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London's Eco-Routemaster launches today, magical mystery tour ends in Clapton

Daniel Cooper — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:49:00 EST

Very lucky commuters using the number 38 between Victoria and Hackney will find themselves touring the nation's capital on the first of London's new Eco-Routemasters. The first paying passengers journey aboard the vehicle at midday today, which was designed in London and built in Ireland, ending a process that started in July 2008. A further seven of the hybrid buses will arrive at a rate of one every fortnight until the fleet (of eight out of the 68 needed for the route) is complete at the end of May. The fuel-efficient vehicle gets 11.6mpg, nothing to your average Prius, but a miracle to a city whose buses normally average half that. It will also mark a return for the good old Bus Conductor, except all they'll be responsible for is ensuring people board and exit safely from that legendary rear door -- if you want a ticket, you'll still have to talk to the driver.

London's Eco-Routemaster launches today, magical mystery tour ends in Clapton originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magellan's new RoadMate 5190T helps truckers find their way, like the do-dah man

Amar Toor — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

Truckin'? Got your chips cashed in? Well then you might wanna put them toward the latest RoadMate GPS navigator from Magellan. Designed for commercial truck, bus and taxi operators, the company's new RoadMate 5190T boasts a five-inch color display that drivers can use to find the most pain-free routes from point A to point B. With the 5190T strapped to their dashboards, truckers will be able to set up customized routing based on their vehicles' precise specifications, while using Magellan's Highway Lane Assist feature to help negotiate more baroque highway interchanges or exits. The onboard information dashboard, meanwhile, provides constant updates on trucking speed limits, alerting drivers whenever they drift above a given threshold. There's also a tracking log that allows operators to store information on mileage, hours and other parameters, as well as a built-in speaker system that projects sound at up to 93 decibels. The device is priced at $380, though Magellan has yet to announce a launch date.

Magellan's new RoadMate 5190T helps truckers find their way, like the do-dah man originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet London's new Eco-Routemaster, same as the old Routemaster (video)

Daniel Cooper — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:28:00 EST

The English can't resist a good retro revival: we fell back in love with the new Mini and Doctor Who, so now it's time to do the same with the eco-friendly revamp of the Routemaster bus. Packed with a hybrid engine that doubles the fuel efficiency of a standard diesel (at 11.6mpg -- but it's a bus, so that's a lot) but producing only half the emissions. It'll carry 87 passengers and the vehicle heralds the return of the rear-door, so when it's stuck in traffic, you can safely hop-off and walk the rest of the way. A fleet of eight buses will run London's "38" route from early next year and you can watch the prototype being hand-built in the video we've got for you after the interval.

Continue reading Meet London's new Eco-Routemaster, same as the old Routemaster (video)

Meet London's new Eco-Routemaster, same as the old Routemaster (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AmtrakConnect free WiFi added to 12 East Coast routes, snack car will still cost ya

Joe Pollicino — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:56:00 EST

Remember when we noted the existence of AmtrakConnect WiFi on the Adirondack train (number 69) about two weeks ago? Although it wasn't official at the time, it is now -- and it turns out that was just a sliver of what to expect. Amtrak recently announced that the free service is currently available on twelve of its East Coast routes, which should please many a railway commuter accustomed to WiFi deprivation. Eight of those routes (Northeast Regional, Keystone and Empire services, Carolinian, Downeaster, Ethan Allen Express, New Haven - Springfield Shuttle and Vermonter) feature full wireless connectivity from head to caboose, while the others (Adirondack, Maple Leaf, Palmetto and Pennsylvanian) have designated cars that allow for internet access. Factor in its Acela and Northwest Regional lines, and Amtrak says 60 percent of its fleet is now WiFi-capable with more additions due in California before the year's out. Better yet, "4G speeds" are also in the cards for the future, but we won't hold our breath waiting for an equally swift rollout. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading AmtrakConnect free WiFi added to 12 East Coast routes, snack car will still cost ya

AmtrakConnect free WiFi added to 12 East Coast routes, snack car will still cost ya originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BYD opens North American HQ in LA, electric bus headed for LAX

Donald Melanson — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:17:00 EST

China's BYD Motors has been edging its way into the North American auto market for some time, but it's now firmly planted itself here by opening its new headquarters in Los Angeles. That bit of news also just so happens to coincide with the announcement of a new partnership with Hertz Car Rental, who will be using BYD's all-electric, long-range eBUS to shuttle passengers at Los Angeles International Airport -- BYD's cars will also eventually find their way into Hertz's LA rental fleet. The press release is after the break.

