxpayer bailout money to lobby it like hell to get cities to use their idea.
There are no big congested cities in the US where these things will work, because they'll need their own special lanes, so then it's going to take billions of dollars of infrastructure changes.
Zero emissions? What do they run on, pixie dust? Something has to charge those batteries.

[smartguy911]

i like the idea of vehicles communicating with each other

[Dripping Rain]

i like the idea of vehicles communicating with each other

lol. privacy undermined + hardware/software/human error= catastrophe

[Dripping Rain]

morning bump. screw gm

[MyLibertyStuff]

How did the Segway fail? They're expensive, but the gyro technology in it is unlike anything else out there. Granted this needs to be redesigned and beefed up into a safer/esthetic version, but at least it's a change towards electric vehicles.

We have 3 in the garage...all broken. They fall apart and have no real practical use.

[Golding]

i prefer freedomAre you implying that I don't because I find an idea that employs technology to avoid accidents interesting?

[VIDEODROME]

http://dailydish.typepad.com/the_daily_dish/images/entity.jpg

[PatriotLegion]

This thing is a joke! Its hard enough to see motorcycles in your mirrors and yet this is another unsafe motorized rickshaw (sp?), I personally like the people powered rickshaw here in NYC now but this thing looks to be a problem on Manhattan streets IMO.

I can see people riding this thing on the shoulder and hit about 5-6 people waiting to cross the street - watch out for the bikers too!

[acptulsa]

Are you implying that I don't because I find an idea that employs technology to avoid accidents interesting?

No sir. No one said that and I don't think anyone was implying it. It's just that these good ideas always and unfortunately present a danger these days--the government always wants to make this crap mandatory. I have to keep fixing my '93 model car, for example, because I refuse to own a car with airbags that could attack me without warning. Now, I'm a talented driver and I realize that not everyone is. But talent doesn't bother these damned legislators one bit! They'll stuff the talented into the same mediocre mold that improves the untalented. And that, to me, is a huge part of what is wrong with this nation today.

Isn't it possible to enjoy the fruits of something like this without having it shoved down your throat whether you want it or need it or not? I know, you don't want to shove it down my throat. But how often has something like this been sold to us, then forced upon us? That's why I look askance at it--just another idea with promise that will instead be used to erode my freedom.

Now, in areas where I am untalented (woodworking comes to mind) I'm happy about the safety devices and would willingly pay for them even if it weren't mandatory to do so. But, damn it, why does a talented and careful woodworker have to pay extra for something that is no benefit to him or her, but merely a pain in the butt--like safety devices on power tools? Just because some people don't have enough sense to judge their various talents realistically? This idiotproofing of America, if you couldn't tell, gets my goat.

[Minarchy4Sale]

George Castanza wants one.

[Dripping Rain]

Are you implying that I don't because I find an idea that employs technology to avoid accidents interesting?

no i wasnt Golding. i wasnt trying to insult you. but your statement i see as anti privacy. why? for the same reason people oppose biometric ids and rfid. the last thing i want is someone i dont trust knowing where my location is even if it was for the sake of avoiding accidents. just imagine how your privacy will be compromised. chipping yourself with your health record sounds like a great idea, but what good is it when someone can hack that chip and obtain your private health info maybe to deny you a job or a gun or maybe to take your children away from you etc the possibilities are endless. what about your position on the road? how about a robber tracking you for example so that he can rob your home? i just prefer privacy which means freedom

[Golding]

no i wasnt Golding. i wasnt trying to insult you. but your statement i see as anti privacy. why? for the same reason people oppose biometric ids and rfid. the last thing i want is someone i dont trust knowing where my location is even if it was for the sake of avoiding accidents. just imagine how your privacy will be compromised. chipping yourself with your health record sounds like a great idea, but what good is it when someone can hack that chip and obtain your private health info maybe to deny you a job or a gun or maybe to take your children away from you etc the possibilities are endless. what about your position on the road? how about a robber tracking you for example so that he can rob your home? i just prefer privacy which means freedomPerhaps I just didn't hear the video correctly, but my understanding is that your description isn't exactly how the idea works. My understanding is that the signaling is non-specific. Not so much a "This is Dripping Rain's car that is on a collision course", but rather "This is a car on a collision course". Sort of like how a magnet has a field that makes it avoid another magnet of the same polarity.

I should reiterate, though, that I'm not saying I'd necessarily want this project GM is presenting. Truth be told, an automated (and thus unexpected) movement would probably hurt enough people with the whiplash alone. I merely thought some of the things they presented were interesting.

[LibForestPaul]

http://burgmanriders.com/wp-content/uploads/hanoi_traffic.jpg

Wow, 3rd world vietnamese solving oil shortage problem, w/o electric bs and gyros.

[Sandra]

Let the market decide.

[werdd]

Honestly who is going to drive a little peice of shit like that? This is what is pissing me off about america these days.

The goverment tells us we need to move toward cleaner energy and transportation, so they bailout auto companies to waste billions on a little piece of shit like this. I might be wrong, but this is a perfect example of interfering with the free market.

When clean energy is more efficient, and cheaper to produce, the free market will naturally choose it over oil. Until that happens, oil and coal should be our main sources of energy. The US has mass reserves of coal, but because of all of these goverment regulations we are never going to be able to unlock the massive reserves we have. We are going to have to waste billions on solar and wind. Driving up the price of energy, but that's okay because the goverment doesn't have to make a profit like real businesses.

So while i am all for research for making alternative resources more efficient, until they are more efficient they are a waste of time.

[Matt Collins]

I created these... feel free to spread them around:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/GM-Logo.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/GM-Logo2.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/GM-Logo4.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/GM-Logo3.jpg

[acptulsa]

Back when they still used their old slogan with a straight face (wasn't true then, either--in fact it never was) I always drew the GM logo with the phrase, 'Mark of Pestilence'.

The company never once cared about making cars--just money.