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Transport
100 percent solar-powered aircraft to be unveiled this month
01:09 June 17, 2009 PDT
The lofty ambitions of the Solar Impulse project are approaching reality with a fully assembled prototype set to be unveiled to the public for the first time on June 26th. Entirely powered by the sun, the aircraft designated HB-SIA has a giant wingspan of 61 meters and is covered in almost 12,000 solar cells. Read More
Elmoto: Stylish and economical electric biking in one lightweight package
By Paul Ridden
20:50 June 15, 2009 PDT
So what's so special about the new Elmoto HR-2 electric bike? With so many other green transport choices around, why opt for this one? Promising all of the convenient practicality of a bicycle and some of the power and comfort of a small scooter, the HR-2 tips the scales at a svelte 45kg (99lbs) with the help of a strong aluminum frame. The patented 2kW electronic brushless, gearless drive attached to the rear wheel and state-of-the-art battery technology offer an impressive 65 - 70km (40 - 45 miles) of riding between charges and a top speed or 45kmh (30mph)... and no corners have been cut in the style department. Read More
Study exposes transport's hidden impact on the environment
By Darren Quick
02:29 June 15, 2009 PDT
By looking at the environmental impact of passenger transport – whether it be trains, planes or automobiles – beyond the exhaust fumes spewing from its collective tail pipe, researchers in the United States have discovered a significant spike in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. By taking into account transport support systems – which includes sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, as well as the construction and maintenance of infrastructure – researchers at the University of California hope to provide a more detailed view for transport planners and policy makers. And produce a better outcome for the environment. Read More
CarGo concept beats the hell out of traffic
By Paul Best
19:23 June 7, 2009 PDT
One of the corollaries of increased urban density is nerve-shredding traffic congestion and billowing pollution. So anything that addresses these problems receives our applause – like the compact, battery-powered CarGo goods van that is designed to negotiate the urban jungle, making frequent deliveries without fuss or fouling the air. Read More
Boomer: Multi-functional mobility aid makes stairs safer
By David Greig
08:21 June 1, 2009 PDT
With the post-war baby boomer population moving closer to retirement, devices that enable the elderly to remain mobile not only have a critical role to play in improving quality of life, they have a lucrative market to access. Student designer Daniel Molloy's Boomer mobility aid is well placed to do both. The shape-shifting Boomer can be a shopping cart, a comfy seat or a walking frame which can be used to maneuver safely up and down stairs. Read More
Virgin Galactic space tourism project rockets along
By Darren Quick
00:10 May 29, 2009 PDT
Commercial sub-orbital spaceflight has taken another step towards reality with Virgin Galactic announcing the completion of phase one testing on the rocket motor that will propel SpaceShipTwo into suborbital space. The Virgin Galactic project to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to the paying public will also act as a stepping stone to the company’s plans for future orbital flights and will almost certainly lead to a dramatic decrease in long haul international flight times – a couple of hours from Sydney to London anyone? Read More
Tata unveils world standard truck range
By Mike Hanlon
14:45 May 28, 2009 PDT
India's Tata Motors is best known for its US$2500 Nano budget car. More recently, its purchase of the iconic British marques Jaguar and Range Rover, and successful relationships with Daewoo and Fiat underlined the tectonic shifts underway in the global transport industry. Further evidence of the growing Indian powerhouse was presented yesterday when Tata pulled the wraps off a range of trucks comprising multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers, tippers, mixers, and special application vehicles from 10-to-75 tonne GCW, and 150-to-560 bhp. The power, carrying capacity and operating economy of the range will raise the global bar for performance at a lower life-cycle cost. Read More
Falx Air unveils new Hybrid Coaxial UAV helicopter design
By David Greig
01:00 May 28, 2009 PDT
UK based Falx Air has just released the final design overview of its Hybrid Electric Coaxial Helicopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Sharing the same eco-friendly and fuel-saving goals as the company's previous hybrid designs - most notably its solar-hybrid tilt rotor aircraft - the new UAV platform is based on the latest fast charge battery systems developed in the USA and could be configured as a logistical transport for light cargo up to 70kg as well as for long endurance surveillance. Read More
GE unveils new Evolution Series Locomotive
By David Greig
00:31 May 20, 2009 PDT
