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Lexus

AUTOMOTIVE

Opulence meets economy: Lexus debuts its first fuel-sipping dedicated luxury hybrid

By Loz Blain

20:18 January 12, 2009 PST

January 13, 2009 In keeping with the strong theme of efficiency over gas-guzzling muscle at this year's Detroit NAIAS auto show, Lexus has introduced a new hybrid sedan to its lineup, slated to go on sale in Q3 2009. 30% more fuel-efficient than anything else in the Lexus range, the 187-horsepower, 4-cylinder HS 250h is an acknowledgement by the biggest-selling luxury car brand in the USA that even the cashed-up luxury market wants to control its use of fossil fuels. While the HS 250h is miserly on fuel (Lexus claim it will drink less per mile than the tiny Smart Fortwo) it's still a big spender on the interior, with some serious driver assist features, heads-up display, radar-governed cruise control, parking cameras and a voice-controlled nav/premium audio system. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

New RX 450h hybrid from Lexus

By Darren Quick

20:56 December 3, 2008 PST

Lexus debuted the replacement for both the current RX 400h hybrid and the RX 350 petrol engine models at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. The new RX 450h will replace both models in the UK to produce an all-hybrid RX range, while in North America a non-hybrid RX 350 will also be offered. Both the RX 350 and RX 450h are propelled by a 3.5-liter 6-cylinder petrol engine which provides 205kW (275hp) with the 450h’s augmented by an electric motor to provide a combined output of 220kW (295hp). Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus LS 460 goes All-Wheel Drive

By Mike Hanlon

18:58 August 20, 2008 PDT

August 21, 2008 The importance of the growing Russian luxury marketplace will be highlighted later this week when Lexus (AKA Toyota) will publicly debut its new LS 460 All-Wheel Drive at the Moscow International Motor Show. The all-wheel drive system is a three differential configuration featuring a highly compact TORSEN® Limited Slip Differential (LSD) – shared with the LS 600h - which distributes drive torque between the front and rear axles with a 40:60 rear axle bias in torque distribution. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus transforms LF-A concept into a roadster

By Noel McKeegan

23:46 January 14, 2008 PST

January 15, 2008 In more news from the 2008 NAIAS, Lexus has taken the wraps off a roadster-version of its LF-A sports car concept. The open-top supercar uses a "front-mid" configuration of the high-revving, 500 hp V10 engine from company's LF-A coupe, first unveiled in Detroit back in 2005, and the body is also based on the Coupe's carbon-fiber and aluminum structure with the addition of a speed adaptive rear wing. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Hybrid-electric Lexus SUV concept shows off new styling direction

By Loz Blain

16:39 October 11, 2007 PDT

October 12, 2007 The Lexus LF-Xh hybrid concept will be unveiled at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Featuring a high-output electric motor supplementing a V6 petrol engine, it also drops some hints about the company’s new styling direction. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus active driver safety system prevents accidents caused by innattention

By Loz Blain

19:59 September 5, 2007 PDT

Lexus active driver safety system prevents accidents caused by innattention

September 6, 2007 With the aim of reducing the many road accidents caused by simple inattention, Lexus has introduced an active and intelligent new driver safety system using six cameras that monitor your face as you drive. If there’s an obstacle in your path and your head’s turned the wrong way, this clever car will hit the anchors for you. The system also incorporates active headrests designed to minimize injury in the event of a rear-end collision. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Toyota/Lexus dominate U.K. J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Awards

By Mike Hanlon

May 10, 2007 The Toyota Prius has earned many plaudits worldwide since its launch in 2004 but it’s unlikely to ever have a better 24 hours than those that have just passed. Yesterday, the hybrid family car won its fourth consecutive International Engine of the Year Award for the engine with the best fuel economy, and today it finished equal top of the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction study. The independent study of thousands of UK motorists driving vehicles registered between September 2005 and August 2006 saw the Prius place equal first, alongside the Lexus IS, another Toyota group model. Given that the award is open to cars of any price, the latest accolade demonstrates the high esteem in which it is held by the most demanding of judges – owners. It was a good day for Toyota in general, as the company’s premium Lexus brand took out its seventh consecutive Gold Award for customer satisfaction, ranking top in three of the four key measures – vehicle quality/reliability, service satisfaction and vehicle appeal. Lexus has now claimed the coveted Gold Award every year since it became eligible for consideration. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus to release V8 hybrid limousine

By Mike Hanlon

April 13, 2006 Lexus unveiled the 2008 LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan today at the 2006 New York International Automobile Show. Scheduled to arrive in Spring 2007, the all-wheel-drive LS 600h L is the first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 powertrain. The hybrid-drive system combines a new 5.0 litre V8 engine with large, high-output electric motors and a large-capacity battery pack. This combination will provide the LS 600h L with an unmatched balance of environmental efficiency and performance, furnishing the hybrid with a peak combined output rating of more than 430 horsepower. To distribute this immense power, a new full-time all-wheel-drive system is utilized for superior handling control. The LS 600h L also employs a newly developed dual-stage electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission. This combination results in impressive power and seamless acceleration. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus LS 460 Flagship: ultra luxury and an eight speed auto transmission

By Mike Hanlon

January 8, 2006 Statistics suggest that this year will see Toyota become the world’s top selling automobile manufacturer, so the launch of the flagship LS 460 model of the company’s ultra luxury Lexus brand took on more significance than in any of the LS’s previous 17 years. The most significant technological achievement with the new LS460 is the use of the World's first eight-speed automatic transmission and for the first time we will also see a long wheelbase variant. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus readies LF-A supercar for sale

By Mike Hanlon

October 29, 2005 It was only a matter of time before Toyota (aka Lexus) stepped into supercar territory, and the betting is that the Lexus LF-A will be the manufacturer’s first entry into the rarified 200+ mph marketplace. First shown earlier this year, the car was again on display in Tokyo last week where it was confirmed that the car will be powered by no less an engine than a V10, and follows on from Honda’s announcement that it will be powering its NSX replacement with a V10 too. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus Hybrid Luxury Sports Sedan announced

By Mike Hanlon

March 24, 2005 Lexus has unveiled another luxury hybrid vehicle. The 2007 Lexus GS 450h is the world's first hybrid luxury sedan and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine and rear wheel drive. With the world's first gas/electric hybrid-powered luxury SUV, the RX 400h, going on-sale next month, the announcment of the GS 450h indicates an acceleration of Toyota's hybrid program, with availability slated for just over 12 months from now - the second quarter of 2006. A completely new Lexus Hybrid powertrain was created to power the new 450h. The system combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a high-output, permanent magnet electric motor—all driving the rear wheels. Combined power output will be well in excess of 300 horsepower, with zero-to-60 acceleration in less than six seconds. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus Introduces RX 400h, the World's First Luxury Hybrid SUV

By Mike Hanlon

February 1, 2005 Lexus today announced the launch of the all-new 2006 RX 400h, the world's first gas/electric hybrid-powered luxury vehicle, which will go on sale in April 2005. Based on the best-selling RX 330, the RX 400h delivers greater performance, improved fuel efficiency and significantly reduced emissions while sacrificing … nothing. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus Unveils 500-Plus Horsepower, 200 MPH Sports Car Concept

By Mike Hanlon

Detroit January 10, 2005 Lexus unveiled the LF-A sports car concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today. The two-seat concept blends the performance of an exotic sports car with the luxury refinements of a Lexus. Designed to express a bold new direction in styling for the Lexus brand, the LF-A concept is a vision closely aligned with the company's Formula One commitment to achieving superiority among its rivals in speed, quickness, agility and reliability. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus HPX Concept Car combines sportscar and utility

By Mike Hanlon

Lexus' latest concept vehicle is making an appearance at the North American International Auto Show. Known as the HPX, or High Performance Crossover, the vehicle combines the versatility of a luxury utility vehicle and the performance of a sports sedan in a sleek and stylish package. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Lexus introduces Bluetooth technology

By Mike Hanlon

Sunday October 26, 2003: Luxury car-maker Lexus has introduced Bluetooth technology on the latest Lexus LS430 flagship sedan and the marque's luxury four wheel drive LX470. The system shown at the 2003 Sydney Motor Show enables drivers to make and receive calls via a button on the steering wheel or through the dashboard-mounted satellite navigation screen... Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Tom Cruise's Toyata Lexus concept car from Minority Report

