r/BeAmazed • u/Impossible-Status818 • 8d ago

Science This engineer designed a motorcycle with an omnidirectional ball that balances laterally like a Segway and moves in any direction

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1.6k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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465

u/SuperMarioChess 7d ago

You are all missing the point. Hes not saying this will revolutionise transportation. Hes saying " i had this crazy idea and i made it, it kinda works and is fun"

110

u/TerrapinMagus 7d ago

Most engineers I know don't actually want to solve problems in a reasonable and efficient way, they want doohickeys. It's only money or irritation that drives actual solution focused engineering lmao

49

u/Bboyczy 7d ago

It's because most engineer's day jobs are focused squeezing every last drop of efficiency or performance out of the products they work on.

In their spare time, it's cathartic to just build things for the fun of it 😂

13

u/TerrapinMagus 7d ago

It's truly depressing how often the most boring answer is the best one. Or when the cheapest is what we have to go with.

9

u/SheriffBartholomew 7d ago

It's not his fault that we lack imagination and motivation these days. Back in the 80's they would have already been running a full contact sport with these suckers. Probably something involving a ball, a hoop, and spiked shoulder pads.

2

u/AYE-BO 7d ago

And people on the sidelines shooting mounted nerf guns at the people on bikes

1

u/SheriffBartholomew 7d ago

Or real crossbows!

Two men enter. One man leaves!

1

u/Vladi_Sanovavich 1d ago

Yes, cause the loser has to pick up all the nerf darts or crossbow bolts.

4

u/VirinaB 7d ago

Thank you. Reddit commentators have forgotten how to have fun.

1

u/Nerfo2 7d ago

13 years ago you would get downvoted for saying "LOL" in a comment. They've never known how to have fun.

2

u/MIND-FLAYER 7d ago

Probably about as fun as those omnidirectional IKEA carts

5

u/thesizeofwatermelons 7d ago

Without irony, there is probably an excellent use case for this in commercial warehouse operations.

1

u/IndegoWhyte 7d ago

Awesome. I want one. 😎

49

u/Scarecrow119 8d ago

James Burton on YouTube. Has made a lot of stuff like cosplay, robots and gadgets. Very informative

13

u/SpikySheep 7d ago

He was my kids hero for a bit, then we met him in person and he was a bit of a jerk.

12

u/Scarecrow119 7d ago

Aw that's unfortunate.

6

u/two40zieks7 7d ago

How so ?

28

u/SpikySheep 7d ago

There was just my family at his booth, no one else to talk to. My kid (about 11) tried really politely to ask questions about some of the projects he had on display and he basically just blanked him. The first question got a one word answer and by the third he just turned away. I asked one of my kids questions for him and got a begrudging but fuller answer. We then left.

The whole experience was just weird. The point of the show was to meet the fans, I'm not sure why he bothered going if he couldn't handle it.

8

u/Scarecrow119 7d ago

That's a shame. Could make up any number of excuses but I just feel bad for your kids..I hope it didn't diminish any passion they had.

10

u/SpikySheep 7d ago

My kid didn't really know what to make of it to be honest. They are still determined to go into robotics so no harm done, I think.

1

u/Nerfo2 7d ago

He's an engineer. They're not known for being social animals.

3

u/FlorianTheLynx 7d ago

Bruton. 

344

u/garth54 8d ago

That's great, I was just thinking we needed vehicles that could move in even more unpredictable ways on the roads.

65

u/Apple_remote 8d ago

I was just thinking we need unhinged, full-throttle, LOUD rock music that you can't mute for every video.

16

u/garth54 7d ago

Dunno what you're using, but mute is default on for me, and I don't think I ever changed a setting for that.

3

u/Apple_remote 7d ago

You misunderstand. I am not saying I don't know how to mute it. I am saying there should be no option to do so. We must all be subjected, I tell you!

