Powering a Vehicle with Falling Mass: A Design Guide

[deuzada]

please help me to find out what is the best and simple way to convert the energy of falling mass to into forward motion? i have to design and creat a vehicle which uses a mass falling over a short distance to power a vehicle up an inclined ramp.

 

[russ_watters]

Pulleys!

 

[Bob S]

A trebuchet (catapult) has been used to launch a Volkswagen. See this youtube (this is actually a parabola):

 

[Danger]

You could drop a heavy weight on someone's head and then swipe his car keys...