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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Week 7: #17 New Technology


INFLATABLE CAR!

Here's a novel car design idea. Don't deploy airbags in a crash; build the car out of them to start with.It comes from a company called XP vehicle systems, which believes it has a chance in the Automotive X-Prize. That prize will award millions of dollars for producing a car capable of over 100 miles-per-gallon or equivalent energy economy.XP's idea is to have a vehicle made with a tough inflatable frame - like a Zodiac inflatable boat - on top of an electric chassis. Being lightweight means it can go further on a single charge - they claim up to 2,500 miles. XP even says it can be safely driven off a 25 foot cliff - apparently the air-filled shell will protect you like airbags did NASA's Mars Exploration Rover.

So, what is the big deal about inflatable cars?

* Prices start under $3000.00.
* You can drive them off a cliff, a few times in a row, and be OK.
* They have motors on every wheel.
* They can fold up (“flat-Pack”) for shipping
* They can carry lots of stuff.* They have issued patents on them.
* They all have iPOD holders.
* They plug into your house.
* You can charge them without an extension cord.

4 comments:

BlueDiamond said...

I want a car like this!!! I would love to drive over a cliff some days and know I will be okay.

Homer said...

With gas going over 90 dollars a barrel today, this would a good car.

Fourdogmom said...

Wow! How fun would that be to drive! How handy too with all the street flooding in Houston. In one of these you could just float home.

Gwendolyn Chronicle said...

This is off the chain. Right to the point. I enjoy looking at your sight. I can see how proud you are of your children and their accomplishment in the field of sports. It could not have been possible if it was not for your strong encouragement and involvement in their lives. Keep doing what you do.