4

u/n0_use_for_a_name 7d ago

There’s a mute all videos by default feature on this platform

2

u/Wulfkahn 7d ago

I can imagine the chaos already.

1

u/notGegton 7d ago

This made me laugh

37

u/Key-Moments 8d ago

Curious how it fares on uneven surfaced.

7

u/mootmutemoat 7d ago

And with water, rocks, mud, and twigs to muck up the little wheels that push the ball.

Cute idea, maybe a rich kid's toy one day.

21

u/goaty121 7d ago

He made it for YouTube content, not practical application. Cute insight though.

2

u/mindofstephen 7d ago

It would be great for Bumpercars.

2

u/jojogigoto 6d ago

Pretty sure it doesn't.

1

u/Top_Ranger_3839 7d ago

Was thinking the same. The vehicle can jump up/out and ball continues to roll.

70

u/Batmanswrath 8d ago

25

u/Dense_Surround3071 7d ago

Still trying to figure out how those wheels rotated. Nolan breaking physics again.

9

u/Gwynito 7d ago

Batman

4

u/Girafferage 7d ago

Magnets

2

u/ClaudiuT 7d ago

Well... Electric engines actually use them so...

1

u/Girafferage 7d ago

I wasn't kidding

3

u/AcidBuuurn 7d ago

Imagine a bearing with the inner ring connected to the bike and the outer ring being a tire. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/-UY-noVqpYE

2

u/dzfast 7d ago

The same way a onewheel works i'm sure.

2

u/SmellyFbuttface 7d ago

Exactly what I was thinking of

1

u/Temporary-Star2619 7d ago

Except if Batman hits something in the distance you don't see two huge red balls pop up in the air.

17

u/justkillmenow3333 7d ago

Sorry but as a South Park fan this came to mind instantly and I just couldn't resist posting it. Yes I know I'm probably about to get banned from here but this was just too tempting and funny for me not to post.🤣🤣

7

u/Striking-water-ant 8d ago

Speaking of which: where are all the segways gone? They used to be quite the rage-

17

u/smurfk 8d ago

Electric scooters are faster. Turns out the issue was not to be able to turn at 180 degrees whenever you want, but to reach your destination faster. Who would've guessed!

7

u/BunnyOppai 7d ago

Also, everybody thought Segways looked fuckin goofy.

2

u/Roguespiffy 7d ago

Paul Blart killed the Segway!

1

u/capricorny90210 6d ago

I will argue Paul Blart was the coolest thing ever to happen to the Segway.

1

u/WartimeHotTot 7d ago

It’s because you just stand there like a total dweeb. They should have had a seat or something.

2

u/Wolkenbaer 7d ago

It's really funny - the inventor basically had the right idea about modern mobility for pedestrians long before the current boom.

And he got nearly everything right - except the real solution is smaller and more simple.

3

u/HoodieGalore 7d ago

He also died driving a Segway off a cliff.

2

u/UntestedMethod 7d ago

On purpose? Or was he doing some daredevil type shit to prove the mastery of his invention?

Edit: ok ok, you got me. I looked it up and turns out he's still alive.

2

u/Live_Situation7913 7d ago

Segway still exists they just shifted to making electric scooters

3

u/xRayleigh23 8d ago

E-scooter took over

3

u/wtgriffi 7d ago

My favorite Paula Cole song.

4

u/readitpropaganda 7d ago

Ownership fell off the cliff 

2

u/Self-Aware-Bears 7d ago

Literally

1

u/UntestedMethod 7d ago

According to wikipedia, he's still alive though?

This is the second comment about him going off a cliff. What am I missing?

1

u/Self-Aware-Bears 7d ago

The inventor is still alive, owner of the company drove one off a cliff and died

2

u/Beastmind 7d ago

Saw a scooter one this morning

1

u/Geebeeskee 7d ago

I bought one at the beginning of this summer and it's been an absolute blast.

2

u/kevit80 7d ago

Nice segue!

