Technabob » electric

Lit Motors C-1: Electric Scooter with a Roof?

Range — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:33:29 +0000

I’ll admit that if you live in Asia, cars aren’t very convenient, though the trend for super-minis is starting to catch on in Europe and slowly in North America. This prototype vehicle takes things a bit further by taking away a couple of wheels and using gyroscopic stabilization so that it remains upright.

The Lit C-1 is a small, single-seat electric urban vehicle, combining the size of a motorcycle with the apparent safety of something bigger. The C-1 uses electronically-controlled gyroscopes to remain upright even in the case of an accident. However, you’d best be careful if you’re driving this, because the makers have dubbed it the “Rolling Smartphone” because of its extensive connectivity to mobile devices.

It can be charged up in six hours, has a top speed of 120mph, and the battery provides enough autonomy for 150 to 220 miles. It will be available in 2014 and will sell for $12,000 to $16,000 (USD).

[via designboom]

Honda UNI-CUB Mobility Device: Like a Sit-Down Segway

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:48 +0000

Honda’s latest mobility vehicle is called the UNI-CUB. It’s a little unicycle looking device that measures about 29-inches tall. The seat height can be adjusted up to 32 inches high, putting the riders face even with other pedestrians. The little utility vehicle is designed to carry people around indoors.

The UNI-CUB’s control system uses a self-balancing, omni-directional driving wheel set up that allows the rider to lean and control the vehicle in any direction. The vehicle can also be controlled via a smart phone or other touchscreen device. This personal mobility vehicle is an evolution of the U3-X that Honda launched in 2009.

Top speed for the UNI-CUB is 6 km/h, and Honda promises the vehicle is agile enough and easy enough to control that it can be used around pedestrians without worry. It’s intended for indoor use and has 6 km range per charge of its lithium-ion battery.

World’s Fastest Electric Motorcycle Hits 200MPH

Technabob — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:27 +0000

Electric vehicles are known for being energy efficient and good for the environment, but they’re generally not known for their speed and performance. But that didn’t stop one rider from heading into the record books last Friday with an electric motorcycle capable of hitting speeds greater than 200 miles per hour.

The 355 volt Lawless Electric Rocket Bike was built by Lawless Industries and Orange County Choppers. Rider Larry “Spiderman” McBride hit a top speed of 201.37MPH in just 6.94 seconds on this incredible bike. Not only is that an amazing feat for an electric vehicle, but just think about the acceleration there – 0 to 200 in under 7 seconds. That’s face-peeling-off speed. Check out the video below for Larry’s record run:

What’s really cool is not just how fast he goes, but just how quiet the bike is going from a dead stop to over 200mph. I wonder how far the bike can run at that speed before it needs to be plugged back in for a recharge.

[via Geekosystem]

Concept One Electric Supercar Goes on Sale

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:00:38 +0000

There are many reasons I wish I was rich. One of the big ones is I’d like to be able to purchase all the awesome cars I see. One of the cool vehicles that you can bet I’d add to my collection if I were loaded is the new Concept One EV from Rimac Automobili. This electric supercar is one of the best-looking EVs I’ve ever seen.

The Croation-born EV is now up for pre-sale with production set to start next year. Only 88 will be produced at a whopping $980,000 each. The car has electric motor for each individual wheel for a combined 1088 hp and 2800 pound-feet of torque. The car required specially designed tires to handle the massive power output.

The maker claims the car that hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds on its way to the top speed of 190 mph. As fast as the car is, Rimac claims it’s good for 372 miles on a single charge, thanks to a battery pack that stores 92 kWh of energy. For nearly a million dollars, the Concept One had better live up to its promises.

[via Fox News]

BRD RedShift Electric Motorcycles: Eco-Friendly and Look Good Doing It

Technabob — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:00:55 +0000

Motocross bikes are notoriously horrible for the environment, with their tiny two-stroke engines, they spew forth tons of Carbon Monoxide. And while many bikes have more environmentally-friendly four-stroke engines, they still have some emissions. But now riders have a choice to be a little more green when they head to the hills, thanks to the BRD RedShift.

This new line of motorbikes not only looks great, it runs on electric power, making them green and quiet. There are two main bikes in the line, one designed for off-road action – the RedShift MX, and another designed for city streets – the RedShift SM. The 260lb. RedShift MX offers a continuous output of 25hp and a peak of 40hp, and can run for up to 2 hours on a charge. Top speed is 80mph, and it’s tuned for off-road use, with its 21″ front and 19″ rear spoked wheels.

