The Balanced-Over-Batteries, or B.O.B car is an ingenious
contraption developed by Robert Lange, a retired auto
mechanic from California.
The B.O.B car was designed following the example of skateboard
trucks which use the tilting movement of the board to
adjust the angle of the wheels, therefore providing the
ability to steer. The vehicle gets its name from the fact
the batteries are slung underneath the single passenger
cockpit. During cornering the batteries act as a counterbalance
to the leaning of the vehicle's passenger compartment
- up to 45 degrees in tight turns! This clever balancing
act means that no power steering is needed and the steering
wheel can be turned easily from side-to-side with the
palm of the hand.
Where possible recycled parts were used in the construction
of the B.O.B car. The front and rear differentials were
lifted from 1975-76 Pintos, the brakes are courtesy of
a Yamaha motorcycle, and the steering mechanism is adapted
from a helicopter tail-rotor gearbox. Each pinto rear-end
has 2 computer sync motors with chain drive. The vehicle
has two speeds which can be switched between by changing
the voltage from 36 - 72 volts.
Development of the Balanced-Over-Batteries bar took around
three years, despite the complicated and unique nature
of the vehicle. Thanks to the use of recycled or reclaimed
parts the total cost came in at around $500. Amazing.
All pictures and information courtesy of Robert Lange.
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