mvrider
06-20-2016, 01:40 PM
Did anyone catch these two episodes? I saw it on a friend's DVR, but I haven't figured out how to watch it on-line.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/supremeskills/201606030600/
Basically, this show pits master craftsmen vs. scientists/engineers to solve some problem. Previous shows featured paper airplanes, rope, etc.
These episodes aimed to develop a bicycle that is super-stable at low speed, to prevent fall-over accidents among older bicycle commuters. The scientist/engineer camp were represented by a group led by a robotics professor from a Tokyo university, while the craftsmen were led by Shin-Ichi Konno of Cherubim Cycles (hence my interest).
The technical solution was a gyroscope mounted above the rear wheel, with requisite sensors and actuators.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/thumbnails/en/tv/supremeskills/tv_episode_201606100600_05_large.jpg
Konno's approach was to consider center of gravity and trail, and featured an experimental method to select the best features. He ended up with a very low BB, the front axle placed slightly behind the fork tips, a very high handlebar, and thigh pads to allow the rider to steer the bike with their legs.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/thumbnails/en/tv/supremeskills/tv_episode_201606100600_03_large.jpg
Who won?
Well, let's see if someone can find the video first :}
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/supremeskills/201606030600/
Basically, this show pits master craftsmen vs. scientists/engineers to solve some problem. Previous shows featured paper airplanes, rope, etc.
These episodes aimed to develop a bicycle that is super-stable at low speed, to prevent fall-over accidents among older bicycle commuters. The scientist/engineer camp were represented by a group led by a robotics professor from a Tokyo university, while the craftsmen were led by Shin-Ichi Konno of Cherubim Cycles (hence my interest).
The technical solution was a gyroscope mounted above the rear wheel, with requisite sensors and actuators.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/thumbnails/en/tv/supremeskills/tv_episode_201606100600_05_large.jpg
Konno's approach was to consider center of gravity and trail, and featured an experimental method to select the best features. He ended up with a very low BB, the front axle placed slightly behind the fork tips, a very high handlebar, and thigh pads to allow the rider to steer the bike with their legs.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/thumbnails/en/tv/supremeskills/tv_episode_201606100600_03_large.jpg
Who won?
Well, let's see if someone can find the video first :}