The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Ghostrider riderless motorcycle

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DARPA, the R&D guys at the Department of Defense, came up with a competition last year called the Grand Challenge. The goal is deceptively simple, a driverless, autonomous vehicle must complete a 150 mile desert course in less than 10 hours. If you are quickest across the line, you get $2 million dollars. Last year, no one made it beyond 8 miles. Well, they're doing it again … [Read more...]

Yamaha FC-me fuel cell motorcycle

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Yamaha has a fuel cell motorcycle, the Yamaha FC-me, and is now leasing it to the Shizuoka prefectural government in Japan. They've been testing on public roads since September of last year. Cost is reported to be $942 per month, which is probably about as realistic as what the family in California is paying to lease Honda's hydrogen powered car. Yamaha's goal is greater … [Read more...]

Honda Fuel Cell Scooter

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When I mentioned Honda was planning to have a fuel cell motorcycle by 2009 available for lease, I thought that was a projection based on probable developments, but a little more digging shows they already have this fuel cell scooter that was shown over a year ago. Based on the costs of their FCX fuel cell car, this has got to be the world's most expensive scooter, probably … [Read more...]

High gas prices mean more oil reserves

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When I posted about there being no need for higher fuel economy standards, I mentioned in a later comment how high gas prices do two things: alter people's behavior when it comes to choice of vehicles, change how much they drive, etc and new resources become economically feasible. I mentioned the tar sands in Alberta, Canada as an example, this article talks about Shell's work … [Read more...]

Anti Fog coating for clear surfaces

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Ever ride into fast changing weather and find your helmet shield instantly fogged over? I've had that unpleasant experience and if there is a way to eliminate it, I'm all for it. This new polymer coating made from silica nanotubes, eliminates fogging and it's a permanent solution, unlike all of the spray on products out there that you apply over and over. The coating works on … [Read more...]