By Mike Hanlon

In the recent Tom Cruise film Minority Report, Tom drove a 2054-model Toyota Lexus. In creating the film, Stephen Spielberg, a Lexus driver himself, approached the company to provide him with its concept of what a car might look like in fifty years time... Read More

Editors Choice http://www.gizmag.com/ gizmag.com covers the full gammut of emerging technologies, invention and innovation - from automotive to aerospace, from handhelds to supercomputers, from robotics to home automation, the site reports on all major announcements across 40 categories. en gizmag.com IF MODE: the sleek folding bicycle with a clever twist http://www.gizmag.com/ifmode-folding-bicycle/11349/ http://www.gizmag.com/ifmode-folding-bicycle/11349/ In a world in which we have come to expect our gadgets to be small and compact yet deliver the benefits of the full size model, Pacific Cycles' IF Mode fold-up bike is unlikely to disappoint. The IF MODE combines a number of features to optimize fast folding into a compact footprint including a single sided fork and rear stay (on opposite sides of the frame), folding handlebars, integrated stem and front fork and even folding pedals. The clever twist - literally - is the patented, single-action, automatic folding mechanism that requires no tools or removal of parts and automatically guides the wheels together. Once folded, MODE becomes a wheelable package complete with in-built handle so that you don't have a dead weight to lug around when you swap pedalling for perambulation... the ErockIT – 50 mph pedal electric hybrid motorcycle http://www.gizmag.com/the-erockit--50-mph-pedal-electric-hybrid-motorcycle/9528/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-erockit--50-mph-pedal-electric-hybrid-motorcycle/9528/ The idea of an electric-assist bicycle has been around for some time, with Aprilia’s Enjoy the first really convincing argument that the genre had a future – now there’s another variation on the electric pedal-assist theme, but it’s much more a motorcycle than a bike, and indeed, it might be one of the quickest forms of inner city transport on the planet. The whole thing weighs just 110 kilograms and with over 45lb/ft of torque and 13bhp, it can top 50mph. Pedaling is required to get those figures, but they’re pretty awesome figures giving it 250cc motorcycle performance. This very exciting development in the inevitable move to electric two-wheelers will cost around EUR 25,000 (US,000) and will be available in limited quantities in 2009... Atlantis Dubai: the luxury resort that's home to 65,000 marine animals http://www.gizmag.com/atlantis-luxury-hotel-palm-dubai/11005/ http://www.gizmag.com/atlantis-luxury-hotel-palm-dubai/11005/ The recently-launched luxury Atlantis hotel rises towards the sky from the man-made island of <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/the-worlds-largest-man-made-island/9172/picture/43785/" target="_blank">Palm Jumeirah</a>, but unlike it’s mysterious namesake, this Atlantis is unlikely to get ‘lost’. The ocean-and-aquatic themed resort is impressive, and not surprisingly everything about it is big - from the development price of US.5 billion to its size (it's spread over 46 hectares of reclaimed land) and its 1, 539 rooms. It also features a massive 17 hectares of water park activities and an 11 million liter marine habitat that is home to more than 65,000 marine animals... Kawasaki set to debut night vision, helmet-mounted heads-up displays and collision avoidance technology http://www.gizmag.com/kawasaki-set-to-debut-night-vision-helmet-mounted-heads-up-displays-and-collision-avoidance-technology/11900/ http://www.gizmag.com/kawasaki-set-to-debut-night-vision-helmet-mounted-heads-up-displays-and-collision-avoidance-technology/11900/ KAWASAKI'S 1400 GTR is already one of the most technologically-advanced bikes on the planet – with variable valve timing, keyless ignition and tyre pressure sensors as standard – but the firm is preparing a whole new generation of ground breaking technology for the next-generation GTR. Heading up the technological onslaught comes a system that until now has been in the preserve of only the world's most expensive cars; night vision... Odysseus: Aurora's radical, unlimited endurance, solar powered aircraft http://www.gizmag.com/auroras-radical-odysseus-solar-powered-aircraft-unveiled/9261/ http://www.gizmag.com/auroras-radical-odysseus-solar-powered-aircraft-unveiled/9261/ May 2, 2008 Aurora Flight Sciences has revealed the design of the aircraft it hopes will achieve the ambitious goals set out in <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/darpa-advances-plans-five-year-non-stop-flying-machine/9210/" target="_blank">DARPA's ambitious Vulture program</a>: sustained uninterrupted flight for over five years at altitudes of 60,000-90,000 feet. Known as Odysseus, the solar-powered concept aircraft is as radical as the mission it is designed to accomplish, combining three self-sufficient “constituent aircraft” in a unique Z wing configuration that spans almost 500 feet (150 meters). The modular design provides several advantages - the shape of the aircraft can be adjusted to maximize the solar collection properties during the day and spread flat for aerodynamic efficiency at night-time, and because each of the constituent vehicles is capable of autonomously docking at altitude, the design also facilitates the replacement of one section of the plane whilst it is still aloft... Electronic Contact Lens promises bionic capabilities for everyone http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone/8689/ http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens-promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone/8689/ It’s not often in this era of rampant technological innovation that a fundamentally new concept surfaces with groundbreaking societal implications, but that was the case this week with the news that engineers at the University of Washington (UW) have used microscopic scale manufacturing techniques to combine a flexible contact lens with an imprinted electronic circuit and lights. Ultimately, such devices promise the bionic capabilities we became familiar with in the Terminator movies and Bionic Man TV series: optical zoom eyesight, recording what we see (quite literally), effectively invisible heads-up high resolution computer displays, genuine GPS-based augmented reality and a complete real-time health monitoring system with visible read outs. Thanks to the team headed by UW Electrical Engineering Professor Babak Parviz, these concepts are now not just viable, but likely in the foreseeable future. Gizmag spoke with Parviz about the project ….. VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Leonard Grigoryan tests Paul Kinny's Stereo Acoustic Guitar http://www.gizmag.com/video-exclusive-leonard-grigoryan-tests-paul-kinnys-stereo-acoustic-guitar/11857/ http://www.gizmag.com/video-exclusive-leonard-grigoryan-tests-paul-kinnys-stereo-acoustic-guitar/11857/ The regular acoustic guitar is such a familiar and effective shape that it's hard to get past the bizarre looks of Paul Kinny's 'Stereo Acoustic' guitar - but rest assured, it's built that way for a good reason. While standard acoustics have a sound hole that faces forward, projecting the sound to a listening audience, the Stereo Acoustic's two sound holes are pointed directly up at the player. That means that it's an instrument you play for yourself, sitting right inside the sound, enjoying a huge dynamic range and the natural stereo and chorus effects it produces. We took the opportunity to put these unique - and remarkably affordable - acoustics in the hands of classical guitar god Leonard Grigoryan for a video review. Then we locked Lenny in a cage of microphones to take some studio recordings and demonstrate the gorgeous sounds these oddball guitars can produce on tape... VirtualHUD gives any propeller plane an affordable head-up display http://www.gizmag.com/virtualhud-propeller-projector-hud/12065/ http://www.gizmag.com/virtualhud-propeller-projector-hud/12065/ Every now and then, we come across an idea so forehead-slappingly simple, so practical and logical that we have to ask: how come nobody thought of this before? When you have one of those moments, you know the inventor's onto a rip-snorter of a product - and so it is with the VirtualHUD, a super-bright projector that uses the back of a plane's propeller as a screen to create a full-color heads-up display. The system uses similar technology to the <a href="http://the-mobiler.com/layar-the-first-mobile-augmented-reality-browser" target="_blank">augmented reality systems</a> The Mobiler covered recently to overlay instrumental data, as well as GPS points, 'highway in the sky' targets and visual representations of things like no-fly zones, over the pilot's actual view out the cockpit windscreen - all without obscuring natural vision through the propeller... 