Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Scottish Researchers Want to Give Cars a Whiskey for the Road]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/scottish-researchers-want-to-give-cars-a-whiskey-for-the-road/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/scottish-researchers-want-to-give-cars-a-whiskey-for-the-road/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/scottish-researchers-want-to-give-cars-a-whiskey-for-the-road/#commentsFiled under: ,

varieties of whiskey
Raise a glass, and fill up your ride, too. Rightly so, the Scots (purveyors of some of the world's finest spirits) have found a way to power cars with leftover whiskey. According to the BBC News, researchers at Edinburgh Napier University used the delicious distilled drink's byproducts to create biobutanol, a fuel that's 30-percent more efficient than ethanol and can be put straight into a gas tank without any engine modifications. Each year, Scotland's whiskey industry throws away about 420 million gallons of pot ale (the liquid runoff found in copper stills), and 410 million pounds of draff (spent grains). The intrepid researchers decided to recycle these byproducts into an alternative fuel source that they hope to make available at the pumps. Best of all, your car -- unlike your body -- won't get a hangover after you get it sauced. [From: BBC News, via: Engadget]

SwitchedScottish Researchers Want to Give Cars a Whiskey for the Road originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlternativeFuelbiofuelcarcarsdrinkingethanolfuelFuelEconomyGreenFuelstopwhiskeywhiskyFri, 20 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World's Largest Tidal Turbine Getting Anchored off Scotland's Chilly Coast]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/worlds-largest-tidal-turbine-getting-anchored-off-scotlands-ch/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/worlds-largest-tidal-turbine-getting-anchored-off-scotlands-ch/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/worlds-largest-tidal-turbine-getting-anchored-off-scotlands-ch/#commentsFiled under:

Giant tidal turbine will power 1,000 homes.

For island-dwellers, water is the most readily available natural resource, which is why a Scottish energy company sees fit to install a gigantic tidal turbine off its coast. According to BBC News, Atlantis Resources recently unveiled its AK-1000 turbine, which stands 73-feet tall, weighs 130 tons, and can generate enough electricity to power 1,000 homes. The 1-megawatt turbine has two giant propellers, which each measure about 60-feet across and rotate at a sluggish six-to-eight revolutions per-minute. That means the blades won't turn marine life into sushi as they spin. The chilly north Atlantic Ocean is an unforgiving place, and Atlantis chief executive Tim Cornelius told the BBC that he believes his company has "the dumbest, simple but most robust turbine you could possibly put in such a harsh environment." [From: BBC News, via: Treehugger and Ubergizmo]

Gallery: Atlantis AK-1000 Turbine

SwitchedWorld's Largest Tidal Turbine Getting Anchored off Scotland's Chilly Coast originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantisatlantis resourcesAtlantisResourcescleanenergyelectricityEnergygreenoceanpowerscotlandTidalPowertopturbineWaterPowerWaterPoweredFri, 13 Aug 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[SoBi Social Bike Sharing System Saves Money, Gas, Earth]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/sobi-social-bike-sharing-system-saves-money-gas-earth/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/sobi-social-bike-sharing-system-saves-money-gas-earth/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/sobi-social-bike-sharing-system-saves-money-gas-earth/#commentsFiled under: ,

SoBi Social Bike System

SoBi, or Social Bikes, is a new bike-sharing system being developed by urban planner and bike advocate Ryan Rzepecki. SoBi uses some of the concepts and technologies behind mobile social networking to connect cyclists with bikes -- and each other -- in ways that actually save money over traditional bike-sharing systems.

Where traditional bike share systems require special docks placed at regular intervals, and sometimes special bikes, SoBi can use existing bike racks and be outfitted to almost any bike. This could reduce start-up costs from around $4,000 per bike to under $1,000. This is accomplished using a special lock-box, which is mounted to the back of the bike and is equipped with a cellular modem and a GPS receiver. The box communicates with a central server, reporting its location and whether or not it's available. A user can find an available bike by using a mobile GPS app to both locate it and unlock the box. Once in motion, the system will track movement, report data (such as calories burned and carbon offset), and locate other friends using the system.