Continue reading BYD opens North American HQ in LA, electric bus headed for LAX

BYD opens North American HQ in LA, electric bus headed for LAX originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amtrak to finally launch free WiFi for regional trains on October 1st?

Lydia Leavitt — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:13:00 EST

Rumor 'round the Twitterverse has it that Amtrak may finally be implementing free WiFi on October 1st -- finally seeing the bet laid down by various plane and bus companies over the past couple years. The casual conversation between conductor and passenger yielded the information that the system is finally ready to extend beyond Acela, apparently "ready to roll and it's just a matter of 'flipping the on switch.'" This comes as great news for commuters who spend their mornings and evenings stuck on slow, old, often curious smelling Regional trains. Unfortunately, other than the tweet, there's no word (official or otherwise) whether net surfage will be possible beginning next month. Regardless, looks like the "I didn't have internet access" excuse is still valid for a little while longer for all you nine to fivers.

Update: To be clear: Amtrak Acela trains by and large already have WiFi, as do some regional trains in the Northwest. This latest addition would be for Northeast Regional trains.

[Thanks, @melanierenzulli]

Amtrak to finally launch free WiFi for regional trains on October 1st? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auckland amps up free WiFi for Rugby World Cup

Lydia Leavitt — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:14:00 EST

Just in time for play-by-play tweets about the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Auckand has instituted a fully-integrated WiFi network across its Link public transit system. According to officials, buses and some trains will get the free internet treatment, giving passengers up to three 30 minute sessions a day between September 1 and October 31st. Powered by Tomizone and sponsored by Localist, the network promises 2 - 6Mbps downloads and is based on point-to-point links around town using fiber assets for backhaul. If that wasn't enough connectivity, CallPlus and Slingshot are dishing out some gratis WiFi of their own with an additional thousand hotspots sprinkled throughout the city. Hopefully, the added infrastructure will mean WiFi access par excellence year round for maximum non-Rugby related tweetage. Check out the full PR after the break.

[Thanks, Scott]

Continue reading Auckland amps up free WiFi for Rugby World Cup

Auckland amps up free WiFi for Rugby World Cup originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flybus consortium puts the brakes on energy waste, throws it back to the asphalt

Joseph Volpe — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 06:01:00 EST

For anyone who's logged time city bus surfing, you know there's a heckuva lot of power in those screechy stops and starts. So, it stands to reason there'd be a way to harness that kinetic energy and shuffle it right back to the auto, itself. Well, that's exactly what the Flybus consortium aims to do with a prototype that uses a Ricardo Kinergy flywheel to store energy created from braking, and redistribute it via a continuously variable transmission. The hybrid setup is purportedly much cheaper to produce than current, pricier EV rigs, and would also go a long way towards reducing fuel costs for commercial vehicles. Gearheads eager for a peek at the group's design can get a look-see when it's shown off this month at the Low Carbon Vehicle event in the UK. For everyone else, there are the source links below.

Flybus consortium puts the brakes on energy waste, throws it back to the asphalt originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android tablets bring touchscreen connectivity to Indian bus riders -- still no $35 slates in sight (video)

Christopher Trout — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:12:00 EST

That's right, that little green blob in the upper left hand corner of that built-in touchscreen is indeed the Android logo, and that display does indeed belong to a tablet of unknown origin, currently riding around on the back of a headrest on a bus somewhere in India. We're not entirely sure who's funding this project or which bus line the tablets can be found on, but the login screen you see here does give us a little bit of insight: "As per government policy, we need to record details of the person using the Internet on this device." The service is apparently free and unlimited, and if this is a government program, it would be right in line with India's democratic outlook on technology. Sure, Indian college students are still awaiting the storied $35 tablets, but we suppose if they have enough scratch to ride the bus all day, these headrest slates could do in a pinch. For a look at what Android tablets look like on public transit, check out the video after the jump.

