Are you ready for the Scarab?

[Dunerunner]

By Ben Mack December 02, 2008 Scarab: A Human Transporter from the Tomb(orrow) | Autopia from Wired.com



The Scarab has an engine that is powered by a permanent battery plus three options for the main energy pack—battery, fuel cell or biofuel. The battery powered engine takes advantage of regenerative breaking, and the energy pack options are interchangeable. So, pick a fuel source that suits your fancy. Such a feature could come in handy when dealing with our ever-evolving, unpredictable energy market.
As the Scarab reaches high speeds, the rear wheels slide along the backside of the vehicle, and the driver goes from a position of standing up straight to being laid out flat. The standing position is intended to relieve congestion on the road when driving and parking in the city while the laid out position increases aerodynamics and decreases fuel consumption on the highway.

[jwight]

"Too small, not enough seats, would you want to take one on the highway, etc."

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by jwight

"Too small, not enough seats, would you want to take one on the highway, etc."

Don't forget: "I wudn't wanna be runned over by an 18 wheel'r in that thang!" and the related "Ain't ya' skeered about murgin' onto the hiway 'n front of an 18 wheel'r?" or "What?!? It only gets 95 miles per gallon? For something that small and impractical, it should get like 1,000 miles per gallon. Sheeesh!"

[yuckmoon]

I don't think we're quite ready for the Jetsons yet

[Agent 99]

Originally Posted by jwight

"Too small, not enough seats, would you want to take one on the highway, etc."

Yeah and the same goes for all those motorcycles I see out there, only kidding. But I do think the Scarab would be a blast to own.

[Wdhitch]

It matches my smart.

[jmonty]

Originally Posted by yuckmoon

I don't think we're quite ready for the Jetsons yet

Yeah, that looks more like The Jettisons to me.

[vwW12]

Looks very nice.

You have to remember the Segway is basically outlawed by local government in many towns because it cannot be used on sidewalks, and people are reticent to mix it up with cars.

What would the Federal government do to the Scarab in its present form?

[John_H]

The scarab would require the use of helmets in many states if things stay the way they are.

There was a volkswagon 3-wheeler that looked pretty cool a couple years back but they ended up dropping the pursuit of bringing it to the states. It would have been classified as a motorcycle and subject to motorcycle laws even if it didn't ride like a bike or have the possibility to tumble like one in an accident.

[Old smart]

Green on not, I'd rather stable a real 1958 Reventlow Scarab.