The RedShift SM has the same bones as the MX, but is designed for a smoother ride, with 18″ spoked wheels, and a slightly heavier weight of 265lbs. It will also be available as a special police cruiser called the RedShift PD. All three bikes have durable frames designed to take a beating whether on the trail or in the city.

The RedShift MX will retail for $14,995(USD), and the RedShift SM will sell for $15,495. You can get on the pre-order list with a $100 deposit over at BRD Motorcycle’s website.

[via Gear Patrol via Werd]

Infiniti LE Concept Is Like the Nissan Leaf Seen through Beer Goggles

Shane McGlaun — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:30:43 +0000

I’ll be the first to say the technology behind the Nissan Leaf EV is very cool. I’ll also be the first one to say that the Nissan Leaf is one ugly automobile. It seems a lot of the time automakers go out of their way to make electric vehicles boring and unattractive. Infiniti has been showing off the new EV at The New York Auto Show that shares most of the underpinnings from the Leaf, with the exception of its looks.

The main difference between these two cars is that the Infiniti LE concept is much, much better looking than the Leaf. The Infiniti and the Leaf are sort of like the Kardashian sisters with the Infiniti being Kim and the Leaf being Khloe. Similar genetics certainly doesn’t guarantee similar looks and appeal. Underneath the Infiniti’s sexy bodywork hides an upgraded version of the same electric engine the Leaf uses.

The Nissan Leaf electric engine produces 110 hp and 210 lb-ft. of torque. Infiniti tweaked their engine to produce 134 hp and 240 lb-ft. of torque. The Infiniti is estimated to have a 100-mile driving range, pretty much the same as the Leaf.

The Infiniti LE will also offer a wireless charging system for juicing up in your garage with ease.

A production version of the LE Concept is expected to hit dealer lots in about two years at an undisclosed price.

[via Wired]

OSSA Monocasco Electric Bike Concept: 1970s Style, 21st Century Tech

Range — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:00:42 +0000

This concept electric bike looks like an updated version of the original OSSA Monocasco bike that Santiago Herrero rode in the 1970s. However, this bike is an electric version, so you can use it pretty much anywhere without worrying about fuel efficiency and harming the environment. While it probably won’t burn the kind of rubber that the original did, it is an appealing compact and energy-efficient package.

The Monocasco Concept Bike was designed by ART-TIC Team and it’s a tribute to the original OSSA Monocasco and Herrero, who died on his OSSA in the 1970 Grand Prix. It’s definitely got that classic café racer look.

To make it into an comfortable everyday city bike though, the seating position might have to be changed a bit.

It will be interesting to see if this electric bike ever gets made. Since it was designed for OSSA, it’s always a possibility.

[via Yanko Design]

Fairly Bike’s Flow E-Bike Stashes Battery in Its Seat Post

Range — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:00:39 +0000

Apparently, battery thefts from electric bikes are becoming a common occurrence. This is why Fairly Bike came up with this new design to allow you to easily take your battery with you when you leave your bike locked up.

The Flow was designed by Taiwan’s Fairly Bike and they just won an award at the 2012 Taipei Cycle show for their innovative design. This e-bike’s battery has been integrated into the seat post, so it can be easily removed and transported. The only problem I see is that the center of gravity is a lot higher than other bikes, and it might be harder to balance because of this.

Personally, I’m more of a conventional bike person, but if you need the extra boost and you’re looking for a healthy way of commuting, e-bikes are a good alternative, and the Flow certainly looks intriguing.

[via designboom]

Evolve Motorcycles Xenon TRON Light Bike Hits Charity Auction

Shane McGlaun — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:00:22 +0000

We have previously seen Parker Brothers’ real-life TRON lightcycles, and now there’s a chance for you to own one for a good cause. The latest bike has been dubbed the Xenon Light Motor Bike and it’s fully electric, courtesy of Evolve Motorcycles.

The Xenon bike is driven by a powerful 40,000W electric motor and gets its juice from a lithium-ion battery system. Its riding range is said to be only about 30 miles, with a top speed of 100 mph. The blue lights on the bike are made using LEDs, and it’s got 32-inch hubless wheels. In all honesty, while it looks cool, it also looks like a pretty uncomfortable ride, so 30 miles is probably plenty.

You can purchase one of these motorcycles from Evolve, but if you want one and want to do some good for charity as well, one of the first examples has landed on auction at Charitybuzz. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Global Green USA, who is focused on making the world a more sustainable place and protecting our natural resources.

At this time, bidding is up to $23,000 (USD). The auction goes up in $1,000 increments and so far, the reserve has not been met. There is no indication what the reserve price might be, but we can assume it’s closer to the $55,000 MSRP. The auction started on February 22, 2012 and will end on March 14.