Gallery: SoBi: Social Bike Sharing System

Continue reading SoBi Social Bike Sharing System Saves Money, Gas, Earth

SwitchedSoBi Social Bike Sharing System Saves Money, Gas, Earth originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclecyclinggreentechiphoneNewYorkCitynycPepsiRefreshProjectPublicTransportationsobiSocialBicyclesSocialNetworkingtoptransportationThu, 12 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen to Launch Hybrid Beetle at 2011 Detroit Auto Show]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/volkswagen-to-launch-hybrid-beetle-at-2011-detroit-auto-show/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/volkswagen-to-launch-hybrid-beetle-at-2011-detroit-auto-show/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/volkswagen-to-launch-hybrid-beetle-at-2011-detroit-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hybrid VW

Next year, Volkswagen's most recognizable, dome-shaped classic will be getting a redesign. According to Autoblog Green, VW plans to debut a Beetle with a hybrid powertrain and a new exterior design at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. The car's specs should be similar to the New Compact Coupe (NCC) that VW revealed last year. That vehicle carried a 1.4-liter TSI inline-four cylinder engine, a 20-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. All in all, it packed 177 horsepower and 110 pounds of torque, while averaging about 45 miles-per-gallon -- not bad for a car most people want to cuddle. Autoblog Green reports that the hybrid Beetle will at least match those numbers, and could even improve upon them. VW has established itself at the forefront of cutting-edge car tech, whether it's this 'green' Bug or a super-sleek car that reads road signs. [From: Autoblog Green, via: Fast Company]

SwitchedVolkswagen to Launch Hybrid Beetle at 2011 Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autocarCarTechgreenhybridHybridCarstopvolkswagenVolkswagenBeetleWed, 11 Aug 2010 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar Power Cheaper Than Nuclear Power, Duke Study Finds]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/solar-power-cheaper-than-nuclear-power-duke-study-finds/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/solar-power-cheaper-than-nuclear-power-duke-study-finds/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/solar-power-cheaper-than-nuclear-power-duke-study-finds/#commentsFiled under:

Solar Power

It's easy to talk about the benefits of 'green' power, but the bottom line is that the method has to be affordable before people will use it. According to Physorg, a study conducted at Duke University claims that solar power in North Carolina has now become more cost-efficient than nuclear power. Earlier this year, the cost of producing one kilowatt hour (kWh) of solar power dropped to 16 cents -- cheaper than one kWh of nuclear power. This drop in cost is mostly attributed to the production of cheaper and more efficient photovoltaic cells.

What's encouraging is that this study didn't consider how harnessing solar power in sunnier states -- like Arizona or New Mexico -- could lower the cost of solar power further still. Of course, It will take time and innovation (plus wide-scale adoption) for us to kick the fossil fuel habit and make solar power (or any alternative power source) a mainstream energy source in America. However, if costs are cut, big business might warm up to the idea of getting juice from the sun. [From: Physorg and Engadget]

Update: The New York Times ran an Editor's Note stating this study was conducted by an environmental advocacy group that opposes the use of nuclear power. In other words, take these claims with a grain of salt.

SwitchedSolar Power Cheaper Than Nuclear Power, Duke Study Finds originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DukeUniversityelectricitygreennuclearNuclearPowerphotovoltaicPhotovoltaicCellsolarSolarEnergySolarPowerstudytopWed, 11 Aug 2010 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA['Precious' Bike Blazes Across U.S., Tweets About It With British Smugness]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/precious-bike-blazes-across-u-s-tweets-about-it-with-british/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/precious-bike-blazes-across-u-s-tweets-about-it-with-british/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/precious-bike-blazes-across-u-s-tweets-about-it-with-british/#commentsFiled under:

screenshot of 'precious' bike from 'yesiamprecious'
If you had to choose one bike to ride across the continental U.S., you probably wouldn't choose one named 'Precious.' The moniker doesn't exactly ooze the kind of fearless aggression you'd expect from your riding partner, and, in recent years, it's become more synonymous with slow-moving behemoths than swift speed machines. One 'bike with a brain,' however, is out to debunk all of our not-so-precious prejudices. And he's willing to tweet about it, too.

