Lit Motors
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transport |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US |
Key people | Daniel Kim |
| Products | Electric Vehicles |
Lit Motors Inc. is a San Francisco-based start-up that designs two-wheeled vehicles, including a fully electric, gyroscopically stabilized vehicle.[1]
Founded by Daniel K. Kim in 2010, Lit Motors designed and prototyped a product named the C-1. The company website states production to start in late 2014, however their online newsletters and social media posts have only shown early stages of development of an alpha prototype with only a few months of 2014 left.
The inspiration for Lit Motors came to Kim in 2003, when he was nearly crushed by a chassis while manufacturing a bio-diesel Land Rover Defender 90.[2] Kim's decided to "chop a car in half" to create what is now the C-1.[3]
Products
C-1
In early 2010, the company revealed a non-functioning show model of the C-1. The design vision includes an enclosed and self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle balanced by two single-gimbal CMGs,[4] to be powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries. Design specifications indicate that this could hold a second passenger, though no model or design pictures other than computer renderings show more than a single-passenger. The computer renderings of a two passenger model indicate that the tight space would not be suitable for long trips, as the area behind the driver's seat is very limited, especially in a semi-reclined position.
In 2012 the company announced plans for a first small production run in 2013, selling the C-1 for $24,000. The company began taking pre-orders for $250–$10,000.[5] The production date was later moved to Q4 2014. As of October 8, 2014, there has been no announcement as to a production timeline, and company postings on social media show only a rough model alpha prototype driven at low speed. With limited pictures and videos of an unfinished single seat vehicle driven at low speeds, and with audio removed from videos, critics are weary to expect that a production model could possibly be built in the next few years, let alone in the last quarter of 2014.
| Release | Balancing gyroscope Torque | Motor Output | Top Speed | Range per charge | Charge time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,300 ft-lbs | 20 kW | 100+ mph | At least 150 miles | 4-6 hrs |
The original C-1 design has two wheels, but also includes a steering wheel. Direct-drive in-hub motors in both wheels were designed to provide a high amount torque, stability, and traction control, while allowing for body form much smaller than a car. The alpha prototype shows both wheels without direct drive, indicating that the design may be undergoing changes.[6][7] Designs show a passenger seat behind the driver, though not intended for frequent use.
Safety features will include a steel unibody chassis, seat belts, airbags, and a gyroscope stability system.[1]
kubo
The Lit Motors kubo is a cargo scooter previously planned for development that is currently on hold.[8] The company is calling the kubo the "pick-up truck of the developing world."[9] Similar to the C-1 design, the Cargo Scooter design is fully electric.
The Cargo Scooter would run on lithium iron phosphate batteries, and is designed to carry cargo boxes measuring up to 22 in. by 22 in. by 22 in. and weighing up to 300 pounds, with a top speed of 35 mph, and a range of 50–100 miles per charge.[10]
kubo was launched on Kickstarter, but failed to achieve its funding goal.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b Lavrinc, Damon (2012-05-29). "Exclusive: This Is the Gyro-Stabilized, Two-Wheeled Future of Transportation | Autopia". Wired.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ Carpenter, Susan (2012-05-26). "Lit Motors hopes its C-1 becomes new personal transportation option". Tribune Newspapers. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ Daniel Kim. "Fortune Presentation". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "Lit Motors unveils all-electric, fully enclosed motorcycle". YouTube. 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
- ^ "World's First Gyroscopically Stabilized Electric Motorcycle: Virtually Uncrashable?". Discovery Channel. 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "Gyro-stabilized electric motorcycle hits road". Los Angeles Times. 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
- ^ "It will take a 'baby elephant' to knock over this bike". Click (TV programme). 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
- ^ Mac, Ryan (March 5, 2014). "Two-Wheeled Electric Vehicle Builder Finds Funding". Forbes. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ "Lit Motors' Foldable Electric Scooter Is A Cargo Carrier For Developing Nations". Trendsupdates.com. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
- ^ Domenick Yoney. "Lit Motors looks to light up electric vehicle market with cargo scooter" (video). AutoblogGreen. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "Meet kubo: an electric scooter to carry all your stuff!". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
External links
