Licensing

As you can see from the range of possible mini-farthing applications, we believe the basic design platform can be used in lots of imaginative ways. The YikeBike is the first production mini-farthing and is super light and highly specified www.yikebike.com.

Just like bicycles, cars and motor bikes it does not make sense for only one company to make every type of product. We believe a large number of creative manufacturing companies can build successful businesses around the mini-farthing platform.

We have a vision

For the first time in the history of civilisation more people live in cities than in rural areas.  The mini-farthing platform is a unique combination of stable and safe riding, compact size and light weight that can link in with any other form of transport – it can deliver a degree of transport freedom and be the fastest, most convenient way to move around congested cities.

Bicycles are still the most common form of transport in the world, selling over 120 million per annum (compared to about 40 million cars).  For most people who live in large congested cities neither is the answer to personal transport needs.  We believe there is a huge opportunity for lots of different variations on mini-farthing that can help solve urban transport issues for people.

We have a vision: that the mini-farthing becomes a ubiquitous device for short-distance commuting or where personal transport meets public transport.  Consistent with this, we would really like to see someone produce an ultra low-cost utility version.

Licensing scenarios

We are offering time-limited exclusive licences for particular markets and types of implementation that would allow a company to establish brand leadership in a particular market. By way of example, the exclusive licences may be based on a combination of the following:

  • Geography: regions or urban centres.
  • Market sector: integrated into cars, yachts, couriers, rental, other shared use (e.g., urban projects).
  • Mechanical form: motor powered (one or more), pedal power (direct, indirect, see-saw), pedal-assist.
  • Fuel: electric (brushed, brushless, motor in rim), petrol, diesel.
  • Energy storage: battery (including types), fuel cell.
  • Materials: injections moulding, metal, composites.
  • Platform configuration: wheel size, side-by-side wheels, steering system.
  • Electronic configuration: anti-skid braking, cruise control, freewheeling, hand/foot controls.
  • Folding configuration: types of fold, types of clamp.

Click here for some ideas of the types of mini-farthings that could be produced.

Patent portfolio

We have put substantial effort into making this series of patents as robust as possible. The license fees are at the low end of what you may expect as we want to encourage a range of mini-farthings to be produced. We will vigorously enforce our Intellectual Property as we have spent years trying to develop this new stable vehicle platform..