Half the Bike, Double the Fun

Halfbike brings you a completely new experience. It’s a vehicle that combines running and cycling, which turns out to be remarkably exciting and fun for getting around the city. A bicycle revised both in terms of size and functionality, a new kind of personal vehicle designed with rider experience in mind. Halfbike is light, compact and simple. You stand upright and turn simply by leaning your body. The ride is so smooth it almost feels like you’re gliding! See it in action —>

Designer: Kolelinia

Kolelinia Halfbike

Transportation start-up Kolelinia has created a vehicle that uses pedal power to transport riders around town while standing up, like a low-tech version of a Segway (+ movie).

The Halfbike by Kolelinia features pedals like a bicycle that the user balances on while holding on to a single waist-height handlebar in an upright stance.

The pedals are connected to a large front wheel by a chain that drives the Halfbike forward, while two smaller wheels at the back provide a stable base and a brake on the joystick-like handlebar is used to slow down.

The motion of pedalling results in an experience similar to low-impact running, while the upright riding position provides good visibility.

"Its combination of cycling and smooth assisted running provides a remarkably quick and fun way of urban travel," said the designers. "Its innovative rider position, at the same time both upright and higher, gives you a new perspective on the city."

The user steers the Halfbike by leaning to either side, which shifts the balance between the front wheel and the rear axle.

Kolelinia said the Halfbike was designed for commuting short distances and provides a compact alternative to a bicycle that is easy to carry or store.

"It is compact enough for an elevator, light enough to carry on stairs, and fits into spaces too small for a normal bicycle," the designers explained.

A handlebar made from plywood is fixed to the laser-cut aluminium frame, which is currently white but will eventually be available in six additional colours.

"We see the Halfbike as an alternative for people tired of sitting in traffic jams, which at the same time improves their experience of travel," the designers added.

Prices for the Halfbike start from $799. Kolelinia founders Martin Angelov and Mihail Klenov have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the first batch of production.

Volkswagon Uniblock Modular Concept Car

The Uniblock automated vehicle is actually a modular 3-cars-in-1! The clever design splits up to tackle different scenarios. In single car mode, it’s beneficial for short distances or using narrow roads. Expanded to two or three, Uniblock becomes the perfect caravan for making long journeys on the wider open road. Best of all, it will drive itself so you can sit back and relax inside the comfy reconfigurable cabin!

Designer: Jungu Lee

Lotus C-01 Motorcycle

After 2 years of careful planning and intense development, finally Lotus is ready to release its first motorcycle. Lotus Motorcycle C-01 is road ready motorbike that features bulky body, the world’s first motorcycle that carries the legendary Lotus trademark, it is road ready for action. Designed by Daniel Simon and developed by Germany’s Kodewa Performance Motorcycles and tuner Holzer Group, this prototype has earned a green light from Lotus to be produced. Yes, Lotus group doesn’t design or engineer this motorbike, it’s actually the result of collaboration between Kodewa, lead by Dr Colin Kolles and transportation design guru Daniel Simon.

Powered with V-twin engine, Lotus Motorcycle C-01 has a unique body design that integrates carbon fiber, titanium, and aerospace quality steel. Thanks to the team great motorsport experience, this concept boasts a unique appearance of high performance superbike.

Designer : Daniel Simon for Lotus

You can also customize this bike, the company provides a customization service which limited only by your imagination. This futuristic bike will be available for exclusive production of just 100 units, so, for all superbike collectors or Lotus brand fans, you need to order now to secure your Lotus motorbike.

The first idea came from Dr Colin Kolles, he wanted to create a bike that isn’t just feel great to ride but also represent a beautiful piece of art in motion. The result is this true state of the art technology with jaw-dropping aesthetic. The balance between aggressive power and handling make the ride sensational, very impressive.

