7/15/2003: Buggyrollin'

French Designer Jean-Yves Blondeau demonstrates his "buggy rollin" suit at Munich's Ispo 03 Summer sports fair.

Blondeau created the suit some years ago and his looking to commercialize it.

Lawyers everywhere are salivating.

Actually, this is a shot of Johnny Depp on the set of the sequel to Edward Scissorhands...

Hmm, wasn't as funny as I hoped it would be. Story of my life.

Pothole...

Looks like it would take as much time as a matador to get ready. Maybe more dangerous too.

I first thought that anyone using a regular luge was nuts. Then came 'street luge', which is lying down feet first on an oversized skateboard and going 80+ mph on asphalt.

Now someone raises (lowers) the bar with a rolling bodysuit.

At least the thing looks like its made of some ABS plastic. All they have to do is lock the suits joints when it comes time for traction.

Why are there wheels on the back? Is he that stupid?

I wonder how he stands up.

This begs for parallels from some insanely stupid French history.

Like making personal tanks (shells that people crawled under) during World War I.

Patent

Makes a great Patent of the Week, too.

Here's Blondeau's:
And if you want to do it in the snow:

RollerSuit=Fail.

All you have to do is hit a good bump with one arm or leg, and instead of rolling, you're sliding, possibly out of control. God help the schtoopnegle that tries to jump with it (and you know someone would).

I would hope the ride isn't too exciting. Wouldn't want the central kickstand to lower itself too much during a run.

I beleive I met this guy (with a slightly different suit) during the Lausanne World Inline Festival about three years ago.

If it wasn't him, someone has a heck of a claim on prior art, anyway.

interesting
http://www.chez.com/buggyrollin/