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Air-powered motorcycle has arrived

By | December 22, 2011, 5:24 AM PST

MELBOURNE — Last month industrial designer Dean Benstead unveiled the 02 Pursuit — a prototype for a motorcycle fueled not by gas or electricity, but by compressed air.

Based on the geometry of a 250cc motocrosser, the O2 Pursuit prototype uses the breakthrough engine technology developed by Angelo Di Pietro of Engineair.

Benstead, a recent graduate of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), has harnessed the power that exists in the air tanks to mechanically drive the vehicle.

According to Benstead, testing of the motorcycle showed close to a quarter of an hour running time with stops at around 25-45 km/h. During stationary testing, Benstead’s team timed the speed off the back wheel, registering over 100 km/h. Preliminary testing of the prototype was limited to an indoors factory environment on a circular track.

“The bike is running a standard scuba tank which runs air compressed up to 200 bar, with further developments, we would be looking at running a tank at 400 bar with increased capacity to also increase the range,” he said.

The innovation was the result of Benstead’s final-year design research into the future of motorcycles, looking at air as a genuine alternative to petrol and electricity.

“Air was the starting point back in 2010, but I continued to explore this for the prototype because of its low-tech nature,” Benstead said. “A solar panel and a compressor now becomes your refinery and without huge battery packs to dispose of, we now have a low-cost to free powered bike with minimum impact on the environment.”

The project began mid last year at the RMIT Ecomoto, the only motorcycle-specific design studio in Australia. Led by RMIT Lecturer and Acting Program Director Simon Curtis, Benstead’s super motard bike project won him the Product Design – Automotive and Transport award at the 2010 Melbourne Design Awards.

The air engine developed by Engineair is still yet to be commercialized. The motor used in the 02 Pursuit was one of five prototypes in the world.

Benstead, recently named in Melbourne’s Top 100 most influential people, is currently working with Australia’s Engineair on a new design that can bring the technology to the market.

02 Pursuit specs:

  • Top Speed: >100 km/h
  • Weight: <100kg
  • Engine: ‘Di Pietro’ 9 chamber air engine
  • Engine Weight: 10kg
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Development: Melbourne

Photo: Alec Simpson.

Post updated by author at 10:35 (EST) Friday, 23 December 2011.

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Lieu Thi Pham

About Lieu Thi Pham

Lieu Thi Pham is a Melbourne correspondent for SmartPlanet.

Lieu Thi Pham

Lieu Thi Pham

Correspondent, Melbourne

Lieu Thi Pham is a freelance writer based in Melbourne, Australia. She has contributed to The Age, Associated Newspapers, Melbourne University Magazine, the Big Issue, Dazed and Confused, Indesign Group, Time Out, SOMA and Niche Media. She holds degrees from the University of Melbourne and RMIT University.

Follow her on Twitter.

Lieu Thi Pham

Lieu Thi Pham

Lieu Thi Pham does not have financial holdings that would influence how or what she covers.

She writes for SmartPlanet and is not an employee of CBS.

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+7 Votes
+ -
What's it's RANGE!
The key question on this subject is whats the range???
Posted by Solomonsimon
22nd Dec 2011
+1 Vote
+ -
RANGE
Exactly! The range is the most critical feature to know about. I don't really care about weight, engine weight, and top speed. The RANGE is main factor.
Posted by ted@...
22nd Dec 2011
-1 Votes
+ -
It says it will run 15 minutes so possibly
It would go 15 miles except a dirt bike uses all of its gears and goes up and down so its most likely of no use as a dirt bike. It also staes that they are using a solar panel to power the compressor but you would also have to carry it with you.
Posted by gswank54@...
10th Jan 2012
-1 Votes
+ -
Precisely
My guess is it will go very fast in a straight line for nearly a mile or more!

With a high-speed solar powered compressor, "refueling" should take no more than 2.5 hours, then you're ready for the next mile!