If you win this bike, I expect a ride.

ZBoard Motorized Skateboard: Lean to Drive

Conner Flynn — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:00:10 +0000

We’ve seen motorized skateboards in the past, but this may be the best one yet. Ben Forman and Geoff Larson started the ZBoard project as a Senior year mechanical engineering project while at the University of Southern California, eventually leading to three years of development. Now it is finally ready for you to ride.

This Zboard is a weight-sensing electric skateboard that is designed to be faster and easier than riding a regular skateboard. The ZBoard uses foot pads at the front and rear to control its acceleration and braking. It works just like the gas and brake pedal in a car. The more you lean forward, the faster you go, and leaning back full force will stop you quickly.

It’s driven by a powerful 400W motor, and range is depending on the model you buy. The ZBoard Classic can go up to 15 mph, with a 5 mile range, while the ZBoard Pro tops out at 17mph and can go 10 miles on a charge. The deck is made of maple, and it even has a handle built in for easily carrying it around.

The ZBoard has been raising funds for production over on Kickstarter, and has already blown through its goal, raising over $14,000(USD) against its $10,000(USD) goal. It should be in production this April or March. If you pledge now, you can get the ZBoard Classic for $495, but after March, 15th, you will have to pay the retail price of $599. The ZBoard Pro is going for $745 until March 15th, then will retail for $849.

It looks like this could be a great mode of transportation for skateboarders who want something different.

[via Redferret]

Self-Balancing Unicycle Version 2.0 Keeps You Upright up to 12 Miles

Technabob — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:34 +0000

Self-balancing unicycles aren’t a brand new concept, but other than the Ryno motorcycle, I really haven’t seen much footage of them in action. Apparently, I even missed their appearance on Mythbusters back in 2009, which I thought I watched religiously. While I’ve presumably had my head stuck in the sand, the guys at Focus Designs are have already been selling version 2.0 of their Self-Balancing Unicycle, or SBU (which sounds like a Law and Order spin-off) for a little while now.

The latest version of this one-wheeled wonder uses a 1000-watt motor to propel a rider at speeds up to 10mph down streets and sidewalks. Much like a Segway, it uses a combination of gyroscopes and accelerometers to keep itself upright. It’s got a range of about 12 miles, and takes about 2 hours to fully recharge. It’s also been refined to provide a smoother ride than the original, along with improved turning and faster balance response – which I suppose is a good thing on a vehicle with just a single wheel.

The SBU 2.0 also packs regenerative braking, which stores the energy you normally waste when going downhill or slowing down, giving you a longer ride on a charger. The video below is from back in 2010, but shows off the SBU 2.0 in action.

Apparently, the SBU decreases the learning curve for riding a unicycle from days or weeks down to just about 20 minutes – though I can only imagine it’s not easy to stop or start. Here’s some more recent footage, which gives you a better sense of how one learns how to ride a self-balancing unicycle.

You can order the SBU 2.0 over at Focus Designs website for $1499(USD). There’s an 8-to-12 week lead time if you want one, so keep that in mind if you have dreams of cruising on one of these this Spring or Summer.

[via Gizmag]

Mithos Electromagnetic Concept Car Looks Cool, Will Probably Never Exist

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:26 +0000

Concept cars are a strange breed when we see them at major car shows. Sometimes they can be pure flights of fancy, and other times they can be clear hints at what future vehicles will look like. A new concept car that isn’t from any of the major automakers has turned up, imagined by industrial designer Tiago Miguel Inacio. The car has some wildly-speculative features, but it looks pretty neat on the outside.

The car is called the Mithos and it is apparently modeled in part on the rather cheesy Tim Burton version of the Batmobile. I see more hints of modern supercars in the design rather than the Batmobile, personally. The designer talks about some wild specs such as “Q-teleportation” and another called “quantum boost” which is some type of hovering technology for future electromagnetic highways.

According to its designer, the Mithos would use a 1.5 Megawatt, zero-emission electric engine have a top speed of 247 mph. It would even automatically be recharged by wireless charging stations. I certainly like the idea of the scratch-resistant body panels that remember their shape and return to normal if you have an accident. While all of these features seem pretty outlandish, at least some of them echo actual technology that’s being researched and developed these days. But I still doubt you’ll ever see these features on a production car. Check out the video above to find out more about the Mithos.

[via Engineeringontheedge]

Tesla Charges Up New Model X SUV with Impressive Performance, Falcon-Wing Doors

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:00:10 +0000

I’ll admit that generally I’m not a big fan of most green vehicles such as hybrids or EVs. I don’t have anything against the technology or saving the environment, I just think most of the green vehicles out there are butt-ugly. I will say that Tesla has a history of making some of the few nice-looking electric vehicles such as the Roadster and the Model S. The downside is those vehicles are both very expensive.