Designed by the folks over at BreakfastNY, the 'Knight Rider'-inspired bike named Precious is currently making its way across the U.S. as part of a three-month, transcontinental effort to raise money for cancer research. And, thanks to some pretty nifty swag, the apparently British bike will be documenting every moment of the trek via its very own Twitter feed. As Wired explains, Precious comes equipped with various sensors that keep track of variables like temperature, humidity, grade, speed, cadence, travel-direction and GPS position. All that information is processed by an on-board device, which then relays it back to a network of servers. The servers sift through the numbers and figures, and extract any patterns they notice. Depending on a given pattern, the network will then push a message to convey the bike's opinion on the matter.

Continue reading 'Precious' Bike Blazes Across U.S., Tweets About It With British Smugness

Switched'Precious' Bike Blazes Across U.S., Tweets About It With British Smugness originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicycleBicyclesbikeBikeRidingbikersbikescancerCancerResearchlivestrongpreciousSmartBiketoptwitterTue, 10 Aug 2010 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[First Public Quick-Charge Station Isn't All That Public]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/first-public-quick-charge-station-isnt-all-that-public/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/first-public-quick-charge-station-isnt-all-that-public/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/first-public-quick-charge-station-isnt-all-that-public/#commentsFiled under: ,

ted kulongoski charges nissan leaf with nec/pge charging station
Portland General Electric (PGE) and NEC unveiled what they've billed as "North America's first public-use, quick-charge station for electric vehicles" yesterday. Governor Ted Kulongoski helped to juice up a yet-to-be-released Nissan LEAF at the station, which will charge lithium-ion-battery-based vehicles to 80-percent of their capacity in 20 to 30 minutes. "The station was awarded public-use certification by the City of Portland," according to the press release, and is located in the parking garage of PGE's headquarters. So convenient!

Still, the charging station sets a precedent for other cities considering public vehicle-charging programs. (And we guess there's no better place to start than a corporate car-park?) No word yet on if and when NEC and PGE plan to roll out more of the 50-kilowatt-output stations to the rest of the city, but hopefully the next one will be in a really accessible place like a landfill, or the bottom of a river. Check out a video of the unveiling at the link. [From: Engadget]

SwitchedFirst Public Quick-Charge Station Isn't All That Public originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcar techCarTechElectricCarElectricCarChargerElectricCarChargingStationElectricVehiclegreen techGreenTechnecNissanLeafNissanLeafEvpgeportlandTedKulongoskitransportationFri, 06 Aug 2010 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackTrail BT-01 Electric Bike Retails for $80,000]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/blacktrail-bt-01-electric-bike-retails-for-80-000/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/blacktrail-bt-01-electric-bike-retails-for-80-000/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/blacktrail-bt-01-electric-bike-retails-for-80-000/#commentsFiled under:

German electric bike sells for $80,000
Green vehicles, for many people, have become status symbols rather than just modes of transportation. For example, take the BlackTrail BT-01 electric bike. Manufactured in a limited run of 667 models by Germany's PG-Bikes, this electric hog retails for around $80,000. It's built from lightweight carbon fiber and aerospace aluminum, and weighs just 44 pounds. A 2.5 hour charge on the 17Ah Li-ion battery pack gets you 120 miles, and the BlackTrail bike can get up to speeds of 65mph. Though the high price tag is primarily buying you the right to say you're part of a select group of 667 who can afford a glorified dirt bike, the BlackTrail would admittedly ride circles around other electric bikes we've seen. [From: Engadget and PG-Bikes]

Gallery: BlackTrail BT-01

Continue reading BlackTrail BT-01 Electric Bike Retails for $80,000

SwitchedBlackTrail BT-01 Electric Bike Retails for $80,000 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikeElectricBikeElectricVehiclegreengreentechluxuryPG-BikestoptransportationThu, 05 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[China Plans Giant, Road-Straddling 'Buses' to Defeat Traffic]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/china-plans-giant-road-straddling-buses-to-defeat-traffic/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/china-plans-giant-road-straddling-buses-to-defeat-traffic/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/china-plans-giant-road-straddling-buses-to-defeat-traffic/#commentsFiled under: ,

Giant
China thinks it may have a solution to its growing car and congestion problem: giant buses that straddle the road. Although calling these monstrosities "buses" seem misguided (as they run on tracks, and independently of other street traffic), it's obvious that they could greatly increase the speed and quality of your average Beijing commute. The shuttles arch over the road, allowing other vehicles to pass underneath. When the "bus" stops, it doesn't slow the movement of traffic. By using available space between traffic lanes and dividers, the "straddling" buses are able to keep costs down. One estimate puts the price of one "bus" and 40 km of track (about 25 miles) at just 10-percent the cost of a subway train on a 40-km track. (We think they're more like trolleys, anyway.) Since it's powered by solar and existing electrical infrastructure, it's better for the environment than a gas-burning auto.