Can you smell the Hooey?
Posted by charlie@...
22nd Dec 2011
+3 Votes
+ -
This was a design project,fool.
And the article presented it as such.. Just remember that when Lewis and Clarke began their trek to the Pacific Ocean, they did not take a powder-driven gun with them. Their rifles were air powered, using brass airtanks charged to 1200psi using hand pumps. Their firing mechanisms were so efficient that 40 shots of 47 caliber lead WITHOUT a measurable drop in air pressure.
Did I mention that these were French made guns produced before 1800?
Cut these folks some slack! Its a design exercise. The tubular steel of the frame may be used as air storage - who knows? If you have something POSITIVE to offer, do so. Otherwise, all YOU have to offer smells like so much HOOEY!
Posted by nkfro
Updated - 12th Jan 2012
+1 Vote
+ -
RE: Precisely ...
Can you read ? This is a prototype .. a concept, not a finished product. What the article so very clearly points out is that the preliminary results were based on the cycle using a standard scuba tank. A compressor and solar panel are only the next refinement to this CONCEPT.
Posted by sowens@...
24th Feb 2012
+1 Vote
+ -
It's a prototype, not a product
Article seems to say less than 15 minutes at less than 45 km/hr, which would be a range less than 10 km.
Posted by Day Dreamer
26th Dec 2011
+2 Votes
+ -
air bikes
this concept could be adapted for compact cars
using a 500 bar or larger tank
Posted by wildwolf93446
Updated - 22nd Dec 2011
+1 Vote
+ -
limited bar
bar is a unit of pressure, not tank size. You can get increased power from more highly pressurized tanks but it gets more and more difficult -- and dangerous -- as that number goes up
Posted by kmurphy@...
22nd Dec 2011
+2 Votes
+ -
It also takes energy to compress
Doesn't it use electricity to compress the air to 200bar? How much does it take?
Posted by wzis
10th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
Energy Transfers & Nature of Energy Source...
Good point - now let's join a few more dots....
And what sort of fuel is providing the energy to generate the electricity to, in turn, compress the air to power the thing? Hopefully it's going to be renewable, in lieu of burning fossil fuel to do it - else the whole point of this exercise is just a waste of time....
Posted by prencipe@...
10th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
Did you not read the whole article?
???A solar panel and a compressor now becomes your refinery..."
Posted by khiatt@...
24th Jan 2012
+3 Votes
+ -
I agree Range
They really need an editor to keep the content of smart planet smart.
Posted by rickmaltese
22nd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
Heat the Air...
passively and then we're talking more RANGE & POWER
Posted by stratmosphere
22nd Dec 2011
-1 Votes
+ -
Power?
What's power got to do with it? Guess we need to build a noise maker into it, too, so it'll go "vroom vroom" really loud, right?
Posted by shokd
24th Jan 2012
-5 Votes
+ -
Main component NOT available
Range a major factor not given. The Engineair motor, the most important component, is not commercially available. To put it another way: not ready for prime time and no hint as to whether it ever will be. We've had too much of designs that either will never have any practical use or never see production. While he was at it, why didn't he design this motorcycle to fly to the moon? Just as achieveable.
Posted by justajo
22nd Dec 2011
+1 Vote
+ -
Range
Hey they got me to read the whole article looking for the range! lol
You would think that would be important!
Posted by Reids50
22nd Dec 2011
+4 Votes
+ -
That's amazing!
I'm looking forward to stop at a gas staton for... air happy
Posted by wompai
22nd Dec 2011
+4 Votes
+ -
Uh...an air station.
I'd likely have a few spare tanks in my garage as well. Looks to be enough room to fit a 2nd tank near the engine or near the other tank. Nice concept overall!
Posted by jjellyneck
22nd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
Gas station
Air is made up of gasses. All though Air Station sounds pretty nice.
Posted by joshyleeJohnston
15th Sep
+3 Votes
+ -
And is it really energy efficient
And, how does the energy required to propel a light motorcycle compare to the amount needed to compress the air?
Posted by donpreston@...
22nd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
And where does the energy used to compress the air come from?
Coal fired power plants, no doubt.
Posted by JohnMcGrew@...
22nd Dec 2011
+4 Votes
+ -
And where does the energy used to compress the air come from?
You didn't read the solar powered compressor part?
Posted by alexrounds@...
22nd Dec 2011
-2 Votes
+ -
They really don't explain much about that.
Great in theory, but exactly how long in the sun does it take to compress enough air to make that thing go for any significant distance? I'm willing to bet that there's a plug-in somewhere.
Posted by JohnMcGrew@...
23rd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
the power source
I am trying to study infinite power loop. there are already a lot of theories about it from youtube. some called it zero point energy. Hopefully I could build one of these during my lifetime for a change. I hope they too can build one.
Posted by keitre
25th Jan 2012
+1 Vote
+ -
