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Why did they drop the electric skate concept in favor of requiring cars to have tracking wheels? That's not nearly as elegant of a solution, so there must be a
by Reedx 8y ago
Why did they drop the electric skate concept in favor of requiring cars to have tracking wheels?
That's not nearly as elegant of a solution, so there must be a good reason for the change. With the skate they were even going to allow non-EVs to use the tunnels.
From their FAQ [1] "Every mile the skate transports a gas-burning vehicle becomes a zero-emission mile."
1. https://www.boringcompany.com/faq/#block-yui_3_17_2_3_1512057786758_64785 https://www.boringcompany.com/faq/#block-yui_3_17_2_3_151205...
- jcranmer 8y agoThe first thing that comes to mind is that the skate wasn't ready in time for the press demo. But... that doesn't explain why dropping it altogether. Looking at the sizes in those pictures, it's possible that they couldn't fit a skate in. The skate would have to have electric motors squeezed in somewhere, and it looks like that 12' inner diameter has to squeeze in the car, the skate, the ventilation system, and the drainage system--and the gutter beneath already looks rather small for drainage. It also doesn't look like there's much room for a pedestrian emergency exit path; you'd have to walk on the wheel guideway path as is.