Shenzhen Huashi Future Car-Parking Equipment, the company behind the design, plans to begin construction on the first 115-mile section of track in the Mentougou district of Beijing by year's end. You can watch a presentation (in Chinese) of the system after the break, but check out the source link for a translation. [From: ChinaHush, via: Engadget]

Continue reading China Plans Giant, Road-Straddling 'Buses' to Defeat Traffic

SwitchedChina Plans Giant, Road-Straddling 'Buses' to Defeat Traffic originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Beijingbuscar techCarTechchinacommutegreengreen techGreenTechtoptraffictransportationtrolleyurbanplanningWed, 04 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Launches Web-Connected 'Hohm' Power Monitor]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/microsoft-launches-web-connected-hohm-power-monitor/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/microsoft-launches-web-connected-hohm-power-monitor/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/microsoft-launches-web-connected-hohm-power-monitor/#commentsFiled under:

Microsoft HohmMicrosoft and Blue Line Innovations have teamed up to bring another eco-conscious gadget to the marketplace, aiming to help consumers conserve energy and money. The Hohm PowerCost Monitor and WiFi Gateway is being sold for $249, and connects with Microsoft's Hohm service. Hohm tracks energy usage throughout your home, and converts that raw data into real-life dollars and cents. The combined Wi-Fi gateway and power meter provide real-time updates about your power consumption, and display them on an easily deciphered graph, helping you to easily identify power hogs and to estimate the cost of running in-home tech.

This isn't quite the smart grid we've been dreaming of, but a Web-connected power meter could certainly raise consumer awareness about consumption, trimming off a few bucks on electricity in the meantime. The competition is rough, however, from the likes of of Internet powerhouses like Google and even power tool makers like Black & Decker. Microsoft and Blue Line will need to offer something unique, not only to dominate this emerging energy-conscious market, but also just to prevent the PowerCost monitor from becoming another forgotten (and expensive) gadget rotting in a basement. [From: Microsoft, via: CrunchGear]

SwitchedMicrosoft Launches Web-Connected 'Hohm' Power Monitor originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackAndDeckerBlueLineInnovationsgreentechhohmHohmPowercostMonitorMicrosoftMicrosoftHohmtopWed, 28 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Plastiki,' a Boat Made From 12,500 Plastic Bottles, Sails Across the Pacific]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/plastiki-a-boat-made-from-12-500-plastic-bottles-sails-acros/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/plastiki-a-boat-made-from-12-500-plastic-bottles-sails-acros/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/plastiki-a-boat-made-from-12-500-plastic-bottles-sails-acros/#commentsFiled under:


A boat constructed from thousands of plastic bottles has completed its journey across the Pacific Ocean, from San Francisco to Sydney Harbor. According to Popular Science, the Plastiki, which is a catamaran made from about 12,500 plastic bottles, sailed more than 9,000 miles in four months to raise awareness of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch -- a pile of waste the size of Texas that's floating just under the ocean's surface between California and Hawaii. The Plastiki team sailed right through it with hopes of letting people know the detrimental effects this garbage has on the ocean and its inhabitants. The team also wanted people to realize how much plastic we throw away; they noted that, over the course of their journey, U.S. residents used 8.7 billion plastic bottles, which could have been used to build 700,000 Plastiki boats.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Plastiki crew, unfortunately. Just off the coast of Australia, the boat encountered a storm with 70-mph winds and 30-foot swells. It remained intact, however, and will spend the next month on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. Check out a video on the construction of the ship after the break. [From: Popular Science]

Continue reading 'Plastiki,' a Boat Made From 12,500 Plastic Bottles, Sails Across the Pacific

Switched'Plastiki,' a Boat Made From 12,500 Plastic Bottles, Sails Across the Pacific originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatenvironmentGreatPacificGarbagePatchgreenoceanplasticplastikirecyclerecyclingsailingtoptransportationtrashwasteWed, 28 Jul 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[HighDro Power Concept Turns to Toilet Flushes for Energy]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/23/highdro-power-concept-turns-to-toilet-flushes-for-energy/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/23/highdro-power-concept-turns-to-toilet-flushes-for-energy/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/23/highdro-power-concept-turns-to-toilet-flushes-for-energy/#commentsFiled under:

