Bicycle-Riding Robot Puts Pedals to the Metal

Robots have a long-standing obsession with tandem bikes. The first song ever sung by a computer? "Daisy Bell." If you don't recognize the title, you might nevertheless recognize the song's famous refrain: "But you'd look sweet/Upon the seat/Of a bicyle built for two." That was 1961.

Fast forward nearly forty years and robots aren't merely singing about bicycles built for two, they're riding them. Take Joules, for example:

Via Rainy Island:

Joules exists because designing and making things is fun. Joules came from a challenge to build an electric tandem bicycle powered by actually pushing the pedals like a person.  Fun kinetic design was part of the intent, practicality was not. 

Riding with Joules is a reminder that engineering and craftsmanship can be joyful pursuits.  Engineering and art need not be separate.

• Previously, Legs o' LEGO: Pinocchio, the Amazing Bipedal Android.