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What is the FM-4 v1.0 HumanCar? It's a fully manual car capable of seating four passengers. When the road is downhill, it can go up to speeds above 60 mph and it handles very well at that speed.
A product of HumanCar, Inc. who have been in the business of making human-powered vehicles for over three decades, this low mass vehicle (LMV) is said to be ready for production. It runs on an ultra light rail called the SyncGuideway and this rail powers it and the vehicle fits into it. So one has the perfect answer in this car to zero pollution as well as exercise for the human population!
Where do you think the FM-4 v1.0 HumanCar will find use? Well, it could just be put to use in developing countries and could also be used in campuses to shuttle people around. It could be used in cities too as well as maybe having special races built on the idea.
The whole thing is the fact that it provides an alternative. Trial tests in Seattle saw the FM-4 v1.0 HumanCar going downhill so fast, it was difficult for the camera car accompanying it to keep up!
How then, is the HumanCar powered if it has a zero dependence on fuel of any kind? Well, it really is all about human muscle power, very much along the lines of a pedal boat. When it takes four people’s muscles into consideration, it reaches great speeds.
Let’s look at how the HumanCar is constructed. The base is a three-dimensional construction of steel tubes. On it, four passengers sit back to back and they all have long levers to control. They have to synchronize their motion of rocking back and forth to get the vehicle moving.
The wheels are turned by leaning in the appropriate direction and now a small storage battery and electromotor have been added to make things easier for the passengers. What this vehicle needs is to have four people who are not only fit but ready to have some fun. Right now, it is only at the prototype stage.
Unlike the bicycle, the HumanCar can carry more passengers within the city and the manufacturers are hoping that more people see this as an alternative to the cars on the road than just some new and innovative idea.
Imagine if it were to replace a part of every city’s public transport system. Not only would there be huge savings to the public exchequer but there would also be a lot of fitter people around!