4MC: The 20 year making of the tilting 4-wheeler http://www.gizmag.com/4mc-four-wheel-tilting-motorcycle/11939/ http://www.gizmag.com/4mc-four-wheel-tilting-motorcycle/11939/ This odd-looking creation could be the start of something massive – it's the first prototype of an entirely new design of leaning four-wheeled bike which not only offers a massive increase in safety but, should it reach production, will be legal for anyone holding a car driving licence to use without taking an extra test – all while keeping the cheap road tax, good fuel economy and exemption from congestion charging that goes hand in hand with bike ownership. Following on from our <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/sideways-on-a-tilting-4-wheeler-the-next-generation-of-fun-machines/11627/" target="_blank">first glimpse of the 4MC</a>, Ben Purvis takes a closer look at the development of this remarkable machine and talks to inventor Nick Shotter about the 20-year obsession that led to its creation. .. It's here! The Pico Projector mobile phone http://www.gizmag.com/samsung-pico-projector-mobile-phone/10773/ http://www.gizmag.com/samsung-pico-projector-mobile-phone/10773/ The advent of handheld Pico Projectors created a buzz throughout 2008 and although they make very useful stand alone devices, we've been eagerly awaiting their integration into mobile phones. We wait no longer. Samsung has produced the first cell phone featuring Texas Instrument's DLP Pico chipset and like the mobile phone camera - which not so long ago was seen as the "latest thing" - we expect to see tiny projectors quickly become a standard addition to mobile phone features. .. Scarpar's 60kmh all-terrain twin-tracked Powerboard http://www.gizmag.com/scarpar-powerboard-off-road-skateboard-electric/11540/ http://www.gizmag.com/scarpar-powerboard-off-road-skateboard-electric/11540/ It's rare that you see a whole new segment open up in personal mobility - and this one looks like an absolute cracker. The Scarpar Powerboard is an off-road powered skateboard capable of taking on pretty much any terrain other than water. An electric or 4-stroke petrol engine powers two articulated tank-style tracks up to a terrifying 60kmh, using a hand control for acceleration and braking. Mud, grass, sand, snow - the Scarpar is capable of driving over just about anything, including rock piles and even fallen logs. Calling venture capitalists - get this thing to market!.. The canned cheeseburger – fast food in the wilderness http://www.gizmag.com/the-canned-cheeseburger--fast-food-in-the-wilderness/8713/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-canned-cheeseburger--fast-food-in-the-wilderness/8713/ It’s unlikely to become a major competitor for McDonalds, but the world’s first cheeseburger in a can is the epitome of fast food, having been designed so adventurers can have a touch of comfort cuisine when they are a long way off the beaten track – just throw the can in hot water, wait a few minutes, open and eat. Sold under one of Katadyn’s best known brands, Trekking-Mahlzeiten, a subsidiary company that develops specialist ready-meals for the outdoor, expedition and extreme athlete markets, the offbeat product has a 12 month shelf life and is part of a range of high tech nutrition and survival products that includes a powdered alcoholic red wine, powdered chocolate mousse and the most remarkable of all, Peronin, “fuel for the bloodstream.”.. Smartphone feature: HTC Dream vs BlackBerry Bold vs iPhone 3G http://www.gizmag.com/smartphone-feature-htc-dream-vs-blackberry-bold-vs-iphone-3g/11579/ http://www.gizmag.com/smartphone-feature-htc-dream-vs-blackberry-bold-vs-iphone-3g/11579/ Smartphones can seem just that bit <em>too smart</em> when you're trying to decide which one to buy - so many features and no way to thoroughly test them until money has changed hands and the shiny packaging is all over your kitchen floor. To shed a little light on the subject, Tim Hanlon over at <a href="http://the-mobiler.com/" target="_blank">The Mobiler</a> has spent the last six weeks tirelessly hammering away at three standout Smartphones - the BlackBerry Bold, the iPhone 3G, and the HTC Dream (or T-Mobile G1). From web browsing and delivery times to spam filtering, keyboard performance, creating music playlists and much more, <a href="http://the-mobiler.com/htc-dream-vs-blackberry-bold-vs-iphone-3g" target="_blank">here's how they measure up</a>... The 400 horsepower PWC cometh http://www.gizmag.com/the-400-horsepower-pwc-cometh/8555/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-400-horsepower-pwc-cometh/8555/ UPDATED IMAGE LIBRARY - The Personal Watercraft (PWC) market is in the grip of a horsepower “arms race” with a rash of new machinery announcements including a 342 bhp 2.2 litre V6-engined PWC from Austrian company HSR-Benelli and a 308 bhp 2.2 litre V8-engined PWC from the famous Italian MV Agusta motorcycle company. It all appears to have been catalyzed late last year when Kawasaki announced its 250 bhp Ultra 250X into a market where Seadoo’s 215 bhp RXP was previously the fastest of the bunch. Subsequently, SeaDoo has announced 255 bhp RXP-X and RXT-X models, Honda has announced a turbocharged 1500cc Aquatrax and Yamaha has announced a new lightweight purpose-built, turbocharged and intercooled 1812cc Super High Output (SHO) motor in its 2008 range. Given the radical upsurge in power outputs, one wonders what might be available a year or two from now. Read on ….. The LifeStraw makes dirty water clean http://www.gizmag.com/go/4418/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/4418/ More than one billion people – one sixth of the world’s population - are without access to safe water supply. At any given moment, about half of the world's poor are suffering from waterborne diseases, of which over 6,000 – mainly children – die each day as a direct result of consuming unsafe drinking water. The world’s most prolific killer is diarrhoeal disease from bacteria like typhoid, cholera, e. coli, salmonella and many others. Safe water interventions have vast potential to transform the lives of millions, especially in areas such as poverty eradication, environmental upgradation, quality of life, child development and gender equality. LifeStraw was developed as a practical response to the billions of people who are still without access to these basic human rights and we believe it is an invention that could become one of the greatest life-savers in history. It is a 25 cm long, 29 mm diameter, plastic pipe filter and purchased singly, costs around US2.00. Until now, there was not much we could do about water born disease because systems to clean water are costly and require electricity and spare parts and … the LifeStraw now offers a viable means of saving tens of millions of lives every year. LifeStraw is a personal, low-cost water purification tool with a life time of 700 litres – approximately one year of water consumption for one person, two years for a child. Positive test results have been achieved on tap, turbid and saline water against common waterborne bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Enterococcus and Staphylococcu. If we (as in the big WE) can find a way of funding and distributing one of these to each human at risk, every year, we could eradicate countless deaths. Each LifeStraw lasts for one person’s annual needs of clean water – a simple straw costing a few dollars will ensure that one at-risk person will not die for a year - now that's a donation we can all make with a serious kicker! Please tell as many people as you can about this... ICON Aircraft unveils fold-up amphibious sports plane http://www.gizmag.com/icon-a5-fold-up-amphibious-sports-plane/9470/ http://www.gizmag.com/icon-a5-fold-up-amphibious-sports-plane/9470/ A recurring theme at Gizmag in recent times has been the growing accessibility of the recreational sports aircraft, with manufacturers offering increasingly versatile and user-friendly designs combined with falling price points. Like the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/cessna-skycatcher-prototype-nears-completion/8879/" target="_blank">Cessna SkyCatcher</a>, the ICON A5, which was officially unveiled last week in Los Angeles, is a case in point. Powered by a 100hp Rotax 912 ULS engine achieving an estimated maximum speed of 105 kts (120 mph) and a range of 300 nm, the amphibious, two-seat, composite carbon fiber plane features a sportscar inspired cockpit and retractable landing gear for flying off land and water, but the standout element is the folding wing design which allows the plane to be towed on the road like a speed boat and stored at home rather than paying for space at an airport. .. Electric Dreams – first ride impressions of the TTX01 electric superbike http://www.gizmag.com/electric-dreams--first-ride-impressions-of-the-ttx01-electric-superbike/11844/ http://www.gizmag.com/electric-dreams--first-ride-impressions-of-the-ttx01-electric-superbike/11844/ In less than a fortnight (June 12), the world will witness <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/the-ttxgp-the-first-clean-emissions-grand-prix/9529/" target="_blank">the FIRST clean emissions Grand Prix</a>. Known as the <a href="http://www.ttxgp.com/" target="_blank">TTX GP</a>, the race represents <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/fim-endorses-ttxgp-the-worlds-first-clean-emissions-motorcycle-race/11239/" target="_blank">history in the making</a> - the modern day equivalent of the landmark Paris-Rouen Horseless Carriage Competition (Concours des Voitures sans Chevaux) of 1894. The winning bike and its rider, will claim an eternal place in the history books. In the build up to the race, TTX GP founder Azhar Hussein built a demonstrator electric superbike based around a Suzuki GSX 750 and dubbed it <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/the-worlds-first-125-mph-electric-road-legal-motorcycle/10459/" target="_blank">the TTX01</a>. It's the first prototype of what he hopes will become a production motorcycle within a year or three. Long-time motorcycle writer Stuart Barker journeyed to the Isle of Man to become one of the first people in the world to sample the battery-powered TTX01 and his impressions are our first glimpse into the future of motorcycling. Stuart discovered that riding a silent motorcycle is an eerie experience, but not completely devoid of fun. Welcome to the future!.. Reinventing the wheel – the airless tire http://www.gizmag.com/reinventing-the-wheel--the-airless-tire/10398/ http://www.gizmag.com/reinventing-the-wheel--the-airless-tire/10398/ UPDATED November 20, 2008 One of the more fascinating developments in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire" target="_blank">history of the automotive tire</a> is the modern concept of the airless tire. Dunlop produced the first pneumatic tire for