Enough with the tips! We give you the Hyanide...
It's not an automobile. It doesn't even have wheels per se. But the Hyanide concept has prompted an army of Autoblog readers to send in tips, and who are we to ignore a mob? The Hyanide, so named for its striking visual similarity to the hyena that roams the plains of South Africa, is part snowmobile, part motorcycle, and part ATV. The vehicle's claim to fame is its mobility even under duress -- we'd wager the thing could scoot you out of quicksand if you were so unfortunate as to happen upon some -- thanks to the flexible treads and impressive control. The special tank tread is comprised of hard plastic segments covered in tire rubber and connected with Kevlar rope. The special riding style allows a rider's hands to turn the handlebars while his/her feet torque the back end in the same direction, all of which allows for sharp cornering and mad hill climbing skills.
Too bad for us, though -- the vehicle only exists as a 1/5 scale model with no plans for production. Doh! We'd still recommend a trip to the source for a 3-D look at the Hyanide, though.
Thanks to the fervent masses for the tip!
[Source: Popular Science]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zaarin 2:04PM (7/18/2006)
How could you really get cornering on that thing? It doesn't look like you'd be able to bank down into a corner like you could on a wheeled bike. Granted, you have a big footprint, but the machine looks too top heavy to really take advantage of the traction it could produce.
Also. if you used the thing on tarmac, imagine the cost of replacing the tread once the tire rubber has worn off of it!
Still a cool idea, thumbs up.
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Rmi 2:57PM (7/18/2006)
Cornering? Exactly like a snowboard.
btw, if you hare interested in a real snowmobile based on the same concept, look at the SnowHawk: http://www.snow-hawk.com/
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Ken 3:46PM (7/18/2006)
The article does state some interest in someone manufacturing something along the lines of it though, "Keep your fingers crossed, though—Hyanide’s unique drivetrain impressed a lot of automotive-industry heavy hitters at the Challenge Design."
On the aside. If you recieved so many tips why haven't you posted this earlier?
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dumb 4:26PM (7/18/2006)
Not as cool as my Back to the Future hoverboard, which is equally as tangible.
What a dumb post.
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olderty 10:10PM (7/18/2006)
dumb = douchebag
If you had looked at the title you'd be able to discern that this is what alot of people submitted tips about. They're just posting what the people want.
Anyways, I can't wait to see this in the autoblog garage.
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dumb 12:45PM (7/19/2006)
olderty,
This is a post about an article in Popular Science. If you check that reference, you'll see the vehicle exists in two forms: one is this photoshop picture, two is a 1/5 scale model.
There is no working model. None of the technology needed to make it work is available. It's a dream. It's a dream which you schlep to complete idiots like yourself for $3.50 an issue. That's the game Popular Science plays, and I see autoblog is getting into it.
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