This is a demonstration of the world’s first automated battery switch technology for electric vehicles in Yokohama, Japan. Better Place will own the batteries and charging stations and it will sell subscriptions just like your mobile phone.

[Better Place | Shai Agassi @ TED]

Steve Jurvetson (a personal hero of mine) just published this video of the very first test drive of the Tesla Model S. He’s an investor and he bought the first car….

Read more here…

[YouTube | Steve Jurvetson | Tesla]

Shelby is building The world’s fastest electric production car with a ten minute charge time. It’s a great time to be alive!

[Shelby SuperCars | via jalopnik]

Oculus is the first “design launch” of Schöpfer Yachts LLC. This 250-foot vessel was designed by E. Kevin Schöpfer, founder and owner of his namesake company.

Designed to accommodate 12 guests in extraordinary comfort and style, Oculus is a long distance cruising yacht capable of speeds upwards of 25 knots.

The exterior styling is representative of the jaw and eye socket bone structure of large oceanic fish and mammals. Featuring a dramatic reverse bow configuration, the yacht’s armature balances an elegant expression of symmetry and structure.

In addition to the bow, Oculus also features a “low rider profile”. This slightly lowered surface allows for new side recreational areas, alternate dockage access and light cruising openness. Lateral retractable side panels close this area when heavier wave action is indicated.

The interior features of Oculus focus on a 12 foot high ceiling in the main salon, a cylindrical double height dining room, central stair and elevator tube, and seemingly anatomical ceiling and floor lighting extensions giving definition to the seating areas.

The second level is the dedicated Owner’s suite. Living areas and bedchambers are divided by a series of four freestanding tubes, which house bath and storage necessities.

In addition to the main common stair, the second Owner’s stair connects to the third level aft private salon and deck / water feature.

The third level also contains the forward pilothouse and separate captain’s quarters. The generous open decks with separate water features are located forward and aft for convenient guest use. Specifications and plans are in the final stages of completion and will be posted at a later time.

[E. Kevin Schöpfer Yachts]

Solar Sails:

Ben Cubby writes:

Solar-powered sails the size of a jumbo jet’s wings will be fitted to cargo ships, after a Sydney renewable energy company signed a deal with China’s biggest shipping line.

The Chatswood-based Solar Sailor group has designed the sails, which can be retro-fitted to existing tankers.

The aluminium sails, 30 metres long and covered with photovolatic panels, harness the wind to cut fuel costs by between 20 and 40 per cent, and use the sun to meet five per cent of a ship’s energy needs.

China’s COSCO bulk carrier will fit the wings to a tanker ship and a bulker ship under a memorandum of understanding with the Australian company, which demonstrates the technology on a Sydney Harbour cruise boat.

“It’s hard to predict a time line but at some point in the future, I can see all ships using solar sails – it’s inevitable,” said the company’s chief executive, Dr Robert Dane.

Once fitted, the sails can pay for themselves in fuel savings within four years, Dr Dane said. They don’t require special training to operate, with a computer linked in to a ship’s existing navigation system, and sensors automatically angling the sails to catch a breeze and help vessels along.

The company is supported by NSW Government’s Australian Technology Showcase program.

“This is a breakthrough opportunity for Solar Sailor to play a leading role in the future of international shipping design during a period when rising fuel costs and environmental concerns have taken centre stage,” said the NSW Minister for Primary Industry, Ian Macdonald.

“This is a case of back to the future – back to the days of sailing ships but to the future in terms of high technology solar and wind sails operated by computer rather than sailcloth and rigging manned by crew.”

Sky Sails:

skysails.info:

It is a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most economic and environmentally sound source of energy on the high seas. And yet, shipping companies are not taking advantage of this attractive savings potential at present – for a simple reason: So far no sail system has been able to meet the requirements of today’s maritime shipping industry.

Now for the first time, SkySails is offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which meets all these requirements.

Depending on the prevailing wind conditions, a ship’s average annual fuel costs can be reduced by 10 to 35% by using the SkySails-System. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be cut by up to 50%.

The first pilot systems are in operation on board of cargo vessels. Currently, SkySails is offering towing kite propulsion systems for cargo vessels with an effective load* of between 8 and 32 tons. The planned product program comprises towing kite propulsion systems with an effective load* of up to 130 tons.

Virtually all existing cargo vessels and new builds can be retro- or outfitted with the SkySails auxiliary wind propulsion system.

Fish trawlers and super yachts of over 30 meters in length can be retro- or outfitted with the SkySails auxiliary wind propulsion system as well.

[smh | solar sailor | skysails]

“Carcade is a concept for an in-car videogame for the passengers, which captures the landscape and uses it as a videogame environment. Existing objects, for example trees and architecture, are recognized by the camera and enhanced by videogame assets. The game is influenced by the manner of driving of the car. If the driver accelerates, the game becomes increasingly difficult. If the car comes to a stop a different game situation evolves. We developed a small game concept and a functional prototype, with which we did a test drive on the street. A webcam is connected to a laptop running camera tracking software which recognizes the horizon and objects in the environment. The player has to maneuver a spaceship and collect points whilst trying to avoid crashing into oncoming enemies.”

[Carcade | Oh Gizmo | via DVICE]

“T.S.A. Communication is a project that alters the airport security experience and allows the government to learn more about you then just what’s in your backpack. Thin 8.5 x 11 inch laser-cut sheets of stainless steel comfortably fit in your carry on bag, simultaneously obscuring the contents you don’t want the TSA to see while highlighting ideas you do want them to see. Change your role as air traveler from passive to active.”

UPDATE: The official TSA blog has written about it.

[TSA Communication Project Page | Evan Roth]

This electic car can go from driving around on the street to riding on rails and back… It’s the car of ‘the future’ according to a Cincinatti tv station! We just need a network of fugly rails everywhere. By the way 1996 called and they want their html back.

[via auto blog green]

[Details | via core77]

[Autoblog]