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Ford's E-Transit is a more affordable electric delivery van
Ford has unveiled its E-Transit electric van, bringing zero-emissions delivery to many more places.
The sneakers inspired by Apollo 11 and the Moon landing
NASA's Apollo 11 has had an outsize influence on our culture since July 20th, 1969. That's the day the spaceflight mission successfully completed its lunar landing, paving the way for Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to become the first humans to ever set foot on the Moon. To this day, Apollo 11 remains one of the biggest achievements in the history of space exploration. It's only fitting, then, that those first steps Armstrong and Aldrin took have also made their mark on sneaker culture. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 this week, we're showing you some of the best shoes that have drawn inspiration from the mission and its Moon landing. Brands such as Adidas, Nike, New Balance and Vans have all created designs paying homage to this historical feat, in official and unofficial ways. While there are sneakers that NASA has collaborated on, others simply look like they were meant to be Moon boots. Let's take a look and appreciate them one by one.
VW and Ford may work together on EVs and autonomous vehicles
In the latest instance of major automakers teaming up, Volkswagen and Ford will work together on commercial vans and pickups, and they could start selling such vehicles by 2022. The companies are also exploring potential collaboration on electric vehicles, self-driving cars and transportation services.
Vans' NASA collection is built for sneakerheads and space nerds
Vans is continuing its run of iconic collections with the release of a NASA "Space Voyager" line that spans sneakers, clothing, and accessories. Inspired by the textures and features of the space agency's original gear, the items include two variations of Vans' popular Sk8-Hi shoes with detachable velcro patches emblazoned with the Voyager 1 and 2 and Apollo 11 logos respectively.
UPS wants UAVs to cover its 'last mile' deliveries
Drone-based deliveries are quickly moving out of the realm of science fiction. Amazon, 7-11 and a host of startups are already toying with the idea. Now, UPS, one of the biggest parcel delivery services on the planet, is testing a system that will drop packages at your door while the driver moves on to the next house.
Special edition Nintendo Vans prove your inner nerd never died
Vans loves working with iconic pop culture entities. To date, the company has released shoe and apparel collections inspired by Star Wars, The Beatles and, most recently, Disney. Now, as rumored, Vans has teamed up with Nintendo on a line of retro gaming sneakers and accessories for men, women and kids. There are 13 different footwear styles, each featuring prints that pay tribute to Nintendo's first flagship console, the NES, as well as 8-bit graphics and characters from the Super Mario Bros. franchise.
Nintendo and Vans team up on retro gaming sneakers
A Nintendo-themed line of Vans sneakers has mysteriously popped up online. A European store listed the range that includes classic gaming icons like Zelda, Mario and Duck Hunt, adorning some of Vans' most popular styles (like the Old Skool). Not much else is known about the collaboration, and the listing seems to have been removed (though a cache of it can be found here). The only other info being the collection will likely go on sale in June, priced at around €65 ($75). This isn't the first time we've seen Nintendo sneakers, but it's the first time we've seen them done in a way we'd actually want to wear.
Ford's Skyliner concept is like a private jet for the road
If you had $40 million to spend on a ultra-lux vehicle, you might opt for a (pre-owned) Gulfstream V. VIPs on a tighter budget could instead pick up this decked-out Ford van, which comes complete with incredibly comfy leather seats, a Crestron home (or van) automation system, a 52-inch drop-down projection screen with Kaleidescape media server, and plenty of other goodies like maple flooring, a bar with fridge, multi-color LEDs around the roof, individual reading lights (like you'd get on that private jet) and integrated WiFi. You can even add a set of matching luggage.
Nissan announces e-NV200 all-electric van, production slated for 2013
So, Chrysler's electric postal van never really took off -- perhaps a few too many mailmen refused to give up those roomy Grumman LLVs -- but now Nissan is giving the electric van concept a go. Yesterday the company announced the e-NV200 compact van (previously teased as a concept), which will go into production in 2013. The van will be Nissan's second all-electric vehicle, following the 2010 Leaf. The e-NV200's design is quite similar to that of the NV200 van, but it swaps taxi-cab yellow for the Leaf's shade of robin's egg blue. Nissan says it's putting $126 million into producing the new model, but so far it's keeping mum on other details. Head past the break for the full press release
Put creepers on your sneakers with these custom Minecraft Vans
What better way to improve the experience of terrified, panicked sprinting than by adorning your life-saving sneakers with the grim vissage of the eldritch monstrosity you're running from? None, we say, and gaming-inspired custom footwear designed KyozoKicks agrees with us, it seems. Originally intended to be worn to this month's Gamescom trade show, these Minecraft Vans Slip-Ons are being auctioned on eBay to finance the artist's computer repairs. The size-9.5 men's/11 women's classics were "made with the intention to be worn," and have been finished with a water-resistant clear-coat, meaning that you won't have to worry about ruining your one-off kicks as you desperately try to outrun an explosive death.
TomTom working on its own Street View-like service?
TomTom's already seen Google muscle in on its turf in a big way, and it looks like it might now be trying to return the favor. If camera-toting vans like the one above are any indication, it would appear that the company is currently working to bolster its navigation options with its own Street View-like service. So far, all of the van sightings seem to be confined to Europe (France and Belgium, specifically), and they of course don't necessarily confirm that TomTom is indeed working on a Street View competitor -- although we have to wonder what the vans are for if it's not. It's also worth noting that TomTom did acquire TeleAtlas, which uses vans equipped with cameras, lasers and GPS in the actual creation of its maps, but the higher, 360-degree camera used on these vans seems much closer to those used on Google's Street View cars. Seen one yourself? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
Driverless vans set off on intercontinental trek from Italy to China (video)
You might not have expected the future to look like your granddad's groovy camper van, but take a closer look here and you'll find that this is indeed nothing like your forefather's people carrier. The VisLab team from the University of Parma have taken a fleet of Piaggio Porter Electric vehicles, strapped them with an array of cameras, lasers and other sensors, and topped them off with solar panels to keep the electronics powered. Oh, and lest we forgot to mention: the vans are (mostly) autonomous. VIAC (or VisLab Intercontinental Autonomous Challenge) is the grand name given to their big demonstration: an 8,000-mile, 3-month tour that will ultimately find them arriving in Shanghai, China, having set off from Milan this Tuesday. You can follow the day-by-day development on the blog below, though we're still being told that practical driverless road cars are a measure of decades, not years, away.
Gaming: iPhone Finger Fracture
TUAW reader Alex Cahiz pointed us to this New Creatives page showing a design for Van's Finger Fracture for iPhone and iPod touch. It's hard to tell how close this design is to being a reality -- whether it's just a concept design or whether there will be a real product. I couldn't find any further details at the Vans website but if it is for reals, it looks like it would rock. According to the writeup, the game uses the touch screen to steer your skateboard and allow you to pick various equipment to perform tricks and earn points. It's unclear whether the accelerometer would be used as well. To read more as well as to see other screen designs, pop over to the New Creatives website. [Via NotCot]Readers suggest that these are lifted screen shots--so we're going to go with either "Concept Design" or "Internet Hoax" for now.
