Transportation -- Engadget

iPod suspected of setting Saab ablaze

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 9th 2009 at 1:26PM

We've all seen the potential havoc that an iPod can wreak -- either through misuse or some general explosiveness -- and it looks like we now might have yet another cautionary tale out of Sweden, where a Saab 9-3 recently met an unfortunate end. While the exact, official cause of the blaze hasn't quite been pegged down, investigators seem to strongly suspect that an iPod left in the car is to blame. That's apparently because the car itself showed no signs of negligence or other technical faults (or evidence that the fire was intentionally set), and because the fire started on the seats, where the iPod was seemingly left. What's not clear, however, is if the iPod was simply tossed there and caught fire all by itself, or if was charging when things went horribly wrong -- although we're personally willing to simply buy Google Translate's answer that "the music has become so hot that it melted the inside."

[Thanks, Martin L.]

Video: Antares DLR-H2 becomes planet's first fuel cell-powered aircraft

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 9th 2009 at 8:57AM

Fuel cells may have lost some steam of late here in the automotive realm, but they're still going strong at 30,000 feet. Over in Hamburg, Germany, the Antares DLR-H2 has become the first piloted aircraft capable of taking off using only power from fuel cells, which means that it flies with absolutely no carbon emissions. The craft is based on the Antares 20E glider, which boasts a wingspan of just over 65 feet and has a cruising range of 466 miles over five hours. Currently, the propulsion system permits maximum flying speeds of around 105mph, but we're certain those behind the creation are gunning for more. As for its future? It'll be stationed at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg where it'll act a "flying test platform" for the next three years, and afterwards, we fully expect to see this thing fetch a pretty penny on eBay. Action-packed video is after the break.

[Thanks, Mademoiselle Y]

Gallery: Antares DLR-H2 becomes planet's first fuel cell-powered aircraft

Continue reading Video: Antares DLR-H2 becomes planet's first fuel cell-powered aircraft

Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle now available

by Laura June, posted Jul 7th 2009 at 9:41PM

The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle -- which we took for a joyride around the streets of New York City last month -- can now be yours, as it's officially on sale. The eco-friendly bike has a horsepower rating of 13.7, with torque at 31 ft/lbs, and weighs about 280 pounds. With a top speed of about 50 miles an hour, the bike's got a 45 mile range before needing a 3 hour recharge. It's not the most powerful of motorcycles to be sure, but it's got plenty of style, and it can be yours for about $12,000.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

McDonalds to offer ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 6th 2009 at 7:03AM

Mind you, we're talking just one of the 30,000 or so McDonalds around the world. Nevertheless, the first "green" version of the ubiquitous US "restaurant" will offer NovaCharge ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations when it opens in Cary, North Carolina on July 14th. The idea is to recharge your plug-in Electric Vehicle while "enjoying your meal." Unfortunately, the current generation of EV batteries won't likely benefit from the 10 minutes or so it takes to gulp down a value meal. However, Mickey D's might be on to something should drivers choose to stay for the additional 2-hours of regret that follows.

[Via RedFerret]

BMW kicking Garmin's zumo 660 up a notch with the Motorrad Navigator IV

by Ross Miller, posted Jul 6th 2009 at 3:11AM

Sure, Garmin's zumo 660 was designed with the biker in mind, but BMW's taking it one step further with the latest in its branded Motorrad series, the Navigator IV. Based on Garmin's GPS ditty, it's got the same 4.3-inch "glove friendly" touchscreen, voice control, and A2DP support. It can withstand heavy vibration, fuel sprays, UV rays, is waterproof and most importantly, can play your favorite adrenaline-pumping tunes for when those other precautions are being handily tested. Additionally, we've got a four-button motorcycle mount and it comes pre-loaded with a database of BMW dealers, just in case you ever need one in a jiff. Coming third quarter to US and Europe, there's no word on price yet, but as a basis for comparison, the cost of the zumo 660 is about $700.

[Via NaviGadget]

Captain Piccard unveils Solar Impulse HB-SIA solar-powered plane

by Vladislav Savov, posted Jul 3rd 2009 at 10:06PM

You might have seen solar-powered planes before, but few of them come with as much world-changing ambition as the Solar Impulse. Launched in 2003, the project aims to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy sources by being the first to perform a manned flight around the globe using only solar power. The technology is nothing to scoff at, as the 200-foot wingspan features 12,000 photovoltaic solar cells bringing power to four electric motors. Captain Bertrand Piccard, one of the key men behind this project, is best known as one half of the first team to circumnavigate the world in a balloon in 1999. He hopes, together with partner André Borschberg, to repeat that achievement in Solar Impulse's next iteration, the HB-SIB, in 2012. Make it so, guys.

[Via Gizmag]

Japan considers adding noise pollution to hybrids

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 3rd 2009 at 8:01AM

Any big city bicyclist knows that being small and silent on the street is a deadly combination. Drivers of 2-ton cages are simply immune to anything but the sights and sounds of combustion engines riding four on the floor. This issue affects silent-running hybrids and compact electrics too, something Japan's government is taking seriously in a new government review that could result in a mandate for the inclusion of "a sound making function" in their future eco-rides. Safety aside, we presume Japanese manufacturers would choose a sound that's as tasteful and unassuming as their locally brewed hybrids. Imagine if GM was to make a similar decision... oh, right.

