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6 high-tech bikes that bring cycling to a new level
By Cat DiStasio For cyclists who want to go farther, ride faster and look cooler doing it, there are a lot of options on the market when it comes to high-end bikes. This week we're gawking over a few of the world's most technologically enhanced cycles. Some are electric hybrids; some transform for better ergonomics; and some take the notion of a bicycle and darn near throw it out the window. From the innovative to the chic to the out of this world, here are six of the world's most incredible (and expensive) rides on two wheels.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: superdogs and a cave museum
Each 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. So far Elon Musk has created next-gen spacecraft and some of the world's best electric cars -- could a futuristic airplane be next? This past week, Musk announced that he'd like to build a "pretty cool supersonic, vertical takeoff and landing electric jet." In other transportation news, automakers had a Back to the Future field day last week. Stanford rolled out a self-driving DeLorean; Toyota showcased a special Mirai with gull-wing doors and a flux capacitor; and students built an all-electric version of Doc Brown's time-traveling car. A sleek solar-powered car won the World Solar Challenge by rocketing across the Australian Outback in four days. And we took a test-drive of the all-new, completely rebuilt 2016 Chevrolet Volt, which just hit the market in California.
7 tiny solar-powered homes
By Cat DiStasio Want to see the state of the art in solar-powered architecture? Then head to the Solar Decathlon in Southern California where the US Department of Energy challenges students from around the world to create the most efficient solar-powered house. These tiny, high-tech homes are designed to be affordable and attractive while utilizing solar energy for all the amenities of comfortable indoor living, including temperature control, hot water and household appliances. In all, each home is expected to produce at least as much energy as it consumes, which is also known as "net zero" energy status. Read on for a look at some of the most incredible houses from this year's competition.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: 'Iron Man' prosthetics and a creepy Airbnb
Each 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. Want to see the state of the art in solar-powered architecture? Check out eight of the world's most efficient sun-powered homes built by students for the 2015 Solar Decathlon. In other solar news, Panasonic just shattered a world record by building the most efficient photovoltaic panel on the planet. A Dutch firm recently announced plans to build the largest wind farm in Africa near a remote Kenyan lake. And Washington, DC, unveiled the world's largest waste-to-energy system, which will generate electricity from the city's raw sewage.
6 flying cars that let you soar over traffic
By Cat DiStasio The dream of flight has entranced humans for centuries, and modern innovators won't quit until the flying cars of sci-fi movies are realized. Although today's traffic jams still happen on the ground level, plenty of engineers have their eyes and minds on the sky. It's fascinating, if not intoxicating, to dream of the day when we might one day be able to take to the skies in a vehicle of our own, but until then, we can revel in prototypes built by dreamers with the capital to turn their high-flying ideas into a reality. Where we're going, we don't need roads.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: 3D-printed pavilions and cardboard cars
Each 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. What will the homes of the future look like? If this year's Solar Decathlon is any indication, they will be self-sufficient, hyper-efficient and 100 percent powered by the sun. How about a home that grows all the food you need, so you never need to take a trip to the produce aisle? Or a super-durable disaster-proof house that's strong enough to fight tornadoes and win? However, the coolest one might be this tiny home that can be emailed to a woodshop across the world, CNC cut and then assembled like a giant puzzle without a single nail.
6 technologies that will help humans survive on Mars
By Cat DiStasio Planet Earth is abuzz with headlines about Mars. First, NASA announced the discovery of flowing water on the red planet. Then The Martian opened to rave reviews. We have so many questions about the mysterious frozen planet. Does liquid water mean there's life on Mars? Will plants grow there? Can we turn the water into breathable oxygen so Mars could someday become a tourist destination? In order for humans to live there, a few things would have to happen. First off, its climate is inhospitable with an average temperature of minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. So, we'd have to find a way to mitigate that or change the climate entirely -- which is what Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had in mind with his crazy plan to drop nuclear bombs on the poles. Beyond that, the first settlers would need shelter, food and breathable oxygen. Although nobody knows when a manned Mars expedition will launch, engineers are already working on technologies to address these needs and more.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: the Model X and man-made islands
Each 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. After three years of anticipation Tesla just launched its latest electric car. The company says the Model X is the world's safest SUV; it can go from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds; and it comes with a "bioweapon defense mode" in case of... well, the apocalypse. Meanwhile the Volkswagen emissions scandal continues to develop, and this past week, we asked just how many people have died due to pollution emitted by affected vehicles. Perhaps the worst part is that Volkswagen may actually avoid criminal charges due to a loophole in the Clean Air Act.