[Thanks, Kartik]

Continue reading Android tablets bring touchscreen connectivity to Indian bus riders -- still no $35 slates in sight (video)

Android tablets bring touchscreen connectivity to Indian bus riders -- still no $35 slates in sight (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brooklyn bus riders get real-time bus tracking via cellphone

Donald Melanson — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:50:00 EST

New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority launched a pilot program a few months back that offered bus riders some real-time tracking information, but it's now expanded things with a whole new program on the B63 route in Brooklyn. That service is currently accessible via a mobile-friendly website or text message, and smartphone users can also scan simply snap a picture of a barcode (presumably a QR code) at a bus stop to immediately check in on the location of the next five buses that will arrive at the stop. What's more, unlike the previous program, this new system is based on an open source platform developed with the help of OpenPlans, and the MTA is actually encouraging developers to dig into the API and develop their own solutions -- which could certainly get interesting as the program is expanded across the city (the Staten Island bus line is next up). Head on past the break for the MTA's press release, and hit up the link below to try out the service right in your browser.

Continue reading Brooklyn bus riders get real-time bus tracking via cellphone

Brooklyn bus riders get real-time bus tracking via cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FTA awards $16.6 million in grants for fuel cell bus research

Ben Bowers — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:25:00 EST

While we were jealously hung up on South Korea's working electric bus system, Christmas apparently came early for a couple of lucky US fuel cell bus research projects -- in the form of $16.6 million in Federal Transit Administration grants. Pasadena based Calstart snagged almost $10.2 million and will funnel 70 percent of the funds to developing the first phase of a low-cost, longer lasting fuel cell power system. Calstart will then spend its remaining $2.9 million in partnership with the Chicago Regional Transit Authority to develop and test the viability of fuel cell bus fleets in cold climates. The Center for Transportation and the Environment in Atlanta was the other project to hit the federal money gravy train. It received a hefty $6.4 million to spread across six different projects that dabble in everything from developing fast-charging 35-foot fuel cell buses, to similar lithium ion versions, to improving existing hybrid bus platforms. Federal pork for fuel cell DSLR development regrettably missed the cut. For the full scoop hit up the press release after the break.

Continue reading FTA awards $16.6 million in grants for fuel cell bus research

FTA awards $16.6 million in grants for fuel cell bus research originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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South Korea rolls out first commercial electric bus service, we are green with envy

Laura June — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:35:00 EST

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has just rolled out a world first by instating commercial, all electric bus service in the city. We've previously seen pilot programs and trials, but actual working commercial service has never been previously implemented. The program, developed in agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hankuk Fiber, and the buses themselves can run up to about 52 miles on a single charge (which takes about 30 minutes), and have a maximum speed of about 62 miles per hour. Though several other cities have small fleets of electric public transportation, Seoul has announced that half of its massive fleet of buses will be electric by 2020.

South Korea rolls out first commercial electric bus service, we are green with envy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China to build ginormous buses that cars can drive under (video)

Richard Lai — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:13:00 EST

Seriously, this is the future that China's envisioning: huge friggin' buses engulfing smaller cars on the road. Despite the silly picture and the eccentric "3D Express Coach" branding, this cunning project by Shenzhen Huashi Future Car-Parking Equipment actually makes sense. The idea is to make use of the space between regular-size cars and bridges, thus saving construction costs as well as minimizing congestion impact by allowing cars to drive underneath these jumbo buses. Fancy hitching a ride? You better start planning your move to Beijing's Mentougou district, which is where Huashi will commence building its first 186km of track at year's end. For now, enjoy the Chinese demo video after the break (translation text at source link).

Continue reading China to build ginormous buses that cars can drive under (video)

China to build ginormous buses that cars can drive under (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Select Bus Service brings New York City transit into the 20th century

Trent Wolbe — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:11:00 EST

Did you know adding an extra subway stop to New York City's 7 train is going to cost $2 billion? In the middle of this big ol' recession, that's a big reason why transit geeks are freaking out about buses - they can be orders of magnitude cheaper than subways. It turns out in New York City (home of America's slowest buses at an average 7.5 MPH) they're jamming out on some serious tech to dispel the traditional associations commuters have with above-ground mass transit. The MTA's new Select Bus Service offers street-based payment kiosks (1 in the image above), low-riding rear entrances for quicker boarding (2), a "signal prioritization" system that will hold the light green for fast buses (3), and a separate terra cotta-colored lane with constant camera surveillance to keep stray cars and trucks out of the way (4). We've seen cabbies not get scared of things more serious things than painted lanes - personally, we'd install piranha-infested moats to protect our Select Bus System - but we'll have to trust the MTA on that one.

