MMM… I love this project. The Buckminster Fuller Design Project aims to fix an aspect of our lives in a way that uses creative thinking and existing technologies without causing further problems and anticipate future trends and needs. Phew! Well the guys over at MIT created these Mobility-on-Demand devices called CityCar and RoboScooter. These are lightweight vehicles which are electric and are able to fold up, thus saving on space and energy. You simply rent one from a station, drive around and do your errands, then return to any other station in the city.
I wish Los Angeles was crawling with these things. As dependent as we are on cars this could make it so easy to get around this sprawling city without having to actually own a car. The team at MIT is currently looking for funding for this project, so if you have a several millions dollars lying around you should hit these folks up.
Found through Seed Magazine
Bobby
Earlier today I came across these great little bikes called Jopo, a brand that I’d never heard of. I haven’t been able to find out a lot about these bikes, but that’s where I’m hoping you wonderful readers can come in and help. So far I’ve figured out that thye were manufactured in Finland starting in the mid-60′s. I guess they’re pretty well known over in the Scandanavian areas?
I also know that they look realllllly cool. I love how the frame of the bike is shaped, with that big curve in the middle. That little rack above the back wheel is also pretty great, you could easily transport groceries and things around town. Also, just for clarification, the top photo is the old school one (I think) and the bottom photo is the new version. I definitely prefer the old version much more, especially the angular chain guard thing-y.
Anyone know where I could get one of these in Los Angeles for a good price?
I posted a couple more photos under the cut that I thought were neat, check ‘em out.
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If you’ve read this blog long enough I have an absolute affinity for small cars. I firmly believe that big cars are just stupid, unless you’re a construction worker or some kind of logger. We were all raised in smaller cars, that had no airbags, and I’m sure many of you didn’t even wear seat belts when you were growing up, and yet here we all are.
Anywho, I love this concept vehicle by Adam Schacter called CarGo. It’s kind of like a Smart car and a pick-up truck mixed into one. The truck bed sort of area can sit in three different positions; there’s a vertical, a 45ยบ angle, and a horizontal mode. So if you’re going to the grocery store you might choose vertical, but if you’re going to IKEA you’d probably use horizontal.
This flexibility also allows you to fit into smaller parking spaces, something that’s an absolute necessity here in Los Angeles. Plus it looks absolutely sci-fi, though I’d personally want one in black or a high gloss white. Dear Toyota, buy this concept and make it.
Bobby
My friend Michael emailed me these great ideas for bikeway signage by Joseph Prichard, something that Los Angeles desperately needs. The bright purple signs come in four different categories: Navigation, Caution, Connections and Points of Interest. This is already a great starting point, as the signs will be informative to people on bikes and in cars.
For drivers it makes it clear that a certain stretch of road is a place that must be shared with bike riders. While for bike riders they will hopefully feel safer riding as an area has been precisely mapped out for them. I also like the idea of signs leading to bike shops and bike-friendly places to eat as well.
Click here for more images and info about this great idea.
Bobby
I definitely need a bike for this summer, there’s no two ways about it. But when I get like this, I tend to notice bike things all over the place. The folding bike above is called the iF Mode and was created by Mark Sanders. It’s one of the prettier folding bikes that I’ve seen, which I think is due to a mixture of the creamy body, bits of brown leather and the black tires and detailing. All together it looks really great and very futuristic.
The lame thing is that this puppy goes for $2250, which is ridiculous no matter which way you slice it. Not in this recession…
Found through tomburkulosis
Bobby
Nearly two years ago I posted about the Honda Zoomer, or Rucks here in America,which is a medium sized scooter that gets crazy good mileage, and I’m absolutely obsessed with them. I keep finding new images of them, and seeing them on the roads, and I want one really badly.
They’re not very expensive either, starting at $2,500, and would be amazing to ride, especially here in Los Angeles, where it’s nice 75% of the year. The Ruckus above I found on the ZoomerBoys blog, and I would buy it in a heartbeat, it’s basically the most perfect bike ever.
If anyone from Honda wants to go ahead and give me a ride one of these, or you know, give me one, I’ll be happy to shill for you. Visit Honda’s official Ruckus site for the details.
Bobby
