Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category

The Road Train: taking drafting to a whole new level

So we all know that drafting increases fuel efficiency. Heck, I even saw an episode of MythBusters where they proved that following a semi suicidally close will increase your mileage dramatically. Of course, drafting is dangerous, stupid, and the risk vs. reward just isn’t there. Well, what if it was? Scientists in Europe are working on a system that would make drafting safe. Get ready to ride the road train.

The concept is this: have one vehicle leading (the engine if you will) and the other cars following behind electronically tethered together. When a vehicle wants to leave, the driver disengages the system, pulls out of the line, and the car behind pulls forward and fills the empty spot. If someone new wants to join the line, they simple pull up behind the last vehicle and engage the system. They are currently testing a system to Europe to make this a reality, using sensors and professional drivers to drive the leader cars. Once you engage the system, automated controls would take over and you relinquish control completely until you reach your destination.

[via Treehugger]

Not a Tiny Airplane – On the Ground

Let me explain first the title: a single-engine Cessna is a type of small airplane, while this project is called “VESNA”, and is an auto that stays flat on the ground. But it’s fantastic! The Vesna is a single-seat electric car. The body of this car is made entirely of a single piece of natural resin with built-in wiring. How wild is that?

The wheels in the front go round and round. They also take the form of a reinforced, perforated rubber belt affixed to the electric motor. They also have an offset center of rotation. And they work with MAGNETS!

The motor is non-synchronous and runs on direct current with high-powered permanent magnets. The motor works with a geared cylinder with teeth matching apertures in the belt tire. Regenerative breaking x mechanical breaking. Steering via “edistribution of torque and braking on the leading wheels, depending on how the steering wheel is turned.”

The rear wheel is even more wild. Even more. The rear wheel? It’s a reinforced-rubber sphere. Fastened to a suspension clip that’s got four pedals, each of which contains a roller for free rotation of the sphere. Breaks and assisted steering work on this as well, as each clip is also connected to the main electrical system.

Refueling of this amazing machine happens via the network of wires that, when the vehicle is parked on it’s special “electro-floor”, connect to a working electric channel which connects to sockets that you can plug in using your regular electric plugs.

So simpo!

Designer: Kristina Magnitskaya

Wireframe Lamborghini Koenig Countach Can Be Yours For £40,000

By Andrew Liszewski

It was originally created back in 2008, but Benedict Radcliffe is now hoping to sell his wireframe Lamborghini Koenig Countach sculpture for a mere £40,000, or about US $65,000. The 6ft wide, 14ft long Lambo is made from 160ft of 10mm steel rod which was painstakingly bent and welded to produce a rather striking piece that looks like it’s waiting for a pass through Pixar’s RenderMan to be complete. It’s unfortunately completely undriveable given it lacks a wireframe engine, and is painted a rather, um, striking tint of fluorescent orange, but finding a way to make the Countach look kind of cool again is an impressive feat.

[ Benedict Radcliffe's Lambo! 2 ] VIA [ Times Online & Autoblog ]

I Daresay… SNAP!

No foolies, this concept vehicle right here is called the “SNAP.” This is the first time I’ve seen a transport vehicle that not only offers single-person transportation, but also a multi-singular long-range option. What I mean is this is basically a three-wheel single passenger vehicle until it’s time to get on the train. Each SNAP vehicle is able to simply connect to the main SNAP train, one next to the other, offering private mass transit with ease!

And once you’re on that train, you can open your door and talk to your fellow SNAP pilot along the way to your train’d location. Or keep it closed. Eat your sandwich in there in peace, probably.

What’s more? The SNAP singular vehicle option is similar to a two-wheel motorbike, shelling out tight turns like they were french fries. Adjustable track width back wheels for stability, giant front wheel for ease in leaning. Moveable chassis allow for connection to the locamotive. The train travels with multiple SNAPS at a time for a slightly more gas-friendly and environmental option.

SNAP races are a definite must when these fabulous machines come to fruition. I say so.

Designer: Vít Bechynský

MapLock Makes Sure Your GPS Doesn’t Get Lost

By Evan Ackerman

I honestly don’t know whether this thing is totally stupid, or totally brilliant. The MapLock is like a bike lock, except it’s made for your GPS… It clamps onto the face of your GPS device (adjustable to fit most sizes), you loop a steel cable through your steering wheel, and then lock it all down with a key and you’re good to go.

As MapLock points out, if you just take your GPS off the windshield mount and hide it, a clever thief can spot the mount and infer that you’ve got a tasty GPS stashed away somewhere. If you do take the windshield mount off, a cleverer thief will spot the marks left by the suction cup. And even if you take the whole kit and caboodle with you when you leave your car, someone might spot the telltale signs and break in anyway. OMG PANIC!

So, the MapLock seems like a totally brilliant idea: show potential thieves that your GPS is safe and secure, and they won’t bother breaking into your car to go after it. But still, it’s a relatively complicated cable lock for your GPS, and that just seems silly. Here is what I would buy: a system that I can use to lock my GPS to my dashboard semi-permanently while still keeping the GPS usable. Someone get on that, won’t you?

The MapLock (patent pending) will be available in 5 exciting colors for an unspecified price at an unspecified time.

[ MapLock ] VIA [ Navigadget ]

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