h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The trouble with the sandbelt idea is turning. I cant remember if it was Jackass or Brainiac where they tried it but it didn't work, the directions were harder to programme, it doesnt slowly increase in speed and its hard to turn with them.

well think millepede so many to the foot each set angulerly

In the same pattern as the grips on trainers would probably work. Something like this....

//
\//
\======

Perhaps?

Ill try that again....

//
..\//
..\=====

Not as effective as what I originally thought but still.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ forward
///////////////////////////// backward
[///][}}}}}] [///][///][}}}}}] [///]pivitol like four wheel drive
[///][}}}}}] [///][///][}}}}}] [///]

Yeah I'm bored with this now. Its making me dizzy!

Ditto.

I never had a pair of roller skates.

I love the way you think, LTP!

The boots don't need to be /huge/, just a bit bigger than usual, at least. Although bigger boots could sell better perhaps.


Going downhill -> Wheels are better, less friction.
Going uphill -> Tracks are better, like sandbelts.
Maybe a level switch, so that wheels stick out more than tracks when going downhill?

Turning is a problem with tracks, but narrower tracks have less problem. Can have multiple tracks side by side, ones on the outside go faster/slower when turning. Weight shifting can change the speeds.

I think it was jackass where they hand sandbelts on their shoes - the main problem was it only had 'on' and 'off' - variable speed drive would have been much better.

They also did the human go-cart thing, with wheels on the kneepads, elbowpads, and a large wheel on an axle held in the hands to help steer. Looked like fun, but unnatural position would have been uncomfortable after a while. Especially good in the skateboad area!

"...locking release like in strongbow..." Do you mean like the catch of a crossbow trigger mechanism on the string? I've never seen a strongbow.

I can't figure out which way 'round your diagrams go, can someone explain those to me a bit more please?

~*~I love the way you think, LTP!~*~

Oh, good. That means you understand what he's saying. Maybe you can translate for me, because I'm never able to.

In that case, try thinking about /what/ he says instead of /how/ he says it. He's a poet; sentence structure is secondary to imagery, which works well for engineers too.

As a complete tangent, I've just noticed a sign across the hall which says: "Beware of the pygmy guard monkey."

Would that make me a clown then?

I'm impressed. Get me this monkeys number.

Jerms yes cross bow mind you fingers on longbow same action.

Drawing well attempt ,no reason why wheels or even belt can not be lowered raised reversed ,like aircraft strut in heel.this roller when retracted engages via electro magnetic sprung pins
(like yale lock dont know if you have taken any to pieces )

with sole cast you mind back to steam engine track rod no reason why it cant drive both sets of propulsion
(drive shaft car) speedo cable type arangement transfer of power most of cogs sit nicely in heel ,plus steering wheel like on skates set just in front of heel as well as speeding up outside wheels ect.

I /think/ I know what you mean about the sprung pins like a yale lock... I'll have to have another look at the inside of a lock to be certain.
If you mean what I think you mean, then I agree - that would be great.

If one form of propulsion is used to drive both boots, and a steering mechanism is in each boot, both working cooperatively, then it begins to make sense to have all the control equipment in one place too, like attached to a belt or something. Queue images of someone driving their own feet like with remote control!

Using the same remote controls from remote control helicopters, then getting up hill wouldnt be a problem any more.

will someone invent me a pair of wings? i want to fly.......

no, i dont mean to change the conversation.
i'm all for wheels in my heels. it sounds like alot of fun. and i think that if the wheels have to be in the soles of my shoes that makes me taller right?

While we're on the subject though, what about Rocket Boots?

CO2 canisters hooked up to the boots so that you don't have to do anything and can just blast your way wherever you want to go.