The faster, funner new buses are already showing up in the Bronx, and If they're able to get through all the red tape associated with making things easier and more efficient for everybody, you can expect to see them on First and Second Avenues this fall and on 34th Street in 2012... provided we make it through the apocalypse.

Select Bus Service brings New York City transit into the 20th century originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caption contest: Bing bus goes searching for search results

Darren Murph — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:41:00 EST

Bus. Ice cream truck. Personal space invader. Vessel of illicit speaker transport. It's all semantics, anyway.

Darren: "Man, this smoke is great, but damn if I'm not suddenly craving an orange Push Up."
Joe: "Unlike the Street View car, the Bing truck is equally at home on the street or at a rave."
Chris: "In the event the authorities get too close for comfort, Bing is prepared to take its entire operation mobile for weeks at a time, stopping only to refuel."
Don: "At last, the real decision engine is revealed."
Richard Lawler: "Ok, so the plot is, we pick up "models" off the street... and find low cost plane tickets, product reviews or a nice restaurant for them. That's it."
Ross: "Creative Picture Framing" indeed, Microsoft. Creative picture framing, indeed.
Joanna: "Didn't we just do a sketchy tech van caption contest!?"
Richard Lai: "For the last time: we don't sell froyo here."
Tim: "Creative Picture Framing was a front for GHOST: Google Hating Operatives with better Search Technology. Jeeves had already arrived in his blacked out Benz, but the Altavista boys were nowhere to be found."
Myriam: "Oh, I see! It's an art car for Burning Man... Right."

[Thanks, Hosain]

Caption contest: Bing bus goes searching for search results originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Korea starts testing 'recharging road,' might make it part of its public transport system

Vlad Savov — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:42:00 EST

Time to set aside the chains of worry that have prevented us from jumping on the electric bandwagon -- Korean researchers have figured out a way to make us forget all about charging stations and cruising ranges with their magnetically recharging road. The Online Electric Vehicle (OLEV) you see here went into service yesterday and can now be found towing three bus-loads of tourists around a Seoul amusement park. It operates on a battery five times smaller than conventional EV juice packs and can collect its power through non-contact magnetic transmission from the recharging strips in the ground. We're also told running costs for this system are a third of what a typical EV would require, and should it prove successful and find itself expanded to the public transport system, only about 20 percent of bus routes would need to be electrified -- at bus stops, crossroads and the like -- with the rest being covered by the power stored inside the OLEV. Here's to hoping it all works out.

Korea starts testing 'recharging road,' might make it part of its public transport system originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arizona school bus gains WiFi, students suddenly chill out and get productive

Darren Murph — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:42:00 EST

Who woulda thunk it? Giving WiFi to fidgety students on a bus actually makes them more productive. Nearly three years after an Arkansas school launched a trial that delivered laptops, iPods and wireless internet to a bus, an Arizona school district is discovering the merits of such a system -- though with this one, there stands a good chance for it to go well beyond the "pilot" phase. Students in Vail, Arizona have been able to handle school assignments, engage in research and even update their Facebook status on the lengthy rides to and from school, and the suits responsible for hooking Bus No. 92 up have stated that mischief has all but subsided and the bus has magically morphed into something of a "rolling study hall." As you'd expect, Autonet Mobile is responsible for the technology (the same company equipping select GM vehicles with in-car WiFi), and it has already sold similar tech to schools or districts in Florida, Missouri and Washington, DC. We always dreamed of being whisked off to another lousy school day on the GamerBUS, but this ain't a half bad alternative.

[Thanks, Nate]

Arizona school bus gains WiFi, students suddenly chill out and get productive originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DOT bars bus drivers and commercial truckers from texting while driving

Darren Murph — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:03:00 EST

It's coming. And soon. Of course, you know darn well we're referring to the day where no human in any nation can text and drive legally, and we're seeing the US Department of Transportation get us one step closer with its latest mandate. Effective immediately, bus drivers and interstate commercial truckers are disallowed from texting while operating a motor vehicle, and should they choose to send that one last SMS anyway, they'll be hit with "civil or criminal fines of up to $2,750." Needless to say, the Advocates for Highway Safety are pretty stoked about the notion, but they confess that this isn't taking things far enough. And for anyone who has been sideswiped by someone special telling someone more special "I LUVRZ U XOXO LOL" while doing 80 on the I-15, well, they'd probably concur.

