Subscribe to Gizmag's RSS feed
Follow Gizmag on Twitter
Urban Transport
GM and Segway Join forces to reinvent urban transportation
By Paul Evans
19:28 April 7, 2009 PDT
Straight out of left field, General Motors and personal mobility pioneer Segway have revealed a two-wheel, two-seater prototype vehicle they’ve code named Project P.U.M.A (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility). The self-balancing electric “car” is designed to transport two adults in a seated position at speeds of up to 35 mph and can travel up to 25 and 35 miles (40 - 56 km) powered by large format lithium-ion batteries on as little as $0.60 worth of electricity. The control system is based on the original Segway with dynamic balancing and drive-by-wire for acceleration, steering, and braking. It also features vehicle-to-vehicle communications, digital smart energy management and a dockable user interface that allows off-board connectivity. 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
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
Wire Bike uses carbon fiber and Kevlar cables
By Paul Evans
07:05 March 9, 2009 PDT
Super light structural materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar have incredible natural strength in tension but are much weaker in compression. A good example of this is how the carbon fiber suspension on a formula one car can resist several tons of downforce but explodes when crashed into a barrier. The concept of tension has been a familiar sight in large engineered structures such as suspension bridges and now the same concept has been applied to a bike frame. Read More
AIRPod: tiny air-powered commuter costs half a Euro per 100km
By Loz Blain
22:48 March 6, 2009 PST
Compressed air cars are well and truly on their way to mass production in India and America, among other places - although they seem to be taking their time. But the cheap, environmentally-neutral compressed air engine also lends itself to other interesting urban and industrial transport concepts like the AIRPod. Intended both as a personal 3-4 seater city commuter and as a getabout for airport, train station and municipal workers, the AIRPod is cute and easy to drive with a joystick instead of a steering wheel and pedals. The three-wheel transport weighs around the same as a touring motorcycle at 220kg, so it only needs 5 1/2 horsepower from its lightweight air engine to reach top speeds a little over 40mph. Best of all, cheap compressed air refilling will take as little as 90 seconds and cost about EU1.10 for the AIRPod's expected 220km range. Read More
Stylyx: The bottom and back friendly bicycle
By David Greig
00:22 March 4, 2009 PST
Ever since the first incarnations of what was to become the modern bicycle rolled through European streets in the early 1800s, anyone astride two-wheel transport has faced a common problem - a sore derriere. Stylyx has addressed this problem with the introduction of its new range of road bikes which include a uniquely shaped seat and upright riding position designed to reduce the soreness and back strain that puts many people off riding. Read More
Green Wheel - 3 in 1 wireless electric bicycle hub motor
By Paul Evans
21:01 February 23, 2009 PST
A fully self contained bicycle hub motor known as the GreenWheel has been developed by students at MIT that contains the motor, batteries and motor controller all within the hub enclosure. Very similar in concept to the E+ we reported on earlier this week, but taken one step further by combining the batteries together with the motor in a single hub instead of putting the batteries in the front hub and motor/controller in the rear hub as on the E+. Read More
E+ Electric Bike - the world's most advanced electric bicycle?
