A hybrid rickshaw, just for those steep grades

Barcelona ~~and Brussels~~ already has ~~have~~ human-powered rickshaws as part of their tourist attractions. They offer an comfortable yet ecological way of touring around the car-free old city centres. However, and despite of the multiplication of gears available, climbing some steep grades can be hard for the driver.

On the other hand, there are lots of electric bikes scooting around with some good available technology, a few ones using light lithium batteries that the biker can take away and recharge at home. The Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain), in a project codeveloped with Cyclotourbike has unveiled a new rickshaw that includes an electric motor that assists the driver. The name: Intrèpid, the hybrid human-electric vehicle which will be available this summer for tourist trips around València's beautiful city center.

UPV plans adding a solar panel on top to recharge the batteries for next year.