This week we look at new ways to roll around, fly around, float around and dive around.
1. Jet Reptile
The compact water-craft, Jet Reptile, comes from Jet Capsule, a company that has had success in the mini-yacht market. Who knew there was such a market? Although small, the Reptile can seat eight to 12 passengers and speed them along with its MV8 engine at 57.5 miles per hour (50 knots). Fully customizable, a Reptile can be all yours for US$282,000.
2. Supersonic Plane
This week, Russian news media, RT, reported that the country was investing in a transport plane that could carry 181 tons, fly at supersonic speeds and travel 4,350 miles without refuelling. Construction of the PAK TA - for Perspective Airborne Complex of Transport Aviation - could get underway by 2024 with a fleet ready to go by 2030. [Video]
3. Tricity 03GEN
Back in 2013, Yamaha showed off its new three-wheeler, the Tricity, at the Tokyo Motor Show. Since then, the company has been evolving the vehicle. The latest iteration is the 03GEN concept. The 03GENf is designed with a future racing theme. Another one called the 03GENx has rugged wheels for off-roading. No details about the engine have been released yet. In the meantime, enjoy this short video showing off the designs.
4. Leaptech Wing
NASA began testing an electric plane concept that gets its power from 18 motors on the wings. The Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology - called LEAPTech - reduces drag for an efficient, steady flight using wings that are one-third the size of conventional aircraft wings. [Video]
5. Supertruck
Millions of products are shipped across the United States by semi-truck. On average, these huge vehicles get six or seven miles to the gallon. But thanks to a US$40 million Federal grant, Daimler has created the SuperTruck, which in a recent road test, averaged 12.2 mpg on a 312-mile Texas highway between San Antonio and Dallas. That could save millions of dollars in gasoline and reduce emissions. [More at US Department of Energy and Autoblog]
6. Bionic Ants
German robotics company Festo is known for its animal-inspired robots. One of their latest creations is BionicAnt, a small robot meant to mimic the way insect societies work together toward a common goal.
7. Dive Suit
A new diving suit made for people diving at depths deeper than 100 feet is being developed by US Navy scientists. At those depths, the naturally occurring nitrogen in compressed air tanks has to be replaced with a different gas because nitrogen becomes dangerous. Most tanks use helium, but that gas has its problems, too. Among the biggest is that large amounts of helium are required, so much so, that the diver must be tethered to a surface support ship. This new suit has a rebreather that recycles the otherwise exhaled air so that rescuers can stay underwater longer.
8. Nanotech Bottle
After 15 years of research and development, a water bottle filter is available that doesn't use electricity, pumps or chemicals to purify water. The Naked Filter bottle from Liquidity uses a filter with extremely small holes that let clean water through, while trapping microbes such E. coli and salmonella. The project is currently a Kickstarter that has almost reached its goal.
9. Wave Energy
Below the surface of the ocean off the coast of Perth, Australia, are three wave power generators doing double duty. Known collectively as CETO 5 (from Carnegie Wave Energy), each 240-kilowatt buoy bobs up and down pushing pressurized water through turbines to generate electricity. At the same time, the energy is used to power a desalination water system.
10. Bluetooth Lock
The Quicklock from SafeTech Products is about to become the world's first Bluetooth padlock for consumers. No key or combination is necessary. This lock works with a phone app and a single control button on the screen that locks or unlocks the device. Easy peasy.
A number of creators pitched smart padlocks to the Kickstarter community last year and met with mixed results. The Bluetooth Padlock was the most ambitious of the lot, being the only keyless padlock to support both Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC (Near Field Communications) for unlocking.
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