This article was published on June 24, 2022
Maintenance workers don't have to walk long distances to inspect railway tracks
It goes without saying that railway maintenance is crucial, but most workers have to walk long distances to inspect and fix faulty lines — which reduces both efficiency and safety.
Artist Heqi Wang has come up with a unique solution to this problem. He has designed a dual-utility electric motorbike that can easily hop on railway tracks and function as a stylish ride on regular roads as well.
The bike’s design is fantastically futuristic. It comes with hubless wheels and, unlike regular motorcycles, its long wheel-base is shifted towards the front, rather than the rear.
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
In railway mode, the side sliding panels move to latch on the rails. Plus, its bright orange color helps it stand out in dimly-lit underground railways.
In road mode, the rider simply needs to move the sliding panels back to their upwards position. To maintain balance during sharp turns at high speeds, the bike’s electric motor is placed at its center.
You can check out how it works in the video below:
Unfortunately, the Railway Motorcycle is just a concept for now, but it’s great to see design ideas that address practical needs in a sustainable and stylish way. Fingers crossed it’ll someday reach production.
Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainabili (show all) Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainability, green tech, AI, and EU policy. With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.