DOT bars bus drivers and commercial truckers from texting while driving originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DesignLine turbine hybrid buses take off in NYC, could multiply soon

Darren Murph — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:42:00 EST

Capstone's CMT-380 has proven that turbines, batteries and an unconditional love for Ma Earth actually can get along within the confines of an automobile, and now it looks as if the same type of technology will be touching a lot more lives in and around New York City. DesignLine, a New Zealand-based company with an "experimental turbine hybrid" of the same name, is currently being used in three buses in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and unlike petrol-powered alternatives, these are said to be as "quiet as a tomb." They're also environmentally friendly, omitting internal combustion altogether and relying on spinning turbines to recharge a Li-ion battery that powers the wheels. If the trial goes over well, 87 more of the $559,000 buses could be ushered into operation, and you'll know one's coming due to the shocking absence of creaking, sputtering and black haze rounding the bend to your stop.

[Thanks, Yossi]

DesignLine turbine hybrid buses take off in NYC, could multiply soon originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MacBook Air meets bus, bus wins

Donald Melanson — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:19:00 EST

Struggling to find a little something to be grateful for on this day of Thanksgiving? How about the fact that this isn't your laptop? While details are a tad sketchy, it seems that the owner of this MacBook Air somehow let his prized possession slip under a bus, which promptly drove right over it. Amazingly, the Air does apparently still work (apart from a little issue with the screen), although it's pretty clear that the bus came out ahead in this match-up. Hit up the link below for a few more pics.

[Thanks, Akouris]

MacBook Air meets bus, bus wins originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid2 public bike concept promises to help power city buses

Donald Melanson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:38:00 EST

Hybrid bikes are one thing, but designer Chiyi Chen looks to have something far grander in mind for his Hybrid2 bike concept, which he says could one day help power fleets of city buses. To do that, the hybrid part of the bike (a regenerative braking system) wouldn't be used to help power the bike itself at all, but would instead store the energy in an ultracapacitor that'd then feed the energy back into the grid when its parked at a special bike stand, which would in turn be used to help charge the hybrid electric buses. Not one to overlook an ingenious little detail, Chen has also devised a special card RFID card that would not only be used to unlock the bike, but keep track of the energy that each rider generates -- build up enough credits and you can ride the bus for free. Intrigued? Head on past the break for a video overview from the man himself.

[Via Inhabitat]

Continue reading Hybrid2 public bike concept promises to help power city buses

Filed under: Transportation

Hybrid2 public bike concept promises to help power city buses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raleigh, North Carolina buses get on-board DTV

Donald Melanson — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:00 EST

Planning to hop on a bus in Raleigh, North Carolina anytime soon? Then there's a chance you could be treated to an added distraction during your trip, as the city has just rolled out its first CAT bus equipped with mobile DTV, which looks to be one of the first projects resulting from those MPH tests that took place last year. This little bit of magic also comes courtesy of a little help from LG and Harris Corp., who are supplying the displays and mobile transmission equipment for the pilot program, which will be expanded to five buses by August, with another 20 planned for the second phase that'll run though August 2010. Of course, your viewing options will be somewhat limited, with a simulcast of local station WRAL apparently the only channel on tap, along with some weather information and, of course, a healthy dose of advertising.

[Thanks, Dana]

Filed under: Multimedia, LG, Misc

Raleigh, North Carolina buses get on-board DTV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raleigh, North Carolina buses get on-board DTV

Donald Melanson — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: Misc, LG, OTA

Raleigh, North Carolina buses get on-board DTV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raleigh, North Carolina buses get on-board DTV

Donald Melanson — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: HDTV, Transportation

Raleigh, North Carolina buses get on-board DTV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oslo rolls out biomethane-powered busses

Laura June — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:57:00 EST

The city of Oslo is getting down and dirty with a new scheme for its public transportation. Adding "minor modifications" to 80 of the city's public busses will allow them to run on biomethane fuel produced from raw sewage. The buses are apparently much quieter, and are more eco-friendly than biogas, with zero net carbon emissions. The leader of the project, Ole Jakob Johansen, also says that the city should save about €.40 per liter on fueling the busses. The trial is part of Oslo's plan to be carbon-neutral by 2050, and they hope to soon have the entire fleet of 400 rolling clean. Waste not, want not, huh?

