Watch. Read. Repeat. : Transportation

Transportation

15 September 2010

Mitsubishi Electric Elevators Carry 80, Possibly the World's Largest

If you've ever been annoyed by the impatiently waiting for an office building elevator, this might just be the perfect building for you. Each of the new elevators installed by Mitsubishi Electric in Umeda Hankyu Building’s new office area in Osaka, Japan measures 11.2 x 9.2 feet in area by 8.5 feet high (3.4m wide, 2.8m long and 2.6m high). This allows for a whopping 80 person capacity, or over 11,500 pounds (specifically a 5,250kg load according to the company). Do some quick math, and that means that these five elevators alone can move up to 400 people at once.

And if you think that being crammed into an elevator with 79 other people sounds a little uncomfortable, take solace in the fact that the car does have glass windows, allowing you to enjoy the view as you're going up. The elevator connects the lower department store portion of the building, on floors B2 through 13, and the upper offices, from floors 15 through 41.

When I asked a Mitsubishi representative if this was indeed the world's largest elevator, he could only confirm that "these are the largest capacity passenger elevators to date in Japan". In my own personal research, I have yet to find a bigger one worldwide.

Via Gizmag

Matt Forcey on 15 September 2010 in Architecture, Design, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0)

13 September 2010

Silicone Oven Shields For Forgetful Chefs

It might not make for great stage demos like the iPhone, but I’ll be damned if these low-tech silicone oven shields aren’t the cleverest invention I’ve seen all week. While you can get oven mitts made from silicone that do the same thing, I like that these oven shields stay permanently attached to the racks so they’re always there to protect your fingers from burns (if you’re the forgetful type) since they stay cool to the touch in temperatures up to 450F.

Unfortunately at one point they were available from quite a few online shops like Amazon for about $10 each, but they seem to be disappearing or going out of stock. Anyone know a reliable place to buy these?

Via Oh Gizmo

Matt Forcey on 13 September 2010 in Design, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got MPG? Derringer Cycles Go 150 on a Gallon of Gas and Look Great Doing So

Derringer is the neo-classical interpretation of a 1920's era board track racing motorcycle, but that's not all. Designed by world-renowned industrial designer, Adrian Van Anz, this revolutionary moto-hybrid was conceived as an exciting new option in highly-efficient transportation.

Derringers can be pedaled as a traditional bicycle, propelled via engine power (49cc 4-stroke means it's street legal), or pedaled with the assistance of engine power. While under power, the pedals can also remain stationary, allowing you to operate in the style of a traditional motorcycle (with speeds up to 40mph).

Capable of fuel economy ratings that can exceed 150 mpg, Derringers take the compromise out of environmentalism, clearly evidenced by the number of customers who purchase a Derringer along with an in-home display stand.

Get your's for $3,500 at Derringer Cycles

Via Mototype

Matt Forcey on 13 September 2010 in Eco, Toys, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0)

10 September 2010

Puma's New Cargo Bicycle

Danish bicycle company Biomega and design collective KiBiSi have collaborated to create this new bike for sports brand Puma. The PUMA Mopion Bike has a metal rack attached to the front of the frame for carrying baggage. The frame is made of aluminium, weighs 22 kilograms (48.5 lbs) and comes in black, white, or a magenta, blue and lime livery.

PUMA Mopion is rock steady for the daily grind. It mixes city bike features, and cargo bike features, making it a sturdy companion. It comes with a super-size innovative front carrier for heavy duty transport of your groceries or other needs. Developed for city dwellers, Mopion features a light aluminum frame, making it a one-of-a-kind lightweight cargo bike. The geometry holds the body in a slightly inclined, but still heads-up position for navigational ease and exceptional balancing.

By pulling together the best parts of practical, continental city and folding bikes, BMXs, American cruisers, and fixies, these bikes create a whole new urban typology, one that stands out in the crowd and knows how to make its own way.  Mopion will be launched at the Eurobike and Interbike shows in September 2010, and will be available in spring 2011.

Via Dezeen

Matt Forcey on 10 September 2010 in Eco, Toys, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New Classics: Heritage-Inspired Dreamboats

By Matt Forcey

Earlier today, the Thayer IV, took to the water, on a lake in Minnesota, for the first time since it's near-complete restoration. Few probably know that this boat, a 1950 Chris-Craft Sportsman, was featured in several scenes in the Oscar-winning movie "On Golden Pond".

For me, that boat was the highlight of the movie. Ever since being conscripted to watch the Hepburn / Fonda melodrama with my folks when I was younger (it's not a kid flick), I have been infatuated with older Chris-Craft runabouts. These dames were endowed with an elegance and character that I didn't see in the motorboats produced during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s (even those built by Chris-Craft).

In 2000, Chris-Craft was sold out of bankruptcy to Stephen Julius, who also owned the iconic brands Indian Motorcycles and Riva (Italian boat maker - remember the boat chase in the third Indiana Jones movie?). Mr. Julius, who seems to be, like myself, inspired by history, set out to re-establish Chris-Craft's image of luxury. From a design standpoint, this meant introducing new models that harkened back to Chris-Craft's heyday in the 50s. All new models were united by distinctive design flairs, such as the classic reverse transom and a flared bow.

Chris-Craft and their European competitors now offer a fleet of aristocratic, yet seductive, motorboats that infuse classic design with contemporary technology. As evidenced by the number of industry awards bestowed on these boats, this is apparently what the boating crowd desires.

Now, although I'm still counting my nickels and dimes, I do of course have a wish list in my head for when that day arrives where I can motor off into the sunset. Here are my current favorites... which will hopefully have made their way to the pre-owned market by the time I'm ready to buy:

American-designed Chris-Craft Corsair