Design student harnesses energy from toilet flushes.A U.K. industrial design student has discovered a way to harness energy each time a toilet is flushed or a bathtub is drained. According to Creative Boom, Tom Broadbent's HighDro Power works much like a miniature hydroelectric dam, inside your building's sewage pipes. When water drains from a toilet, tub, sink or any other appliance, it travels down the pipes, through the device and spins four turbine blades, which power a generator. (Don't worry. This design allows "solids" to pass through without damaging the device.) Broadbent claims that the HighDro Power could save a seven-story building about $1,400 in electricity costs per year, or that the electricity it generates could even be sold to power companies. So, it's friendly to the environment and the wallet, too.

The HighDro Power isn't commercially available yet, but Broadbent hopes to find a landlord that's willing to test it in a building soon. It shouldn't be hard to sell to a New York landlord, who would likely just pass any installation costs to the tenants anyway. [From: Creative Boom, via: Core 77]

SwitchedHighDro Power Concept Turns to Toilet Flushes for Energy originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bathroomconceptdesigndiyelectricityEnergyenvironmentgreengreentechhighdro powerHighdroPowerresearchtoilettoiletstopFri, 23 Jul 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RFID-Embedded Smart Mug Makes Coffee Shops Even More Smug]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/21/rfid-embedded-smart-mug-makes-coffee-shops-even-more-smug/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/21/rfid-embedded-smart-mug-makes-coffee-shops-even-more-smug/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/21/rfid-embedded-smart-mug-makes-coffee-shops-even-more-smug/#commentsFiled under:

World's first smart coffee mug, or Smug
Chris Hallberg, a Marquette University student, has created the world's first smart coffee mug, or 'Smug,' which could make ordering "the usual" at your local coffee shop a breeze.

According to Read Write Web, the Smug is embedded with an RFID chip that stores a customer's order history and account information. Without ever opening your mouth or wallet, you can watch as the barista scans the chip to complete the purchase, automatically deducting funds from an account -- although, as Mom says, it wouldn't hurt to say "thank you" once you're handed your drink. Not only could this system make for shorter lines, but it would also cut down on waste. Refill the plastic Smug over and over, instead of letting Styrofoam cups pile up in your car's floorboard.

Continue reading RFID-Embedded Smart Mug Makes Coffee Shops Even More Smug

SwitchedRFID-Embedded Smart Mug Makes Coffee Shops Even More Smug originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caffeinecoffeeCoffeeShopgreengreentechrfidsmugsmug coffeeSmugCoffeetopWed, 21 Jul 2010 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Lightweight, Slightly Embarrassing T.25 Offers 74 MPG at $9,000]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/15/lightweight-slightly-embarrassing-t-25-offers-74-mpg-at-9-000/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/15/lightweight-slightly-embarrassing-t-25-offers-74-mpg-at-9-000/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/15/lightweight-slightly-embarrassing-t-25-offers-74-mpg-at-9-000/#commentsFiled under: ,

T.25 mini-car
Our most common objection to green cars, whether electric, hybrid or alternative-fuel, is that they are -- always it seems -- plagued by goofy looks, poor performance and featherweight construction. Though not an exception to any of those rules, the T.25 is still impressive in that it gets a whopping 74 miles to the gallon, and that it costs -- right off the showroom floor -- no more than $9,000.

Designed by English Formula One engineer Gordon Murray and founded on the iStream construction technology, the T.25 is pitiful looking (somewhere between a meter maid and a Smart Car), slow (with a top speed of 80 mph) and tiny (8-feet long by 4-feet wide, and 1,200 pounds). But having one would be so dang cheap. So, we'll tell you what: If every single one of you buys one of these things when they come out in 2012, we will, too. We're cool with the idea. We're just not cool with soliciting jeers, driving in the slow lane and being sent into the stratosphere when we get hit by a truck. So, go ahead, dear readers. We'll be right behind you, as long as you go first. [From: DailyTech, via: Dvice]