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: Transportation

Oslo rolls out biomethane-powered busses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google's Internet-equipped magic bus lights across India

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:28:00 EST

When you spend all of your workday bloggin' it's easy to lose sight of the fact that some folks don't have access to basic utilities, or HDTV, or -- the horror! -- the Internet itself. In the time-honored tradition of Hippies and earnest seekers alike, Google has headed to rural India, where it will be focusing its philanthropic endeavors (or perhaps its shrewd marketing endeavors) for the next month and a half. The company's Internet bus will roll through towns in the state of Tamil Nadu, providing connectivity via satellite, and content and instruction in both English and Tamil to people whose only previous exposure to the online world (if any) has been via cell phone or cyber cafe. This is all part of a broader scheme to expand into the Indian countryside, and if the trip is a success more are sure to follow. The company's services already include transliteration, news, bidirectional machine translation, and soft keyboards for a number of Indian languages, and a host of kick-ass Ravi Shankar tunes now available on Google Video.

Filed under: Networking

Google's Internet-equipped magic bus lights across India originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's desktop-equipped mass transit bus is a boss' dream

Darren Murph — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:38:00 EST

Those 45 to 90 minutes you spend stuck in traffic each day, inhaling noxious fumes and watching your paycheck dwindle in the form of consumed gasoline, are about to get a lot more nightmarish should you choose to ride this. Though the origin of these images are unknown, we're assuming they were snapped somewhere in Asia (or the ninth circle of Hades); essentially, this here public transportation option enables riders to login via a connected PC and get to work before work technically begins. Of course, we've all ideas most riders just fire up Quake III and get a little LAN action going, but seriously, what kind of torturous mind thought this up? Ever heard of telecommuting?

Update: Seems these buses are all about bringing technology to rural areas that might not otherwise have access. Killer!

Filed under: Desktops, Transportation

Microsoft's desktop-equipped mass transit bus is a boss' dream originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bus driver chooses GPS over gigantic warning sign, plows into overpass

Darren Murph — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:56:00 EST

Okay Britons, here's your shot at ripping us Americans who've had quite a few laughs at the expense of your GPS-loving neighbors. Reportedly, the driver of a charter bus carrying a high school girls' softball team decided to casually follow the soothing turn-by-turn directions that were being emitted from the nearby GPS unit rather than actually noticing the enormous clearance sign on the overpass ahead. As you can likely guess, the 11-foot, 8-inch-high vehicle plowed right into the 9-foot bridge -- which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 -- though somehow everyone on board escaped without any major injuries. Oddly enough, the driver apparently isn't alone in chipping away at the landmark, as a local even mentioned that "large trucks hit the bridge every two weeks or so," but couldn't resist noting that "this [instance was] by far the worst."

[Thanks, Raleigh]

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

Bus driver chooses GPS over gigantic warning sign, plows into overpass originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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San Francisco bus getting WiFi, deathmatch to follow

Joshua Topolsky — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:58:00 EST

Finally things are starting to get a little more futuristic around here. Beginning next Monday, bus riders in San Francisco will get a chance to hop at least one ride that will take them to the Columbus stop, Van Ness stop... and the World of Tomorrow. Thanks to the combined effort of SF's Muni and Cisco, the "Connected Bus" will be hauling around free WiFi and touchscreen maps on its walls (which will also carry updated connecting transit information). Sure, it's no citywide wireless coverage, but combined with the BART train WiFi rollout, it's certainly a start. Cisco tested the bus with 15 riders checking email and downloading music and movies on laptops, and say that the signal was "strong and uninterrupted," though they admit they haven't tested the system during a 15-player fragfest. Anyone up for a ride?

[Thanks, Paul in SF]

Filed under: Transportation, Networking

San Francisco bus getting WiFi, deathmatch to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contactless hybrid bus put into service at Tokyo airport

Donald Melanson — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:29:00 EST

Japan's world's fastest maglev train may still be quite a few years away from becoming a reality, but it looks like the country can now brag about another slightly smaller but similarly contactless vehicle, with a new suitably futuristic bus now making its debut at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. As if that bit of technology wasn't enough, the bus is also a hybrid vehicle, and promises a sixty percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to those old 20th century-style buses. Unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of other details at the moment (and what is available is subject to the wonders of machine translation), but it looks like the first bus is already in service, and covering a 4.2 kilometer area around the airport.

