Marine

Amphibious electric 3-wheeler will drive, float and hydrofoil

Amphibious electric 3-wheeler will drive, float and hydrofoil
Electric reverse trike meets hydrofoiling boat in the Poseidon LS-1 amphibious vehicle
Electric reverse trike meets hydrofoiling boat in the Poseidon LS-1 amphibious vehicle
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Electric reverse trike meets hydrofoiling boat in the Poseidon LS-1 amphibious vehicle
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Electric reverse trike meets hydrofoiling boat in the Poseidon LS-1 amphibious vehicle
An alternative design would use retractable struts for both fr
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An alternative design would use retractable struts for both front and rear hydrofoils
Poseidon is open to suggestions on what people want these things to look like
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Poseidon is open to suggestions on what people want these things to look like
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Florida company Poseidon Amphibworks is raising money toward a prototype of its Trident LS-1. This electric, AWD three-wheeler will be capable of highway speeds on land, and it'll extend its range capabilities in the water using low-drag hydrofoils.

Amphibious vehicles are a niche product, to be sure. But for people living close to water, they offer an exceptionally convenient form of multi-mode transport – or even just a way to get out and have a quick fish without needing to hook up a trailer.

Poseidon is looking to bring these machines into the electric age, taking the well-worn path of road-registering the vehicle as a three-wheel motorcycle in order to keep costs and regulatory headaches to a minimum. Thus, the LS-1 (L for land, S for sea) runs a simple, non-tilting reverse trike chassis with electric motors in all three wheels.

These will pack enough punch to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in around five seconds, making it more than zippy enough for the street. It'll seat one driver, front and center, with a pair of seats in the back row. If you do want to tow it – say, pulling it behind your RV, you can hook it straight up without the need for a trailer.

An alternative design would use retractable struts for both fr
An alternative design would use retractable struts for both front and rear hydrofoils

You'll be able to drive it straight down a boat ramp and into the water, where in shallower areas it'll putt around as an electric boat using two electric thrusters mounted on retractable struts at the rear. Once the water's deep enough, the front hydrofoil, complete with a second pair of electric thrusters, will swing down, and the rear struts will push downward. At a certain speed, the hull will rise out of the water and a "flight control" system will take over as the bike hydrofoils along at speeds up to 35 mph (56 km/h).

This isn't just for show; battery-electric boats simply can't deliver much useful range pushing a large hull through the water. There's too much drag. Hydrofoils, however, experience much less drag, since so little of the vehicle's in the water. The LS-1 is the first electric amphibian we're aware of that attempts to make use of this technology.

Poseidon's location in Florida is no accident; the southern parts of Florida, along with the New Orleans area, project to be some of the areas most affected as the rate of sea level rise accelerates over the coming decades.

Poseidon is open to suggestions on what people want these things to look like
Poseidon is open to suggestions on what people want these things to look like

Refreshingly, the company is aiming to keep things as accessible as possible when it comes to price. As a convertible multi-mode amphibian with flight-controlled hydrofoiling, it still won't be cheap. But at a target cost of US$95,000, it'll be cheaper than a lot of boat options, as well as a ton more convenient for quick outings or trips across lakes or rivers. The hydrofoil system will make it an exceptionally smooth ride through choppy waters, and it'll double as a fun little electric getabout on the street. What's not to like?

Poseidon hasn't settled on a final look for the design, and indeed the company's still working to raise funds to get the LS-1 prototyped.

Poseidon AmphibWorks StartEngine Campaign Video Overview

Source: Poseidon Amphibworks

View gallery - 3 images
10 comments
10 comments
Jinpa
Average EV cost is about $65k, so rich boys' toys. And what happens when water gets into those hub motors? Short life? Those hydrofoil tips extending beyond roof height could withstand how much sideways bending before they couldn't be lowered to useful depth? What else could go wrong, or be very expensive to fix?
freddotu
It's great to see that the two-wheels-in-front design is implemented. Reverse trikes are more stable during turns and braking. The hub motors aren't all the great, as it creates unsprung weight in the absolute worst locations. Hang the motor at the suspension pivot and run a belt to the wheel. It keeps it compact, reduces unsprung weight and really doesn't add that much to the cost.

Water doesn't affect an electric motor if properly designed. Good seals on the bearing can take care of that, just as with boat trailers and other immersibles.

I like the idea presented as a yacht tender. Climb in the "dinghy" and drive to the store, no dock fees, no worries!
S.e. Tice
RE: Jinpa comments - Thx for comments. some corrections - their are NO hub motors in the design like APTERA to minimize potential saltwater induced reliability issues, rather, inboard mounted in water tight compartments, are axial flux liquid-cooled sealed motors/inverters/single stage speed reduction/e-disconnects, are planned in the design. Every aspect of the design is for long life, little to no maintenance, owner ability to fix low weight and mfg cost.

Overall height with air ride height set at default will allow vehicle to fit in 6' 6" max height public garages. The design team has experience with high maintenance amphibious vehicles, e.g. http://car-boat.com , so it is known what goes wrong due to salt water, land-water, water-land transitions and road/highway use.
S.e. Tice
CORRECTION: Under a picture above - "An alternative design would use retractable struts for both front and rear hydrofoils" - This is the baseline configuration for the prototype NOT an ALTERNATIVE.
Dan Wolfson
The new Rvian r1t features one engine for each wheel. This quad motor drivetrain enables the Rivian truck to handle like a sports sedan on-road and 4 by 4 off-road with ease. This reportedly makes the R1T the fastest truck in the world. Newer hub motors are sealed against dust and debris. Also: https://in-wheel.com/en/solutions-2/direct-drive-in-wheel-motors/
Dan Wolfson
https://in-wheel.com/en/solutions-2/direct-drive-in-wheel-motors/ Rivian is using hub motors. Latest generation of hub motors are sealed and ruggedized. The Trident will have much less weight than Rivien. More similar to the Aptera.
Dan Wolfson
I need to correct my previous comment. Apparently Rivian is not using hub motors and the weight of the Trident is yet to be determined. Sorry for my confusion.
S.e. Tice
Dan, in-wheel hub motors, like those from ELAPHE, even though completely sealed and not needing any shaft speed reduction, have many advantages, however they may see reliability issues when constantly exposed to salt water in the Poseidon AmphibWorks Trident LS-1 application, even with wheels in fully retracted position. We will still evaluate their potential use for the prototype and beyond.


APTERA's use of these motors make perfect sense due to their tight packaging requirements and striving for ultimate system efficiency - resulting in reduction in weight, parts and costs of additional shaft speed reduction units. Trident LS-1 does NOT have the same tight packaging requirements but will strive for best efficiency without compromising customer cost of operations and amphibious capability expectations.
Aross
No mention of battery size, charging time, operating time or range. Are there plans for solar charging capabilities?
S.e. Tice
Aross thanks for your comments - here are some answers for you - BTW, our linkedin feed should answer other additional questions you may have - https://www.linkedin.com/company/80842427/admin/

This banner from recent EV show in San Diego includes ROAD & MARINE RANGE projected estimates on using the base 60kWh battery system - https://www.dropbox.com/s/zg8npi7z5rfmqzz/FULL_CHARGED_LIVE_Banner.pdf?dl=0

Due to 96s 350-394Vdc, base 6.6kW onboard charger (OBC), optional 11-13.2kW (this may change as we get closer to GAMMA prototype), so charging times will be similar to other EVs with similar OBCs and specs.

Optional floating roll out solar kit will be available for camping on land or water.