Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Jeff Bezos drops phone, has eureka moment, patents mini airbags]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/jeff-bezos-drops-phone-has-eureka-moment-patents-mini-airbags/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/jeff-bezos-drops-phone-has-eureka-moment-patents-mini-airbags/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/jeff-bezos-drops-phone-has-eureka-moment-patents-mini-airbags/#comments Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos must have time on his hands and butter on his fingers. Why else would he have personally signed this patent application for a horrendously complicated "damage avoidance system?" It involves using a smartphone's inbuilt motion sensors to detect a free-fall calamity, then sending an emergency signal to a separate protective sleeve, which finally "deploys an airbag prior to contact." Heck, if we're going down that road Jeff, why not just stick some mini thrusters on it and make it hover?

Jeff Bezos drops phone, has eureka moment, patents mini airbags originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagairbagsAmazonBezosdamageJeff BezosJeffBezosoverdesignedpatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationprotectiveprotective caseProtectiveCaseFri, 12 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan NV200 van named NYC's 'Taxi of Tomorrow,' Travis Bickle cringes (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/nissan-nv200-van-named-nycs-taxi-of-tomorrow-travis-bickle-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/nissan-nv200-van-named-nycs-taxi-of-tomorrow-travis-bickle-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/nissan-nv200-van-named-nycs-taxi-of-tomorrow-travis-bickle-c/#comments New Yorkers, this is your "Taxi of Tomorrow." After two years of deliberation, Nissan's NV200 was chosen as the city's exclusive taxi yesterday, edging out models from Ford Motor Co. and Turkish manufacturer Karsan. The four-passenger van is slated to hit New York's streets in late 2013, after which it will be gradually phased in on a more widespread basis. With a manufacturer suggested retail price of around $29,000, the commodious NV200 boasts a 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain, transparent roof panel, driver navigation system, overhead reading lights and a mobile charging unit, replete with a 12V outlet and two USB ports. Nissan also placed an emphasis on passenger and pedestrian safety, with front and rear-seat curtain airbags, standard traction control and an external lighting system designed to alert others when the NV200's doors are opening. The van's microbial seat fabric should help assuage the fears of many germophobes, while its "low-annoyance" horn promises to put a (probably miniscule) dent in the city's noise pollution. Mayor Bloomberg definitely won't realize his all-hybrid dreams by 2012, but Nissan has agreed to participate in a forthcoming EV pilot program, involving up to six of the company's electric LEAFs. Until then, New Yorkers will have plenty of time to get used to the city's new soccer mom approach to taxi transport. Cruise past the break for full PR and video.

Continue reading Nissan NV200 van named NYC's 'Taxi of Tomorrow,' Travis Bickle cringes (video)

Nissan NV200 van named NYC's 'Taxi of Tomorrow,' Travis Bickle cringes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagautobloombergcarchargerDrivingelectric vehicleElectricVehicleEVleafmayor bloombergMayorBloombergnavigationNavigationSystemnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitynissanNissan Leafnissan nv200NissanLeafNissanNv200NYCpowertrainpublic transportationPublicTransportationtaxiusbvideoWed, 04 May 2011 15:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: reach for the stars, safer kids and sexier cars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/31/inhabitats-week-in-green-reach-for-the-stars-safer-kids-and-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/31/inhabitats-week-in-green-reach-for-the-stars-safer-kids-and-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/31/inhabitats-week-in-green-reach-for-the-stars-safer-kids-and-s/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

This week Inhabitat saw several incredible feats of green architecture reach for the stars as Richard Branson unveiled the world's first commercial spaceport and a lunar solar power tower won the Moon Capital International Design Challenge. We were also impressed by Snøhetta's design for a massive möbius strip-shaped particle accelerator and we caught the groundbreaking of what will be one of the world's most efficient solar skyscrapers in Korea.

Ultra-efficient autos blazed a trail this week as an electric audi shattered a world EV distance record by traveling 372 miles on a single charge. We also caught a glimpse of the future of green transportation as major auto manufacturers unveiled a set of incredible eco concept cars, and we caught wind of a plan to bring these insane traffic-straddling buses to the United States.

In other news, we learned that iPhones and other communication devices may have potentially deadly side effects for kids, and we showcased several innovative designs for safer cycling - an inflatable airbag collar that automatically pops up to prevent injuries and a crash helmet that makes a stink when it cracks.

Finally, to celebrate Halloween we rounded up a ghastly array of ghoulish green designs - from a skeletal x-ray lamp to a skin-crawling camera made from a human skull to a company that will press your mortal remains into a vinyl record. Happy Halloween!