Tesla has unveiled a third model for its all-electric line of cars and it is dubbed the Model X. This new vehicle is actually an SUV that borrows much of the Model S’ drivetrain with tweaks to make it all-wheel-drive. As big as this SUV is, Tesla claims it will scoot from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds – impressive for a sports car, let alone an SUV. Especially one that can seat seven.

Anyone that grew up in the 80s will see those gull wing doors on the Model X and immediately think about the DeLorean and Back to the Future. I happen to know for a fact, that the doors on one of those DeLorean’s are very far from friendly in a crowded parking lot. As a kid I watched a local man that owned a DeLorean standing at the grocery store waiting for the person parked next to him to move their car so he could get in his stainless steel ride and drive home. The “falcon-wing” doors on the Model X shouldn’t have that problem; Tesla says they actually need less space to open than conventional doors. They also arc high enough that an adult can stand underneath them.

Production versions of the vehicle won’t arrive until 2014 and when they do hit dealer lots, they should sell for $50,000-$70,000. I would expect the car to have a driving range on a single charge in the 200 to 300 mile range, much like the Tesla Roadster and Model S, though that might go lower when fully loaded with passengers and cargo.

To see the reveal of the Model X for yourself, jump to about 13:30 in the video below:

[via Engadget]

Boxx Electric Bike is as Small as Basic Transportation Gets

Conner Flynn — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:00:02 +0000

City life is tough. Sure, you can walk most anywhere you want or take a cab, but having your own mode of transport gives you a bit of freedom. But cars are expensive. Bikes are good, but require a lot of energy on your part. Mopeds are an option, but not if you can’t store them – never mind the emissions from the gas-powered ones. The BOXX electric vehicle seems like the perfect solution.

Reminiscent of the design of the old Honda Motocompo, the BOXX It’s basically a small box on wheels that can go up to 80 miles in a single charge, with a top speed of up to 35mph. It measures just 36 inches-long, weighs 120 pounds, and can handle a single passenger from 90 to 300 pounds. It’s got a suprisingly rich feature set for its size, including drive-by-wire control systems, all-wheel drive, traction control, anti-lock brakes, LED lighting and an optional heated seat for cold weather.

It takes up less space than a standard bicycle, and fits just about anywhere. Sadly, you have to be rich right now to own one since it will cost you $3,995(USD). If you have the money, it seems perfect for city living. If you want one, head on over to the BOXX product configurator now.

[via Redferret]

Ridekick Trailer Turns Any Bike Into an Electric Bike

Range — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:00:14 +0000

Have you ever wished that you had an electric bike, especially while hauling groceries home from the store? Well the Ridekick trailer promises to do everything an electric bike does, plus offer you some extra storage space as well. It also allows you to unhitch the trailer and go without using electric power.

The Ridekick trailer has got a 1HP/500W electric motor. The twelve amp-hour rechargeable battery is enough for a maximum range of 12 miles and a top speed of 20 mph. The throttle control can be affixed to your handlebars, and can be used to give you that little extra boost while hauling cargo or heading up a steep hill.

Ridekick costs $699 (USD), so it’s cheaper than the vast majority of electric bikes out there. It will certainly enable people who wouldn’t normally consider using bikes everyday to do so, thanks to the extra power.

[via Inhabitat via DVice]

Rinspeed Dock + Go Makes Mini-Cars More Useful

Range — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000

For a moment, I thought that this dock for your super mini-car would make it into a mini-pickup, but that’s not the case. Once attached, the resulting car looks kind of cool, albeit strange and wrong in so many ways.

The Dock+Go concept by Rinspeed was created by Frank Rinderknecht. It adds a third axle, which will allow you to store a lot more stuff in your sub-sub-compact car. Rinspeed suggests a variety of different configurations for the Dock + Go, including a heated box for food delivery, a segmented toolbox, a golf camping box, beach or party box. There’s also the option of adding a combustion engine in this extra space, or extra fuel cells, allowing you to go further and faster.

Rinspeed is demonstrating the Dock+Go on a tw0-seater Smart car, but the system is intended to work with any electric city-type car. The concept vehicle will be displayed at the Geneva motor show, from March 3rd to 13th, 2012.

