The third wheel with an electric motor should give ordinary bikes an extra 'boost' at a fifth of the price of an e-bike. A Canadian student will soon bring the 'Outboard' to the market.
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Electric 'Outboard Motor' Turns Your Bicycle Into An Electric Bike
The Canadian student Simon Park convinced a jury of the usefulness of his invention. By hanging a trailer with an electric motor and battery pack behind your bike, you suddenly have an electric bike for 400 euros. Park won a prize of 15,000 Canadian dollars for its invention during an Open Innovation Challenge in Canada. With that money, the electric outboard for bicycles is being made ready for production. 'Caboost' - as the product is called - is mounted on the rear hub and provides extra thrust.
The 'Outboard' Is More Sustainable Than A Car
'It is more sustainable than the car and more reliable than the bus'; that is how Park describes the advantages of its invention. And that for a fifth of the cost of an electric bicycle. The high price of an E-bike was what motivated the Canadian to build the Caboose. "Why should I pay so much money for an electric bicycle if I already have a bike?" The University of Victoria student thought. For families with a low income, the Caboost could well be a substitute for the second car.
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Some Functions Of Semi-Autonomous Cars
The hand-welded prototype that Park itself uses to cycle still weighs around twelve kilograms and is controlled via a cable connection on the steering wheel. Park wants to halve the weight and develop wireless control for serial production. And that is not the only thing. "I want to take over some functions of semi-autonomous cars. 'Caboost' must automatically detect when the cyclist is pedaling, but also reduce the braking distance by regenerating braking force", says Park.
Cargo Electric Bikes
As a net price, including battery for a range of up to 50 kilometers, he strives for an amount of about 400 euros. 'Caboost' should be able to accelerate an average bicycle to 32 kilometers per hour permitted in Canada. The outboard motor must also be connected to conventional bicycles and recumbents and children's bicycles, and the generally heavy cargo bike variants. The electric motorization of existing bicycles is not unique, but the price and wireless control are.
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