This tiny little pod car runs on air!
India's Tata Motors is working on a revolutionary new concept car, Airpod concept car. It's small and futuristic looking like many other models, but unlike those vehicles, this one runs on compressed air. It's a tiny little three-seater designed for urban driving. The small size also helps the power generated from the engine better propel the car. It holds about 175 liters of air that will take you about 125 miles; Tata reports top speeds of around 50 mph.
Writing in The Atlantic Cities, John Metcalfe explains how the Airpod works:
"Sadly, these vehicles do not function by farting out a loud stream of gas that propels them forth. They instead are built with pneumatic motors that use pressurized air to drive pistons. In the case of Tata, a company that's developing a line of "nano" cars (including this bulletproof dwarf tank), the engines come from Luxembourg firm MDI, which has been tooling around with air automation for more than two decades.
Tata bought the rights to sell MDI's creations in India five years ago, but the project's proven difficult to get popping. But in May, the motor giant announced that it had completed the "first phase" of the Airpod, successfully testing out the engines in two vehicles. The Airpod team presumably is now in Phase 2, polishing up on the hardware in advance of a commercial launch.
So what does this auto of the future look like? Following the smartcar trend, it resembles something that stumbled out of Pixar's Cars. The mid-sized model fits three passengers, although one must face backward like he's being punished for something, and is streamlined almost to the point of becoming a sphere. Its tank can hold 175 liters of air, which a driver gets either at a specialized fueling station or by activating an onboard electric motor to suck it in. Its makers say that filling er' up will cost a paltry €1, and that a full tank of air can last for roughly 125 miles. "
Via dvice, theatlanticcities
By Ben on Thu Aug 23 2012
"Sadly, these vehicles do not function by farting out a loud stream of gas that propels them forth. They instead are built with pneumatic motors that use pressurized air to drive pistons. In the case of Tata, a company that's developing a line of "nano" cars (including this bulletproof dwarf tank), the engines come from Luxembourg firm MDI, which has been tooling around with air automation for more than two decades.
Tata bought the rights to sell MDI's creations in India five years ago, but the project's proven difficult to get popping. But in May, the motor giant announced that it had completed the "first phase" of the Airpod, successfully testing out the engines in two vehicles. The Airpod team presumably is now in Phase 2, polishing up on the hardware in advance of a commercial launch.
So what does this auto of the future look like? Following the smartcar trend, it resembles something that stumbled out of Pixar's Cars. The mid-sized model fits three passengers, although one must face backward like he's being punished for something, and is streamlined almost to the point of becoming a sphere. Its tank can hold 175 liters of air, which a driver gets either at a specialized fueling station or by activating an onboard electric motor to suck it in. Its makers say that filling er' up will cost a paltry €1, and that a full tank of air can last for roughly 125 miles. "
Via dvice, theatlanticcities
By Ben on Thu Aug 23 2012
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Renault's latest concept, the RS2027 Vision, imagines the near-future of Formula 1. This sleek...
Unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, Audi's new E-Tron Sportback Concept is an all-electric...
Inspired by the Tonka trucks of our youth. The concept is based on the Australian version of the...
Created by Bulgarian designer Encho Enchev. Looking like a cross between a super-car and the Nolan...
Ahead of its annual Jeep Safari, now in its 50th year, Jeep has gone ahead and released a handful...
Rimac Automobili has announced that it will be unveiling the production version of its all-electric...
At CES 2016, Volkswagen introduced a new concept electric vehicle, the BUDD-e. The...
Toyota C-HR concept debut at the Paris Motor Show this week.The C-HR Concept is built...
Mercedes-Benz's new body-changing Concept IAA. This four-door coupe can transform, while...
Porsche Mission E Concept, 600 horsepower, a 0-62mph time "under" 3.5 seconds, a...
BMW is finally pulling the wraps off its sixth-generation 7 Series. The cars will first launch with...
Infiniti unveils the Vision Gran Turismo Concept. Although initially designed strictly for...
Volvo unveiled its Lounge Console Concept at the Shanghai Motor Show. The concept is based on the...
Dubbed "Le Bistro du Lion," the truck is a project of the Peugeot Design Lab. It's built...
Kia Motors Europe will unveil an new concept, the Kia SPORTSPACE, at the 85th Salon International...
NEAT STUFF FROM The LIKECOOL STORE:
The LIKECOOLSTORE'S Kevlar Fiber iPhone Case($49 $89) is made from 100% DuPont ballistic Kevlar. The case is only 0.4mm, and only 12 grams(0.42 ounces). Kevlar is exceptionally strong at 5 times strength of steel on equal weight basis. No any signal eliminate. Or you can choose Benks iPhone 7 Case here, just $9.9.
The Benks Matte Color iPhone 7 /7 Plus Case($9.9) from LIKECOOLSTORE'S. The Benks iPhone 7/ iPhone 7 Plus cases are lightweight and simple. The case is only 0.4mm ultra thickness, to keep iPhone 7 original thin and hand feeling! Made of hight quality polypropylene plastic. Available in matte black, matte blue, matte pink, transparent black, transparent white. Benks iPhone 6 Case here, just $9.