6 next-gen electric vehicles taking on Tesla
By Cat DiStasio Tesla tears up the headlines like nobody's business. The California-based company makes the most widely coveted luxury electric vehicle in existence, and it just officially launched its next car, the Model X, last night. The automaker has garnered attention from car enthusiasts, green technology fans and even those with budgets too small to pay for a single Tesla hubcap. Even the consumer buying guides love Tesla's cars. The company might be the best and biggest dog in the fight for the moment, but that could change. In the coming years, more than a handful of carmakers are getting into the electric-vehicle game to entice would-be Tesla owners to spend their hard-earned dollars elsewhere. Read on for a look at the upcoming EVs that could give Elon Musk & co. a run for their money.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: Off-grid homes and fold-up planes
Each 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. What does it take for a house to go completely off-grid? A diverse range of energy sources is key -- and this new 3D-printed house can be powered by built-in solar panels or tethered to a hybrid car. We also love this pop-up transparent dome shelter that lets you sleep beneath the stars. In other architecture news, Apple just launched its first store under the guidance of Jonathan Ives -- and it's warmer and more curvaceous than the company's previous brick and mortars. MAD Architects unveiled out-of-this-world plans for a futuristic George Lucas Museum in Chicago. And a team of researchers found a way to build a functional 24-foot rope bridge using drones.
6 wearable devices that can help you stay healthy
By Cat DiStasio Modern technology has brought us many things that make our lives easier. Some of them, like meal delivery at the click of a button and streaming movies over the internet, have contributed to making people lazier, more sedentary and less fit. Luckily, there are lots of cool gadgets that help encourage healthy habits. You're probably already familiar with run-of-the-mill activity trackers that monitor your heart rate, daily steps and calories burned, but the devices we're spotlighting today take health technology a step further by contributing to a greener world -- and in some cases even saving your life.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: new EV concept cars and Napmobiles
Each 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. Up until now, Tesla has blazed a trail in the electric vehicle market -- but the major automakers are finally starting to catch up. This past week Porsche unveiled its new Mission E electric car, which packs over 600 horsepower and recharges in 15 minutes flat. Meanwhile, Audi showcased a sleek all-electric SUV to rival the Tesla Model X, and Mercedes-Benz debuted a car that can actually transform at high speeds. Even LA is jumping on the green-car bandwagon -- the city just announced plans to launch the largest electric vehicle fleet in the US. If you prefer pedal-powered transportation, don't miss out on a chance to win a Public V7 bike in our back-to-school giveaway -- it only takes a second to enter!
Six things you might want to prepare for the apocalypse
By Cat Distasio, Inhabitat There are a lot of things you can do to prepare yourself for the possibility of a disaster. You can load up on shelf-stable foods, clean drinking water and batteries. You can dig a bomb shelter in your backyard. You can stockpile first aid supplies and polish up your ham radio equipment. But there are a number of other cool disaster-proof designs that you may not even know about. You'll still probably need an emergency stash of food and water, but some of these things could guarantee your survival in apocalyptic times.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: 3D-printed suites and a new Prius
Each 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. Researchers at the University of Michigan are making waves in solar panels -- literally. It turns out that their undulating photovoltaic strips can collect up to 30 percent more energy than flat arrays. In other energy news, China and Pakistan just announced plans to build the world's largest solar farm in the Punjabi desert, and Aspen, Colorado, just became the third city in the US to be powered entirely by renewable energy. Heads up students -- we're giving away three solar energy-generating Voltaic backpacks and you can win one here. Voltaic also just launched a new solar-powered light that shines for 30-plus hours on a single charge. And designer Pauline van Dongen debuted a solar parka that keeps you charged when you journey off the grid.