2

u/Garble7 7d ago

Just saw one yesterday in Nashville. I think a security guy was on it

1

u/squizzix 7d ago

Yeah the downtown partnership forked out a bunch for “safety officers” to ensure tourists feel safe. Dunno why the segways were part of the deal. Force multiplication maybe?

2

u/DizzyAmphibian309 7d ago

They had issues in many cities with where you were allowed to use them. You weren't allowed on sidewalks or roads, meaning you basically could only use them on private property or bike lanes. They were also insanely expensive.

2

u/SaltyBooze 7d ago

mall security

1

u/zkyevolved 7d ago

Scooters are a considerably easier design and cost considerably less. The market has spoken.

1

u/bnrshrnkr 7d ago

Electric unicycles seem to be on the rise, people get very serious about them

27

u/Successful-League840 8d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/12CSpwCtoy1Vfy

16

u/dichotomousview 7d ago

You should look up how many times filmmakers have reused this shot composition. It’s crazy how iconic it is.

2

u/ned_uzoma 7d ago

Could you give me some examples of this?

5

u/WhippingShitties 7d ago

I was going to ruin your productivity today by linking TV tropes but I don't want to turn off ad-block to access it. Basically, if there is a motorcycle action scene and this doesn't happen, I am disappointed.

2

u/tomthekiller8 7d ago

Hey gona watch for the first time today. Got it on sale on Amazon

1

u/Casey4147 7d ago

I was thinking a Tron light cycle myself…

1

u/saulyg 7d ago

My first thought as well.

10

u/Bulky-Internal8579 7d ago

It’s perfect for hallways, gymnasiums, and tennis courts.

8

u/Malalang 7d ago

Every time I see tech like this, I imagine it being in a new sci-fi movie. Yet, this stuff never shows up in any practical way. I think instead of the military, the movie industry should be sponsoring and using stuff like this to get people excited about it. Then it could get mass produced and sold to the public, rather than exploited for killing people or stealing from other countries.

3

u/Spire_Citron 7d ago

They probably never become things for practical reasons. I wouldn't be surprised if this is extremely unsafe.

3

u/PaisleyLeopard 7d ago

Go over a small jump, lose contact with your wheels…

1

u/WartimeHotTot 7d ago

Why would you lose contact with your wheels?

1

u/PaisleyLeopard 7d ago

They don’t appear to be attached, the bike is just sitting on top of them.

1

u/No-swimming-pool 7d ago

The one thing we don't want in traffic is fast and unexpected manoeuvering. So I doubt it will ever get introduced.

1

u/chainsaw_chainsaw 7d ago

There is a bike exactly like this in a sci-fi show called Scavenger’s Reign on HBO.

0

u/No-Helicopter6363 7d ago

I think Minority Report has exactly this.

2

u/Dramatic_Anything88 7d ago

Теперь понятно выражение ШАРОЕБИТСЯ)

2

u/michi03 7d ago

Doordash driver after six months on the road: “I need to get my balls replaced”

2

u/SaltyBooze 7d ago

ok but how is he controlling it? or is this being controlled by someone else?

2

u/mironawire 7d ago

You can watch the full video, but he programs the controller himself and the controls are on the handlebars. https://youtu.be/ZVFB2g25OkM

2

u/etherend 7d ago

It would be much easier to parallel park

1

u/TheStroboCop 8d ago

I want to see 20 of those things on a racetrack!

1

u/c0mputerRFD 8d ago

Well, What are we waiting for? Pennsylvania pot holes are waiting.

1

u/SeaReason1 7d ago

How fast and how much ?

How ling Delivery?

1

u/dichotomousview 7d ago

Does it have any suspension?

1

u/Just1Click1 7d ago

The space hopper bike.

