MDI's Airpod runs on compressed air, challenges Segway for dork gold
By Darren Murph 
posted October 13th 2008 8:42AM
posted October 13th 2008 8:42AM
[Via EcoGeek]
posted October 13th 2008 8:42AM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Awesome! Vehicles like these are perfect for in the city driving...I live in Toronto and you can rarely get above 40km/hour due to traffic, so something like this would be perfect.
However, do they really have to make it look so, errr, 'different'? Many more people would consider something like this if they made it a more conventional design.
Haven't you heared, schmitty338??
Umm, 'different' is being kind to it. It looks like my 2 yr old daughter's play car - only more fugly. Yes. I said fugly.
http://is.gd/3YyB
Looks like that picture, actually.
Ba Ba Ba Bird Bird Bird, Bird is the word
obviously they're going with the Yellow Submarine motif
I was thinking the same thing. I'd love to buy one of these and do a kick ass Yellow Submarine mural on it.
Oh, Fugly it is. So fugly, in fact, that it made it onto FuglyRides.com
Unfortunately, since you have to fill it up with compressed air, that's $2 in quarters only. :-)
Except in NYC where all the bike shops have free outdoor compressed air hoses!
Good this thing has dyed windows. It would be uber-embarrassing to let yourself see driving in it.
looks like the bottom part of my vacuum.
But hey, they are at least pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
@fred
Ah!! That's what it reminds me of!
In California they do not allow tinted driver and passenger side windows, so that means uber-embarrasment will be part of the driving experience. Note to self: Wear a helmet or a big ass sombrero when driving....
ASSHAT!
What's the point of getting from point A to point B so efficiently if people are going to laugh at you when you get there?
So you can laugh at them when you can still afford to go someplace rather than have to go broke on fuel.
Go some place alone, of course Fred.
No one will want to be seen in the company of someone who owns... that.
because it give you an opportunity to beat those laughing faces with the included tire iron.
it comes with a tire iron right?
Pretty cool idea. It should have a rechargeable battery that's tied to an air compressor -- you know, in case you are in an area where there are no air-stations?
When that's the case, you just have to put your lips together, and blow.
And an additional generator to recharge the batteries, running on compressed air?
I don´t think an Air Car is any more efficient than an electric car.
are there pneumatic KERS (kinetic energy recovery systems)?
"Why do you sound out of air?"
"Well my car ran out of air so I have to blow it.."
I wonder if it has AIR conditioning?
Actually, I think if you turn it upside down ice will shoot out... so maybe...
Talk about some awkward blind spots with those circular windows...
I think they are screwing it on purpose, may be those kind of car are sponsored by Exxon and Shell.
doesn't 100 km = 62 miles, not 43.5 miles?
1 mile = 1609,35 meters so yes, 100km = 62 miles.
" The oddly shaped automobile will reportedly reach a top speed of 70kmh (44mph) and cruise 100-kilometers (43.5 miles) on just $2."
With a 90lb woman driving.
IRL, 35mph and 35miles endurance.
Airpod? Apple will most likely sue for dilution of their ipod brand.
If that was true, Burger King would be sued for the Fry-Pod....
'Dork Gold' hahaha. Thanks.
I'd hit that...
and knock it over?
What would happen if you stuck a high efficiency gas engine in that setup?
If you went 44 mph or less, and went on a flat smooth surface (Like I'm sure they did in tests), would you be able to go 62 miles on $2 of gas (3/4 of a gallon, as of this morning's prices around here)?
Is 83 miles per gallon THAT outstanding for a slow, low powered, small plastic vehicle with bicycle tires?
The article states "Reloading takes less than two minutes and cost 50 euro cents to 100 kilometers".
€0.50 is currently $0.67 not the $2 stated in the report. Assuming petrol costs $3/gallon in the US (pretty low perhaps but there were media reports of such prices over the weekend) then that equates to about 1/5th of a US gallon or around 277mpg.
However since the article is French we can assume that actually they're referring to purchasing of petrol in France which is about €1.40/litre (source: http://www.prix-carburants.gouv.fr) and hence €0.50 buys you 0.35litre or 0.092 of a US gallon. If 0.35litres takes you 62 miles then this is about 673mpg.
One should always bear in mind that these figures are reported by the manufacturer and therefore, quite literally, your mileage may vary. However even if they were halved then 138mpg-338mpg is not to be sniffed at.
Points taken.
I guess we're lucky around here -- In the past few days, gas has been easy to find for less than $2.80, and a quick search on Gasbuddy shows it can be had for $2.50 a gallon (Less at the warehouse clubs).
Time to start wasteful usage again!
(Just kidding, for those enviro folks with no sense of humor...I guess that includes them all... That's you, too, if you were just offended by my remark about your sense of humor... Heck I could go on all day...)
I might consider this, but I'd prefer to live. That thing is one 16 y/o girl in an Escalade away from a tragedy.
Wow.. a joystick.. About time.
you may have to change your sexual orientation to drive this
At least You won't have to.
Duh... SOLAR POWERED AIR COMPRESSOR!!!
Pull out ye olde handy-dandy bike pump .... otherwise known as "unlimited natural fuel generator"
No, that's a UNFC - Universal Natural Fuel _Converter_. It converts Big Macs to miles.
Bah, Dandylion SX for the win.
Wicked Story. It has it all. Success, Fame, Murder, Cover ups, and Downfall.
I'm intrigued that so many nerds are so fashion conscious. A demographic known for its fashion faux pas is worried about being laughed at. I think the fact that it looks like a toy would make it even more enjoyable because it will remind you that it is a toy. It certainly isn't something I'd take to the racetrack but it looks like a fun way to get around the city. Also, it runs on compressed air; that's awesome.
Tata has nothing to worry because they have a deal with MDI.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/02/08/india-s-tata-motors-and-france-s-mdi-sign-agreement-to-build-com/
That is one hideous and utterly ugly "car" - check out the internet-wide AirPod bashing that's going on: http://www.fuglyrides.com