bicycles in 1888 and Michelin did likewise for cars in 1895, and for the last century, pneumatic tires have ruled. Michelin announced its <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/3603/" target="_blank">airless Tweel technology three years ago</a> (Gizmag’s biggest story ever with more than a million page views) and won the <a href="http://www.michelin.com/corporate/finances/en/fin_affich_com.jsp?id=17450&codeRubrique=63〈=EN" target="_blank">Intermat Gold Medal for Innovation in 2006</a>, though we have yet to see a commercially available automotive product from the French giant. Now a new airless tire using a flexible, honeycomb-like internal structure could again prove to be a disruptive technology in one of the world’s largest industries. With development funded by the U.S. DoD, the initial aim of the project was to replace the Achilles heel of the military vehicle, but now the technology looks like going commercial for the rest of us... The electric cannon delivers shells over 200 miles at Mach 5 http://www.gizmag.com/us-office-of-naval-research-electromagnetic-railgun/11035/ http://www.gizmag.com/us-office-of-naval-research-electromagnetic-railgun/11035/ Think of the electromagnetic railgun as an electric cannon which uses electrical energy instead of chemical propellant to launch projectiles at hypervelocities. First conceived nearly a century ago, the concept was investigated by Germany during WWII, but has really only stepped out of science fiction and into reality in the last 12 months. With shells travelling at Mach 5 on impact, and accurate to within five metres at a 200 mile range, such weapons maximize the damage they do through kinetic energy, and hence don't need explosive payloads. Accordingly, they are ideal for naval warfare as they minimise the risk to warships which do not need to carry explosive warheads or propellants. Earlier this week, the US Office of Naval Research (ONR) awarded a USD 21 million 30-month contract to BAE Systems for the detailed design and delivery of an Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) Railgun. As previously warned, if the Daleks don't get here soon, they'll have a serious fight on their hands... Hobie Pro Angler: fully-featured fishing boat for one http://www.gizmag.com/hobie-pro-angler-fully-featured-fishing-boat-for-one/11904/ http://www.gizmag.com/hobie-pro-angler-fully-featured-fishing-boat-for-one/11904/ I spied the Hobie Pro Angler for the first time last week and couldn’t help but feel it was the perfect boat for the mobile fisherman. I own a Hobie Adventure Island and I’m completely sold on Hobie’s MirageDrive as it offers the most efficient, quiet and clean motive power available. Based on a new ultra-stable platform with a capacity of over 600 pounds, a new ultra-comfortable Cool Ride seat, a massive deck with fishing-friendly nooks and replaceable mounting boards on each side to attach your fish finder, GPS, lights, or downriggers and … PERFECT!.. The Playpump – innovation and inspiration conspire to solve myriad problems http://www.gizmag.com/the-playpump--innovation-and-inspiration-conspire-to-solve-myriad-problems/10854/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-playpump--innovation-and-inspiration-conspire-to-solve-myriad-problems/10854/ The <a href="http://www.playpumps.org" target="_blank">Playpump</a> is a playground merry-go-round that uses the boundless energy of children to pump water out of the ground. More than 1000 such pumps have been installed in schools in South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia and apart from bringing joy to children, and providing easy access to clean drinking water for the local community, the simple installation of the playpump <a href="http://www.playpumps.org/site/c.hqLNIXOEKrF/b.2589395/k.77C/The_PlayPump_System___Benefits_of_the_PlayPump.htm" target="_blank">has catalyzed improvements in health, education, economic development and even gender equality</a>. The PlayPump system also provides one of the only ways to reach rural and peri-urban communities with potentially life saving public health messages... US,000 pedal-powered submarine for two http://www.gizmag.com/pedal-powered-submarine/11479/ http://www.gizmag.com/pedal-powered-submarine/11479/ For most of us, the world deep below the ocean’s surface remains a place we have only had the pleasure to experience vicariously, primarily through watching nature documentaries. It's not as if we can just hop in a submarine and go take a look. Well, perhaps we can, if a Russian company's plan to market a two-seater submarine driven by pedal power to the tourist industry is successful. The new <a href="http://www.bluespace.ru/about.html" target="_blank">underwater vehicle</a> (UV) from Marine Innovation Technologies (MIT) will not only be cheaper to buy and run than existing submersibles, it will be simpler to operate, requiring no special training or expertise... TriRod launches F3 Adrenaline 3-wheel motorcycle http://www.gizmag.com/trirod-f3-adrenaline-3-wheel-motorcycle/8576/ http://www.gizmag.com/trirod-f3-adrenaline-3-wheel-motorcycle/8576/ We've encountered a raft of exciting three-wheeled motorcycle designs in recent years including the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/6823/" target="_blank">Can-Am Spyder</a>, Brudeli's <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/6440/" target="_blank">Three-Wheel Leanster</a>, the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/6842/" target="_blank">VentureOne</a> plug-in hybrid and the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/7107/" target="_blank">T-REX </a>from Campagna. More recently, scooter manufacturers have embraced the wide-track stability, braking power and cornering prowess of the two at the front/one at the rear configuration with the release of models like the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/8251/" target="_blank">Piaggio MP3</a>. While many designs are still in prototype phase, it seems certain that the three-wheeled footprint will become an increasingly familiar site on the road with the latest example to cross our desk - the striking tandem seat F3 Adrenaline from San Diego based TriRod Motorcycles - now accepting reservations ahead of a Q2 2008 release. .. The world’s largest and most expensive ship http://www.gizmag.com/the-worlds-largest-and-most-expensive-ship/9502/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-worlds-largest-and-most-expensive-ship/9502/ It’s destined to be the world’s largest cruise ship – when launched next year, Royal Caribbean’s US.24 billion <a href=" http://www.royalcaribbeangenesis.com" target="_blank">Project Genesis</a> will be 1,180 feet long, and carry 5400 passengers (6,400 at a pinch). It’s the most expensive ship in history, and it’s longer, wider and taller than the largest ocean liner ever built, (Cunard’s QM II), 43 per cent larger in size than the world’s largest cruise ship, (Freedom of the Seas) and remarkably, bigger than any military ship ever built, aircraft carriers included. In a world where choice of amenities count, Project Genesis has yet another trump card – in the the center of the ship is a lush, tropical park spanning the length of a football field and lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks high with views of the gardens below and the sky above... The low-cost solar-powered mobile phone (for people without electricity) http://www.gizmag.com/the-low-cost-solar-powered-mobile-phone-for-people-without-electricity/11040/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-low-cost-solar-powered-mobile-phone-for-people-without-electricity/11040/ It's sometimes difficult in a white-bread-world to empathise with the have-nots, and we found some of the other media coverage of this story quite amusing. The Caribbean-based <a href="http://www.digicelgroup.com/group/" target="_blank">Digicel Group</a> used the Barcelona <a href="http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/" target="_blank">Mobile World Congress</a> to launch the world’s first low-cost solar-powered mobile phone yesterday and it's not designed for the environmentally conscious, but for the two billion people in the world who have limited or no access to electricity. The reason it doesn't have the high-end functionality we regard as essential is that its target audience is both functionally and technologically illiterate and the Coral-200-Solar will almost certainly be the first and possibly only phone they will ever own... Gruber Assist electrifies just about any bicycle http://www.gizmag.com/gruber-assist-electrifies-just-about-any-bicycle/11609/ http://www.gizmag.com/gruber-assist-electrifies-just-about-any-bicycle/11609/ There’s a few reasons why cycling has remained a popular form of transport for over a century. It’s cheap, keeps you fit, is environmentally friendly and it’s fun - usually. Unfortunately it can get a little less fun when you hit a steep hill or have neglected your fitness for a while. This is where electric assist devices such as the Gruber Assist can come in handy. It still lets you do most of the work, but helps to make the job that little bit easier. Whereas electric bikes such as the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/e-electric-bicycle-electric-motion/11059/" target="_blank">E+</a>, the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/sanyo-eneloop-electric-hybrid-bicycle/10569/" target="_blank">eneloop</a> and the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/gocycle-electric-bicycle/11428/" target="_blank">Gocycle</a> require the purchase of a complete bike to get some electric assistance, the Gruber Assist can be retrofitted to practically any bicycle provided it has a seat tube with an inner diameter of 31.6mm... One kilometer high Nakheel Tower to become world's tallest building http://www.gizmag.com/200-floor-1-kilometer-high-tower-in-dubai/10153/ http://www.gizmag.com/200-floor-1-kilometer-high-tower-in-dubai/10153/ It looks like Dubai is running out of countries to compete with in the architectural stakes, so they’ve started outdoing themselves. State-owned builder Nakheel has unveiled plans to build what would be the world’s tallest building before the Gulf city state’s previous claimant to the title, the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/3555/" target="_blank">Burj Dubai Tower</a>, has even finished construction. Nakheel plans to build a tower measuring over 1 kilometer (0.62 miles), high in an area between two of the city’s artificial palm shaped islands which the company also created. Nakheel has not revealed the exact height or cost of the tower but said it would have “more than 200 floors” and be part of “a multi-billion pound development”, which includes a man made inland harbor and 40 additional towers ranging from 20 to 90 floors high... Formula One Double Deck Diffuser explained http://www.gizmag.com/formula-one-double-deck-diffuser/11260/ http://www.gizmag.com/formula-one-double-deck-diffuser/11260/ Only two rounds into the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship and the largest number of rule changes in the history of the sport have well and truly reshuffled the deck. We took a close look at the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/formula-one-kers/11324/" target="_blank">Kinetic Energy Recovery System</a> (KERS) before the opening round got underway in Melbourne, Australia, but it turns out the biggest news in Formula One at the start of the season is the rear diffusers being used by the Brawn, Toyota and Williams teams. The diffusers in question were cleared by the FIA as long ago as January but the matter will again be considered by the FIA's International Court of Appeal on April 14. Paul Evans investigates... New World Sailing Boat Speed Record http://www.gizmag.com/new-world-sailing-boat-speed-record/10659/ http://www.gizmag.com/new-world-sailing-boat-speed-record/10659/ January 5, 2009 Australia’s Macquarie Speed Sailing Team is seeking ratification of a new World Sailing Speed Record set on December 19, thereby claiming the title of the world’s fastest sailing boat. Macquarie Innovation was timed over the 500m qualifying course at 48.57 knots and recorded speeds in excess of 51 knots during the 20 second run on December 19, 2008. It is expected that the final ratified speed will be reduced to 48.15 knots due to tidal influences experienced on the course – albeit still the fastest speed ever recorded by a sailing boat. What makes the attempt so significant is the boat’s remarkably efficient use of wind energy – the speeds were recorded in just 17 kt winds, and when the team gets the 20 knot winds it has been waiting for, the outright record of 50.57 kts set by French kite-boarder Alexandre Caizergues in Namibia on October 4, 2008 will almost certainly be bettered... Wally announces new 'floating island' gigayacht: the WallyIsland http://www.gizmag.com/wally-announces-new-floating-island-gigayacht-the-wallyisland/9011/ http://www.gizmag.com/wally-announces-new-floating-island-gigayacht-the-wallyisland/9011/ EXTENSIVELY UPDATED March 20, 2008 Little more than a decade after beginning in business, Monaco-based Wally Yachts continues to develop innovative concepts and minimalist <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/tag/luxury/" target="_blank">luxury</a> at a rate exceeding any other marine design house on the planet. The company's latest is the WallyIsland – a 99 meter (325 feet) "gigayacht" that dwarfs the vast majority of luxury <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/tag/yacht/" target="_blank">megayachts</a> and reconceives the yacht as a floating personal island, a mobile address that can be used as a home, an entertaining space or even a moving exhibition or show space... The Mountain Monk transforms from backpack to downhill bike http://www.gizmag.com/bergmonch-folding-bicycle-backpack/10804/ http://www.gizmag.com/bergmonch-folding-bicycle-backpack/10804/ Riding downhill is fun, riding uphill is not, and depending how mountainous the terrain you're tackling is, it can sometimes be easier to walk the uphill part. That's the starting point for this innovative folding bicycle design. The Bergmönch, which means "The Mountain Monk" and is a reference to the kneeling position you can adopt on the descent, is a pedal-less downhill bike (or should it be scooter) complete with hydraulic disc brakes and shock absorption front and rear that weighs only 9.5kg and folds into a backpack in around two minutes to provide walkers of an alpine bent with a fast, exhilarating ticket home... and one that's a lot easier on the knees... Formula One KERS explained http://www.gizmag.com/formula-one-kers/11324/ http://www.gizmag.com/formula-one-kers/11324/ The 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship starts this weekend with round one in Australia where we are about to witness the biggest number of rule changes in the history the sport. The front and rear wings have been significantly changed in size and height to reduce the aerodynamic effect on cars following each other. Many of the aerodynamic 'extras' added by teams last season around the side pods will be banned and after 11 years of grooved tires slicks will make a return. The aerodynamic changes include a first in F1, driver adjustable front wing flaps, but the rule changes we're most interested in are those concerning the introduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that will eventually make every future Formula One race car a hybrid... Peugeot's 3-wheel hybrid scooter concept puts a roof over your head http://www.gizmag.com/peugeot-hymotion3-three-wheel-concept/10195/ http://www.gizmag.com/peugeot-hymotion3-three-wheel-concept/10195/ October 15, 2008 It's not a car and it's not quite a scooter. Peugeot's HYmotion3 compressor concept vehicle is an original mix of previously seen design elements - a semi-enclosed shell akin to BMW's C1 or the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/1549/" target="_blank">Benelli Adiva</a> and the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/tag/three+wheel/" target="_blank">carving 3-wheel layout</a> of <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/8251/" target="_blank">Piaggio's MP3</a> - with hybrid drivetrain technology added to produce a 2-person vehicle that promises low CO2 emissions as well as greater safety and weather protection than conventional scooters... The Shweeb Human-powered monorail http://www.gizmag.com/the-shweeb-human-powered-monorail/9678/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-shweeb-human-powered-monorail/9678/ Forget internal combustion engines, electrical power or even maglev systems - the Shweeb is a monorail for human-powered vehicles. It consists of two 200metre long overhead rail circuits that vary in height between two and four meters above the ground. Under the tracks hang high performance pedal powered vehicles. Between one and five vehicles can be loaded onto each track enabling teams to race each other or race against the clock. Conceived in Tokyo by designer Geoffrey Barnett, the adventure park ride he built in New Zealand is partially a proof-of-concept for an ingenious, high efficiency, no emission urban transport system... Scientists developing spray-on solar panels http://www.gizmag.com/spray-on-solar-panels/10916/ http://www.gizmag.com/spray-on-solar-panels/10916/ Researchers in Australia have started a three-year project to develop a spray-on coating for solar panels and more efficient cells that are less costly than today's PV. Australian National University (ANU) is working with new Australian solar company Spark Solar and Finnish materials company Braggone Oy on the method, which could be commercially available by 2011. .. Embrio One-Wheel Concept http://www.gizmag.com/go/2350/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/2350/ This hydrogen fuel cell powered, gyroscopically balanced, one-wheeled recreational and commuting vehicle provides an extraordinary vision of the kind of personal transport we could be using 20 years from now... Outside the box: Sylvan Sports GO multi-mode trailer/camper http://www.gizmag.com/outside-the-box-sylvan-sports-go-multi-mode-trailercamper/11032/ http://www.gizmag.com/outside-the-box-sylvan-sports-go-multi-mode-trailercamper/11032/ Use the right tool for the job. So goes the old adage, but in our multi-purpose, multi-tasking modern world, if you can find one tool that can do two or more jobs, and do them well, so much the better. Mobile adventure gear designer and manufacturer Sylvan Sport has applied this principle to the world of trailers with the “GO Mobile Adventure Gear”, a multi-mode system that readily morphs from a low profile trailer to a heavy recreational hauler to a comfortable camper, catering for the adrenaline-fueled adventurer through to the family in need of a light weight trailer for weekend getaways. Add to this the fuel saving attributes of a trailer that weighs just 700lbs and the ability to be pulled behind almost any vehicle and you have a versatile product with the potential to carve out a new niche in the RV market... FEATURE: How Apple killed the MacBook, and crippled the MacBook Pro http://www.gizmag.com/no-firewire-kills-the-macbook/10238/ http://www.gizmag.com/no-firewire-kills-the-macbook/10238/ October 22, 2008 For those of you hoping Apple's <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/apples-new-macbook-family/10190/" target="_blank">October notebook event</a> would see the announcement of a recession-priced, sub-12" MacBook, the new MacBooks might have already been a little disappointing. For others, the lack of a single port has completely killed the MacBook, and crippled the MacBook Pro when compared to previous generations. Gizmag's Tim Hanlon takes a