[Thanks, kaztm]

Filed under: Transportation

Contactless hybrid bus put into service at Tokyo airport originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Camera-equipped buses could automatically ticket San Franciscans

Darren Murph — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:54:00 EST

Not long after hearing about England's newfangled auto-ticketing system comes word that San Franciscans could soon be facing something similar. If signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger, "forward-facing digital video cameras would be installed on city buses," which would then be used to automatically ticket the owners of vehicles that are caught "blocking buses." The cameras would presumably be used to photograph vehicles that are in bus-only lanes, and interestingly enough, the proposed law also authorizes Municipal Transportation Agency "employees to access sensitive personal data" from the DMV for ticketing purposes.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Transportation

Camera-equipped buses could automatically ticket San Franciscans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tampa Bay school gets pair of plug-in hybrid buses

Darren Murph — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:42:00 EST

From a kid's perspective, we're sure they'd much rather be cruising on the iPod-equipped bus than a vanilla version that gets significantly better mileage, but regardless, a Tampa Bay school will become the first to receive a pair of hybrid buses to shuttle students around while saving between 70 and 100-percent in fuel costs. The vehicles can be fully charged in around six hours, and while the aforementioned improvements are only so drastic for the first "50 miles or so," it's certainly not a bad start. 'Course, school district officials are hoping that fuel savings will eventually lead to more money for classroom improvements, but we reckon it'll be quite some time before the savings on fuel overtakes the up front cost of these (presumably pricey) machines. Click on for a peek at the video.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Tampa Bay school gets pair of plug-in hybrid buses

Filed under: Transportation

Tampa Bay school gets pair of plug-in hybrid buses originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author taps out 384-page book using mobile

Sean Cooper — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:25:00 EST

We're usually pretty proud when we're able to crank out a few emails -- or mediate a discussion gone wrong in the comment section -- on our morning commute. Italian author Robert Burnocco has us trumped in style by actually using T9 and his mobile to cobble together a 384-page book in just 17 weeks. He was inspired to write his mobile opus, Compagni di Viaggio (Travelling companion) on the bus as apparently "In public transport, I realized that my imagination was productive and that the ideas abounded." We aren't sure what the buses are like in Italy, but we are usually just surrounded by lunatics and screaming schoolkids on our morning ride, hardly a top spot for creative endeavors.

[Via textually.org]

Filed under: Handsets, Messaging

Author taps out 384-page book using mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ruh Roh Shaggy: Art Army Van weds iPod dock, Mystery Machine

Darren Murph — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:28:00 EST

We've seen our fair share of far-out iPod docks, but Mike Leavitt's latest go at creating a piece of functional art makes us yearn to bust out the tie-dyed bandannas and throw a Scooby-Doo marathon bash. The Art Army Van is a modified plastic Mystery Machine toy, which now includes a modernized paint scheme, removable rear CD rack, passenger seat-mounted speaker, and the obligatory iPod jack in the captain's chair. The wheeled machine comes in at 10- x 6- x 6-inches in size, and while we're not entirely confident that such a masterpiece is worthy of a whole $200, we can't deny the temptation to snap one up. Click through to see this groove rider in action.

Continue reading Ruh Roh Shaggy: Art Army Van weds iPod dock, Mystery Machine

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Transportation

Ruh Roh Shaggy: Art Army Van weds iPod dock, Mystery Machine originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2007 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia installs clever touchscreen game to market N95

Darren Murph — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:38:00 EST

These days, it really takes something special to catch to eye of the desensitized market, and Nokia's shifting the focus back to the consumer with its lighthearted touchscreen game at a London bus stop. The interactive advertisement requests that the player flip the pockets in order to find matches, but it also insinuates that the sleek Nokia N95 smartphone is just too slim and inconspicuous to readily pick out. Of course, we highly doubt it's all that difficult to spot after a flip or two, but the idea here is novel nonetheless. If nothing else, it sure breaks up the boredom (or frustration) felt whilst waiting on the next bus, so be sure to click on through for a video of the thing so you'll know it when you cross it.