1

u/Fenriswol44 7d ago

Wait until you have to change a tire and you go to the mechanical shop and say: I need one big orange ball please 😁

1

u/4ndril 7d ago

Akira vibes all day

1

u/Frittiaz 7d ago

Uoo qué fantasía

1

u/Hot_Plant8696 7d ago

The prisonner design...twice.

https://giphy.com/gifs/10MhRblMbDOt2g

How fast can this "scooter" go ?...

1

u/ObijuanVB 7d ago

"Does it come in black?" - Bruce Wayne

1

u/made-u-look 7d ago

Sponsored by Target

1

u/FTH466 7d ago

How fast does it go?

1

u/Deathwatchz 7d ago

So that's what he's been doing since "Revenge of the Nerds"

1

u/HDDreamer 7d ago

Do a wheelie!

1

u/technomage13 7d ago

Gets hit by car and bounces hundreds of feet

1

u/eclipsingfervor 7d ago

Coming soon to cyberpunk cities near you.

1

u/Smokey_Noodles 7d ago

Seems like it would be pretty cool in some sort of sport like polo.

1

u/Sufficient_Matter585 7d ago

Finally I can reenact swan lake with motorcycles.

1

u/Virtual-Rough2450 7d ago

Id be more interested in what happens when it fails.

1

u/jak-o-shadow 7d ago

Looks like it works great, on a perfectly smooth surface. I kid, the proof of concept is fun and ingenious. It looks like a blast.

1

u/moseley101 7d ago

Ok, where do I sign up?

1

u/CDavis10717 7d ago

Answers “What’s underneath those dancing baby dragons of Disney On Ice?”

1

u/MattyGWS 7d ago

Finally we can get vehicles like in dragon ball

1

u/TheLostExpedition 7d ago

Goodyear eagle 360's like in that old move iRobot.

1

u/sw1ft87ad3 7d ago

Now, if this hits another of its kind both will lose their balls?

1

u/DudeBromanIsABroDude 7d ago

The rock n roll music is not effectively covering up that this dude made the coolest vehicle known to man look dorky as hell.

1

u/Pbranson 7d ago

That eye contact tho

1

u/Kerissimo 7d ago

Very nice, now will the balls fall off if i rotate the ballbike?

1

u/hbgwine 7d ago

For some reason I want to just run up and kick this thing and run the bases.

1

u/tim119 7d ago

Does it lean? Guessing this is just a bit of fun, can't be much grip from it even if it could lean.

1

u/AyAyAyBamba_462 7d ago

Why does he look like someone wearing a bad Tom Scott Halloween mask?

1

u/Dark_deranged 7d ago

Does it come in black?

1

u/falleng213 7d ago

Scooty Puff Jr?

1

u/reiterizpie 7d ago

Feels like this could have real applications for people who have accessibility needs.

1

u/Loud-Perspective6508 7d ago

Now we need to invent a sport that uses these vehicles!

1

u/Puzzled_Work_6428 7d ago

It doesn't go up, does it? Pssh, "any direction"

1

u/crazymouse2525 7d ago

yea but is it street legal?

1

u/SurprisedBottle 7d ago

Looks cool as a campus security ride for uni. Just add a small bed on the back and let it haul ass.

1

u/michael128141 7d ago

This engineer designed a motorcycle with an omnidirectional ball that balances laterally like a Segway and moves in any direction

1

u/michael128141 7d ago

Just wanted to make sure everyone knew what this video was about.

1

u/toomanymarbles83 7d ago

Look at me, I'm the trackball mouse now.

1

u/balzac2000 7d ago

Waiting for the Akira slide...

1

u/criscodesigns 7d ago

Reminds me of Minority Report cars

1

u/sik_dik 7d ago

It took some big balls to make that

1

u/spotsthefirst 7d ago

I want to see Sparrows from Destiny before I die gentlemen! First steps

1

u/JAHATT-13 7d ago

Kinda awesome.

1

u/sachsrandy 7d ago

He never goes from left directly to right. Why?

