Technology Archives - Page 16 of 18

Mobbo Electric Unicycle Looks Strangely Familiar

Nino Marchetti A new electric, self-balancing unicycle was recently unveiled by the folks from Mobbo. It may actually not be that new, however, as it strongly resembles a very similar device we covered back in 2011. The Mobbo Electric Unicycle, according to the company selling it, has a range of 16 km/h and a top speed of 16 km/h, which are the same specifications as the Solowheel from Inventist. There’s a red plastic piece on the two which looks the same, and both share gyro sensors, a 1000-watt motor and a rechargeable battery, which captures energy cruising downhill and slowing down/stopping (via regenerative braking, like a Prius). image via Mobbo Inventist, at the time we covered the Solowheel unicycle, was soliciting individuals and businesses interested in re-selling the device. Assuming Mobbo is a reseller, you may actually get more of a deal buying it from this company, as it prices for $999 ($1,399 regularly) from them versus $1,795 from its original c…

GM, Honda to Partner On Fuel Cell Technologies

by Nino Marchetti of EarthTechling The race to develop fuel cell vehicles for what automakers hope will be an interested consumer audience has mildly been heating up of late. Hyundai, for example, has been for the most part at the forefront as some of its production ready vehicles are now in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark to be used there in a municipal fleet. Now word comes GM and Honda are teaming up to collaborate on next-generation fuel cell technologies. The two automakers are no slouches when it comes to capital investments in the fuel cell market, ranking No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in total related patents filed between 2002 and 2012, with more than 1,200 between them. This collaboration will find the companies sharing expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing strategies. GM and Honda said they will also work “with stakeholders to further advance refueling infrastructure, which is critical for the long-term viability and consumer acceptance of f…

Renault Twizy Cargo An Electric Urban Cargo Hauler

Nino Marchetti of GreenTechling The Renault Twizy, while an innovative little electric car, doesn’t offer much space for carrying cargo. This can make use of it for anything other than passengers a little tough. The French automaker is looking to address this though by recently announcing Twizy Cargo, targeted towards urban cargo deliveries. The Twizy Cargo, according to Renault, integrates a new rear cargo area into the electric vehicle by replacing its rear seat. This watertight storage has a capacity of 75 kg (165 pounds) and is accessible via a rear door that opens to 90°. This rear door features a locking system that works with the EV’s ignition key. Aimed primarily at at delivery or express firms, such as lift operators, postal services and emergency services, the Cargo comes in two different flavors depending upon your needs. The more powerful model has a top speed of 80 kph (49.7 MPH) and a range of around 62 miles. Both offerings feature a variety of safety i…

State Tells University: No More Solar For You!

by Pete Danko Earthtechling Amazingly, in 2013 in some parts of the United States, the challenge isn’t about getting governments to do more to help renewable energy flourish – it’s about getting them to stop putting roadblocks in the way. Check this out: According to a story in The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C., Furman University has been installing solar energy on its Greenville campus, hoping to trim the pollution it causes and maybe save some money. “But Furman’s solar energy push has hit a wall,” the newspaper reports. “The university has reached a state limit that prevents it from installing more solar to heat and light campus buildings.” South Carolina, in its wisdom, limits nonresidential solar to 100 kilowatts. This is a net metering regulation that goes beyond protecting utilities’ ability to maintain a secure power supply; it’s about protecting a tired old business model. The good news here is that this story about Furman’s predicament seems to have wo…

Where Do Biofuels Fit Into Obama’s Climate Plan?

by Marianne Lavelle National Geographic Society When President Obama unveiled his long-awaited climate change strategy this week, he never mentioned biofuels. (See “Obama Unveils Climate Strategy.”) But with nearly a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions due to burning petroleum for transportation, a key and controversial question is what role plant-based alternatives can play in cutting the nation’s carbon emissions. As part of National Geographic’s Great Energy Challenge initiative, we brought together two dozen experts from industry, academia, and environmental organizations to discuss whether biofuel can be a sustainable part of a cleaner energy future. (See in-depth coverage at Biofuels at a Crossroads, and vote and comment here: The Big Energy Question: Are Biofuels Worth the Investment?“) The forum Wednesday at National Geographic’s Washington, D.C. headquarters was timely, not just because the group convened the day after the President’s long-awaited climate …

Why We Need to Fight for Tesla

I spent last weekend driving a Tesla Model S from Washington DC to Atlantic City and back. Never before in my life have I driven a car that has started so many conversations. People were gathering around the car as it was parked at the supercharging station in Delaware. "Is this a Tesla? I heard about this car on the news. Can I get a look inside?" Photos were snapped. A woman chimed in, "I saw one of these last week in Virginia and I followed it just so I could check it out." Heads were turning and tongues were wagging. On Wednesday, Tesla made headlines when the company wired nearly half a billion dollars ($451.8M) to the Department of Energy, repaying their full loan with interest nine years early, and becoming the only American car company to have fully repaid the government. As a race car driver, my opinion on the performance of the vehicle is this: The Tesla Model S is a masterpiece. With incredible power from the moment you touch the accelerator (no need to build u…