Futuristic Ferrari Monza: hyper-computerized vehicle

Ferrari are known for their fast cars and stunning looks, and if your lucky enough to own one you have surely got a nice bank balance (or did have).

This is the futuristic and concept Ferrari Monza that’s been designed by Iman Maghsoudi. The hyper-computerized vehicle puts today’s sports cars to shame, but then it’s only an idea Read more

Step aside Segway: Make way for Toyota’s Winglet

Toyota has announced a new personal transporter designed to help people move about more easily in public areas.

Dubbed the ‘Winglet’, it is the first gadget to use the same navigation system, currently used by Dean Kamen’s Segway Transporter with the technology allowing self-balancing through gyroscopic sensors which detect the gentle directional tilts of a rider..sounds cool eh.

In terms of speed, the Winglet can reach a dizzy 3.7 miles per hour, which isn’t fast at all when compared to the Segway’s 12.5 MPH. Toyota will begin a testing period for this product at a few Japanese airports, and further distribution of the scooter will rely on positive feedback from its customers. It seems Toyota have had their hands busy since acquiring the robotics division from Sony last year.

To check out more photos of this gadget and a video with the scooter in action, follow the link below.

Source: Read

Technology to help feed the world in efficient ways

With technology improving faster than ever before we have to look at ways to help countries that need help in the most basic ways.

On Yanko Design we can see a concept that would help feed the world, it’s designed by Armand Leconte and you can see one image of the invention on this page.

Sci-fi screenplay writers will be cracking their knuckles if this latest concept by Armand Leconte becomes reality. He envisions vast fields of crops being harvested by autonomous, cold hearted, damn-dirty robots! Wait, sorry…just watched iRobot.

Seriously though, feeding the world is becoming more and more difficult and finding new more efficient ways to grow and harvest crops is a huge priority around the globe.

Armand’s “AllTrack” tractor of the future (add sci-fi eerie noises) was designed to optimise the number of vehicles needed, as well as the consumption of energy, and save storage space. Freeing up more space for corn or burrito bushes.

Visit Yanko Design for more images and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Hydro-4000 or 5000, hydrogen into engine for 60% more mpg

This is the Hydro-4000 that is said to give your car 60% more miles per gallon, and the company behind this gadget also have another version called the Hydro-5000 for 18-wheelers. With gas prices rising and no sign of stopping, many auto owners have been forced to buy gas savers and other devices, but this new gadget hopes to help you get more MPG. When the Hydro-4000 is installed on your vehicle, it only needs water to run and can then give you a 60 percent discount on your gas bill.

The device costs $1200 and I am sure not many homes could afford this kind of price with high gas prices and the credit crunch, but you also cannot afford not to have this installed on your vehicle. The makers say that you will make the $1200 back very quickly, thanks too the huge savings it creates. It would not be the first time we have heard of some great products and then they just turn out to be rubbish, but News Channel 5 wanted to find out with a hands-on look and see if this miracle device really worked.

The results were spot on, with their company truck getting a 61% increase in miles per gallon on a dynamometer and an increase of 58% on the road. The Hydro-4000 works by sending “hydrogen into your engine, creating a cleaner burning environment”. It helps burn all of the gas that goes into an engine, instead of sending unused gas out the exhaust pipe. When you fill up your vehicle with the expensive gas prices, you do not expect to waste some out the exhaust, but that is just what happens without the Hydro-4000.

Ford’s Microsoft Sync-like technology: going to KIA & Hyundai

Microsoft has teamed up to bring what they call a “music and information system” to Hyundai and KIA cars sold in North America by 2010, now this sort of technology has been exclusive to Ford in the past with their Sync gadget, although it’s not being called Sync (it sure sounds similar).

Microsoft and Hyundai Motor Group have setup the Automotive IT Innovation Center, with Hyundai Motor Group adding $166 million and Microsoft investing $113 million to this project. Bill Gates has personally met the South Korean President to talk about the level of involvement from companies in his country. We also hear that Gates will be signing the agreement with Hyundai in Seoul. While the first product to be released in this partnership is a “voice-controlled system linking mobile devices to car stereo systems”, we also hear that in the near future, other products will be released that has multimedia and navigation features.

The first product will also feature remote firmware updates and this makes things so much easier, and less costly for manufactures. The real question here, is how comes Hyundai needs Microsoft for getting music into cars, when iPods and iPhones can be added very easily or are we missing something?

Source: Read | Via

Life+Gear Releases Emergency Auto Packs; road-ready survival kits

There is nothing like being prepared when you’re on the road and Life+Gear know this, that’s why they have released the new Emergency Auto Packs. These road-ready survival kits are the first to offer a complete preparedness package.

The new Life+Gear emergency roadside kits follow their critically acclaimed Life Pack line of emergency preparedness products. The Roadside Emergency Auto Packs are designed to combine all the essentials needed in an auto emergency in one small package. The Packs will be available in two models, Roadside Emergency Auto Pack I for $29.99 and Roadside Emergency Auto Pack II for $19.99.

The kits will include the following: Auto Pack I will cost $29.99 and includes an Emergency Preparedness Quick Guide, Drinking Water 1-day emergency supply, Mask -Highly rated N95 breathing mask, Hygiene Kit with 5 individual items, Multifunction tool with 9 functions, Waterproof Poncho, Thermal Blanket, First Aid Kit w/ 33 Emergency items, Battery Emergency Jumper Cables, Pocket Light Rechargable 3 LED flashlight and a Grab & Go Emergency Bag w/ Strap.