By Paul Evans
18:42 February 22, 2009 PST
With the increasing popularity of the electrically assisted pushbike we are starting to see some innovative designs hit the market. While hub motors are the number one solution for mounting the electric motor within a bike frame, either in the front or rear wheel, mounting the battery pack and motor drive electronics has remained a challenge when taking into consideration practically and aesthetics. The folks at Electric Motion Systems think they have the answer with a combination of a 750 watt rear wheel mounted hub motor with built-in motor drive electronics paired with a battery pack mounted in the front wheel hub. Read More
Japan getting 320kmh Shinkansen E5 bullet train in 2011
By Paul Evans
00:49 February 5, 2009 PST
A new Shinkansen bullet train being built to go into service on the East Japan line will travel at up to 320 kilometers per hour (200 mph), making it the fastest rail service in Japan. Test runs for the Series E5 train are planned for July 2009 ahead of its debut in spring 2011. The 10-car train will be initially operate at a top speed of 300 kph, ramping up to 320kmh by the end of March 2013. Read More
Driverless transport system to be trialled in the United Arab Emirates
By Darren Quick
23:44 February 3, 2009 PST
As we’ve reported previously, the United Arab Emirates is leading the way in sustainable living research with the construction of Masdar City. Planned as the worlds first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, Masdar reflects the commitment by the Government to accelerate the development and deployment of future energy. A key component of any city is its transportation system and as car makers around the world strive to make their vehicles cleaner and greener, the designers of Masdar City have decided to do away with cars altogether, instead opting for a light rail line that will bisect the city, and personal rapid transit, (PRT), a system utilizing driverless “podcars”. Read More
Schwinn Tailwind electric bicycle boasts world's fastest charging time
20:37 January 14, 2009 PST
Bicycles are a fun, environmentally friendly way to get from A to B under your own steam, but we're not all Tour de France cyclists, so the addition of electric assist systems helps to increase our range and leave the car in the garage more often. The latest offering from Schwinn - the Tailwind - will hit US dealers at the end of this month and arrive in Europe in Spring equipped with a battery that not only charges in a world beating 30 minutes via a standard outlet (or a lightning 7 minutes via a 40 amp commercial charger), but also guarantees 2000 cycles before it's full capacity begins to diminish. We took a closer look at the Schwinn at the 2009 CES. Read More
Sanyo announces eneloop electric hybrid bicycle
By Darren Quick
23:16 December 14, 2008 PST
Countries with a strong bicycle culture such as those in Asia have rapidly embraced bicycles of the motorized variety. Whereas many early motorized bicycles employed internal combustion engines, the tide has shifted in favor of more environmentally friendly electric motors. Sanyo’s new eneloop electric hybrid bicycle offers a “Power-up Mode” assist ratio of up to 1:2 to enable easy pedaling up steep hills and a new “loop charge function” that charges the battery as you cruise the streets. Read More
Seat-less bike design promises fitter children
By Emily Clark
17:17 October 22, 2008 PDT
October 22, 2008 The “Taurus” is a futuristic bicycle concept from Julia Meyer which promises to keep kids fit through its seat-less design. The forward-leaning configuration means you stand on the bike in the optimum position for giving your leg muscles a solid workout as well as ensuring correct posture. Read More
No hands, no pedals: the electric self balancing unicycle
21:04 October 19, 2008 PDT
While the unicycle could never be accused of being the most practical form of transport, one or two designs that have emerged in recent years (like the Unomoto and Bombadier's Embrio concept) have identified the potential of combining self-balancing technology with a format that is, well, inherently unbalanced. Known as the electric self-balancing unicycle or SBU, this new incarnation from Focus Designs makes the challenge 50% easier by incorporating a system of accelerometers and gyroscopes to control the forward and backward balance, leaving the rider to concentrate mainly on sideways movement. The other big difference from the traditional design is that there are no pedals or crank arms, just footrests to help balance while you glide along at up to 8mph while controlling speed by leaning forward and backwards. Read More
Urban cruiser: the A2B electric bike
19:12 October 15, 2008 PDT
Yet another option for short-distance commuters who want to pollute less, avoid traffic snarls and keep fuel-money in their pockets, the aptly named A2B electric bike lets you cruise under electric power at 20mph for up to 20 miles on a single charge with an optional second battery doubling the range. Read More
Zuumer electric scooter conquers the Californian coast
19:15 October 13, 2008 PDT
Sky-high fuel prices and an increasing awareness of the damage we are doing to our planet with oversized, CO2 spouting modes of transport has seen the electric scooter evolve from plaything to viable short-trip transportation option. So if you're a new manufacturer entering into this growing market, how do you get noticed and stand out from the pack? For San Diego based start-up company ZuumCraft, the answer was to take their three-wheeled, stand-up electric vehicle on a 650 mile road trip from San Francisco to San Diego - nothing like the 2-3 mile journey it's designed for, but a great way to showcase the reliability and performance attributes of this impressive design. Read More
