This Electric Monowheel Is Set To Be The World’s Fastest

A team of students and engineers from Duke University, USA, has built an electric monowheel, called EV360. It is all set to be the fastest of its kind, aiming to reach a top speed of over 72kmph. The electric monowheel also seeks to be the fastest monowheel in general (which includes petrol-powered monowheels) by attempting to reach a top speed of over 98kmph. In fact, they have even received approval from the Guinness Book Of World Records to attempt the record-breaking run. While it has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team is expected to make the run soon.

The EV360 has been almost designed and developed completely in house at the University’s Innovation Co-Lab. They made it using fabricated metal and a host of 3D-printed components. This electric monocycle is powered by a motor which generates a peak power of 23kW and a continuous power output of 11kW. Since it is designed to achieve a top speed of over 112kmph, it should be enough to help the monocycle make the record-breaking run. It is linked to a 1.58kWh lithium-polymer battery, which is estimated to offer a range of around 14km if ridden at a speed of around 32kmph. Its throttle setup is similar to electric motorcycles and braking is via a single disc.

The team says this project serves as the perfect opportunity to apply theories learned in classes. While the concept of a monocycle seems cool, its drawbacks far outweigh its advantages. The inherent design does not allow for efficient steering. Team lead Anuj Thakkar says the angle of steering is so minor that it is possible to maintain only one course of direction, that too with minor steering corrections by leaning in the desired direction. Another major drawback is that monowheels are prone to what’s called ‘gerbiling’. This happens when the forces of acceleration or braking are more than the force of gravity that keeps the rider ‘right side up’ inside the wheel. When this happens, the rider begins to spin around the inside of the wheel. Dizzying stuff, right?

Electric monowheel started out as a novel concept but it quickly gained popularity in movies and other works of art. Agent J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) famously rode them in the movie Men In Black 3. It is even used in video games, most recently in Borderlands 3.