Seven tiny mobile homes
By Cat DiStasio Living off the grid was once a lifestyle reserved for rustic folks who prefer roughing it over city life. These days, though, the face of unplugged living can look downright space-age. We've rounded up some of our favorite self-sufficient portable homes, including a trailer that triples in size, a beautiful bohemian bunker and a wood-wrapped RV with a green roof. With cool features like solar power, rainwater recycling, smart storage and space efficiency, these campers offer a new way to unplug from the grid, allowing intrepid wanderers to pursue happiness wherever they may roam.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: artificial leaves and green roofs
Each 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. Silicon Valley is a hotbed for technology, but it will soon be known for green building as well. Last week architects unveiled plans to build the world's largest green roof just down the street from Apple's spaceship campus. In other architecture and design news, Sky Greens has developed a hydraulic vertical farm that can grow 10 times more produce than a traditional farm, and Caltrans proposed the largest wildlife overpass in the US for Los Angeles' 101 freeway. As much as we love to celebrate good examples of architecture, there's also fun to be had in panning bad ones -- this past week, London's "death ray" "walkie talkie" skyscraper was crowned the worst building in Britain. Summer is winding down, but there's still time for one last road trip -- and this tiny camper that telescopes to three times its size is the coolest RV we've ever seen.
6 futuristic 3D-printed clothes
By Cat DiStasio 3D printing is revolutionizing the way we make things, from buildings and cars to medical devices. But that's not all: Many forward-thinking designers in the fashion industry are using 3D printers to cut down on material waste and explore new possibilities for unique and exciting designs. Read on to learn about some of the most advanced 3D-printed clothes and wearables that they've cooked up.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: robot wars and edible batteries
Each 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. Tesla gets a lot of press -- but just how good are its vehicles? Well, Consumer Reports just awarded the Model S P85D a rating so high that it broke the scale. The Model S also put range anxiety to rest this week by traveling a record-breaking 452.8 miles on a single charge. Are you in the market for an electric car? We just rounded up the best EVs of 2015 -- from the perfect city car to a family-friendly EV and a midlife crisis sportster. Water and electricity might not mix, but EVs are also taking to the seas -- check out this solar- and wind-powered self-driving boat and this all-electric personal submarine that lets you explore the ocean deep. And in Europe, Paris announced plans to go completely car-free for one day in September and all Netherlands Railways trains will be 100 percent wind-powered by 2018.
6 gadgets to help you keep track of your kids
By Cat DiStasio When kids are young, most parents have some kind of monitoring device at home to keep tabs on the tots when they're in another room. Whether they're audio-only or combo audio/video contraptions, baby monitors are extremely common. In addition, though, there's a slew of other devices that can help parents keep track of wayward munchkins whether they're in the house, at the park or at a crowded outdoor event. From GPS watches to clothing with embedded tracking devices, read on for a look at these new ways to keep an eye on your offspring.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: 'Star Wars' parks and solar sports cars
Each 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. Last week Google unveiled a breakthrough project that could boost solar panel installations across the States. It's called Project Sunroof, and it lets you instantly see your home's potential for generating solar energy -- including how much money you could save every year. Your roof isn't the only part of your house that can generate energy -- last week researchers debuted a revolutionary new SolarWindow that could produce 50 times more energy than conventional photovoltaics. In other energy news, India made headlines by unveiling the world's first 100 percent solar-powered airport; scientists developed a new artificial leaf that uses sunlight and water to produce hydrogen fuel; and San Francisco broke ground on the world's largest hydrogen station.