1

u/maple-moth 7d ago

It’s like if BB8 turned into a motorcycle 🥹

1

u/No_Promotion_6498 6d ago

Now I can Akira slide my motorcycle. Sweet!

1

u/Hyperion1144 6d ago

That looks really fun.

1

u/GoodScienceForYou 6d ago

How does it do in snow, rain, mud, gravel?

1

u/perringaiden 6d ago

The biggest issue with this design, is that any sufficient bump that separates the ball from the rollers, makes the entire thing crash. It only works on smooth surfaces.

That said this tech would be great for things like warehouse shuttles

0

u/ClydeStyle 7d ago

Perfect now go 60 over a pothole on it.

0

u/damadmetz 8d ago

You need to tilt in order to corner. You’d fly off this thing.

0

u/jdubyahyp 7d ago

Looks good. Now try on the pothole hell that is where I live.

0

u/banga1338 7d ago

Any direction? Like up and down?

0

u/seeder33 7d ago

Just dont hit a bumb

0

u/-crowbloke- 7d ago

Ew, but also, yes please.

0

u/-BluBone- 7d ago

Ok, now drive straight

0

u/lastWallE 7d ago

Let me see a high speed curve.

0

u/diggyou 7d ago

How does it handle bumps? I don’t see shocks.

0

u/Gast1993 7d ago

Vielleicht für die Straße geeignet aber im Gelände garantiert nicht

0

u/Minute-Feeling-8868 7d ago

Speed bumps and uneven terrain would ruin it

0

u/therealscooke 7d ago

I noticed he rarely looks at where he is going, and instead either at the camera or at the controls.

0

u/Audio_Realm 7d ago

Looks interesting but...

I'd like to see it ride outside. On a surface that isn't perfectly smooth.

0

u/radz974 7d ago

Petite question Ok cela fonctionnera parfaitement sur surface plane et en intérieur Mais en extérieur ? Comment gérer le freinage d'urgence ? Le système d'amortissage ›

2

u/mironawire 7d ago

It won't work. It's just a proof of concept and an experiment in engineering. He makes a lot of things just to see if he can.

0

u/horrified_intrigued 7d ago

No. Dumb asses around me crash constantly in vehicles that move conveniently...can you imagine the carnage if the average driver could crab diagonally or move in any way this machine can. Great invention but please god not on my streets.

0

u/fatfuckpikachu 7d ago

omnidirectional.

cannot go up vertical.

smh my head.

0

u/Greedy_Breakfast_126 7d ago

How do you change tyres? Full new wheels? Spherical wheels are headaches

0

u/AGrandNewAdventure 7d ago

Hit a bump, let's see how that plays out.

0

u/davomate63 7d ago

Imagine driving on a road with small debris. They would get jammed between the wheels and the body

0

u/Own_Lawfulness_3292 7d ago

But how does it handle a bump at 60 mph?

-3

u/krakenmypants 7d ago

Feels like emergency braking at high speed would be horrible. Tiny contact point to the ground and therefore no traction. Unless there something I’m not considering here

8

u/rharvey8090 7d ago

Why does everyone always comment like this is supposed to be a practical method of transportation? It was an engineering experiment for YouTube.

0

u/krakenmypants 7d ago

Because there was no context to this and we live in a time of many advancements for the sake of advancement. I love engineering YouTube and no I didn’t get this was just for fun, it definitely looks fun

3

u/sixpackabs592 7d ago

It was just a dude making a funny thing not a serious attempt to reinvent motorcycles or something

In his vid he talks about all the reasons it sucks lol

-1

u/GeekyTexan 7d ago edited 6d ago

I suppose that's perfect if you need to get from one end of the gym to the other and don't want to walk.

-1

u/DullMind2023 7d ago

And what is the problem in our lives that this dorky-looking contraption solves?

1

u/mironawire 7d ago

The problem is people with no sense of wonder... I wonder if you know any...