The Innervision recyclable bicycle concept
22:12 October 2, 2008 PDT
Industrial Designer Matt Clark is taking what is already the world's most popular mode of eco-friendly transportation a step further with his recyclable Innervision bicycle concept. The goal behind the project is to reduce costs and streamline the manufacturing process by using pre-molded plastic components rather than aluminum tubes for the bicycle frame, producing a lightweight and affordable product for the cycling masses that could be made from, or turned into, plastic products. Read More
The Brudelli Leanster - remarkable car-bike fusion
By Mike Hanlon
19:36 September 27, 2008 PDT
September 28, 2008 The Brudelli is a new variation on the motorcycle which takes advantage of a two-wheeled front end to offer a dynamic riding experience that delivers the leaned cornering of a motorcycle with the precision steering and traction of a multi-wheeled vehicle. The machine is all skin and bones – by basing the machine around a lean and mean KTM 690 Supermoto, it’s lighter than a car could contemplate at just 238 kg. When you have such little weight to push around, the 654cc KTM engine’s 47kW @ 7,500 rpm offers incredible acceleration courtesy of the 65 Nm @ 6,550 rpm midrange all the way to 170 km/h. The concept emanated on Norwegian gravel and winter roads but is very adaptable to all surfaces including tarmac roads, go-kart tracks and speedway tracks where even newbies apparently find themselves doing 100 metre controlled power slides in no time at all. Sounds good, heh! Available now at EUR 21,000 Euros (US$30,000) ex. VAT and ex. Works Hokksund. Read More
Run while you ride on the elliptiGO bike
By Jude Garvey
17:55 September 25, 2008 PDT
The elliptiGO glide bike offers riders all the best elements of running and cycling in one machine. Whilst running is an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health and general fitness, many runners are plagued with back and leg injuries due to the high impact nature of the sport. Similarly, bike riders often suffer from shoulder and back injuries and saddle-soreness. When you ride the elliptiGO you use the same biomechanics of running but the impact is reduced and the upright position is a much more comfortable way to ride as well as providing greater visibility in traffic. Read More
The CarvX four-wheeled carving recumbent bike
00:39 September 25, 2008 PDT
Vehicles with a carving or tilting mechanism to assist in steering through corners make a lot of sense. We can attest to the validity of the theory following our test ride of the virtually undroppable Piaggio MP3 scooter and we've seen numerous design platforms that incorporate this approach including the VenturOne plug-in hybrid , the Xnovo three-wheeler, Brudeli's Leanster and the Lumeneo Smera. Human-powered carvers have also been spotted on the drawing-board, but we've never encountered a concept design that applies this principle to a four wheeled recumbent bicycle - until now. Read More
Kawasaki to build Japan's fastest train
20:47 September 21, 2008 PDT
Plans announced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries could see a new record set for high-speed train travel in Japan. The design for the rail vehicle dubbed the “Environmentally Friendly Super Express Train” (efSET) is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 and its promised operating speed has been pitched around the 217mph (350 kmh) mark, quicker than the fastest trains currently operating on the country's high-speed Shinkansen network which clock around 188mph (300kmh). Read More
monovelo human-powered Monowheel
01:15 September 15, 2008 PDT
If you happened to catch the spectacular closing ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this image may look familiar. The gents in Country and Western inspired jump-suits are riding the monovelo, a human powered monowheel that is now being marketed outside China and is billed as the only vehicle of its kind available in the world. Those wishing to climb aboard will need USD$1690 and presumably, some very good balance. Read More
Toyota Winglet personal transport robot
08:19 August 5, 2008 PDT
August 5, 2008 Toyota has been heavily engaged in the development of personal mobility devices and partner robots in recent years with a series of concepts such as the PM (Personal Mobility) Concept, the i-unit and i-swing , and more recently the armchair-shaped iREAL, which appears close to commercialization. Now the company has announced he development of the Segway-like "Winglet", a small footprint stand-up mode of single person transport that will cruise at 3.7 mph (6kph) at a range of up to 6.2miles (10km). Three models (which at this stage are simply designated "L", "M" and "S") are proposed: the larger version features a handle and weighs in at 12.3kg whilst the lightest of the two hands-free models weighs under 10kg but can only manage 3.1 miles at a time. All models share an impressive charging time of one hour. Read More
The Shweeb Human-powered monorail
By Jack Martin
05:21 July 23, 2008 PDT
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. Read More
Bike-pack: the bicycle that folds into a backpack
By Loz Blain
18:03 July 9, 2008 PDT
This entry from Taiwan's International Bike Design Competition tickled our fancy; it's a smooth looking city bike that tucks and folds itself into a 5.5kg backpack or a nifty hand trolley so you don't have to leave it locked up anywhere. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
