TransformerRobot Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 Well, then here's a quick concept sketch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 TR, the story is far more important that the technology, don't worry about what the vehicle looks like make the story interesting, the suspension of disbelief of a good story can account for quite a bit of unrealistic background... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 I just want the technology to be an accurate prediction, like when H.G. Wells predicted the creation of tanks in one of his stories. Not to mention his prediction of spaceships eventually coming true in the 50s and 60s. You sure it's really that dangerous to try the previously discussed maglev/deflector shield combination? In the decades to come we could find a way to make it safer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 You should give some thought to this, if it doesn't have two wheels it's not a motorcycle, most modern motorcycles are limited more by tire technology than anything else. If not for this problem modern superbikes would currently be quite capable of 250 mph plus easily. In fact this one reputedly can already do this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Tomahawk While it technically does have four wheels it handles as though it had two and is for all intents and purposes is a motorcycle... Just how fast it is supposed to be capable of is disputed but 350mph + doesn't seem too far fetched and that is only because of the limitations of the tires and drag... not the engine... A hovercraft would not handle like a motorcycle or perform like one so would not be one. So write a good story, postulate a fast vehicle, but leave it to the readers imagination as to what it is exactly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 But then viewers (It's an animated series concept actually) would start arguing about it, so I'm trying to make that less likely. Besides, the storyline is set in 2135 AD. How likely is it that wheeled automobiles won't be used anymore with the big advancements in technology these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdEarl Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 IMO vehicles with wheels will be with us a long time, but perhaps vehicles with legs will take over. Feet and legs do not need roadways. Cheetahs can go about 60 m/h (96 km/h), but faster may be possible. Elon Musk is talking about something called the hyperloop, but very little is known about his idea... maybe 1000 m/h, mass transit. http://au.businessinsider.com/what-is-elon-musks-hyperloop-2013-5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Well let's take another look at the concept sketch I did today: If it were a GEV, with that wingspan, how much lift would it get? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdEarl Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Well let's take another look at the concept sketch I did today: If it were a GEV, with that wingspan, how much lift would it get? I cannot help you answer that question, I have not studied aeronautical engineering. I do not even know how difficult it is to answer that question. If it is not trivial (my guess), I expect no one will answer. Your best bet is to study and do the calculation yourself. That is what the great Sci-Fi writers do, such as Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Then can somebody who actually knows the workings of a GEV help me out please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Well let's take another look at the concept sketch I did today: Screen shot 2013-06-01 at 10.55.38 PM.png If it were a GEV, with that wingspan, how much lift would it get? Where would you drive such a vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Over any terrain possible if it was a Ground Effect Vehicle. How high would it get off the ground with it's current wingspan? If it was maglev like originally planned, then it could only work over a strong enough electric field (Such as the ones created by superconductor networks). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Over any terrain possible if it was a Ground Effect Vehicle. How high would it get off the ground with it's current wingspan? GEV's generally only work over rather flat terrain, in fact usually the ocean, they are difficult to stop and take off, needing an airport type place to do either... If it was maglev like originally planned, then it could only work over a strong enough electric field (Such as the ones created by superconductor networks). Then it would be a train... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 (edited) Given that it’s a science fiction project you seem to be getting stuck/fixated on reality rather than just presenting plausibility, it’s really only the glaring mistakes that get any serious critique (though some take, a simple, pleasure from being pedantic enough to point out potential errors). Edit/ no pun/offense intended, cross post Edited June 2, 2013 by dimreepr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 I just want my technology to seem like it will actually happen in the future. But, then again, should I just say the bikes hover on a highly advanced form of magnetic levitation? My viewers would probably only care about high speeds and onscreen carnage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I just want my technology to seem like it will actually happen in the future. But, then again, should I just say the bikes hover on a highly advanced form of magnetic levitation? My viewers would probably only care about high speeds and onscreen carnage. Exactly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 However hard we try, no-one will ever be able to predict the future (with any accuracy or beyond a week or so) and who knows what direction today’s technology will take? If you want an example of how to write science fiction with plausibility that extends ‘many’ years into the future, read Isaac Asimov (for me ‘the man’) amongst others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 True. Another part of the concept involves a race of Martian dinosaur people who, long ago, crashed into Mt. McKay in Southern Ontario, then hikers found them in 2050. Afterwards the Martians got Earth to help revive Mars, and in exchange the Martians gave Earth some of their advanced technology, allowing Earth to use warpgates to traverse space and meet other alien civilizations. An example of said Martians can be seen here: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Sounds fun, but be careful, logic is also scrutinised (even more so) and that scenario seems open to much scrutiny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 How so? It's mostly an alternate history added to science fiction (I don't really believe that there are frozen velociraptor people trapped in Mt. McKay). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 The most obvious would be why the Martians couldn’t use their own technology to solve their own problems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Because they didn't have the time to do so. Their ecology had been completely depleted by global warfare. It was a moment of desperation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Given that the Martians had equal access to these other civilisations what did the humans have that was unavailable to the myriad of other intelligences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransformerRobot Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Earth was the closest available planet to settle onto. There were only a few million Martians left after the war had killed most of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I was merely cautioning, logical reasoning must be treated with much care in an undertaking such as yours, and must be more carefully explained than mere reality based physical facts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moontanman Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Now wait a minute... I thought the martians had tried to escape their apocalypse but had crash landed on earth and the spaceship had put them all in hibernation until modern times? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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