Pedaling a rickshaw isn't the easiest task in the world, especially when its loaded with a couple of occupants. This rickshaw driver from Nepal came up with a better(?) solution...install a windmill to help propel the pedicab. The windmill consists of a metal drum that is designed to catch the wind and drive a gear attached to the rear wheel with a side-mounted gear. I'm not a physicist, but wouldn't this create additional drag? Here's the tag from the video:
Big drum on top of rickshaw rotates as rickshaw moves forward. It observes wind and supports driver to move forward. According to the driver: He has came up with this hybrid system with drums that assist rickshaw driver to move forward. In addition, it has feature that make driver easy to cycle. This built by professor from next town
Even if it doesn't actually work, at least it might work for attracting customers...
The only thing that gains is additional wind drag and weight.
Posted by: Clinton | 06/05/2010 at 07:23 AM
Don't be too quick to judge. This appears to be a form of Savonius Rotor and though they are usually mounted vertically he probably does get some assist from it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savonius_wind_turbine
Posted by: Bob Baxter | 06/05/2010 at 10:54 AM
Regardless (beep) of whether or not (beep, beep) it actually works (beeeeeeeep), it certainly is (beeeep, beep)an attention (beep) getter (beeeeeeeep).
Matt
Posted by: Matt | 06/05/2010 at 12:22 PM
Not helping at all. The engery used to create wind across the turbine is created by him, so any energy gained from the turbine isn't really adding benefit.
Posted by: basic physics | 06/05/2010 at 04:31 PM
To the poster by the name of basic physics,
Wind does not come from people...often.
Posted by: mattyfu | 06/05/2010 at 07:06 PM
This seems kind of silly. It would only be advantageous if there is a tailwind in which it would provide power, or in the case of a headwind it might add power but likely would just increase wind resistance.
Seems a bit like a faulty perpetual motion machine. Unless of course as mattyfu pointed out the driver is creating a significant source of . . . wind.
Posted by: Jeremy | 06/06/2010 at 03:13 PM
Wouldn't it be better to install propellers on a bar up there to collect the wind power, convert it to electric, and then use the electricity to run a power assist motor?
Posted by: Nate J. | 06/07/2010 at 01:56 PM
Yep it's deffinitely a savonius turbine!! Genious!! Im gonna put one on my bike, and two on my car!!
Posted by: t.s. | 06/13/2010 at 11:10 PM
Add a generator to charge an ipod/phone and he'd really have something.
Posted by: DragonWagon | 06/14/2010 at 02:23 PM
it probably works like a flywheel. Once started by himself, it helps him cruise for a minute without pedaling
Posted by: Stefan | 06/15/2010 at 04:59 AM
Thanks for the article/comments!
If you have chance to go to Nepal,
try to catch this guy and ask many many questions!
He is a really nice person!!!
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Posted by: ecoideasnet | 10/21/2010 at 04:58 AM