ENGINE

• Construction: 2-cylinder 4-stroke engine, 75° V-style
• Capacity: 1,195 cm³
• Bore: 105 mm
• Stroke: 69 mm
• Power Approx: 200 HP
• Transmission: 6-gear jaw-type shift transmission
• Lubrication: Dry sump lubrication
• Main shaft ratio: 40:76
• Lay shaft ratio: 15:41
• Cooling: Water cooling
• Clutch: Hydraulic anti-hopping clutch

 

CHASSIS

• Frame: Aero tech steel/Titanium/Carbon fibre frame
• Fork: Upside down
• Suspension strut: Twin suspension strut
• Spring travel front: 80 mm
• Spring travel rear: 70 mm
• Brake system front: Twin brake disc, ø320mm, four piston calipers
• Brake system rear: One brake disc, ø220mm, two piston calipers

Maserati LaMaserati Concept

Mark Hostler, a transportation designer, has envisioned the next generation of hypercar called Maserati LaMaserati. It was inspired by LaFerrari platform, utilizing the same V12 engine with re-turned KERS system to reduce the overall weight. Graduating from Staffordshire University, Hostler has designed LaMaserati to be the purest expression of the Ferrari’s core values, which are elegant, stylish, striking presence, high performance with finesse.

Built around the flagship of LaFerrari hypercar, LaMaserati in so many ways are more like Maserati MC12 which was built around Ferrari Enzo. Take a look at those smooth curves, sweeping widescreen, and aggressive front fascia along the classic Blue and White color scheme link LaMaserati aesthetically to the Maserati range and the company’s heritage. The airflow inspired bodywork is designed with a focus on smooth, unbroken lines and fluid surfaces wrapping around the wheels, creating a contemporary and dynamic aesthetic.

Designer : Mark Hostler

With Laferrari’s Kers system removed to save weight, and the Ferrari 6.3l V12 re-tuned to compensate for the loss of power and torque, LaMaserati is geared more to the sensation of driving than final performance figures. The lightness, handling, and an analogue driving feel take priority over power and overall speed.

Royal Enfield Pioneer Concept e-Motorcycle

The renowned Royal Enfield brand usually conjures thoughts of cafe racer, bullet-style bikes with retro aesthetics. Ditch what you know because the Royal Enfield Pioneer is anything but! Its futuristic styling unapologetically retains NONE of the Enfield’s classic styling… regardless, it’s a fresh look at the evolution of the e-motorcycle. Designed for new riders, its self-balancing system/autonomous riding mode give it a sort of “sixth sense” that helps train newbies and hone experienced rider’s skills.

Designer: Daniel Lars Gunnarsson

Supersonic Jet Ditches Windows for Massive Live-Streaming Screens

Designer : Spike Aerospace

Spike Aerospace is in the midst of building the first supersonic private jet. And when the $80 million S-512 takes off in December 2018, it won’t have something you’d find on every other passenger aircraft: windows.

The Boston-based aerospace firm is taking advantage of recent advances in video recording, live-streaming, and display technology with an interior that replaces the windows with massive, high-def screens. The S-512’s exterior will be lined with tiny cameras sending footage to thin, curved displays lining the interior walls of the fuselage. The result will be an unbroken panoramic view of the outside world. And if passengers want to sleep or distract themselves from ominous rainclouds, they can darken the screen or choose from an assortment of ambient images. But this isn’t just a wiz-bang feature for an eight-figure aircraft.

While windows are essential for keeping claustrophobia in check, they require engineering workarounds that compromise a fuselage’s simple structure. And that goes two-fold for a supersonic aircraft. An airplane is stronger sans windows, which is one of the reasons why planes carrying military personnel or packages fly without them. Putting passenger windows on an airplane requires meticulous construction — the ovular shape, small aperture, and double-pane construction are all there to maintain cabin pressure and resist cracking while flying 500 mph at 35,000 feet.

It would be much simpler and safer to have a smooth-skinned, window-less fuselage, but frequent fliers have become accustomed to a calming view of the clouds and tiny cities during takeoff and landing.

Spike says that in order to hit their performance goals, they’ve planned to go windowless since the beginning. “A few advisers and friends are concerned that there are no windows,” Spike founder Vik Kachoria told WIRED. “But I think that if you give them the screens and give them the visibility, you might be able to get away from that.”

This structural workaround relieves Spike’s craft of the drag and weight issues presented by adding windows, which will, Spike projects, allow the plane to hit a top speed of 1,370 mph (Mach 1.8) while carrying up to 18 passengers.