Inhabitat's Week in Green: reach for the stars, safer kids and sexier cars originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagevinhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenparticle acceleratorParticleAcceleratorSkyscraperskyscrapersweek in greenWeekInGreenSun, 31 Oct 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Romanians in spandex base jump the Intel theme chimes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/26/romanians-in-spandex-base-jump-the-intel-theme-chimes/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/26/romanians-in-spandex-base-jump-the-intel-theme-chimes/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/26/romanians-in-spandex-base-jump-the-intel-theme-chimes/#comments Oh, nerds. If we weren't one of you, we wouldn't have the faintest idea why you do the things you do. But we are, so we do, even if you're from another country. In an attempt to best Finland's record for World's Largest Intel Chime (done with human cannonballs), five employees at the chipmaker's Romanian branch learned how to base jump from the top of their office onto huge airbags to "hoot" the ubiquitous tones. A charmingly-accented software validation engineer named Iulian project-managed the whole thing -- here's hoping he makes VP sooner rather than later. Slightly disturbing video of humans being dropped after the break.

Continue reading Romanians in spandex base jump the Intel theme chimes

Romanians in spandex base jump the Intel theme chimes originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagbase jumpbase jumpingBaseJumpBaseJumpingchimesfinlandhornintelromaniaspandexSun, 26 Sep 2010 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA risks then saves lives of dummies in helicopters with external airbags]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/10/nasa-risks-then-saves-lives-of-dummies-in-helicopters-with-exter/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/10/nasa-risks-then-saves-lives-of-dummies-in-helicopters-with-exter/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/10/nasa-risks-then-saves-lives-of-dummies-in-helicopters-with-exter/#commentsNASA risks then saves lives of dummies in helicopters with external airbags Airbags have evolved from being in cars to on cars, so it's only natural that airbags in aircraft should be making the trip outside. NASA's Subsonic Rotary Wing Project is attempting to make autorotation landings a little bit softer by slapping a pair of expandable kevlar cushions between the skids, and the first test was a success. The helo was dropped at a height of 35 feet, achieving a speed of 48 feet-per-second before unceremoniously hitting concrete. The helicopter and its simulant occupants were said to be largely undamaged, giving hope that such a system could reduce injuries -- if you're not traveling downward at more than 48 feet per second, anyway. Future tests are said to be coming in the next year and, if all goes well, we hope to be seeing these on real whirlybirds soon.

NASA risks then saves lives of dummies in helicopters with external airbags originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagcrashcrash safetycrash test dummyCrashSafetyCrashTestDummyhelicopternasanasa subsonic rotary wing projectNasaSubsonicRotaryWingProjectsafetysubsonic rotary wing projectSubsonicRotaryWingProjectThu, 10 Dec 2009 09:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Stronger airline seats with airbags might just save your life, even on a business trip]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/stronger-airline-seats-with-airbags-might-just-save-your-life-e/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/stronger-airline-seats-with-airbags-might-just-save-your-life-e/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/stronger-airline-seats-with-airbags-might-just-save-your-life-e/#commentsStronger airline seats with airbags might just save your life, even on a business trip 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?

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Stronger airline seats with airbags might just save your life, even on a business trip originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>16Gair bagAirBagairlineairline air bagairline seatAirlineAirBagAirlineSeatfaasafety regulationsSafetyRegulationsseatWed, 01 Jul 2009 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Dorel Air Protect keeps your blow-up children safe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/video-dorel-air-protect-keeps-your-blow-up-children-safe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/video-dorel-air-protect-keeps-your-blow-up-children-safe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/video-dorel-air-protect-keeps-your-blow-up-children-safe/#comments
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

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Video: Dorel Air Protect keeps your blow-up children safe originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've got airbags in the front, airbags to the side, even airbags on the hip -- and now Toyota's installing the first rear-collision airbags into its Japan-only iQ minicar. The bags are designed to protect rear seat passengers, and inflate from above the rear window to blanket your noggin and reduce impact force to the head by half. The new system will be installed in iQ's by the end of the year, no word on whether it'll come to the States anytime soon.

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Toyota develops rear-collision airbag originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elderly? Enfeebled? Just plain clumsy? Tokyo-based Prop has your back. Its newly announced personal, wearable airbag looks like a cool fanny-pack and weighs a mere 1.1 kilograms (2.4 pounds) -- but springs forth in one-tenth of a second when sensors detect you're headed for the floor, protecting your head and ass with two inflated bags that contain 3.9 gallons of gas each. Similar to the various airbag-equipped suits already used by some motorcyclists, the airbag is yours for a cool ¥148,000 ($1,400). Or you could just not fall down.

[Thanks, Steve]

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Wearable airbags keep the elderly from hitting the ground so hard originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagelderlymotorcyclePropwearable airbagsWearableAirbagsWed, 24 Sep 2008 23:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Dutch cyclists lobbying for external airbags on cars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/24/dutch-cyclists-lobbying-for-external-airbags-on-cars/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/24/dutch-cyclists-lobbying-for-external-airbags-on-cars/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/24/dutch-cyclists-lobbying-for-external-airbags-on-cars/#commentsSure, there's always the airbag-equipped motorcycle, but for those who prefer to power their own two wheel transporters, you're pretty much on your own. The Dutch Cycling Federation has just cranked out a study showing that some 60 lives could be saved each year (though we're not sure if that's worldwide or region-specific) if airbags were installed on the hoods of vehicles. These external safety devices could also slash serious cycling injuries by 1,500 a year, and while you're likely passing this off as completely infeasible, Sweden's own Autoliv has already developed a bag that "inflates from the bottom of the windscreen." Of course, these timid cyclists could just wait until 2010 and strap on a wearable airbag of their own, but where's the fun in that?