The latest model in GE's fuel efficient and low emissions Evolution series has just hit the tracks. Offering cleaner, significantly faster, safer and more reliable alternative to the aging North American fleet of DC-powered locomotives, the new ES44C4 features a unique Dynamic Weight Management System which automatically improves traction at start up, on inclines or in poor weather conditions. Read More
Powabyke tackles record breaking 1655-mile trek
By Karen Sprey
05:45 May 14, 2009 PDT
As you read this, 66-year-old Briton Eddie Sedgemore is powering his way all over the UK mainland, a 1,655-mile journey on a Powabyke X-byke electric bicycle to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The Powabyke is a regular looking bike that has a 250 watt motor which slots into the water bottle holder and weighs only 2.5kg, allowing riders to coast along at a steady 15mph (add another 10mph in pedal assist mode). Read More
Efficient Load - Optimal road freight trip and load planning
By Mike Hanlon
16:19 May 13, 2009 PDT
How can companies maximize truck capacity utilization and at the same time plan trips so that the burden on the environment and transport costs are reduced? A new software system couples cargo space utilization and trip planning, to optimize transshipment, order combination, loading sequence and route planning. An up-and-running version which can be integrated into existing trip planning software is expected by the end of 2009. Read More
Gruber Assist electrifies just about any bicycle
By Darren Quick
01:41 May 5, 2009 PDT
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 E+, the eneloop and the Gocycle 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. Read More
Big polluters: one massive container ship equals 50 million cars
By Paul Evans
19:06 April 23, 2009 PDT
The Guardian has reported on new research showing that in one year, a single large container ship can emit cancer and asthma-causing pollutants equivalent to that of 50 million cars. The low grade bunker fuel used by the worlds 90,000 cargo ships contains up to 2,000 times the amount of sulfur compared to diesel fuel used in automobiles. The recent boom in the global trade of manufactured goods has also resulted in a new breed of super sized container ship which consume fuel not by the gallons, but by tons per hour, and shipping now accounts for 90% of global trade by volume. Read More
The Airnimal folding bike suitcase that becomes a bike trailer
By Mike Hanlon
17:08 April 18, 2009 PDT
April 19, 2009 There are more than 130 folding bike manufacturers and all of them produce bicycles designed as supplementary transport – designed to be carried in a vehicle for last mile transport, or on a train, plane, boat or bus as ground transport on arrival. Accordingly, most come with their own carry bag, but the latest prototype concept from Airnimal promises a new level of functionality. The concept involves the hard carry case doubling as a bike trailer with a significant carrying capacity. It's a perfect solution for the traveller … almost. We'd like to see another suitcase which clips onto the trailer so you can carry your other stuff. Read More
US$70,000 pedal-powered submarine for two
By Darren Quick
21:36 April 16, 2009 PDT
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 underwater vehicle (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. Read More
Honda’s prototype walking assist devices to go on show in the US
By David Greig
00:45 April 16, 2009 PDT
With increasing numbers of post-war baby boomers beginning to face old age, devices assisting people remain mobile as they grow older will become big business. Honda, which started out making motorcycles, has anticipated the needs of an aging population and invested heavily in mobility robotics research. The company is planning to demonstrate its prototype walking assist devices as part of a technical exhibition at the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress, at Detroit's Cobo Center, from April 20 to 23. Read More
Gocycle: The fold-up electric bicycle fit for the 21st century
By Darren Quick
01:42 April 9, 2009 PDT
April 9, 2009 One of the most compelling examples of urban transportation we've seen in recent times, the Gocycle is a lightweight electric bike developed with professionals and families in mind which brings a number of style and performance firsts to city-specific two-wheelers. Gocycle’s design engineer and founder of Karbon Kinetics Limited (KKL), Richard Thorpe, cut his teeth working in lightweight vehicle design for companies such as McLaren and turned his attention to bicycles in an attempt to break the mould of conventional design - and with its lightweight magnesium alloy construction, push-button access to electric propulsion and an innovative enclosed multi-speed chain-drive, the Gocycle does just that. Read More
Researchers claim 'First economical process' for making biodiesel fuel from algae
By Darren Quick
01:13 April 8, 2009 PDT
