Podcars: Using networking ideas to transport people.
Google Tech Talks
November 20, 2008
ABSTRACT
Podcars are car sized vehicles on guideways elevated over streets. Podcar systems have network topology where each pod is routed the fastest way from origin to destination. High capacity is achieved through short inter-vehicle distances. The direct travel to any destination results in high mean travel speeds, rivaled only by a car in uncongested streets. Podcars use electricity directly off the grid and are very energy efficient. The talk will give a broad description of the technology and the market situation and present a sample network for the Googleplex.
Speaker: Bengt Gustafsson
Bengt Gustafsson, CEO of Beamways, a Swedish startup developing a Podcar system. Bengt’s background is in the software industry where he has developed novel user interface generators, language interpreters and database engines.
Duration : 0:52:56
[youtube 08SPc2yUc58]
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
so “Renewable …
so “Renewable rsources” such as ethanol, lithium are not renewable
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
If we can get rid …
If we can get rid of cars and buses, it’s a win. The magrail one is interesting. You would need speed to go between cities.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
I think the idea is …
I think the idea is fantastic with a lot of potential. The presentation needs work but his points are valid.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Global warming is a …
Global warming is a myth.
Peak oil is a myth.
Carbon dioxide isn’t poison.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Cool idea but, will …
Cool idea but, will this guy actually be able to get this thing off the ground. He might be best off starting at toastmasters. He might be smart but can’t present to save his life.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Compared to …
Compared to trolleys PRT is very cheap, about 1/4 the cost. Compared to roads it is about the same. On the other hand we have roads, so if we didn’t care about the environment we could just add lanes to cope with more traffic. AS I pointed out though, there is seldom land available for more lanes nowadays.
What I’m trying to say is that there are no cheap ways of extending transportation capacity or replacing cars. Changing to batteries may work in the long run but leaves the other problems!
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Watch the video– …
Watch the video– 41:45 …
June 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
COOL..BUT ISN’T IT …
COOL..BUT ISN’T IT TOO EXPENSIVE?