Reliability bites: 2014 japanese cars take a hit.
reality bites: 2014 japanese cars take a hit. consumer reports survey questioned 1.1 million owners. via washington post [RK]
NTSB to hold forum on lithium ion batteries in transporation.
ntsb to hold forum on lithium ion batteries. public forum set for 11 > 12 april 2013. via fox business [RK]
787 dreamliner takes to sky in first flight check.
787 dreamliner takes to sky in first flight check. roughly two-hour flight test “went according to plan. via washington post [RK]
Lightskin led seat post. Epic bike.
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Here’s a win-win-w1n solution for safety, keeping the weight and gizmos to a minimum, and looking cool. Epic Bike has embedded five LED lights into a seat post. Water-resistant and theft-resistant (with a little common sense) lights that last a minimum of 50 hours on two AA batteries. [ epic bike ]
Safe cycling gift ideas.
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Chicago reminds everyone that the city embraces the bicycle as evidenced in new bike lanes seen behind the Merchandise Mart. The lanes promote bikes and bike safety. Here are five well-designed bike safety products you should put on your gift list.
Feel dorky wearing a bicycle helmet? Nutcase creates an aesthetically dis-pleasing, strictly utilitarian experience. Helmets seemed made to be ripped off as soon as possible. [ nutcase ]
Vespertine Cinch Belts offer a subtle pattern of intertwining diamonds wraps around the extremely reflective ANSI approved material of the Cinch Belts. They even reflect in the rain! [ vespertinenyc ]
Bookman bicycle lights. Stylish, luminous and pocket-sized. A slim, detachable bike light from Bookman, a Stockholm based company that makes accessories for bikes and people on bikes. [ bookman ]
Fibre Flare™ is a portable self-contained flexible solid core side emitting fibre optic element interposed between two electronic housing ends. Inside each of the housing ends is a single high intensity LED. Water resistant silicone outer housing. Powered by 2 x ‘AAA’ batteries. [ fibreflare ]
Ok, you’ve made yourself safer. What about your bike? The innovation for all cyclists, whether hobby cyclists or pros protects two-wheels with a high theft risk using this foldable lock. [ abus bordo granit x-plus ]
Cardboard bicycle helmet. Kranium.
If you notice, more cyclists and inline skaters are wearing helmets. It’s taken awhile to get to this point. And with this increased usage we will probably see more safety testing and innovation to create a better helmet. Here’s one, Kranium, a bike helmet that is made from the same cardboard used for the boxes you find at the supermarket. The concept by design student Anirudha Surabhi was presented in October 2010 in London. The design has already been licensed to major manufacturers and may be available to buy soon.
Neptune. Prosthetic fin for swimming.
physically disabled columbian nelson cardona fulfilled a dream to climb Everest with the help of prosthetic legs.
He also wants to swim the English Channel and he might be able to do it with Neptune, a prosthetic flipper.
above: slider adjusts flexibility to match swimmers strength. the fin could also rotate 90 degrees to simulate breaststroke movement.
above: c-legs are used by a double-amputee who also swims 2.500m a couple of times a week and is very interested in the neptune concept being developed.
above: inspiring everyone including designers, alexander mcqueen among others, aimee is an athlete, actor and activist talks about her prosthetic legs — she’s got a dozen amazing pairs — and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height.
above: aimee at mit h2o symposium
above: neptune concept lures me deeper and deeper. i think this is about a skateboarder prosthesus. but, maybe there is or will be…
designer: richard stark
Resources:
ted
aimee / alexander mcqueen
alexander mcqueen / aimee
wired: 3d printing and prosthetics
<a href="
about ron kovach
Nutcase helmets.
Do you feel bit dorky sporting a bicycle helmet?
I do: an aesthetically dis-pleasing, strictly utilitarian experience. Helmets seemed made to be ripped off as soon as possible.
That was before I purchased my new “Nutcase”. A Portland, Oregon company comes up with stylish helmet alternatives to go with your other cool gear. Gigantic daisies super-imposed on black and white stripes gives my helmet a sturdy but slightly whimsical attitude.
Producer: nutcase helmets