[Via FreshCreation]

Continue reading Nokia installs clever touchscreen game to market N95

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia installs clever touchscreen game to market N95 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arkansas school to trial iPod, WiFi-equipped school bus

Darren Murph — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:12:00 EST

If you thought taking a ride on the GamerBUS was a thrill, this one will really make you long to be a youngster in Arkansas again. Reportedly, the Sheridan school district is launching the Aspirnaut Initiative to bring laptops, iPods, and wireless internet right onto Bus 46, and amazingly, they expect kids to actually glean knowledge rather than hit up a round or two of Counter-Strike. The project hopes to make the unbelievably long (three hours, to be exact) commute that some rural students face a bit less boring and a tad more educational, as students will have access to informational podcasts and web-based learning modules whilst cruising on home. Interestingly, the three-year pilot project will not give students class credit for their extra effort initially, but for brainiacs who stick with the program, they'll purportedly be keeping the goods for themselves once the trial run concludes.

[Via ArsTechnica]

Filed under: Laptops, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Arkansas school to trial iPod, WiFi-equipped school bus originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scoop brings glam to the ice cream truck biz

Darren Murph — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 01:05:00 EST

Yeah, we know, we all scream for ice cream, but the Scoop startup is looking to add a dash of glitz, glamor, and flashing lights to the traditional ice cream truck biz, which is admittedly overdue for a refresh. The UK-based endeavor will be hitting the streets with Mystery Machine-esque vans that sport a bright flashing spoon atop the roof, chalk-written phrases on the paneling, and hot orange rims to boot. The idea, which took home the gold in CPB's "Blue Sky" competition, stands out from the trucks of yesteryear by handing out branded spoons and delivering delightful flavors in Chinese take-out boxes (pictured after the jump), somewhat catering to adults as well as sugar-craving kiddos. Sure, this may not be a 100 miles-per-hour thrill wagon, nor a Xbox 360-packed rental bus, but it definitely holds it own in the (flashy) "meals on wheels" category.

[Via CNET]

Continue reading Scoop brings glam to the ice cream truck biz

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Transportation

Scoop brings glam to the ice cream truck biz originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 01:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NTSB to bus drivers: don't talk and drive, pretty please

Darren Murph — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 23:32:00 EST

While we know there are fanatics out there claiming that cellphones are a tumor's best friend, we're still skeptical of just how dangerous they really are -- but only in that sense. Operating a motor vehicle while keying in an old pal's number certainly isn't a recipe for safe driving, and these acts would probably make protective parents irate if, say, their kid's bus driver was chatting it up while make the rounds. Although we find it quite astounding that cellphone use while operating a school / motor bus isn't already outlawed, it's even more amazing to find that the National Transportation Safety Board is simply "urging" federal and state governments to ban motor coach and school bus drivers from using cell phones except in emergencies. So just as a heads-up, you may want to check with your local school board to make sure John and / or Jane Doe aren't discussing the news while wheeling your offspring around town, as apparently it's still not entirely illegal.

[Via TheWirelessReport]

Filed under: Misc

NTSB to bus drivers: don't talk and drive, pretty please originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Nov 2006 23:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GamerBUS provides mobile Xbox 360 LAN parties

Darren Murph — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 12:21:00 EST

If you're incensed about wasting your weekend (and part of last week) cruising around in futility trying to locate a Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii, the GamerBUS can provide the ultimate painkiller -- provided you live around the Virginia Beach area, that is. If you've got 63 friends or so, and you're not claustrophobic, you can pack your posse into the 37-foot customized RV and get your game(s) on. Sporting a bevy of comfortable seating options, sixteen Xbox 360 "gamer stations" (pictured after the jump) with their own 23-inch Philips HDTV, and all the CAT5 cable / electricity you could ever need, this redefines the party on wheels. Essentially offering a mobile gaming LAN, the bus operators will gladly wire up a 16-person system-linked round of Halo 2 (or a variety of other titles) while you provide the Cheetos and air fresheners. Although weekday hours boast an understandable discount, weekend rates range from $125 to $150 per hour, depending on how long you occupy the vehicle. Notably, no connection has been drawn between this newfangled gaming service and the Va Beach ~~entrepreneur~~ trickster hitting it big on vulnerable ATMs.

[Via Digg]

Continue reading GamerBUS provides mobile Xbox 360 LAN parties

Filed under: Displays, Gaming, HDTV, Transportation

GamerBUS provides mobile Xbox 360 LAN parties originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Nov 2006 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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