[via designboom]

115 Year Old Electric Car Matches the Mileage of a Chevy Volt

Conner Flynn — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:00:40 +0000

Sometimes when we think that technology is marching forward, it isn’t as a big of a deal as we thought and you find out that someone has had the technology for years already. Take the Chevy Volt for instance. These cars have a lot of cutting edge technology packed inside. Or so we thought. However, there’s one single 115-year-old car that can match it’s mileage.

The Chevy Volt will cost you $32,000 today, but the Roberts electric vehicle – built all the way back in 1896 – gets 40 miles to a charge, just like the Volt. It actually was built 12 years before Ford’s Model T, for that matter. The current owner of the vehicle says that it runs great, even competing in some classic car derbies and doing okay. No word on what he paid for this antique car, but it is one of a kind, built before mass production. It’s so unique that the steering mechanism is a tiller instead of a wheel.

Yes there really is an electric car this old. “The man” didn’t want you to know about it so that he could sell you his gas and oil, or so I hear. Sorry Chevy, you’ll have to up your game now.

[via The Daily Caller via Geek]

Electric DeLorean DMCEV Lacks Flux Capacitor, Still Looks Great (Scott!)

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:00:17 +0000

I can remember when I was very young standing at the window of the local GMC dealer looking at the DeLorean sitting on the showroom floor and thinking it must be the most awesome car in history. The gull wing doors and stainless bodywork did it for me. I really wanted one. I also remember the local guy that bought that car not being able to get into the car because the doors wouldn’t open if someone parked too close to you at the store.

DeLorean didn’t last long and the car went into history as a curiosity until it was revived in the Back to the Future franchise. The DeLorean still looks good today, and there is a company around that makes replacement parts for the car called the DeLorean motor company or DMC. At a show at DMC HQ this last weekend, the company unveiled a new version of the DeLorean with all the style, but more green inside. Jalopnik was there and shot some awesome shots of the electric DeLorean, known as the DMCEV. The new car is replacing the anemic V6 the cars normally use with an electric motor and batteries that give the equivalent of 260hp under foot.

The inside of the car also gets updated with more modern switches. The electric DeLorean isn’t ready for prime time just yet; the car is still a prototype. The car has a driving range of 70 miles and the company says closer to 100 miles is possible if you drive with extra efficiency. I guess that means limiting your 88mph runs.

The company claims the DMCEV electric DeLorean can also do 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, a feat that no other production DeLorean has achieved. Like Doc Brown says, if you are going to build an EV, why not do it with style?

[via Jalopnik]

Electric TRON Lightcycle Outed by Parker Brothers

Technabob — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:45:13 +0000

Do you guys remember those awesome TRON lightcycle motorcycles from Parker Brothers bike customizers? Well they’re back, and this time they’ve done away with the old gas-and-oil-guzzler and replaced it with something much more likely to exist in the world of TRON – an all-electric drive-train.

The new all-electric TRON lightcycle is driven by a 96-volt electric motor, powered by a bunch of lithium-ion battery cells. The bike is able to hit a top speed over 100mph, and can go for about 100 miles per charge (and a charge only takes 15 to 35 minutes). Of course, it also features authentic TRON illumination with the flick of a switch. Check out some footage of the electric lightcycle tooling around a shopping mall parking lot, as well as a brief glimpse at the bike’s internals in the video below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Parker Brothers says they are intent on making the bike street-legal, but it’s not designed for heavy duty use – so don’t expect to get in a light bike race with evil CLU and expect to beat him if he’s still on a petroleum-powered bike. For more info on the electric TRON bike, head on over to parkerbrotherschoppers.com or give them a buzz at 321-215-5116.

Electronic Guitar Bag Lets You Strum Your Pain Wherever You Go

Hazel Chua — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:21:18 +0000

I think music is a great outlet to release pent-up emotions, be it the good kind or the bad kind. It doesn’t really matter if you’re not very musically inclined or can’t carry a tune; I mean, it’s got to be better than throwing a tantrum or breaking stuff, right?

The thing is, you most likely won’t be carrying around some musical instrument while you go about your business everyday–unless it’s right on your bag like on the Electronic Rock Guitar Bag, that is.

Most bags that are for the musically-inclined feature designs of musical instruments like guitars and pianos and drums printed on the bag. But on this bag, you can actually play the guitar.

That little box you see in the lower right corner is actually a mini-amplifier, and that’s where the sound will play through. So how do you actually play this thing? Just place your fingers on the desired frets on the shortened neck on the bag and move your thumb across the strings at the bottom of the bag.

The bag is large enough to accommodate a 17-inch laptop, and comes with six small pockets and two larger ones to carry all your other stuff. The Electric Guitar bag is on backorder right now at ThinkGeek, and is priced at $49.99 (USD).

[via Geeky Gadgets]