Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/VD)

Mangalore, Jun 18: Four students of Srinivas Institute of Technology (SIT), Valachil, here have shown the way to remain in sync with environment. The mode they have chosen is a simple bicycle and turned into a dual-powered vehicle also operating on solar energy apart from conventional pedalling.

"Any conventional bicycle can be used to create a dual-powered single-seater vehicle with carrying capacity of 100 kms," says Adithi, one of the four inventors. Ajay R Pai, Dharmesh Patel and Nakul A Raichura are co-inventors.

All About Bicycle's Operation

The eco-friendly bicycle is provided with a motor and two 12-volt batteries connected in series that have regenerating capacity providing relief to a rider exhausted from pedalling. The rear wheel hub is replaced to accommodate a special two-side-threaded hub. This is to house two free-wheels; one is to ride the cycle while pedalling and the other to ride the cycle when the motor is in use. A solar panel is also fitted to the vehicle to generate and store electricity. Further, two dynamos are fixed on to the rear wheel that converts the rotational energy to electrical energy that is stored in the battery, while an accelerator controls the speed.

The battery takes about 4 – 5 hours to be fully charged and then can be rode for about a distance of 20 kms. It can also be charged from an electric source. Like most of the cars today, this bicycle too has a provision to charge cell phones.
 
Dr Srinivas Mayya D, principal of SIT said that the total expense of the bicycle is estimated at Rs 13,000 and there were plans to apply for a patent. We have successfully test-driven the bicycle for 20 kms on the highway, he claimed.