VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING FOR CYCLISTS

Lucky Mokalusi (28), from Kagiso, has designed a virtual reality training cycle, combining his love of electrical engineering and computer programming to create a prototype that enables cyclists to simulate real-world training routes from the comfort of their homes. He was named the 2011 winner in the emerging genius category of the Popular Mechanics Inventor of the Year awards. He has captured entire routes using a camera, GPS, the terrain and a specially designed bicycle with the different altitudes. The faster you pedal, the faster the video on the monitor moves. He got the idea while working a technical assistant at the Vaal University of Technology, where a professor proposed a rough idea for the concept and he decided to make it work. He was then awarded first prize in the national innovation competition in 2007 for the most innovative business plan and project design, and in the same year he scooped a scholarship to complete his master's degree and develop the cycle design. He is hoping to sell his unique design to a company that will put it into production. Lucky splits his time between helping young engineering graduates find in-service training, and running a modelling and promotions company. The father of a baby girl, he had a troubled childhood that saw him leave home and move in with his aunt when he was in Grade 8. He was inspired by his cousin, Patrick Kamodi, who was studying electrical engineering and went to Germany to complete his in-service training. After completing his diploma and Bachelor of Technology degree, he is now working on his Master's degree in electrical engineering.