FlyRad Electric Unicycle Makes Streetsurfing Possible

A different approach to what an environmentally-friendly transportation could mean in the near future has drawn our attention recently. Requiring the rider to wear just a pair of inline skates, the FlyRad electric unicycle does the rest of its job by itself, taking you from A to B while enjoying some streetsurfing.

The inventor of the FlyRad, Thomas Rank, first created this electric unicycle as a a method of green transportation suitable for everyday use, but also as a form of extreme sports, inhabitat.com says.

The latest variant of the FlyRad comes in three sizes, namely one for adults, one for teens and one for children. It can be used by sitting, standing, squatting or hands free. Furthermore, you can also switch position while on the move.

In order to steer you can use your skates, which enables you to let go of the handlebars and achieve a sensation of flying. Ergo, the FlyRad designation.

The adult version is fitted with a 500W motor powered by a 36v battery. It weighs about 24 kg (53 lbs) and can reach a maximum speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph), traveling about 50 km (31 miles) on a single four-hour charge. However, one can also fit it with a 1,000W motor and stronger batteries for an extra boost.

The FlyRad took a silver medal at iENA 2010 (International Trade Fair for “Ideas-Inventions-New Products), held in Nuremberg in October. It is expected to hit German stores in early 2011, with pricing yet to be disclosed.