Pedal-assist bikes are proving a popular choice for folks looking to get to work, do the weekly shop or just go for a leisurely ride. But most offer a fairly limited motor-assisted range and long wait times when charging up the batteries. France’s Pragma Mobility sees things differently, tapping into hydrogen fuel-cell technology for the Alpha Neo commuter. Pragma Industries […]
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Commute
HUD Bicycle Helmets
While HUD (Head-Up Display) technology is becoming increasingly common in cars and even motorcycle helmets, it’s still largely unavailable to cyclists. That could soon change however, if the SoulRS helmet-mounted HUD reaches its crowdfunding goal. First of all, it should be noted that SoulRS is also intended for use on motorcycle helmets, not just bike helmets. In either case, it attaches in more or less […]
Bicycle Lighting In Water Bottle
Most bike lights shine primarily forward or backward, with some side visibility thrown in as a bonus. The Orb MKII, on the other hand, is specifically designed to make cyclists more visible from the sides … and it takes the form of a fully functional water bottle. Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, the Orb MKII was designed by British cyclist […]
Kayakomat Kiosk
Although kayaking is an increasingly popular activity, not everyone has the money, storage space or transport capabilities required for one of the boats. That’s where the Kayakomat comes in, as it’s basically an onsite, internet-bookable kayak-rental vending machine. Created by kayak manufacturer Point 65 Sweden, the system has actually been around in its home country since 2006. That said, it’s […]
Pepper Picking Robot
According to Japanese robotics firm Agrist, there’s a shortage of farm workers in that country, resulting in lower yields than would otherwise be possible. The company is offering a partial solution to the problem, though, in the form of a pepper-picking robot. Known simply as L, the bot is the recipient of an Innovation Award at CES. Instead of rolling […]
Ice Straws
Plastic straws have become the poster child of waste lately, and most alternatives have their own issues. Now, a start-up called The Ice Guys is crowdfunding an intriguing solution that fights the plastic straw boogeyman and keeps your drinks cool at the same time – the Ice Straw. While they’re far from the only villains in the story, plastic straws […]
Bicycle Lighting In Water Bottle
Most bike lights shine primarily forward or backward, with some side visibility thrown in as a bonus. The Orb MKII, on the other hand, is specifically designed to make cyclists more visible from the sides … and it takes the form of a fully functional water bottle. Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, the Orb MKII was designed by British cyclist […]
Jet Pod Powered Electric Boat
Zagato has become the latest world-famous Italian design house to dunk its incomparable artistry into the sea. And whereas Pininfarina went big and bold, Zagato has kept things sleek and simple with a 26-foot (7.9-m) electric runabout developed in collaboration with Persico Marine. The result is the Persico Zagato 100.2, a fast, sustainable open day boat meant to become an instant […]
Running Full Size Airliner’s By 2035?
Airbus says it’s on track to have a fully operational megawatt-class electric powertrain, fueled by cryogenic liquid hydrogen, tested in flight by 2026, ahead of a full-scale zero-emissions passenger airliner it plans to put into service by 2035. These cutting-edge powertrains, as we discussed back in 2020, are eventually slated to be entirely encapsulated in large pods, slung under the wings […]
Revolutionary Photocatalyst
A fundamental breakthrough in chemistry promises to unlock ammonia as a clean fuel, and it could help decarbonize the entire chemical industry in the process. Rice University researchers have created a small, LED-powered device that converts ammonia to hydrogen on the fly. It uses a light-driven catalyst that’s as efficient as expensive thermal catalysts that need thousand-degree temperatures to operate, […]