The second (Auto Pack II) will cost $19.99 and includes a little less with an Emergency Preparedness Quick Guide, Waterproof Poncho, Grab & Go Emergency Bag w/ Shoulder Strap, Pocket Light Rechargable 3 LED flashlight, Battery Emergency Jumper Cables, Thermal Blanket and a First Aid Kit w/ 33 Emergency items.

The Auto Packs are available now at Target, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, LifeGearCompany.com and various other retailers.

Source: Press Release

The Backfriend: a lifesaver for back pain

Backfriend is a gadget for sitting that makes any seat or chair ergonomic, the device has been a life saver for many people with back pain and can be taken with you for use in your car, garden or home.

The Backfriend gives “a positive support structure starting at the base of the spine” and can fit into the smallest of bucket seats to give you the anterior tilt you need. While some people might feel that it could be a pain to take around with you, I am sure it beats the pain that a bad back can give you.

You can adjust the Backfriend to fit the curve of your back and it comes in a choice of colors (Oatmeal, Sienna (Brown), Black, Blue, Burgundy, Green and Grey), the Backfriend costs $159.95 on thebackstores.com.

Rayzer auxiliary light mounted inside the car: invented by Lars Svelander

Rayzer is the first auxiliary light that is mounted inside the car, on the inside of the windshield. The light is easily fitted behind the rear view mirror and two powerful Xenon lights illuminate the road and the shoulder in a completely new way.

The interior position of the light means that many of the common problems with auxiliary lights, such as theft, stone damage and dirt affecting the lighting ability is avoided. Furthermore, Rayzer is excellent to use on new car models. On new cars, the design and material make it difficult to mount traditional auxiliary lights on top of the hood; this is not a problem with Rayzer.

Rayzer is manufactured by the Swedish company Visualeyes. Rayzer is invented and designed in Sweden. Rayzer’s inventor is the former race car driver, Lars Svelander.

For the first time, it is now possible to see what Rayzer looks like and how it functions when it is mounted inside a car. An exclusive movie is now available here.

Rayzer will be available to consumers in the beginning of April.

Motorcycle wearable airbags will save lives: Video is funny to watch

We have a video below of people testing out new motorcycle wearable airbags which we must say will save lives, the video below shows motorcyclists crashing their bikes on purpose to show you how these airbags that you wear as a jacket work.

The video is very funny indeed to watch but yet still a very important way of showing what safety products to look out for in the future. You are the rider who wears this new suit that will inflate soon as you fall off your bike.

This product is apparently due around 2010, now watch the video below.

Source - Boing Boing

Navman S30 & S50 GPS Get Upgraded

Upgrades have been announced by Navman to their lower end products the S30 and the S50 satnavs. These are the first integrated products from Navman and Mio who have recently merged. The S30 3D and S50 3D will include 3D landmarks of over a thousand buildings in cities across Europe.

The devices also have ‘Local Search’ which is a service that can tune into a local search directory, which will enable you to locate specific shops and amenities. They also have SiRF’s InstantFix II technology which is meant to reduce the amount of time it takes to locate satellites.

Source

Titanium Flat Road EB: Panasonic’s electric bicycle

I must admit, I have seen something similar to this when I lived in Europe and I thought that it was great. So if you think that you don’t need the exercise then one of these bikes could be for you. Read more

The Kids’ Car Organiser

Any parent knows that on long car journeys it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why we end up with a car full of toys, snacks and books so our little ones are happy. If you want to keep those journey essentials in a more organised way, this Kids’ Car Organiser is just what you need. Read more

Indicator for Cyclists : Safe Turn

Whilst out cycling, safety should be at the front of our minds, we all know that we should wear a helmet and that our bicycles should have lights on to show those around us that we are there especially if we are on the road, but as a driver one thing I Read more

The Exhaust Burger

Designboom have hosted a contest for “Dining in 2015” and here is one of the aspiring designs. The Exhaust Burger, this changes your exhaust pipe into a grill, I’m really not sure what to think about this, yes it’s a bit of a crazy idea, but would it be safe.

The basic idea of this is that when your Read more

Folding Bike from Pinel & Pinel

The Bike in a box from Brompton from Pinel & Pinel is an excellent idea, especially for people who work in the city and have transport problems. You can beat the rush and you don’t have to pay a parking charge or public transport prices.

This bicycle folds away into a box Read more

LED Car Sign:a great way to express your self

If you own a car then you must get yourself one of these LED Car Signs, whether you’re sitting bored in traffic, kindly let out by a driver or harassed by the one behind you who’s oblivious to your rear bumper.

Instead of using hand gestures like we all know we do, the LED Car Sign helps you communicate with other drivers by Read more

TankChair goes anywhere thanks to new update: Extreme machine

The TankChair has just had an update, this wheelchair is totally extreme and go just about anywhere you wish to take it. The TankChair is a marvel and with a new update can see this winning Read more

Garage Door Lock with Finger Print Activation

bioMETRX who a one of the leading developers in finger activated products has now come up with a garage door opener which is activated by your finger print. This is a great idea Read more

The “Sync” system availble from the Ford Motor Company.

This new system that is available from the Ford Motor Company is called Sync. This enables drivers to “Sync Up” all of their electronic goodies and have them readily available whilst driving. Read more

MIG-29 jet fighter 1/5th Scaled RC: Video will blow you away

This is the world’s best 1/5th Scaled RC video of a jet fighter that I have ever come across, we found this video via Metacafe and damn am I glad I found it. The video below shows a 1/5th Scale MIG-29 jet fighter that actually sounds and flies like a Read more