T3 Motion goes third wheelin' with its CT3 personal commuter EV

by Ross Miller, posted Jul 2nd 2009 at 2:21AM

Don't get too excited, the above picture's only a render, but T3 Motion -- the company that brought you the security-focused electric stand-up vehicle -- is planning to bring this whip to life as the CT3 personal commuter / EV. As Autoblog points out, the lack of a fourth wheel should help this get classified as a motorcycle, meaning it won't be relegated to zipping around the neighborhood but still will be kept to a 45MPH top speed. However, a 80MPH CT-S version is in the works and will be entered into the Auto X Prize that'll get an envious 100 miles per gallon. Hit up the read link for the full presser.

Stronger airline seats with airbags might just save your life, even on a business trip

by Tim Stevens, posted Jul 1st 2009 at 10:41AM

If you're a product recall specialist hoping for your relatives to bank it big on an airline disaster-related life insurance claim, this post isn't for you. For everyone else who'd like a greater chance of walking away from a decidedly rough landing, here's your ticket. New airline safety regulations going into effect this fall require that all airline seats stay intact even under an impact of 16 times the force of gravity -- nearly double the old nine G requirement. As of now any aircraft model introduced after 1988 has the sturdier new seats, but starting October 27 all planes will. Additionally, a number of airlines are starting to have seats sporting airbags but, wouldn't you know it, they're largely found in first class. Ostensibly that's because the greater gaps between seats means in an impact your calm, blank face won't get restrained by the tray of the seat ahead, but you know the truth, don't you?

Video: Grocery cart morphs into electric go-kart, insanity ensues

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 1st 2009 at 9:33AM

We won't bother detailing just how sophisticated the system is that's powering the wild whip you're peering at above. We won't bother mentioning just how many A123Systems batteries are installed, nor how intelligent the creator is. We won't bother wearing our jealously on our sleeves. What we will do, however, is point you after the break in order to have a look at just how exhilarating a ride in the LOLrio Cart (otherwise known as an electric go-kart) is. Harris Teeter, you getting all this?

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Video: Grocery cart morphs into electric go-kart, insanity ensues

Video: Dorel Air Protect keeps your blow-up children safe

by Vladislav Savov, posted Jul 1st 2009 at 5:35AM

It might look like your run-of-the-mill car seat, but Dorel's Air Protect comes with an extra dose of parental paranoia, or as they call it, side impact protection. Sure, you could protect your child by not driving like a reckless maniac, but where's the techno-loving fun in that? You're far better off strapping junior into a pre-inflated airbag, while disregarding the fact your giant SUV is killing the world he is supposed to grow, live and love in. Now that we've guilt-tripped you into recycling your soda cans, how about a self-serving video of the crash test after the break?

Continue reading Video: Dorel Air Protect keeps your blow-up children safe

Toyota's mind-controlled wheelchair boast fastest brainwave analysis yet, most stylish EEG cap

by Ross Miller, posted Jun 30th 2009 at 3:13AM

Mind-controlled wheelchairs are becoming all the rage these days, but before you start letting your thoughts wander elsewhere, this latest from researchers at the Brain Science Institute (BSI) -- Toyta Collaboration Center have what they claim is a system that'll control the ride using brain waves analyzed every 125 milliseconds, which it boasts bests the competition by several seconds. Testers using the wheels and EEG cap system have achieved accuracy up to 95 percent which, as you can see in the video after the break, will make cubicle obstacle courses a challenge of the past. So what mindset do we have to be in to trigger the flames?

[Via Switched]

Continue reading Toyota's mind-controlled wheelchair boast fastest brainwave analysis yet, most stylish EEG cap

AIRPod looks dorky, makes friends easily

by Vladislav Savov, posted Jun 29th 2009 at 8:38AM

Following in the footsteps of its bigger brother, the AIRPod is a zero-emissions vehicle capable of reaching 50mph and requiring only air and your dignity for its fuel. Makers MDI are set to begin production by the end of the year, while Air France and KLM have already signed up to use the quirky-looking cars for airport shuttle duty. Nick Kurczewski of Inside Line got to test out a prototype and came away with mixed feelings, liking the 90 mile cruising range and "penny per mile" running costs, but finding the ride a bit bumpy. For his full impressions, as well as likely pricing and availability, hit the read link below.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Chevy Volt's first pre-production model now on the road, in testing

by Ross Miller, posted Jun 26th 2009 at 12:38AM

And with that, the first bona fide pre-production Chevy Volt -- its own parts and all -- has hit the pavement. General Motor's storied EV will be taken through the ropes to see what needs to be tweaked / modified before it finally goes into full production, which is expected to be at a rate of about ten a week as of mid-July -- and if you happen to live near Warren, Michigan, you might just spot one of these early models out on the road. Hard to believe Volt's defied more than a few odds, but so far, it looks promising. Good on ya, GM.

Tesla, Ford, Nissan all receive electric car development loans from US government

by Nilay Patel, posted Jun 23rd 2009 at 2:13PM

High five, Tesla fans -- everyone's favorite incredibly controversial electric car company has just been granted $465m in loans from the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program. The bulk of the money will go towards that postponed Model S factory, while the remaining $100m will be used to fund an electric powertrain manufacturing facility that will sell parts like motors and battery packs to other carmakers. Tesla wasn't the DOE's only big winner: Nissan received $1.6b (billion!) to build batteries and EVs in Tennessee and Ford received an undisclosed amount to build two upcoming electric cars, but since those companies have largely drama-free upper management that isn't constantly involved in lawsuits, it feels a little more routine. Still, it's an exciting time -- let's hope all these tax dollars turn into affordable, convenient electric transportation sooner rather than later.

Update: A "congressional source" has told the AP that Ford's getting $5.9 billion, so yeah, the Oval's still the big dog.

Read - Tesla
Read - Ford
Read - Nissan