Join MIT student develops self-balancing unicycle with the Bullet
You remember all that hype that came with the Segway about a decade ago? I believe that it was supposed to revolutionize pedestrian travel in the big city, but the city streets are still full of walkers with only the occasional Segway.
An MIT student named Stephan Boyer created this homemade self-balancing unicycle which he calls the “Bullet”. Yes, if you have problems balancing on a unicycle, the Bullet could be your solution.
Of course, the Bullet cannot steer, at least at this present time. It does go backwards and forwards, though. You can watch a video of this after the jump if you want to see it in motion, just a little warning though, there is no sound.
Continue reading » MIT student develops self-balancing unicycle with the Bullet
Allied Victory Sidecar Motorcycle
You know something? The moment I laid my eyes on this $10,000 Allied Victory Sidecar Motorcycle, somehow or rather, the visage of Captain America flashed across my mind. I could not help it, and I guess an icon of freedom, even if he is an imaginary person, does actually work as an idea. For those who want to live out their Captain America fantasies and shoot some imaginary Nazis down while you traverse through the gravel path of your mansion, this is the perfect ride for you. Sporting a Ural-T sidecar motorcycle, this is widely regarded as a reliable workhorse by reconnaissance troops who forged ahead despite being in the midst of Russia’s unforgiving terrain and climate.
This time around, modern components make up the vehicle, making it roadworthy. Sporting an electric starter (or kick starter for purists), it will ferry you and your sidekick around with its air-cooled, flat-twin 749cc engine, churning out 40 hp while being capable of hitting a top speed of 65 mph. With a 5-gallon tank, it is capable of moving around for up to 165 miles thereabouts before requiring a refill. Heck, there is even a trunk for you to stash away your collection of Captain America comics to read along the way.
The spnKiX Electric Motorized Skates
Just so we can get this out of the way, this is one of those KickStarter projects. You know, the type that require your funding in order to get it on the market, and you might be guaranteed the first one if you pledge enough money?
This is the spnKiX, and it is a pair of electric roller skates. I guess those Segways were not enough for us, and we had to come up with some form of single human transportation.
The spnKiX are capable of about ten miles per hour, and they can only travel about two or three miles before the battery runs out. Want to go further? Well, you will have to wait about two hours as the lithium ion battery charges.
Continue reading » The spnKiX Electric Motorized Skates
Stratolaunch could change launches into space
For those who really like the idea of launching a passenger-carrying rocket into space like an airplane should hear about Stratolaunch.
There is a video of it after the jump, but as you will soon see, it is a CG mock-up, no more real than what you see in a Pixar film. This because it is a concept for now, and you can see how it works. The plan takes off from a runway, and launches its huge payload (490,000 lbs).
If Stratolaunch is ever built, it would be the largest plane ever constructed. It has a massive wingspan of 380 feet, larger than a football field. It reminds me of Howard Hughes Hercules, but this one has six 747 engines and not eight propellers.
Continue reading » Stratolaunch could change launches into space
Flyboard lets you fly like a bird, swim like a dolphin
Some of you might remember our report on the JetLev Flyer, a jet pack that used water for propellant. Similar in design is the Flyboard.
The Flyboard doesn’t put all the thrust on the back, but puts it on boots. Not only that, the user has hand jets so he or she is capable of some seriously cool stunts. I would imagine that learning control of it is like how Tony Stark learned to fly in Iron Man, but the crashes are a little softer.
You can watch a video of it after the jump, and you can see how cool it really is. You will note that the user can essentially fly above the water like a bird, and swim in the water like a dolphin. Yes, I’ll bet all the animals don’t know what to make of the Flyboard.
Continue reading » Flyboard lets you fly like a bird, swim like a dolphin
Sealander Schwimmcaravan lets you travel like a boss
Ever wondered what would happen when someone says, “whatever floats your boat”, and you shoot back with “You mean, my caravan”, only to receive a flabbergasted look on the other person’s face? Well, you sure as heck did not lose a screw somewhere, but rather, you are a proud owner of the Sealander Schwimmcaravan, although bringing this puppy home by road or through the river would have also emptied your bank account of £15,000 in the process. The Sealander Schwimmcaravan is a clever fusion of a boat and a caravan, where this German-made (where else) camping trailer is one of the more unique amphibious vehicles around.
Just bear in mind that you are not going to cross continents with this anytime soon and discover a new world somewhere else – the Sealander Schwimmcaravan is meant for use on shallow inland stretches only. It has all the creature comforts that you need, sporting a removable roof, a cooking-washing module, cooler, heater, table and two benches, and a bathroom among others.
Honda’s Micro Commuter concept car can be controlled with a smartphone
I’ve been seeing some nifty concept cars lately, like Toyota’s Fun-Vii. I’m not certain whether or not Honda can beat a car with touchscreen displays on the inside and outside, but the Honda Micro Commuter concept car could be it.
The Honda Micro Commuter does have interchangeable panels that insert in the front and sides that allow users to customize how their cars look with a 2D graphic pattern. Another killer feature is that it allows users to control the car’s various functions remotely via smartphone.
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All I want for Christmas is the Toyota Fun-Vii
Toyota has created one of the ultimate concept cars, and like most concept cars, I doubt there will be many copies of this on the road.
This is the Fun-Vii, and it is the best combination of a smartphone and a car that doesn’t end with a flattened mobile device. In case you can’t tell by this picture, the Fun-Vii has touch-sensitive displays that can show all sorts of colors, patterns, or photos.
I suppose that a good use for the Fun-Vii now would be as a roving billboard. Sort of like the ones that peruse the Las Vegas strip, but the Fun-Vii would have moving images on it.
Continue reading » All I want for Christmas is the Toyota Fun-Vii
