cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/7654367

https://vhelio.org/

I personally think it could be a great alternative to cars and bikes for those who need to take a whole family somewhere or a decent amount of stuff.

Only modifications I would make would be ride-by-wire and an extra set of pedals (so you can have two people pedalling without the annoyance of normal tandem bikes having to pedal at the same rate), and a more powerful motor (only 250W is legal in France, where this was designed, whereas 500W is legal here in Canada)

  • keepthepace@slrpnk.net
    5·
    8 months ago

    Hi! I am not part of the project itself but part of a publicly funded project aiming at making its production easier. Had lot’s of reads and discussions with protagonists of the vhelio.

    Vhelio is part of a group of projects funded by the French government to develop alternative vehicles. Some bikes, some electric cars, some things in between.

    No one says the vhélio will by itself solve the transportation needs. It is seen as a puzzle piece to fit in a precise niche (urban and suburban trips in flat areas). The motor is too weak for slopes and we really want to make the laws around the power limitations evolve. Anyway, you can have a bigger motor but then the vehicle enters a different category: it is not an electric-assisted bike but closer to am electric scooter.

    The part that I find great in the vhelio is that it is open and friendly to modifications. We may be able to circumvent power limitation by putting two motors, someone I know would like to make a version where the pedals only ever charge the batteries and the vehicle is always motor-driven, so that you can pedal at a constant rhythm, much healthier.

    The design will have to evolve, several parts are unsafe (notably it has a lot of hard corners and if you hit into a wall at high speed the driver breaks both legs). Another friend thinks it has far too many screws and could be simplified, the vhelio team is working on a soldered frame.

    I think it is better to see it as a platform than a single product.

    • keepthepace@slrpnk.net
      0·
      8 months ago

      The displayed configuration is one driver, one passenger and normally 1 to 2 kids, but the kids seats can be replaced by a cargo area.

      • skyfaller@slrpnk.net
        1·
        7 months ago

        Could a “frunk” (trunk in front of the driver) help protect the driver’s legs? Not big enough to block vision, just big enough to hold some bags.

        • keepthepace@slrpnk.net
          1·
          7 months ago

          Oh yes, many people mentionned that there is a huge need to change the fact that any collision will result in either broken legs or shredded pedestrians. Some sort of bumper is needed. Could be a light body or a frunk. The design is opened though and I know of two forks already, so feel free to experiment!

  • Maeve@kbin.social
    1·
    8 months ago

    I think it’sa wonderful idea. Maybe some sort of removable panels for inclement weather?

  • Cyrus Draegur@lemm.eeEnglish
    1·
    8 months ago

    that’s cool :3

    i’d definitely use one to commute to work and back, or hit up the grocery store

    i just wish there were more enclosed leg-powered gear-assisted wheeled vehicles in general to protect from inclement weather as you get around.

    homo sapiens legs are amazingly developed anatomy and providing them with a momentum conserving and force distributing mechanism like bicycles do is one of the best ideas we’ve ever had. severely underrated.