Not a 100% solution...
So it must just be dismissed outright. I suspect you're an oil lobbyist.
Posted by shokd
24th Jan 2012
+12 Votes
+ -
Dare to imagine...
The negativity of these comments seem narrow minded. He didn't ask for you to buy something. This technology will likely find many niches, and could "balloon into" something later on (pun unintended). Think possibility, not negatvity, of you might poo-poo something important. (I think the inventors should save these comments for just such a day)...
Posted by woundedegomusic@...
22nd Dec 2011
+3 Votes
+ -
www.environmentalfisherman.com
Thanks for being open. I have a pneumatic energy system designed, and I think it's the future. Compressed air is tank able and pipe able, so storage and distance are not big design issues. Have a look, and spread the word about my system, which will make cheap compressed air bikes many and efficient, and fun. Hybrid gasoline and compressed air are better.
Posted by Steven JF Scannell
22nd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
Your website
I entered your website Steven, but it was just two pdf-files on that one.
Anna
Posted by AnnaSternfeldt
27th Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
The Tripe System Report 11 pages illustrated.
One is my fishery system, the other is the energy system.
Posted by Steven JF Scannell
27th Dec 2011
+1 Vote
+ -
Brings to mind...
the flack Columbus, Magellen and every other notable pioneer experienced in the past. Not to be discouraged though, one can almost measure the ground-breaking leap in knowledge by the amount of flack they receive from the masses. They said Marconi was a blooming idiot too.
Posted by SmartAceW0LF
24th Jan 2012
+1 Vote
+ -
air powered vehicles waist of time and intelligence
People who write this news should be smart enough to comprehend the impact, if any. There is nothing new under the sun and the steam motor already used exactly the same principle but renewing continuously the steam with carbon or wood. The only clues are range and energy used (actually transferred) to compress the air. Even though I am not an engineer, I assume that we can get 300 liter of air in the 10 liter tank at a pressure of 200 bar! good for a start 800 revs and Psst. Please keep it smart.
Thank you.
Banjoli
Posted by itspossible
22nd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
Maybe not!
The Tata Car Company in India is building an air powered car which seems to be similar to this product .
Posted by Laurentian Enterprises
10th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
Sure?
That was some years ago, no announcement for a long time. I think they don't want you to ask them about it
Posted by Stuart21@...
10th Jan 2012
+2 Votes
+ -
Smart enough?
What is a waist of time (I envision something expanding)? Reminds me of the guy who dissed someone as a panty waste (don't want to envision that wink.
Posted by josmyth
10th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
nothing new ?
Actually this is absolutely nothing like steam technology which as you've stated requires coal or wood and is very "pollutive". With time and resources, this project could yeild very useful solutions .. or maybe not, and its not the point. Innovation leads to innovation, but you have to start somewhere.
Posted by sowens@...
24th Feb 2012
-1 Votes
+ -
Danger Will Robinson!!!
Ever see what happens when a compressed air tank is accidentally knocked over and blows the outlet valve? I have; it turned into a mini missile!
Not sure I want to be sitting on a compressed air tank in an accident that could turn into a mini shrapnel bomb.
Posted by Mdwannabe
22nd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
Why Me?
I agree that range is important, but also how much weight it can carry over what range is critical knowledge. As a fat guy whose wife will not allow him to drive our motorbike in HCMC traffic, the real question is how far it can go carrying 170 Kg at an average speed of 15 KPH. Traffic here is so heavy that you never go over 30 kph and average only 15 kph. AND, how did you know my name?
Will Robinson
Posted by barak88
23rd Dec 2011
+1 Vote
+ -
gas?
as opposed to sitting on a tank of say... gas? wink
Posted by mh2094@...
10th Jan 2012
+1 Vote
+ -
I don't think it's that much of a risk.
As long as the valve (outlet) is properly protected, the tank itself could probably withstand a bullet. Their are thousands of propane powered vehicles with a pressure tank that are not much of a safety hazard (but I'm not in a big rush to try that).
Posted by Laurentian Enterprises
10th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
Pressure
LPG (Propane) is stored as a liquid at a very low pressure compared to the extreme pressures required by air powered vehicles.
The LPG is really only a fire hazard, in fact, probably less hazardous than a regular gas tank. When an LPG tank is ruptured and ignited it creates a large fireball, but it only lasts a few seconds, as the gas completely vaporizes as opposed to remaining a flammable liquid and spreading the fire.
Posted by Cobranut
Updated - 12th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
When an LPG tank is ruptured...
"and ignited it creates a large fireball, but it only lasts a few seconds, as the gas completely vaporizes"

