Lexus Brings its AWD Hybrid Bike to the UK

Lexus has been drastically improving its designs for the past few years now, evolving from tricked-out Toyota and outdated Mercedes clone to having its own, relatively unique lines throughout its model range. Now, Lexus wants to do the same thing for bikes with its Hybrid Bicycle.

Having first shown up at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus brought one of two examples to the UK for the Lexus-sponsored Great British Bike Ride.

Just a quick recap: The LH-B's body is made of carbon fiber, and it has an 8-speed electric gearbox. Not only that, but a 240 Watt motor powers the front wheel while the rider pedals the rear. Power comes from a 25.9 volt Lithium Ion battery, and the motor has two settings: Eco and Power. It even has regenerative braking.

"All-wheel-drive" comes in the form of a belt-run mechanism. Unfortunately, Lexus probably isn't gong to build this quirky new form of bicycle.

For the spec sheet, scroll on down.

By Philip Alex

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Lexus Hybrid Bicycle Concept specifications

BICYCLE	Length (mm)	1,598
	Width (mm)	425
	Seat height (mm)	900
	Wheelbase (mm)	1,080
	Tyresize	20 x 1 3/8
	Weight (kg)	17
ELECTRICAL PARTS	Motor output (W)	240
	Batterytype	Lithium-ion
	Batteryvoltage	25.9V/4.0Ah
	Charge time	Approx. 2hrs
DRIVE PARTS	Gear system	Shimano 8-speed internal gear
	Shift lever	Shimano dual control
	Drive train	Belt drive

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GM Teams up with NASA to Create Robonaut R2 for International Space Station

NASA plans on solving the aging-astronaut problem by partnering with GM to create the Robonaut 2 (or R2), a new "permanent resident of the International Space Station".

R2 is the result of a co-op between NASA and GM to create a robotic assistant for human workers (that looks like Cobra Commander). Weighing in at 300 pounds, R2 is going into space for some zero-gravity operation and electromagnetic/radioactive interference testing within the station...BUT HE WON'T BE ALONE.

There's actually another robot named Dextre already up there, consisting of two arms that "perform tasks that normally require spacewalking"; he lives outside and was built by the Canadian Space Agency, eh.

John Olson, director of NASA's Exploration Systems Integration Office, says, "The use of R2 on the space station is just the beginning of a quickening pace between human and robotic exploration of space. The partnership of humans and robots will be critical to opening up the solar system and will allow us to go farther and achieve more than we can probably even imagine today."

Unlike Dextre, R2 is more in line with Honda's Asimo without legs. Being humanoid, R2 has some distinct advantages: the ability to do human jobs without human risks (but don't tell him that). R2 will also be testing how well human astronauts can integrate with robonauts.

As for how this applies to the road, GM's VP of Global R&D Alan Taub explains: "The work done by GM and NASA engineers also will help us validate manufacturing [vision, motion and sensor technologies] that will improve the health and safety of our GM team members at our manufacturing plants throughout the world."

If all goes according to plan, R2 will be heading to the ISS in September aboard the Discovery.

By Phil Alex

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Infiniti Embraces Apple's iPad Tablet

Like it or not, Apple's iPad tablet is coming and despite all the people who complain about it, it will be bought. So it comes to no surprise that many companies are jumping on the bandwagon for the sake of marketing. One of those companies is Infiniti that has announced the development of a special version of its 'adeyaka' customer magazine for the iPad.

Infiniti said that the iPad version will complement print editions as well as the web versions of the magazine.

"The iPad version of adeyaka will leverage many iPad functionalities to offer a completely unique reading experience, while maintaining the 'look and feel' that already made adeyaka one of the most highly-acclaimed customer magazines," says Lutz Suendermann who as Creative Director is responsible for the project.

"Adeyaka" for iPad will be available for download from the Apple iTunes Store from May, 2010.

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Rolls Royce Phantom Style Sofa for Two

If you have a knack for everything automotive and a few thousand dollars to spare (and no wife to complain..), then you ought to take a look at this 'royal' couch inspired from the Rolls Royce Phantom. The two seater sofa comes complete with a set of wheels and a normal trunk, although we would advise you to avoid using it as a... baby cradle as suggested by the photos. The 'Divani Rolls' is said to be priced from $5,500.

Via: Autogespot & Topgir

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The Muschallaro: Part Challenger, Part Camaro, Part Mustang

A talented modeler named Robert D. came up with the wacky idea of creating a scale-model that combines elements from the latest editions of Detroit's pony cars: the body of a Chevy Camaro, the front end of a Dodge Challenger and the rear-end of the Ford Mustang. And this here is the result.

"I like the main body of the Camaro better than the Challenger. I like the Challenger front end better than the Camaro. Once the idea was in my head to add Mustang to the equation, it all came together, because I found out pretty quickly that the three could combine into one," Robert stated in a forum for model cars.

We don't have to tell those of that you have ever attempted to make a custom model that it's easier said than done. Nevertheless, after four painstaking months of work, Robert pulled it off.

And even if you disagree with the aesthetics or the parts of the three muscle cars that were chosen for the model, you can't but admire the result from a technical point of view.

Now, any ideas what the tri-pony car should be named?

Source: Fotki , Via: Model Cars and Car Domain - Thanks for the tip Marcus!

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Autonomous Audi TTS Takes Driving Out of the Equation [with Video and Photos]

This here is the Autonomous Audi TTS, a research model for a car that does away with the driver altogether in order to explore the best capabilities of current and future driver assistance technologies. The prototype car is the collaborative work of the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), the Stanford University Dynamics Design Lab (SDDL) and Sun Microsystems.

Nicknamed after Michelle Mouton, one of the most successful female rally drivers ever, the Autonomous TTS is equipped with a fully automated drive-by-wire system that controls the steering, throttle, brakes, gearbox and parking brake as well as a special GPS system to help communicate with the piloting software developed by the researches over at Standford University.

The software package is what enables the vehicle to drive at the limits of handling in various speeds and conditions on a range of surfaces.

While Audi doesn't intend to use the Autonomous TTS to completely substitute the driver (or at least we hope it doesn't...), the company says that the technology found in the car could help dramatically reduce the number of fatalities worldwide by intervening in hazardous situations as well as to take over routine driving tasks such as parking the car in an assigned spot in a garage.

The prototype model is still in the testing phase but if all goes well, Audi is considering a run up at Colorado's famous Pikes Peak to replicate the 12.4-mile Pikes Peak International Hill Climb sometime in the first quarter of 2010.

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