Magic Unicorn Rider - Davis

The Magic Unicorn Rider rides one of Davis's unique vehicles and can be seen zipping along streets and sidewalks all over downtown and on the UCD campus. He'll even go inside of places, such as the UCD MU Coffee House, cafes, restaurants, and bars. The Magic Unicorn Ride is a small electric vehicle equipped with a high fidelity music system, rainbow chasing lights, powerful electric motors, independent differential drive, and a high-speed precision motion control system that allows the vehicle to spin around on its center axis, stop on a dime, dance around, and is capable of rearing up like a real unicorn due to its rapid acceleration. Its battery system has a range of approximately 18 miles on a charge and powers the sound system and special effects lighting using high efficiency DC-DC converters. It is designed and built by its rider, artist/engineer/music composer/technology historian Mark Chang, a UCD graduate and local resident. Construction was complete in August 2011.

If you have pictures to share or would just like to get to know the Magic Unicorn Rider, please send him an email (with pictures if you have them), facebook tag him, etc. at [email protected]

Video Footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JatYCjvPcfk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qehZL2BhsgM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctD5B641X9c

Comments:

You must be logged in to comment on this page. Please log in.

2012-04-21 10:57:39 I would totally ride that magical unicorn. —jefftolentino

2012-04-21 14:59:14 I need to build one so we can have races. —JimStewart

2012-04-21 15:59:11 Do you have any build notes or anything of the sort? I'd like a peek under the hood! —WilliamLewis

2012-04-21 18:57:47 That is awesome. —jsbmeb

2012-04-21 23:40:44 I saw this zipping around in downtown during picnic day. A lot of people were talking photos with the unicorn. —SimonFung

2012-04-23 01:04:50 My friend rode the magical unicorn at picnic day!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5sIliL7id4 —MichellePacheco

2012-04-23 17:13:06 what is the top speed? It looks like it books —StevenDaubert

2012-04-24 05:03:35 Will, hopefully, be more mindful of the public, the law, and the safety of others along with his own in the future. Weaving in and out of traffic on G St., a rider fell off, was nearly hit by an oncoming car and then he just takes off... quirky, semi-genius aside, seems to have no regard for others or for the law. —Wes-P

2012-04-25 04:59:46 Wes-P, thank you for your concerns. I have a perfect safety record riding the magic unicorn out of approximately 60 hours total run time. The incident you mentioned on G Street involved a person who had been drinking alcohol and attempted to sit on the rear of the unicorn without my permission. The added weight caused the ride to tip rearward thus dumping the "passenger". This occurred to the side of the road where bicycles normally ride, and I did turn around immediately to make sure that the passenger was OK (she was laughing). She was not "nearly hit by an oncoming car". Rather, a car passed us slowly. I do not "weave in and out of traffic" when riding the unicorn. I follow all traffic rules, stopping at stop signs and signal lights, looking in all directions. I slow down considerably when giving rides to a few approved, sober passengers. The whole purpose of riding the unicorn is to share a magical experience with other people. They frequently tell me that I've made their day or cheered them up. I am always completely sober and alert when riding it and have extremely accurate control of its motion at all times. The unicorn is meticulously maintained and safety checked before every ride. I just want to set the record straight that in no way am I simply gallavanting around with "no regard for others or for the law". —MarkChang & Wes gets served Daubert

2012-08-16 17:34:41 The Magic Unicorn Rider is awesome, some day I hope to take a spin on it. Also, it is the featured picture for the Aug 16th caption contest on Dlisted: http://www.dlisted.com/2012/08/16/caption-contest-august-16th I hope they are kind and make it all the more magical (though it is dlisted so probably not). LUpton —LUpton

2012-11-19 07:42:03 After having seen this unicorn rider several more times, in addition to speaking with the driver (unbeknownst.to him), I have found my earlier comment to be a one time fluke and applaud him for attempting to bring a small amount of joy to those he encounters. —Wes-P

2012-11-19 17:14:40 An internet argument, resolved peacefully and cheerfully by happy agreement on all sides? Hooray; it's a Thanksgiving miracle! Pumpkin pie and tiny trophies for everyone! —BarnabasTruman

2013-09-21 14:20:23 It cracks me up how this thing can rear up on its hind legs like a "real unicorn." —GenevaDuren

2013-10-12 13:26:49 Just saw the magic pink unicorn in all it's glory near the Domes —StevenDaubert

Unicorn man on Picnic Day Parade 2016