The faster the gyros spin, the more force they exert on the vehicle to keep it balanced. In production form, the composite-reinforced side panels should be able to withstand a typical side impact from significantly larger SUVs, Kim said. Its tires, which have a wider contact patch than most traditional motorcycles, allow for better traction when driving and should skid across the pavement in case of impact.
In production form, each wheel hub will be outfitted with a motor, making the C-1 a two-wheel, rather than rear-drive vehicle — aiding with traction and enabling the C-1 to be driven in the snow.
Because the C-1 is computer controlled, it can even be programmed to do tricks, such as stoppies, wheelies and slide outs, on command.
Kim was inspired to develop the motorcycle-car hybrid after he was almost killed by a Land Rover, he said.
"I was building two biodiesel SUVs and one of them almost fell on me, so I started to think about why do we need all this car? The inefficiencies became very apparent, so I decided to cut the car in half and build the perfect commuter," said Kim, who attended Reed College, UC Berkeley and the Rhode Island Institute of Design studying physics, biology, architecture, industrial design and engineering — all of which are evidenced in the C-1.
Kim incorporated Lit Motors in 2010 and now has nine employees. He counts Zipcar founder Robin Chase, Aptera Motors co-founder Steve Fambro and Rocky Mountain Institute founder Amory Lovins among the company's advisors. Of the $700,000 he has so far raised in venture capital, $200,000 went into building the drivable prototype, which, with a current top speed of a lap dog and only a single working gyro, made for an exceedingly slow test drive that was exciting mostly for the possibility it presents.
The personal transportation industry is now focused on emissions, but as the global population increases and shifts to urban areas, the discussion is likely to include options like the C-1 that can help reduce traffic congestion and burdens on roadway infrastructure.
Like its name, which is likely to evolve along with the machine, the C-1 is so early in its development that the final drivetrain hasn't yet been determined. Kim is targeting a top speed of 120 miles per hour and 220 miles per charge using an 8-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The $24,000 starting price is comparable to a high-endHarley-Davidsonor Ducati.
"People work. People commute. And everyone should be able to drive a motorcycle safely and not have to worry about the constraints of a car and do it on a sustainable platform," Kim said. "That should be the paradigm for products today."
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