Photo credit: Lazzarini Design via Designboom
Catamarans are nothing new or special, that is unless…you’re talking about Pagurus, the first one to not only be solar-powered, but with amphibious capabilities as well. Designed by Italy-based firm Pierpaolo Lazzarini, the living area is split into two side hulls jointed together by a bridge tower deck station, with each consisting of 2-3 bedrooms, a kitchen, and bathroom. It’s powered by dual stern drive propellers, paired with twin 890hp diesel engines, enabling it to hit a top speed of 24 knots. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
The problem with most electric bikes is that they usually need to be recharged after 40-50 miles or so, that is unless…you’re talking about Biktrix’s Juggernaut HD Duo. This is made possible with its dual 910Wh battery system – one embedded in the frame and a second mounted within the triangle of the frame – that gives you up to 200-miles of range. Power comes from a 1500W mid-drive motor, paired with a 2002Wh battery, enabling it to hit a top speed of 35 mph. Read more for a video and additional information.
The problem with electric bicycles is that their batteries need to constantly be charged, but that all changes with the SuperWheel. Put simply, this invention replaces a standard bicycle wheel and continually diverts the reactive force of your body weight to the springs on the upper section of the wheel during rotation. This compression and decompression on the rim section provides additional momentum for the rotation when combined with a patent pending Internal Drive system. Read more for two videos and additional information.
We have seen the future of urban electric scooters, and it starts with the BMW Motorrad Concept Definition CE 04. It seamlessly blends the bike’s technology into the design, which is why the body panels don’t entirely cover the vehicle’s side section at the rear. Instead, they stretch across parts of the vehicle’s side, like small wings, that allows you to view the drive unit, cooling ribs, single-sided swing arm, spring strut and tooth belt. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
There are plenty of autonomous drones, but what about helicopters? Meet the Kawasaki K-Racer. Put simply, it’s essentially a compound helicopter sporting two small wings with motors on either side of the chassis for forward flight and a horizontal stabilizer rotor. It’s capable of flying at high speeds that were not technically possible for conventional helicopters. When in forward flight, the main wings share lift, thus reducing the load on the main rotor, which has a diameter of 157.4 inches. Read more for a video and additional information.
Two passengers, Josh Giegel, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, and Sara Luchian, Director of Passenger Experience, successfully completed the first Virgin Hyperloop passenger test at the company’s 1,640-foot DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, where the company has previously run over 400 tests. The hyperloop pods utilizes electric propulsion and electromatic levitation inside a vacuum tube, reaching a top speed of 107 mph. The production vehicle should be able to achieve a top speed of 760 mph. Read more for a video and additional information.
Photo credit: Yasuhiro Suzuki
Artist Yasuhiro Suzuki from Japan created what could best be described as a giant zipper-shaped ship, called the “Zip-Fastener Ship”. It boasts a chrome body, bridge and puller that make up the three parts of an actual zipper. He got the inspiration for this project when looking down at Tokyo Bay from an airplane and seeing a ship making its way across the Sumida River, unzipping the water as you could say. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
JR East collaborated with Panasonic Corp. to develop a vacuum-inspired device capable of retrieving dropped wireless earphones, like the Apple AirPods. They are currently conducting tests at JR East’s Ikebukuro Station to show the device works far better than a traditional grabber tool. It’s estimated that there were 950 cases of dropped earphones in the Tokyo area between July and September alone, according to East Japan Railway Co. Read more for a video and additional information.
The Serial 1 Cycle Company combines Harley-Davidson’s world-class product development capability and leadership in two-wheel electric propulsion with the innovation of a start-up brand dedicated exclusively to the eBicycle product. What you’re seeing above is the first model in the company’s electric bicycle lineup, and while no specifications were announced, it does appear to have a vintage design, complete with white tires, leather saddle / handgrips, contrasted with a black frame. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
Segway-Ninebot is best known for their self-balancing human transporters, but lately, they’ve been dabbling in the electric scooter and karting worlds. Their latest project, the Ninebot Gokart PRO cam hit a top speed of 23 mph and travel up to 15.5 miles on a single charge, thanks to its 432 Wh battery with four air-ducts. The coolest feature might be the Immersive Engine Sounds Simulator, or basically a Bluetooth speaker, capable of producing single cylinder, two cylinder, V8, or V12 engine sounds. Read more for two videos and additional information.