tech e blog

Wheelman

Wheelman is a new two-wheeled device that combines "the best of surfing, skating and skiing concept gears".

It cruises along on spokeless wheels triggered by a 43cc 2-stroke engine. Drivers can easily fix in their feet into the wheels and drive it whilst standing upright. The oil holding capacity of the Wheelman is around one liter and delivers an hour and a half of smooth riding at a top speed of between 16-19mph, which is pumped via squeezing a pneumatic ball held in your hand. It steers with body and foot movements

[Source]

Scarpar

The Scarpar is a futuristic board that "apparently gives you the best of snowboarding, surfing, skating and motocross". It's slated for a 2007 release. Pricing has not yet been announced. [Source]

Pumpabike - The Human-Powered Hydrofoil

Pumpabike is a human-powered hydrofoil that "propels itself across water simply through the motion of the rider jumping up and down."

If you do manage a bit of speed - and we ended up skimming fast enough to over-take rowers - you can take a break from pumping for 2-3 seconds and glide blissfully

[Source]

Quadski

The Quadski by Gibbs Technologies is "the first commercially viable high-speed amphibian Quadbike/All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)".

It's capable of traveling up to 50 mph (72 kph) on land/water and makes the transition at the flick of a switch

[Source]

World's Smallest One-Man Helicopter

If flying is your thing, check out the GEN H-4. Powered by 4 x 125cc 2-cylinder engines, the H-4 boasts "2 sets of coaxial, contra-rotating rotors, which eliminates the need for a tail rotor." Two caveats: you have to build it yourself and it costs $30,000. Product page here.

The GEN H-4 can fly to a maximum altitude of 1000 meters at a top speed of 90 km/hr (59 mph) for up to 30 minutes

[Source]

World's Smallest Twin-Engine Plane

According to "meetmrglock", Cri-cri, the aircraft featured in this video, is touted as the "world's smallest twin-engine plane ". Unfortunately, there are only "approximately 30 Cri-cri aircraft in airworthy condition in the U.S. and 100 around the world."

As with any homebuilt aircraft, the existing Cri-cri planes have often been modified by their builders, departing from the original design to a varying degree, resulting in different performance. One flying Cri-cri, F-PZPR, was even equipped by its pilot Nicolas Charmont with jet engines, increasing the cruising speed from 115 mph for the regular propeller-driven version to around 150 mph. At only 16' wingspan and 12'10" length, it is obviously a single-seater, making an impression of a dwarf velomobile with wings at close range

Manta Ray

Hammacher Schlemmer unveils the "Flying Manta Ray Inflatable Watercraft", which features an 11-inch wingspan, footrests, and two integrated neoprene seats. [Source]