[Via Autoblog]

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Dutch cyclists lobbying for external airbags on cars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagairbagsAMSTERDAMbicyclecyclingdutcheuropesafetyThu, 24 Apr 2008 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Dainese's D-Tec wearable airbag on sale in 2010]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/25/daineses-d-tec-wearable-airbag-on-sale-in-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/25/daineses-d-tec-wearable-airbag-on-sale-in-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/25/daineses-d-tec-wearable-airbag-on-sale-in-2010/#comments
We've seen some fairly interesting products made to keep motorcyclists safe, but after a decade or so of development, Dainese is getting set to loose its airbag suit on the riding world. The D-Tec system is essentially little more than a full-fledged wearable airbag, clearly aimed at motorcycle riders, daredevils and folks who simply feel inadequate with their upper-body physique. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a price range out in the open just yet, but considering the alternative of hitting the asphalt sans a cushion, we'd bet most riders will be willing to pay the premium. Check out the video demonstration after the break.

[Via BoingBoing, image courtesy of webBikeWorld]

Continue reading Dainese's D-Tec wearable airbag on sale in 2010

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Dainese's D-Tec wearable airbag on sale in 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagD-AirD-TecDainesemotorcyclevideoTue, 25 Mar 2008 14:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony applies for "liquid airbag" patent]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/04/sony-applies-for-liquid-airbag-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/04/sony-applies-for-liquid-airbag-patent/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/04/sony-applies-for-liquid-airbag-patent/#comments
Sony has recently applied for a patent on a new "liquid airbag" technology which the company hopes will protect data such as memory cards and hard drives from physical damage. Now, we've seen the word airbag tossed around (no pun intended) in regard to data protection before, but this concept differs a bit from systems that have been used in the past. The technology works by surrounding media with a liquid-filled case outfitted with "biasing units", used to maintain the orientation of the drive, and irises, which would detect movement and configure themselves -- using the liquid -- according to the direction of pressure. As the walls of the casing were subjected to force, the irises (which are created by small protrusions on the bag) move their protuberances closer together to provide increased shock absorption by adding resistance to the flow of fluid. No word on Sony's plans for the system, although we suspect the first order of business will be liquid-airbag protected Memory Sticks.

[Via ITworld]

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Sony applies for "liquid airbag" patent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know it's possible to strap a PSP to your steering wheel, but seriously, it's not like we'd recommend taking such a setup onto the open road. Apparently, designers at Kia are throwing caution to the wind and cramming convenience in your face with its Kue concept vehicle, which neatly sports a full-fledged GPS navigation system in place of an airbag. Yeah, you've got Honda trying to stuff such protective devices into frickin' motorcycles, but who needs driver's side safety when you've got a 100,000-mile warranty? Nevertheless, the whip also manages to sport Lambo-doors, swivel seats, a widescreen in-dash display, and what appears to be flush-mounted pillar controls. Of course, the Kue could end up rocking a half dozen airbags in a variety of other locations, but if you're interested in a few more pics of the quasi-street-legal ride, be sure to click on through.

Continue reading Kia Kue abandons airbag, swaps in GPS navigation

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Kia Kue abandons airbag, swaps in GPS navigation originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagcarhazardin-car gpsIn-carGpskiakoreakuenavnavinavigationsafetyseoulsteering wheelsteering wheel gpsSteeringWheelSteeringWheelGpssuvvehiclevueThu, 12 Apr 2007 04:03:00 EST<![CDATA[TRW intros non-rotating airbag, mesmerizes drivers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/08/trw-intros-non-rotating-airbag-mesmerizes-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/08/trw-intros-non-rotating-airbag-mesmerizes-drivers/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/08/trw-intros-non-rotating-airbag-mesmerizes-drivers/#commentsWhile vehicle manufacturers are taking this "safety thing" to new heights (not that we're complaining or anything), the ole airbag sure takes a lot of heat regarding its questionable design and potentially harmful nature. The love / hate relationship with this very necessary device has been going on for years, and TRW Automotive Safety Systems is hoping to quiet the protestors a bit with its latest creation. The next-generation asymmetric airbag / steering wheel system features a "non-rotating airbag" that stays put while the wheel around it moves to meet the driver's demands. By utilizing a circumferential gear to keep the airbag stationary, the mobilized unit provides "enhanced crash protection" while allowing automotive designers to add more "convenience and aesthetic features" (read: buttons, switches, and other gadget-controlling togglers) to the steering wheel itself. Although TRW fails to point out just how much automakers will be forced to pay for its invention, it does note that it can be customized to the fit the feel, color, and style of any vehicle, and since the firm has already landed a contract with "a major European vehicle manufacturer," we could see this non-turning technology go stateside anytime.

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TRW intros non-rotating airbag, mesmerizes drivers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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