SwitchedLightweight, Slightly Embarrassing T.25 Offers 74 MPG at $9,000 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcartechdesignfueleconomygordon murrayGordonMurraygreengreentechistreamt.25toptransportationThu, 15 Jul 2010 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[DIY Bicycle Rigged to Charge USB Devices While Riders Cruise]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/diy-bicycle-rigged-to-charge-usb-devices-while-riders-cruise/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/diy-bicycle-rigged-to-charge-usb-devices-while-riders-cruise/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/diy-bicycle-rigged-to-charge-usb-devices-while-riders-cruise/#commentsFiled under:

Bicycle powers USB devices.
With so many geeks riding bicycles, it was only a matter of time until the two-wheeled mode of transportation would get wired. An Instructables.com user recently posted a set of DIY instructions that demonstrates how to rig a bike to power USB devices. The user took a regular USB car adapter, and connected it to a voltage regulator, which leads to a stepper motor mounted near the bike's rear wheel. When the rider pedals, the motor delivers a steady 5-volts of electricity to the adapter, which -- with a 70-percent rate of efficiency -- can power or charge an iPod or any other device with a USB port.

While this invention gets kudos for being environmentally friendly, the eco-benefits may be outweighed by the distractions it creates. After all, bikers are notorious for darting in front of traffic and scraping past pedestrians. We shudder to think of the mayhem created when he or she frantically pedals in an effort to keep a device charged. [From: Instructables, via: PSFK]

SwitchedDIY Bicycle Rigged to Charge USB Devices While Riders Cruise originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikeBikeRidingdiyelectricityEnergygreengreentechKineticEnergytoptransportationusbWed, 14 Jul 2010 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Yves Béhar and GE Unveil WattStation, a Speedy Electric Car Charger]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/yves-behar-and-ge-unveil-wattstation-a-speedy-electric-car-char/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/yves-behar-and-ge-unveil-wattstation-a-speedy-electric-car-char/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/yves-behar-and-ge-unveil-wattstation-a-speedy-electric-car-char/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wattstation by yves behar and GE
Designer du jour Yves Béhar loves electric cars, as we saw when he unveiled a concept for a hackable vehicle at the Greener Gadgets conference back in February. In addition, his company fuseproject helped develop the drool-inducing Mission Motors electric motorcycle, the fastest vehicle of its kind on the market. Now Béhar has teamed with GE to unveil a new design for an electric car charging station yesterday in San Francisco.

The WattStation, developed as part of GE's ecomagination project, can allegedly power up your vehicle in only 4 to 8 hours, nearly half the time that other ports require to juice up your electro-ride. Sporting a sleekly forward-thinking but inconspicuous silhouette, the WattStation is designed to fit right in to the urban landscape, while the color-coded LED rings around the top let users know if the station is available, in use, or out of service. GE and fuseproject hope to begin installing the stations on city streets by next year. [From: Inhabitat]

SwitchedYves Béhar and GE Unveil WattStation, a Speedy Electric Car Charger originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationChargingStationdesignelectric carelectric car chargerelectric car charging stationelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricCarChargerElectricCarChargingStationElectricVehiclefuseprojectgegreentopWattStationyves beharYvesBeharWed, 14 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar-Powered Wunda Weeder Lets You Garden While Lying Down]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/solar-powered-wunda-weeder-lets-you-garden-while-lying-down/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/solar-powered-wunda-weeder-lets-you-garden-while-lying-down/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/14/solar-powered-wunda-weeder-lets-you-garden-while-lying-down/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Wunda Weeder
Gardening is usually backbreaking work. Planting, weeding and harvesting require physical exertion and near constant squatting or bending over. Thanks to the strangely named Wunda Products, there may be hope for the chronically lazy who also dream of having their own homegrown produce. The Wunda Weeder consists of a simple metal frame with a platform for a face-down, reclining person, a headrest to reduce neck strain and an electric motor to keep the contraption moving, thanks to rooftop solar panels. The vehicle allows the user to suspend themselves over tilled soil or crops to perform their horticultural chores.

