The Batpod motorcycle ejecting from the Batmobile left many viewers of 2008's The Dark Knight awestruck.
Well, Ford might have been inspired by the Batman film enough to create its own version ... sort of. PatentYogi is reporting that Ford has patented a motorized unicycle that separates from its car, kind of like the Batpod does from the Batmobile.
The website is reporting that the separation may not be as dramatic as it was in the film with the Batpod from the Batmobile, but the idea behind Ford's patent is essentially the same. According to PatentYogi, the driver would disengage the motorized unicycle with a control button found inside the car. An automated jack system then activates, raising the car and allowing the self-powered unicycle to automatically disengage.
As part of the patent, the unicycle's wheel is actually one of the four wheels from the car, leaving the Ford vehicle with three wheels.
The unicycle is equipped with its own battery, electric motor, seat and foot rests. It also includes a pull-up handle bar, which the driver can hold onto, while leaning to easily turn and maneuver the unicycle.
Obviously, a unicycle doesn't match the Batpod's wow factor, but it does offer some practicality in its function. If you work in a congested area for example, a driver might decide to park close to his or her job and ride the unicycle to the office.
The other part about the patent is it would prevent someone from stealing the actual Ford vehicle since the ejection of the unicycle leaves the car with three wheels.
PatentYogi's simulation of Ford's car/unicycle patent, and how it may play out in real life, can be seen below.
