Skip to main content

Ford patents a concept for an in-wheel electric motor that turns into a unicycle

Do you remember when Batman turned a part of the Batmobile into a motorcycle with the touch of a button in The Dark Knight? Well this is like a lame version of that. We learn that Ford patented a concept for an electric car powered by in-wheel electric motors that can turn into a unicycle.

It sounds a lot like something a company would patent “just in case” and I wouldn’t expect to see a production version of this any time soon, but it’s still worth mentioning.

Ford filed for the patent in June, but it was only published last week.

An automated jack system activates and raises the car and the driver can dismount the wheel using a control from inside the car. Then you install the self-balancing “unicycle saddle” on the wheel, which is equipped with a small battery pack and an electric motor.

The driver can then mount the unicycle and presumably ride more easily in congested areas than with the car.

Here’s the full patent:

[slideshare id=56551859&doc=fordfulpatentelectricunicycle-151230132038&type=d]

USPTO via Autoblog

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Fred Lambert Fred Lambert

Fred is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at Electrek.

You can send tips on Twitter (DMs open) or via email: fred@9to5mac.com

Through Zalkon.com, you can check out Fred’s portfolio and get monthly green stock investment ideas.