Hasta La Gadget!

I’ve been driving around a Super Motard motorcycle for the last six months, and let me tell you, it’s extremely loud, so loud that my neighbors have asked me to start it outside the courtyard where it’s usually parked. One friend said that it sounded like my bike had eaten another one for breakfast. While all this racket is a fun part of having a motorcycle, you can imagine how this would be problematic for military motorcycles.

Note: Bike Shown Here is an Earlier Design by ZERO Motorcycles

With that in mind, DARPA has commissioned the development of a stealth motorcycle, which would allow soldiers to ride for long periods of time without emitting much noise. The bike, would use an extended-range hybrid-electric engine, and will be built by BRD and Logos Technologies. In addition to its stealthy operating capabilities, the bike will have all-wheel drive to help tackle difficult terrain.

Electric and hybrid bikes also make sense for commuters, especially in city traffic. Switching over to electric drive would mean no shifting and reduced noise, and of course lower fuel costs. Also, I’d probably not get any complaints from neighbors either.

[DefenseTech via The Verge]

Want a scooter that gives you storage space and an eco-friendly ride? Try the FEDDZ scooter. It was designed and built by Germany’s Emo-Bike and has an interesting design. It uses an electric motor built into the wheel hub, which leaves that hole in motorbike’s frame free to store your stuff.

Now you can ride a scooter and bring your groceries home. No need to have a basket on the handlebars anymore. You get 23 liters of storage in all. This scooter comes in two versions with 48-volt lithium-ion batteries. The larger option delivers up to a 68-mile range on a seven hour charge, with a top speed of about 28 mph.

You’ll pay for that storage though. Prices start at just under $8,400(USD). For that price just get a decent used car with a trunk.

[via Gizmag via Gizmodo]

When I was a kid, the Big Wheel endgame was to pedal down the driveway, then peel out in a Mario Kart-esque sliding turn. That typically meant more skinned chins and elbows than glory. Razor’s Crazy Cart, though, lets me drift to my heart’s content. You want fun? This thing’s got fun.

Read more…

Is the Segway just not doing it for you? Maybe you want a Segway that is a bit more sporty and youthful. The Onewheel may be just what you are looking for.

The Onewheel is a self-balancing, single-wheeled electric skateboard that “gives you the feeling of flying” – or flying at very low speeds at least. This deck can go as fast as 12 MPH, thank its 48V lithium battery. So how much life will you get from that battery? You should be able to keep going for between four and six miles depending on the terrain you are riding over.

The Onewheel is a one-wheeled success, having already hit its Kickstarter target and selling out at the early bird $1,199(USD) price. Latecomers can still get in on the action for $1,299(USD) or more.

This thing definitely looks more fun than a Segway – plus it looks cooler too. Aging skater dudes will be all over this.

[via Likecool]

Nissan has unveiled a very interesting new concept car that will make its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. The car is called the BladeGlider and it has a unique three seat design. Nissan says that the BladeGlider is a proposal for the future direction of Nissan electric vehicle development and an exploratory prototype for an upcoming production vehicle.

This concept looks pretty wild for road car, but Nissan has been successfully testing the triangular shape in racing cars for a while. The BladeGlider has a front track that’s significantly narrower than the rear track, putting the two front wheels closer together than the rear. Nissan says that helps reduce the drag exerted on the vehicle and increase performance.

Inside the car uses three seats with the driver sitting ahead of the two passengers. This passengers sit you to the right and left of the driver giving everyone an unobstructed view of the road. The BladeGlider uses interesting scissor style doors that open up and out. Nissan also says that the driver seat automatically moves to the side to allow rear seat passengers to get in and out easily. The production car based on this concept will also be the first time Nissan uses in-wheel electric motors, and the car will use the same electric battery system from the Nissan Leaf.