The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is helping fund the development of a silent electric bike that could be used in war zones.
The motorbike will combine a multi-fuel hybrid-electric motorcycle power system -- developed by Virginia-based Logos Technologies -- with an off-road motorcycle design by BRD, a San Francisco company that has manufactured electric motorcycles for police use.
According to Logos, the project result will mark "the first time that a two-wheel-drive, multifuel hybrid capability has been integrated into a full-size off-road motorcycle."
The bike's hybrid system will give it a superior range than what would be offered by a purely electric setup. This will allow it to cover huge distances without needing to be gassed up or have its batteries recharged. The electric drive system will help keep the bikes silent behind enemy lines.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Stealth Hybrid Motorbikes
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop hybrid motorbikes for military and off-road use to enhance range and maintain silent operations in war zones.
Where This Applies
- Defense
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate hybrid motorbike technology into military vehicles for enhanced range, silent operations, and improved mobility in war zones.
- Electric Motorcycles
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Adapt hybrid motorbike technology for civilian electric motorcycles to improve range and reduce charging needs for long-distance travel.
- Alternative Energy
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply hybrid motorbike technology to other forms of transportation, such as cars or buses, to enhance range and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