everything surrounding it. That includes YOU!
Posted by SmartAceW0LF
24th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
Very few motorcycles run on propane...
...but I'm sure someone will think it's a great idea. But propane under pressure enters the liquid state to a great extent and dissipates rapidly when released; propane tanks don't have to be nearly as stout as compressed air tanks. Air stays gaseous unless placed under extremely, hazardously high pressure and places its container under constant strain.
Posted by loupgarous
15th Jan 2012
0 Votes
+ -
Mini bomb
Ever seen what happens when a petrol tank catches fire ?
Not sure I want to be sitting on top of a napalm device !
Posted by piers@...
10th Jan 2012
+2 Votes
+ -
Love The Concept
...but range is certainly a factor. I'm still waiting for a coastal city to build a piston air compressor driven by wave action that can supply air at a fraction of the cost of petrol, or for free, throughout their city. So what if there will be a need for multiple refillings along the route, a simple solution is multiple, automatic refill stations built into the roadways that could fill tanks in the time it takes to stop at a red light. Imagine sealanes with multiple refill stations and the green profits in that. But I digress, there are too many fools out there that will think it's too socialist a concept and we'll be stuck with combustion engines/pollution forever.
Posted by edrule@...
22nd Dec 2011
+1 Vote
+ -
yes
You are on the right track.
Posted by Steven JF Scannell
22nd Dec 2011
0 Votes
+ -
I'm converting my motorcycle
I'm converting my motorcycle to people power. I'm thinking of adding pedals to it. What a great idea; a pedal powered motorcycle. I almost forgot the range. It's only limited by your own input. Any investors interested? Send cash.
Posted by philwhite42@...
Updated - 22nd Dec 2011
+1 Vote
+ -
Motorbikes with Pedals
Too late Mr. Phil. We have plenty of electric motor assisted bicycles here already. You can pedal or use the motor--first one out of juice rests while the other does the work.
Posted by barak88
23rd Dec 2011
-1 Votes
+ -
Right
How could I forget about mopeds? I drove one once, just once. I was desperate.
Posted by philwhite42@...
23rd Dec 2011
-2 Votes
+ -
Novel idea
Just one small improvement. I don't wish to pedal this vehicle myself. Could you also provide a human clone to pedal this for me? The clones would be completely recyclable, biodegradable, etc. They might also wear scuba tanks to give this vehicle a hybrid capability.
Posted by hellospam9
27th Dec 2011
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