RaceAbout Electronic Motorcar - Photo Courtesy of ERA via TreeHugger.com

The Europeans have done it again – the Finnish Raceabout car seems to push hard at our American electric car efforts on a few key levels. It is:

1. Just as beautiful as a Tesla and seems as
2. fast (super light because no mechanical transmission is needed) but it’s got
3. all wheel drive (four motors for four wheels) and it
4. charges in 10 minutes for a 125mile range

Now, the thing to note here is that this isn’t a production vehicle, while Tesla’s roadster is. That’s a big deal as questions of true afford-ability and road worthiness need to be put to the test if you’re going to sell the thing retail. What it does show is that where Americans have been leading via Elon Musk’s electronic supercar, the Europeans aren’t far behind.

Check out the videos below:

Intro to the RaceAbout

The RaceAbout at the Automotive X-Prize

]]> http://www.symbiotekpodcast.com/finnish-raceabout-to-rival-tesla-roadster/feed/ 0 http://www.symbiotekpodcast.com/symbiotek-episode-41-android-sales-surpass-iphone-facebook-backlash-grows/ http://www.symbiotekpodcast.com/symbiotek-episode-41-android-sales-surpass-iphone-facebook-backlash-grows/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 12:29:05 +0000 Dwayne http://www.symbiotekpodcast.com/?p=1225

In this episode, Devindra, Dwayne, and Chris discuss the Android operating system’s rise to the number two spot behind Blackberry,and where it’s headed, Google’s possible tablet collaboration with Verizon, and they spend some time on the recent lashback against Facebook. The guys also muse on how the independent music movement is making use of web 2.0 technologies.

Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS (for other media players), stream it with the player below, or   download the episode. You can email us at symbiotekpodcast@gmail.com.

Discussion Highlights

• (02:57) The Rise of Android - Google takes the No. 2 spot in smartphone sales for Q1 2010.
• (16:39) Sprint announces release date for HTC Evo 4G – June 4, 2010.
• (23:03) More Facebook Backlash – Early De-Dopters (we told ya so) and the Uncanny Valley of FB Privacy.
• (35:16) And Facebook’s got multiple technical glitches to sort out.
• (40:20) Even social game giant Zynga may leave Facebook! But why?
• (50:00) The Music Revolution – is it here yet? How some bands are using Web 2.0 tech to make it without the recording industry.
• (58:12) Remembering the most excellent and righteous term: WebMaster
• The Rundown!
  • (1:00:56) Eco Eco Eco — China’s poop-powered meat factory (no joke!)
  • (1:06:15)Europe Finds Clean Energy in Trash.
  • (1:08:41) Obsolete phone boxes saved by rise of the electric vehicle (via Do the Green Thing)
  • (1:11:03) Microsoft announces October 2010 launch date for Natal.
  • (1:15:38) Blippy Users Streaming $1.5 Million in Purchases Per Week

Featured Music

• Shiro Sagisu – “Magmadiver”; ” Both Of You, Dance Like You Want To Win!” ; “Barefoot in the Park” – from the Neon Genesis Evangelion Soundtrack

Nuclear power puts on a happier face?

We discussed a few weeks ago on the run-down a new type of nuclear reactor that utilized depleted uranium and that theoretically be built on a much smaller and safer scale than traditional reactors.  Well it appears that we were not the only ones who noticed this technology as Bill Gates and Toshiba have thrown his prestige (and presumably some of his billions of dollars) behind Terrapower, which is working on this technology.

via Engadget.

I am constantly fascinated by the ingenuity and cleverness of  designers and inventors like Fabian Hemmert.  His idea is simple — that technology should mimic organic life, but his execution is surprisingly ingenious and clever.

via Engadget.

Who says technology needs to involve complex electronics? This humidifier works entirely by natural properties of wood and water. The biological structure of a tree is designed to transfer water from the roots to the branches.  This humidifier combines these natural properties with an ingenious design to humidify your surroundings using no electricity.

via Gizmodo