closer look. .. Fight shrinkage with the Rooster Booster: the Wonderbra for men http://www.gizmag.com/shrinkage-rooster-booster-wonderbra-men/10977/ http://www.gizmag.com/shrinkage-rooster-booster-wonderbra-men/10977/ Post-swim shrinkage of the male genitals is a problem that has occupied some of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysEHVhliosw&feature=related" target="_blank">great minds of our time</a>. "<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=budgie%20smugglers" target="_blank">Budgie smuggler</a>"-style Speedos are a primary culprit - they loudly broadcast the wearer's size, shape and religion even when they're dry, but when wet lycra meets a cold, squashed lunchbox after a blood-draining swim, the resulting "frightened turtle" effect can be a true seaside tragedy. But if it's OK for women to pump up their credentials with a Wonderbra, why shouldn't men be able to cheat too? This is the thinking behind a new line of Australian swimwear featuring a hidden pocket in which a variety of different foam padding options can be concealed. Gentlemen, meet the "Rooster Booster.".. The walk-in coffee machine http://www.gizmag.com/the-walk-in-coffee-machine/9177/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-walk-in-coffee-machine/9177/ The coffee bean is not only the world’s most valuable crop, it is the world’s second largest traded commodity, behind only oil. When the working day starts, most of us turn to coffee when concentration and mental performance is required – fuel for the think tank. More than 1.5 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day. The Javabot is the coffee machine of the 21st century. We have written about every major coffee innovation of recent times and apart from the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/5051/" target="_blank">portable Aeropress</a>, which delivers replicable quality in 30 seconds, the Javabot blows them all away. It delivers a coffee with your favorite blend of seven beans, plus how they are roasted, ground and the temperature at which the coffee is brewed, all inside 30 seconds. It’s the only walk-in coffee machine in the world right now, but we suspect the number will grow rapidly once people understand what it delivers. .. Rebuilding the face: medicine meets engineering at the beginning of an industrial revolution http://www.gizmag.com/ninian-peckitt-engineering-assisted-surgery-facial-reconstruction/10953/ http://www.gizmag.com/ninian-peckitt-engineering-assisted-surgery-facial-reconstruction/10953/ February 10, 2009 Mass-production technology has revolutionized so much of modern life that we take it for granted - but early iterations of all technologies were hand-built, relying on the skills and intuition of master craftsmen for the effectiveness of each end product. It might surprise you to learn that in the field of facial reconstructive surgery, the vast majority of work is still being done in a pre-industrial revolution fashion - and results for patients who present with horribly disfiguring facial tumors or bone injuries are as varied and inconsistent as the human hands that do the work. Dr. Ninian Peckitt, originally from the UK, has pioneered a truly revolutionary "Engineering Assisted Surgery" approach that uses advanced CT-to-CAD modeling, rapid stereolithographic prototyping, pinpoint CAD design, electron beam melting (EBM) mass-production and error-eliminating surgical procedures. The results are absolutely stunning. Patients that would normally require traumatic 20-hour operations involving complicated, imprecise and ugly bone grafts are being fitted with incredibly precise, long-lasting titanium facial inserts so effective that once surgical scars fade you'd never know they had a facial injury. Surgery is simple and can often be completed in an hour or two using techniques that eliminate human errors - and the entire procedure comes in at a fraction of the price. Peckitt's work is amazing - but if powerful lobbies in the medical fraternity have their way, it may cost him his career. .. Aptera officially launches futuristic, super-efficient three wheeler http://www.gizmag.com/aptera-typ1-three-wheel-electric-vehicle/8392/ http://www.gizmag.com/aptera-typ1-three-wheel-electric-vehicle/8392/ The pressing need for a shift to efficient, low-emission vehicles has seen an array of eco-friendly models showcased by major auto manufacturers in recent times, but this new era of personal transportation also provides a starting point for smaller players with fresh ideas to enter the marketplace. Fitting squarely into this category is Aptera Motors, a Californian based company that has just announced the official launch of the Typ-1 - a radical new three-wheel, two-seat design available in all-electric or plug-in-hybrid versions that bundles bleeding-edge aerodynamics, incredible fuel efficiency and a strong focus on safety in a package that will cost less than USD,000. Gizmag spoke to Aptera Co-Founder & CEO Steve Fambro on the technology behind these eye-catching vehicles and the future plans for the company as it moves rapidly into the commercialization phase... The unstoppable back-packable 6x6 Spyrobot http://www.gizmag.com/the-spyrobot-6x6-new-back-packable-unstoppable-ugv/9030/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-spyrobot-6x6-new-back-packable-unstoppable-ugv/9030/ March 22, 2008 The Macroswiss 4WD Spyrobot is <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/5867/" target="_blank">virtually unstoppable </a> – it can swim and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5G43WZ_5E" target="_blank">traverse almost any terrain</a> with its 4WD flapper wheels. Now work has begun on a 6WD model which will carry four times its weight - an arsenal of sensing apparatus and increasingly, munitions, yet still remain back-packable for squad level usage. .. Yamaha's Tesseract four-wheel motorcycle http://www.gizmag.com/go/8234/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/8234/ October 25, 2007 <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/tag/yamaha/" target="_blank">Yamaha</a> is set to reveal a whole new class of four-wheel recreational machine at the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/tag/tokyo+motor+show/" target="_blank">Tokyo Motor Show</a> that looks to combine motorcycle performance and maneuverability with four wheels worth of traction and road-holding capability. Details remain sketchy on the Tesseract hybrid four-wheeled motorcycle – ostensibly a four-wheel version of the Vespa, Piaggio and Vectrix three-wheelers with tilting mechanisms (dubbed “dual-scythe suspension”) at both ends making it a carving four-wheeler that retains the advantages of narrow width roughly equivalent to a two-wheeled machine. Powered by an electric hybrid liquid-cooled V-twin, the Tesseract promises ample torque and a top speed that will be theoretical everywhere but a racetrack, and when at rest, the machine will remain upright without the need for a stand via a dual arm-lock system... Retired physicist's lofty aim: one billion pairs of adjustable spectacles for the world's poor http://www.gizmag.com/retired-physicists-lofty-aim-one-billion-pairs-of-adjustable-spectacles-for-the-worlds-poor/10737/ http://www.gizmag.com/retired-physicists-lofty-aim-one-billion-pairs-of-adjustable-spectacles-for-the-worlds-poor/10737/ The ability to see clearly is something we take for granted in the western world - somewhere between 45-50% of the US/European population wear some form of corrective eyeglasses. Vision problems are no less common in developing countries, but custom eyewear is just too expensive for the vast majority of sufferers. The World Health Organization estimates that "1 billion people worldwide need, but do not have access to, vision correction." Retired physics Professor Joshua Silver has put a plan in motion to redress this balance with the invention of a very cheap set of spectacles that are quickly and easily adjustable to correct long- and short-sightedness. With 30,000 pairs already distributed, Silver's target is no less than to produce and distribute one billion pairs of these silicone-oil wonders throughout the developing world, helping older people get back to work and radically changing lives in the process... A-style: harmless nipple-slip or unfair tactics http://www.gizmag.com/a-style-harmless-nipple-slip-or-unfair-tactics/10140/ http://www.gizmag.com/a-style-harmless-nipple-slip-or-unfair-tactics/10140/ The A-style brand image is a masterfully clever logo. It is driving a young company to international recognition and once you’ve realized what the innocent A signifies, its symbolic nature leaps out at you. Beginning with street level buzz marketing tactics, the Italian A-style logo has systematically used the most cost-efficient marketing methods to develop an international awareness using its provocative imagery. Over recent years we have seen the rise of savvy street brands with defiant brain-slapping names such as Pornstar and FCUK, but A-style has pushed things several notches up the "i-can't-believe-they-can-get-away-with-that" scale. Originally commercially invigorated with street stickers and stencils, A-style has used street-level buzz marketing to grow to international prominence and is now sponsoring global televised sport to deliver its in-yer-face branding. Does it press your buttons? It’s designed to do so! And prepare for more subversive marketing, as it’s clearly very effective ... The Air Car - zero pollution and very low running costs http://www.gizmag.com/go/7000/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/7000/ March 19, 2007 Many respected engineers have been trying for years to bring a compressed air car to market, believing strongly that compressed air can power a viable "zero pollution" car. Now the first commercial compressed air car is on the verge of production and beginning to attract a lot of attention, and with a recently signed partnership with Tata, India’s largest automotive manufacturer, the prospects of very cost-effective mass production are now a distinct possibility. The MiniC.A.T is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that is glued not welded and a body of fibreglass. The heart of the electronic and communication system on the car is a computer offering an array of information reports that extends well beyond the speed of the vehicle, and is built to integrate with external systems and almost anything you could dream of, starting with voice recognition, internet connectivity, GSM telephone connectivity, a GPS guidance system, fleet management systems, emergency systems, and of course every form of digital entertainment. The engine is fascinating, as is and the revolutionary electrical system that uses just one cable and so is the vehicle’s wireless control system. Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car, so one tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators etc Most importantly, the 68 mph Aircar is incredibly cost-efficient to run – according to the designers, it costs less than one Euro per 100Km (about a tenth that of a petrol car). Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in cities where the 80% of motorists drive at less than 60Km. .. Can-Am Spyder roadster: three wheeled motorcycle http://www.gizmag.com/go/6823/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/6823/ February 20, 2007 BRP has unveiled its first "on-road" vehicle, the <a href="http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/" target="_blank">2008 Can-Am Spyder roadster</a>. This three-wheel vehicle, with two wheels in the front and one in the rear, offers a completely new and stunning look. Powered by a proven 990cc V Twin engine designed and manufactured by BRP-Rotax, Spyder roadster, with its unique Y-architecture, can be described as part motorcycle and part convertible sports car. Later this year twelve selected American states and four Canadian provinces will offer Can-Am Spyder roadsters through BRP's existing dealer network, followed by France and Spain in early 2008. BRP will then expand its Can-Am Spyder offer to more North American states, Canadian provinces, Europe and other countries, and expects to be present worldwide within three to four years... The most expensive TV in the world http://www.gizmag.com/go/6398/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/6398/ October 28, 2006 On display for the first time at the recent IFA show in Germany and also in New York earlier this month at an exhibition promoting Italian craftsmanship was the <a href="http://www.keymat.it/yalos/eng/home.htm" target="_blank">Yalos Diamond</a>, a EUR 100,000 (US0,000 in round figures) television set by Neapolitan (from Naples) Keymat Industrie s.p.a. The 40 inch LCD TV has provision for 1080i and 720p high definition picture formats and is as technologically sound as is humanly possible with a picture contrast ratio of 1200:1. The really expensive bit is the workmanship, the design and the fact it’s plated in white gold and studded with 160 diamonds (4 gm) of diamonds. .. The Deus Ex Machina Wheeled Exoskeleton - new horizons in personal mobility http://www.gizmag.com/the-deus-ex-machina-wheeled-exoskeleton-new-horizons-in-personal-mobility/9466/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-deus-ex-machina-wheeled-exoskeleton-new-horizons-in-personal-mobility/9466/ One of the most inspired design exercises we’ve ever seen is the Deus Ex Machina concept by Jake Loniak of the California's <a href="http://www.artcenter.edu/" target="_blank">Art Center</a> in Pasadena. The Deus Ex Machina defines a new type of anthropomorphic exoskeleton construction that is somewhere between Tommy Forsgren’s inspired <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/1596/ " target="_blank">fuel cell, carving, free-spirited Hermes concept</a> and an <a href=" http://www.gizmag.com/tag/exoskeleton/" target="_blank">exoskeleton</a>, with a touch of <a href=" http://www.gizmag.com/go/8246/" target="_blank">Toyota’s I-REAL personal mobility machine</a> thrown in. The Deus Ex Machina's motors are powered by high-energy-density batteries with ultracapacitors for instant and substantial peak power. With it’s lithe build, it doesn’t weigh much and is quicker than almost everything on wheels to its 75 mph top speed. It’s also a lot faster than any exoskeleton up to now, offering near superhuman powers for the human form. This is worth looking at!.. The Gorenje SmarTable - beautiful, functional and a killer wow factor http://www.gizmag.com/the-gorenje-smartable-beautiful-functional-and-a-killer-wow-factor/9910/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-gorenje-smartable-beautiful-functional-and-a-killer-wow-factor/9910/ August 31, 2008 Emanating from a small Slovenian village of the same name in 1950, <a href="http://www.gorenje.co.uk/" target="_blank">Gorenje</a> is quickly forging a name for itself in the manufacture and design of quality and innovative household goods. Its SmarTable will not harm that cause. The SmarTable is a unique prestigious table with a remotely controlled refrigerator and lift, integrated in the table's central cylinder foot.The SmarTable's fundamental value is in freeing the table from its direct environment of the kitchen, in the common sense of the word, and in paving the way for its placement into any room of choice. If your guests were not aware of its capabilities, the SmarTable is capable of a spectacular entrance when its platform raises up with the next course. Showtime indeed, and very clever, and an innovation certain to find its way into some of the world’s most exclusive dinner parties... Brainwave controlled video game concept unveiled http://www.gizmag.com/brainwave-controlled-video-game-concept-unveiled/10154/ http://www.gizmag.com/brainwave-controlled-video-game-concept-unveiled/10154/ With many people probably thinking that computer games are a sedentary enough pastime as it is - with the possible exception of the Wii - the prospect of games that don’t even require the lifting of a finger to operate a controller might not be great news for parents hoping to get their couch-bound prodigies moving. That hasn’t stopped wearable consumer bio-sensors manufacturer, NeuroSky, Inc., demonstrating a brainwave-controlled video game at the Tokyo Game Show 2008. The technical demonstration based on a new game concept being jointly developed with Square Enix Co., Ltd. featured the NeuroSky commercial headset, dubbed the MindSet, operating in conjunction with Windows PC machines... The autovolantor Flying Car http://www.gizmag.com/the-autovolantor-flying-car/9978/ http://www.gizmag.com/the-autovolantor-flying-car/9978/ September 9, 2008 Moller International has announced that it has designed a hybrid flying car. The two-seater autovolantor is fashioned in the shape of a Ferrari 599 GTB with wings and is claimed to be capable of lifting off vertically from a traffic jam and flying at up to 150 mph for a short distance (about 15 minutes). The autovolantor is designed to function on the road very much like a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) using one of its eight Rotapower engines to generate enough electrical power to drive for up to 40 miles... KTM 2WD hybrid dirt bike http://www.gizmag.com/ktm-2wd-hybrid-dirt-bike/10348/ http://www.gizmag.com/ktm-2wd-hybrid-dirt-bike/10348/ Patents lodged by Austrian Competition Motorcycle Manufacturer KTM indicate that a hybrid 2WD dirt bike is not far away. Common sense dictates that a motorcycle with both wheels driven (2WD) will go around corners faster and with greater surety than one equipped only with the motorcycle’s traditional rear-wheel drive, much the same as 4WD cars offer superior traction to their rear or front wheel drive brethren. A lot of interesting development work has been done over the last decade with <a href=" http://www.gizmag.com/go/2351/" target="_blank">Yamaha</a> offering <a href="http://www.ohlins.com/Motorcycle/2WDContainerpage/2WheelDrive/tabid/142/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Ohlins 2WD system</a> on selected enduro bikes in Europe, <a href=" http://www.gizmag.com/go/7849/" target="_blank">Christini developing mechanical AWD (aka 2WD) kits</a> for Honda and KTM dirt bikes and <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/3180/" target="_blank">KTM talking publicly about its hydraulic 2WD development</a>. Now it appears KTM is to employ a small electric motor on each wheel to supply additional torque when it’s needed. A recently filed set of patent applications heralds some exciting prospects... XSR48: 1600hp supercar-inspired luxury powerboat http://www.gizmag.com/go/8053/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/8053/ September 19, 2007 It’s easy to see why it’s been labelled the ‘Bugatti Veyron’ of the sea – the stunning XSR48 is a luxury £1.2m powerboat that takes inspiration for both its performance and styling from the World’s finest supercars. Deriving 1600hp from its two bi-turbo 11.3L diesel engines, the 48ft XSR48 promises extraordinary handling and mid-range acceleration in achieving speeds of 75 knots. And the comparisons don’t end there – high-end supercar DNA is evident from the Kevlar and carbon-fibre hull/deck structure based on an F1 style monocoque right through to the cockpit and dashboard. The first production model is set to be unveiled today at the Monaco Yacht Show and Gizmag will be on the scene to bring you updates and further images – stay tuned... Gress Aerospace begins development of Personal Air Vehicle http://www.gizmag.com/go/7152/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/7152/ April 20, 2007 We’ve been following developments at <a href="http://www.gressaero.com" target="_blank">Gress Aerospace</a> for several years now, as it has developed its unique control technology for advanced vertical take-off and landing platforms. If successful, the control technology greatly simplifies flying, offers increased stability and functionality and requires a much smaller footprint than a traditional helicopter, hence it has wide application in commercial, industrial, and consumer markets, particularly for transportation and surveillance. The technology allows 6-Axis orientation, and a much smaller platform size in VTOL aerial vehicles. During the past twelve months, Gress has successfully scaled its system from a 15%-scale platfrom to a 40%-scale platform, and now intends to press ahead with a 100%-scale platform, build and testing phase, during the next 36 months. Introduced within the three stage build plan will be a new hybrid power generation package allowing the vehicle increased endurance with minimal fuel consumption. Once unmanned flight has been demonstrated, Gress will target the manned light-aircraft industry with plans have for an automobile-sized single seat VTOL. .. 