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Kobot personal EV concept collapses, lets Cat Woman park anywhere she wants (video)
We've seen our fair share of folding cars, but here's where those concepts and the Kobot EVs differ -- these might actually come to market. These personal transportation vehicles are already far enough along to be rolling about the floor of the Tokyo Motor Show and Kowa Tmsuk (the joint venture between medical supply company Kowa and robot manufacturer Tmsuk) plan to have the first model out by fall of next year. There were three varieties on display at the show: the sporty, red Kobot ν (nyu) being ridden by Cat Woman in the photo above; the green Kobot β (beta), which collapses to just a 30-inch footprint (a tad under one foot); and the two person Kobot π. The electric "cars" shrink with the tap of a button on a smartphone, only have a top speed of 30 km/h (about 19MPH) and are intended for short urban jaunts where parking is at a premium. Check out the source for a bunch more photos and head after the break for a clip of the personal propulsion pods in action.
Ricoh GXR gets accessorized, is ready for the town -- or the shooting range
When the Ricoh GXR hit the review circuit back in December it certainly intrigued but didn't necessarily impress with its swappable lenses and sensors. However, now that we're seeing all the various and wonderful things it can do with its toys, we're more tempted than ever to give this little transformer a shot. Ricoh recently set up an exhibit to show the body dressed up as everything from a portrait shooter to a tripod-mounted sniper support, hanging off the end of a giant Kowa spotting scope -- complete with what looks to be a red dot rifle sight on the side. Rather less excessive (and olive drab) were Ricoh's own new lenses for the camera, a 27mm F2.5 and a 28-300mm F3.5-5.6, both due out before the end of the year and both looking impressively thin. No prices for either of these official models, but we're guessing they'll come in somewhere under the $2,500 Kowa pictured above.