While there are plenty of alternative fuel prospects floating around, a key factor in the widespread adoption of such fuels is whether or not they are economical. That is why a team of New York based researchers are so excited by their development of what they have termed ‘the first economical, eco-friendly process to convert algae oil into biodiesel fuel’ – a discovery they predict could one day lead to U.S. independence from petroleum as a fuel. Read More
Chariot: The wearable transportation device
By Darren Quick
23:31 April 7, 2009 PDT
Wheelchairs serve the important function of giving those who have difficulty walking their independence. They’re a tried and true technology whose design has remained largely unchanged for many years due to the effectiveness and simplicity of the design. For all their usefulness though wheelchairs do have a number of drawbacks - they force the users into a seated position, making interacting with a world designed for upright people frustrating as well as not being able to interact with those standing at their level. A new concept vehicle from Exmovere Holdings called the Chariot makes these problems a thing of the past by letting amputees and others who have difficulty standing move around in an upright position. Read More
IF MODE: the sleek folding bicycle with a clever twist
By David Greig
06:21 March 31, 2009 PDT
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. Read More
Mazda begins commercial leasing of Premacy RE hybrid rotary hydrogen vehicle
By Darren Quick
21:36 March 29, 2009 PDT
Mazda is providing another green option in Japan by commencing commercial leasing of their Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, a hydrogen hybrid vehicle that combines Mazda’s hydrogen rotary engine with an electric motor. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid improves on the RX-8 Hydrogen RE – the first model to be commercialized - with the hydrogen fuel range of the doubled to 200 kilometers and the maximum output increased by approximately 40 percent to 110 kilowatts. Read More
NASA investigating the SMART shape changing helicopter rotor
By David Greig
20:04 March 26, 2009 PDT
Can you imagine a world full of large, relatively quiet rotorcraft making short hops between cities such as New York and Washington, carrying as many as 100 passengers at a time in comfort and safety? This, amongst other technological improvements, would require helicopters with greatly improved rotor blade efficiency, allowing them to travel much quieter, smoother and further with the same amount of fuel. NASA is currently conducting research in their wind tunnels on the SMART rotor hub, which has rotor blades made with shape-changing materials that could one day make this scenario a reality. Read More
AeroQuad: the foldable, self-stabilizing VTOL personal flying platform
By Loz Blain
14:05 March 19, 2009 PDT
We've written before about the nifty flying carpet-style PAM Individual Lifting Vehicle - now it seems there's another self-stabilizing coaxial dual-rotor flying platform on the way. The AN-1 AeroQuad, from Spain's Aeris Naviter, boasts all the key advantages of the PAM VTOL platform - it's as easy to pilot as a Segway, it'll fly for up to 5 hours, and happily hover at 20-30 feet with a maximum payload of 200kg - making it very handy for crop spraying, firefighting, aerial photography, lifeguarding, rescue and border control in mountainous areas. The AeroQuad moves forward from the PAM design, though, in that it comes in both land- or water-based configurations, and either one is able to fold up after use to a size so small you only need a half-trailer to transport it. Read More
Movito: modular, hubless electric scooter design
By David Greig
19:03 March 18, 2009 PDT
March 19, 2009 We live in a world where the need for lighter, more efficient vehicles is glaringly apparent, and in recent times designers and automotive manufacturers have ramped up their efforts to meet this challenge. Given this climate it's not surprising to see the enviro-conscious "Movito" scooter design receive accolades in the Create the Future Design Contest. Engineer/Designer Tiam Chiem's Movito is a 2-modular design consisting of an upper scooter chassis and the base which provides the drive via an in-wheel electric motor and hubless front wheel. The modular design allows a range of possible morphs, including multiple bodies to be connected to the base or two bases to be connected in parallel to form a two-seater. Read More
FIM endorses TTXGP - the world's first clean emissions motorcycle race
By Mike Hanlon
21:48 March 15, 2009 PDT
In a landmark move, the world governing body for motorcycle sport, the FIM, is endorsing the upcoming TTXGP, the world’s first clean emissions motorcycle race which will be held on the Isle of Man on 12th June 2009. In making the announcement, FIM President, Vito Ippolito, said, “ FIM recognizes the importance of this area that is evolving very quickly. The future of the sport depends on our capacity as well as that of the manufacturers to innovate quickly. We are convinced that very shortly the motorcycle World Championships will be accessible to non-polluting engines.” For motorcycle manufacturers wishing for a place in history, this is now IT! Read More
Sam Munro
- November 26, 2009 @ 08:08 UTC