At an expected price of $8,000, when the Wunda Weeder goes on sale later this year, we wouldn't expect to find it in too many small gardens or farms. The company claims the device could triple farm productivity in some cases, but we're sure those are very specific indeed. Many larger farms are so heavily mechanized and automated, there would be little to gain from spending tens of thousands of dollars on a fleet of Wunda Weeders. Besides, we like knowing that the food we eat was produced through sweat and hard work... even if it wasn't our own. [From: Wunda Weeder, via: DVICE]

SwitchedSolar-Powered Wunda Weeder Lets You Garden While Lying Down originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>farminggardeninggreentechhorticulturetopweirdwunda productswunda weederWundaProductsWundaWeederWed, 14 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Range Rover E-Range Will Be World's First Electric SUV]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/13/range-rover-e-range-will-be-worlds-first-electric-suv/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/13/range-rover-e-range-will-be-worlds-first-electric-suv/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/13/range-rover-e-range-will-be-worlds-first-electric-suv/#commentsFiled under: ,

Electric Range Rover hits UK market later this year.

Surely to become the vehicle of choice for environmentally-minded celebrities and athletes, an electric Range Rover with a whopping 200-mile range will become available in the U.K. later this year. According to the Telegraph, the E-Range, which was developed by Liberty Electric Cars, is the world's first totally electric SUV. The vehicle tops out at 110 mph, thanks to six Lithium Polymer batteries -- two under the hood and four on the undercarriage -- that power electric motors placed on each wheel. Most amazing of all, the SUV can be charged without being connected by a traditional power cord. Instead, the car's batteries, which have a 13-year and 300,000-mile lifetime, can be completely charged by parking it above an induction plate for just one to three hours.

Not only will you need a U.K. address to get behind the wheel of a new E-Range, but, at $225,500, you'll need a fat bank account, too. Don't fret, all you wealthy Americans: the E-Range will journey across the pond soon enough. Then, you can have your luxury status symbol and be eco-friendly, too. [From: The Telegraph]

SwitchedRange Rover E-Range Will Be World's First Electric SUV originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcarscartechDrivinge-rangeElectricCarElectricVehicleerangegreengreentechrange roverRangeRoverRangeRoverE-rangesuvtopTue, 13 Jul 2010 08:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Wi-Fi Equipped 'Halo' Bike Lock Sounds the Stolen Bike Alarm]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/11/wi-fi-equipped-halo-bike-lock-sounds-the-stolen-bike-alarm/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/11/wi-fi-equipped-halo-bike-lock-sounds-the-stolen-bike-alarm/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/11/wi-fi-equipped-halo-bike-lock-sounds-the-stolen-bike-alarm/#commentsFiled under: ,

Halo Bike Lock
Some of the Switched team take to two wheels for the daily commute, and, although the streets of New York are hardly the safest place to be biking, we're usually more concerned about bike theft than we are swerving taxi drivers. Most of us use the low-tech approach of riding a cheap-o road bike, and lugging around a heavy chain to lock it up, but we're now considering the Halo bike lock concept. Art director Steve Hunt embedded a wireless Eye-Fi card in the bendable circular lock in order to alert you, via the 'Love Your Bike' iPhone app, if somebody's tampering with it. (Granted, the system is entirely dependent on your bike being parked in range of a free Wi-Fi hotspot.) If your lock has been snapped off, and left on the ground, you'll have no luck in chasing down your bike. Still, at least the smartphone alert will give you a head start on catching the thieving crook. [From: Steve Hunt, via: Crunchgear]

SwitchedWi-Fi Equipped 'Halo' Bike Lock Sounds the Stolen Bike Alarm originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Solar Impulse is one of the most ambitious projects we've ever seen. The ultimate goal is to fly a solar-powered plane around the world, relying for power solely on the rays of the sun. That might still be a ways off, but the Impulse took to the sky Wednesday morning with an intermediary goal: to survive 24 hours aloft in the night sky (read: often with no sun) without plummeting to the ground.

This morning, 26 hours after it first took off, the 207-foot wide aircraft touched down at Payerne airfield just south of Bern, the Swiss capital. As pilot Andre Borschberg brought the Solar Impulse out of the sky at 9 a.m. (3 a.m. EST), a crew rushed to the landing strip to help stabilize the craft before its enormous wings scraped the ground.

Gallery: Solar Impulse

Continue reading Sun-Powered 'Solar Impulse' Plane Survives the Night Sky

SwitchedSun-Powered 'Solar Impulse' Plane Survives the Night Sky originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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