50 mph Quadski converts from Jetski to ATV in five seconds http://www.gizmag.com/go/5682/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/5682/ Alan Gibb's <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/2167/" target="_blank">Aquada</a> and <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/2823/ " target="_blank">Humdinga</a> high speed amphibious vehicles have been making the headlines for the last few years, partly because they work, partly because they have compelling feature sets and partly because the Aquada has set a few records, <a href="http://www.gizmag.com.au/go/2857/ " target="_blank">most notably in the hands of Sir Richard Branson</a>. Now there's a new affordable Gibbs amphibian on the way that instantly becomes one of the most desirable recreational vehicles on the planet - it's both a quadbike and a jet ski and converts from one guise to the other at the touch of a button in under five seconds, using the 140 bhp motor to reach 50 mph (72km/h) on both land and water. The design offers a new class of recreational vehicle, along with a range of capabilities that make it ideal for life saving clubs, search and rescue, military, emergency services and aid workers who will be able to reach areas and people no two or four wheel drive vehicle could reach. Gibbs Technologies intends to license the design and technology for the Quadski and is seeking expressions of interest. .. The flying motorcycle - road-registered and available now http://www.gizmag.com/go/7135/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/7135/ April 18, 2007 For more than 50 years, the media have been promising us the personal flight revolution; by 2000 we'd all be getting around in flying cars, cruising down the skyway then touching down, driving home and unloading the shopping. Sadly, most of us are still stuck down here in traffic, but one maverick aviator has successfully taken personal flight into his own hands with a road-registered, high-safety flying motorcycle... Real-time athlete monitoring - the future of sport http://www.gizmag.com/go/7254/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/7254/ On-the-fly physiological monitoring of athletes is developing to a stage where an elite sports coaching box is looking more and more like a Formula One garage, each player being constantly monitored to ensure maximum performance while avoiding injuries. Speed and conditioning expert <a href="http://www.gpsports.com/aboutus/people/adrian.php" target="_blank"> Dr Adrian Faccione</a>, founder of <a href="http://www.gpsports.com" target="_blank">GPSports</a> talks to us about the cutting edge of elite athlete management, and the amazing future technologies that are now in development. The original 35 minute MP3 of the interview with Dr Adrian Faccione is available <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/download/adrian_faccione_interview.mp3" target="_blank">here</a>. .. Waterless urinal making a splash http://www.gizmag.com/go/7273/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/7273/ May 17, 2007 It's not our favourite subject, but it has the potential of saving the average office building around 2.3 million litres of water each year. Caroma's H2Zero Cube Urinal is completely waterless, featuring an air-tight seal and deodorising cartridge to keep bathrooms smelling fresh without squandering water... The PowerSki JetBoard - EXTREME watersports http://www.gizmag.com/go/3871/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/3871/ March 28, 2005 One of the most radical water toys ever invented, the PowerSkiJetBoard is an engineering masterpiece - the inventors have taken the form factor of a surfboard and built in an ingenuously small and flat 45 horsepower motor capable of propelling it to 40 mph. With the rear thrust, rail and the three fins beneath, the JetBoard carves better than anything else on water, tarmac or snow, generating G-forces up to 6G and enabling the rider to get almost horizontal (check the pics inside). The JetBoard never cavitates or slides out, enabling a standing rider to perform continuous, stable, high speed turns with slight shifts in weight. .. Power Boots enable a human to run at 22mph http://www.gizmag.com/go/7007/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/7007/ March 19, 2007 A few years ago we ran a story on the <a href=" http://www.gizmag.com/go/1636/" target="_blank">Russian-built Saigak Power Boots</a>, which enabled a human wearing them to achieve nearly 22 mph while running. We could never quite understand what happened to the boots as they disappeared from view and … now we know – they were too unsafe in the wrong hands, and The New York Times has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/17/business/worldbusiness/17gazshoes.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin" target="_blank">an excellent article</a> on Viktor Gordeyev’s petrol-burning seven league boots and why they never got to market and an array of images that we’re sure will fire the imagination of more than a few Gizmag readers... Nanotech breakthrough promises single-atom data storage and molecular computers http://www.gizmag.com/go/7920/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/7920/ IBM today announced two major scientific achievements in the field of nanotechnology that could one day lead to new kinds of devices and structures built from a few atoms or molecules. Such Lilliputian, atomic-scale devices might be used as future computer chips, storage devices, sensors and for applications nobody has imagined yet. The work will be unveiled tomorrow in two reports being published by the journal Science. In the first report, IBM scientists describe major progress in probing a property called magnetic anisotropy in individual atoms. This fundamental measurement has important technological consequences because it determines an atom’s ability to store information. Previously, nobody had been able to measure the magnetic anisotropy of a single atom... Brudeli's Three-Wheel Leanster http://www.gizmag.com/go/6440/ http://www.gizmag.com/go/6440/ November 9, 2006 We’ve been drooling over the concept of three wheelers that tilt and carve for several years now, but in the main, they rarely see production. Machines such as Heikki Naulapaa's<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/3629/" target="_blank"> Magnet</a>, Tommy Forsgren's <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/1596/" target="_blank">Hermes</a>, Dimitrios Scoutas' <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/1477/" target="_blank">Skipee</a>, Mercedes-Benz <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/3628/" target="_blank">F 300 Life-Jet concept</a> and Elisha Wetherhorn's <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/4266/" target="_blank">electric RIDER</a> have not yet seen production, though they all hold remarkable promise. The only guaranteed production carving concept of recent times is <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/5644/" target="_blank">Vespa's three wheeled scooter</a>, which is powered by a 250cc motor and isn't exactly as sporty as we'd hoped. Accordingly, we’re very thrilled to write about the coming of the Norwegian-designed Brudeli 625L, which delivers the thrill of a motorcycle with the control of a four-wheeled vehicle. The 625L uses a 625 cc KTM single cylinder motor, and will enter production in 2007, at which point you’ll be able to buy one and register it for use on the street for EUR 20,000 (US,000). It is intended both for on-road and off-road use, so it’s sort of like a three wheeled supermotard. Very exciting prospects for consumers indeed, and an opportunity for potential international distributors to <a href="mailto: info@brudelitech.com">get in on the ground floor</a>... VirtualHUD gives any propeller plane an affordable head-up display http://www.gizmag.com/virtualhud-propeller-projector-hud/12065/ http://www.gizmag.com/virtualhud-propeller-projector-hud/12065/ Every now and then, we come across an idea so forehead-slappingly simple, so practical and logical that we have to ask: how come nobody thought of this before? When you have one of those moments, you know the inventor's onto a rip-snorter of a product - and so it is with the VirtualHUD, a super-bright projector that uses the back of a plane's propeller as a screen to create a full-color heads-up display. The system uses similar technology to the <a href="http://the-mobiler.com/layar-the-first-mobile-augmented-reality-browser" target="_blank">augmented reality systems</a> The Mobiler covered recently to overlay instrumental data, as well as GPS points, 'highway in the sky' targets and visual representations of things like no-fly zones, over the pilot's actual view out the cockpit windscreen - all without obscuring natural vision through the propeller...