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Urban Transport

FireFly's TRON-like shell keeps cyclists dry and visible

By Jonathan Fincher
March 20, 2013
FireFly's TRON-like shell keeps cyclists dry and visible
The FireFly recumbent tricycle outfitted with an LED-lit dome
The FireFly recumbent tricycle outfitted with an LED-lit dome
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The FireFly is a recumbent tricycle outfitted with an LED-lit dome that keeps the rider visible and protected from the elements
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The FireFly is a recumbent tricycle outfitted with an LED-lit dome that keeps the rider visible and protected from the elements
The FireFly recumbent tricycle outfitted with an LED-lit dome
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The FireFly recumbent tricycle outfitted with an LED-lit dome
The shell tilts forward so a person can sit down and remain shielded from the cold, rain, or snow
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The shell tilts forward so a person can sit down and remain shielded from the cold, rain, or snow
There are even two headlights in front for some leisurely night riding
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There are even two headlights in front for some leisurely night riding
The bottom part of the covering is lit with colored LEDs, while a transparent dome at the top lets the rider see where they're going
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The bottom part of the covering is lit with colored LEDs, while a transparent dome at the top lets the rider see where they're going
Detail of the eye-catching LED-lit dome
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Detail of the eye-catching LED-lit dome
The shell tilts forward so a person can sit down and remain shielded from the cold, rain, or snow
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The shell tilts forward so a person can sit down and remain shielded from the cold, rain, or snow
View gallery - 7 images

If there are two things cyclists have to worry about, they would be the weather and making sure cars can see them. That's why the designers at GeoSpace Studio set about building a vehicle to resolve both issues. The FireFly is a recumbent tricycle outfitted with an LED-lit dome that keeps the rider visible and protected from the elements.

It may look like it drove straight out of the movie TRON, but given the importance of being seen, this is probably one of the safest pedal-powered vehicles around.

The shell tilts forward so a person can sit down and remain shielded from the cold, rain, or snow. The bottom part of the covering is lit with colored LEDs, while a transparent dome at the top lets the rider see where they're going. There are even two headlights in front for some leisurely night riding.

The FireFly is sure to turn quite a few heads, but you may have to put your dreams of pedaling down the street in this UFO-like trike on hold for now, since GeoSpace Studio has not announced any plans to put it on the market.

If you want to see what the FireFly looks like cruising around at night with the theme song from Knight Rider playing appropriately in the background though, check out the video below.

Source: GeoSpace Studio

FIREFLY by THE FUTURE PEOPLE

View gallery - 7 images

Tags

Urban TransportSafetyLEDVehiclesRecumbentTricycleSafetyLEDVehiclesRecumbentTricycle
21 comments
Jonathan Fincher
Jonathan grew up in Norway, China, and Trinidad before graduating film school and becoming an online writer covering green technology, history and design, as well as contributing to video game news sites like Filefront and 1Up. He currently resides in Texas, where his passions include video games, comics, and boring people who don't want to talk about either of those things.

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21 comments
Boomsling
Looks like a more refine version of the one from Mythbusters (Episode 171: Bikes and Bazookas) but with fancy LED lights in it and a new lid..
SeekerFinder
Weather? Wipers. Need.
Bryce Guenther
That looks so cool ! the vehicle looks like safety features are highlighted and rain protection is somewhat addressed excepted what would splash up from the ground or what the tires might whirl up, the aerodynamics benefits where not qualified. It looks like a great design, Perhaps motorcyclist would adapt the same features for safety.
Alien
I'm a little surprised this article make no mention of aerodynamics. Perhaps there aren't any (aerodynamics) and hence Geospace Studio were careful not to raise the subject! One can imagine it being hard work to ride against a head wind.
yrag
Looks pretty cool (probably could have used a hipper looking driver though).
My question is how does it handle in strong updrafts and crosswinds? Yes, the three wheels gives it stability, but wouldn't the light plastic carapace tend to carry you away (think umbrella in a windy storm)?
Oh yes, and price?
Pipedog42
Cute.. but does it fit in the bike lane?
sk8dad
Perfect for bike parties and the Mainstreet Parade (quick call Disney).
But seriously...How does one lock this thing? How to take it into one's workplace at the end of the commute? Do the paramedics have to cut through extra layers of canopy in the event of a serious interaction with an automobile? what happens when you do clip the occasional automobile? The extra ground-hugging girth would surely become intimately acquainted with curbs in narrow bike lanes. What about cross wind?
Ike Trikeman
This is a great concept using a TerraTrike Rover as the base platform. These things lend themselves well to all kind of experiments. You can find more info here: http://www.terratrike.com
The Skud
Apart from getting laughed out of town, if it is wet enough to need one of these I will take the car or a taxi. The purhase price would probably pay for quite a few taxi fares anyway.
Bill Bennett
AND how much does it weigh? that would probably get it laughed off planet by the biker I know - carbon bike and wheels, 100 psi tires
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