gyrobus

English

The Gyrobus G3 at the Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum, Antwerp; this is the last surviving gyrobus in the world

Etymology

From gyro- (“spinning motion”) +‎ bus.

Noun

gyrobus (plural gyrobuses)

1. (historical) An electric bus which stores energy in a flywheel rotating at high speeds (up to 3000 RPM) rather than batteries.
2. (science fiction) A flying bus.
   • 2007 December, Allen Steele, “Galaxy Blues”, in Asimov's Science Fiction, volume 31, number 12, →ISSN, page 102:

     The gyrobus touched down on the commercial side of the spaceport, not far from a row of hangars where several shuttles were parked.

References

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “gyrobus, n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.