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marden · Mar 22, 2007, 06:06 AM

Dog-powered Scooter

from Pet Gizmos (30 articles)

June 6, 2005 This new concept in near zero emission transportation could be just what you’re looking for, though we suspect that parking might be a problem. Seriously though folks, if you have a big dog that often takes you for a walk, here’s a great way to harness all that energy and travel the bike paths of your city at the same time. The manufacturer and inventor Mark Schuette of Oregon claims the human is in total control of the speed and direction of the dog powered scooter because the dog is harnessed inside of the frame and subject to its steering (with 90 degree turns easy) and braking force.

http://www.gizmag.com/go/4115/

If Fido never seems ready for his walk to come to an end maybe you need to tire his ass out. This should do it.

"Mush, Papillon, mush!"

design219 · Mar 22, 2007, 06:26 AM

I'm sorry, but this looks like one of the lamest ideas i've seen in a while. Dogs don't like to walk or run straight. And boy, what a ride when the first rabbit shows up!

Mastrap · Mar 22, 2007, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by design219

I'm sorry, but this looks like one of the lamest ideas i've seen in a while. Dogs don't like to walk or run straight. And boy, what a ride when the first rabbit shows up!

Have you ever been dogsledding? Same principle and no problem at all.

osiris · Mar 22, 2007, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Have you ever been dogsledding? Same principle and no problem at all.

But you must admit that this particular idea, as presented, is lame.
I somehow can't imagine cities being designed around this concept, unlike Ginger.

Mastrap · Mar 22, 2007, 09:04 AM

There's a guy who lives in the Parkdale neighborhood here in Toronto. He's got a dog pulling him around in his adapted wheelchair.

Gossamer · Mar 22, 2007, 09:06 AM

I used to have my dog pull me on rollerblades in the summer and sleds in the winter. At one point he did see a rabbit and took off into someone's yard and i nailed the curb head-on with my rollerblades.

centerchannel68 · Mar 22, 2007, 09:16 AM

Ithink this is pretty sweet actually. My dog would love this.

besson3c · Mar 22, 2007, 09:47 AM

What if the dog you have is too old and doesn't like to run anymore?

Mastrap · Mar 22, 2007, 10:03 AM

Then you switch.

invisibleX · Mar 22, 2007, 10:08 AM

What if you accidentally slam on the brakes? Either your dog will be seriously injured or you will be (depending on dog size).

Better than just tying the dog to the bike but...

Doofy · Mar 22, 2007, 10:30 AM

You reckon I could get it to work with cats if I got enough of them?

marden · Mar 22, 2007, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

What if the dog you have is too old and doesn't like to run anymore?

You dangle a rabbit in front of his nose from the end of a stick?

marden · Mar 22, 2007, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by invisibleX

What if you accidentally slam on the brakes? Either your dog will be seriously injured or you will be (depending on dog size).

Better than just tying the dog to the bike but...

From the pic it looks like the dog is harnessed in such a way as to allow it freedom but not enough to get in trouble from a slammed on brake.

Here's a gallery.

My SPGM gallery

marden · Mar 22, 2007, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

You reckon I could get it to work with cats if I got enough of them?

Uh, no. Cats would look at you like you were silly for even thinking of harnessing them.

osiris · Mar 22, 2007, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

What if the dog you have is too old and doesn't like to run anymore?

You shoot it, then get another one.

marden · Mar 22, 2007, 10:51 AM

These guys look like they are ready for a loooooong nap! Hahahahaha!

besson3c · Mar 22, 2007, 10:56 AM

Why don't we simply make these dogs run around in a wheel for a while, harness this energy, and then use it to propel the scooter? Seems like a better idea...

Doofy · Mar 22, 2007, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Why don't we simply make these dogs run around in a wheel for a while, harness this energy, and then use it to propel the scooter? Seems like a better idea...

Or better yet, educate them in the art of assembling V8 petroleum engines then use those. I mean, we can't have a big bunch of extremely fit but totally uneducated dogs wandering around can we?

osiris · Mar 22, 2007, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Or better yet, educate them in the art of assembling V8 petroleum engines then use those. I mean, we can't have a big bunch of extremely fit but totally uneducated dogs wandering around can we?

Now that you mentioned it, maybe the same can be said of some humans. They're such children.

besson3c · Mar 22, 2007, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Or better yet, educate them in the art of assembling V8 petroleum engines then use those. I mean, we can't have a big bunch of extremely fit but totally uneducated dogs wandering around can we?

Well, those engines would cause pollution. If would suck if the downfall of mankind was due to out-of-control dogs creating engines all over the place.

centerchannel68 · Mar 22, 2007, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Why don't we simply make these dogs run around in a wheel for a while, harness this energy, and then use it to propel the scooter? Seems like a better idea...

Everytime you convert energy from one form to another you lose energy. So basically your idea sucks since it'd need to be converted a whole lot, instead of just using hte forward propulsion directly.

besson3c · Mar 22, 2007, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by centerchannel68

Everytime you convert energy from one form to another you lose energy. So basically your idea sucks since it'd need to be converted a whole lot, instead of just using hte forward propulsion directly.

Well, they should invent a machine that won't lose energy to go along with the dog propelled energy harnessing machine I thought of.

Dakar² · Mar 22, 2007, 11:36 AM

Think of all the energy you'll save from not crying because everyone tells you your dog scooter looks lame as hell.

besson3c · Mar 22, 2007, 11:45 AM

We have so many dogs that are put to sleep every year, we should be harnessing their energy... We used to harness horse power back in the old days, and possibly pony power, this is similar...

This is actually a really good idea, I wonder who I could pitch it to?

marden · Mar 22, 2007, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

We have so many dogs that are put to sleep every year, we should be harnessing their energy... We used to harness horse power back in the old days, and possibly pony power, this is similar...

This is actually a really good idea, I wonder who I could pitch it to?

Al Gore? PITA?

design219 · Mar 22, 2007, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

We have so many dogs that are put to sleep every year, we should be harnessing their energy... We used to harness horse power back in the old days, and possibly pony power, this is similar...

This is actually a really good idea, I wonder who I could pitch it to?

I think that when you factor in time/resources/money needed to feed and care for the "dog power," it would not be cost effective.

Especially if they form a union.

Mark Larr · Mar 22, 2007, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by design219

Especially if they form a union.

Dogs refer to it as a "pack".

Oneota · Mar 22, 2007, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by marden

PITA?

People for the Interesting Treatment of Animals?

marden · Mar 22, 2007, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Oneota

People for the Interesting Treatment of Animals?

Good one!

I KNEW it looked wrong when I 'psoted' it.

Thanks for helping me out. Maybe PITA would be the INTERESTING treatment but the PETA members might suggest, "INEDIBLE."

Dakar² · Mar 22, 2007, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Larr

Dogs refer to it as a "pack".

ACtually they usually refer it to as "BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK".

Gossamer · Mar 22, 2007, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by design219

I think that when you factor in time/resources/money needed to feed and care for the "dog power," it would not be cost effective.

Especially if they form a union.

Nah, you just take dogs that are going to be put to sleep anyway and run them until they're worn out, then replace them.

CreepDogg · Mar 22, 2007, 06:40 PM

Anyone who's ever walked a dog in a public place knows that the 'zero emission' claim is bunk.