MDI's Airpod runs on compressed air, challenges Segway for dork gold

While outfits like Lightning and Tesla are attempting to make eco-friendly cars sexy, MDI is taking things in a completely different direction. The recently-made-official Airpod looks practically nothing like anything seen on American roadways today, which is probably why it's apt to hit the streets of France and New Zealand first. The oddly shaped automobile will reportedly reach a top speed of 70kmh (44mph) and cruise 100-kilometers (62 miles) on just $2. The secret? A minuscule compressed air-powered engine on each of the rear wheels, both of which get instructed by the car's joystick (Atari fans, rejoice!). We're told that reloading the engine with hot air takes less than two minutes, and if all goes well, the first of the urban vehicles will hit the cobblestones in the spring of 2009. Is that the sound of Tata's NANO feeling threatened, or what?

[Via EcoGeek]

[schmitty338 @ Oct 13th 2008 8:47AM]

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.

[Saad Rabia @ Oct 13th 2008 9:05AM]

Haven't you heared, schmitty338??

[Andy TGD @ Oct 13th 2008 9:17AM]

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.

[Aguiluz @ Oct 13th 2008 9:30AM]

http://is.gd/3YyB

Looks like that picture, actually.

[Jesse @ Oct 13th 2008 9:57AM]

Ba Ba Ba Bird Bird Bird, Bird is the word

[idiot @ Oct 13th 2008 11:33AM]

obviously they're going with the Yellow Submarine motif

[michaelportent @ Oct 13th 2008 1:30PM]

I was thinking the same thing. I'd love to buy one of these and do a kick ass Yellow Submarine mural on it.

[FuglyRides @ Oct 13th 2008 4:25PM]

Oh, Fugly it is. So fugly, in fact, that it made it onto FuglyRides.com

[aardWolf @ Oct 13th 2008 9:02AM]

Unfortunately, since you have to fill it up with compressed air, that's $2 in quarters only. :-)

[eric f. @ Oct 13th 2008 9:47AM]

Except in NYC where all the bike shops have free outdoor compressed air hoses!

[Turd @ Oct 13th 2008 9:03AM]

Good this thing has dyed windows. It would be uber-embarrassing to let yourself see driving in it.

[fred @ Oct 13th 2008 9:07AM]

looks like the bottom part of my vacuum.

But hey, they are at least pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

[Andy TGD @ Oct 13th 2008 9:18AM]

@fred

Ah!! That's what it reminds me of!

[Jeff @ Oct 13th 2008 12:41PM]

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....

[Benson @ Oct 13th 2008 3:10PM]

ASSHAT!

[Johan S @ Oct 13th 2008 9:04AM]

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?

[fred @ Oct 13th 2008 9:08AM]

So you can laugh at them when you can still afford to go someplace rather than have to go broke on fuel.

[matt merritt @ Oct 13th 2008 9:24AM]

Go some place alone, of course Fred.


No one will want to be seen in the company of someone who owns... that.

[sane @ Oct 13th 2008 11:43AM]

because it give you an opportunity to beat those laughing faces with the included tire iron.

it comes with a tire iron right?

[Scythe @ Oct 13th 2008 9:04AM]

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?

[Rocketboy @ Oct 13th 2008 9:09AM]

When that's the case, you just have to put your lips together, and blow.

[Jo @ Oct 13th 2008 9:13AM]

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)?

[Patriks7 @ Oct 13th 2008 10:48AM]

"Why do you sound out of air?"
"Well my car ran out of air so I have to blow it.."

[Mike @ Oct 13th 2008 9:11AM]

I wonder if it has AIR conditioning?

[Henry The 8th @ Oct 13th 2008 2:09PM]

Actually, I think if you turn it upside down ice will shoot out... so maybe...

[Boarderwoot @ Oct 13th 2008 9:14AM]

Talk about some awkward blind spots with those circular windows...

[Magallanes @ Oct 13th 2008 9:28AM]

I think they are screwing it on purpose, may be those kind of car are sponsored by Exxon and Shell.

[shane @ Oct 13th 2008 9:16AM]

doesn't 100 km = 62 miles, not 43.5 miles?

[0-60 in 2 seconds? @ Oct 13th 2008 9:26AM]

1 mile = 1609,35 meters so yes, 100km = 62 miles.

[Dan @ Oct 13th 2008 9:16AM]

" 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.

[Mike @ Oct 13th 2008 9:17AM]

Airpod? Apple will most likely sue for dilution of their ipod brand.

[Jesse @ Oct 13th 2008 9:56AM]

If that was true, Burger King would be sued for the Fry-Pod....

[Rick @ Oct 13th 2008 1:19PM]

'Dork Gold' hahaha. Thanks.

[Maestro @ Oct 13th 2008 10:26AM]

I'd hit that...

[suhag @ Oct 13th 2008 10:53AM]

and knock it over?

[Nelson @ Oct 13th 2008 11:01AM]

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?

[Stuart @ Oct 13th 2008 12:18PM]

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.

[Nelson @ Oct 13th 2008 12:28PM]

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...)

[Valicore @ Oct 13th 2008 11:52AM]

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.

[gavinovz @ Oct 13th 2008 11:55AM]

Wow.. a joystick.. About time.

[bangladeshiluv @ Oct 13th 2008 12:36PM]

you may have to change your sexual orientation to drive this

[Bastian @ Oct 13th 2008 12:53PM]

At least You won't have to.

[Topmounter @ Oct 13th 2008 12:37PM]

Duh... SOLAR POWERED AIR COMPRESSOR!!!

[Henry @ Oct 13th 2008 12:41PM]

Pull out ye olde handy-dandy bike pump .... otherwise known as "unlimited natural fuel generator"

[Benson @ Oct 13th 2008 3:14PM]

No, that's a UNFC - Universal Natural Fuel _Converter_. It converts Big Macs to miles.

[Andrew @ Oct 13th 2008 12:46PM]

Bah, Dandylion SX for the win.

[ishism @ Oct 13th 2008 1:30PM]

Wicked Story. It has it all. Success, Fame, Murder, Cover ups, and Downfall.

[Jaylord @ Oct 13th 2008 2:18PM]

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.

[A. @ Oct 11th 2009 11:31PM]

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/

[FuglyRides.com @ Oct 13th 2008 4:23PM]

That is one hideous and utterly ugly "car" - check out the internet-wide AirPod bashing that's going on: http://www.fuglyrides.com