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Shift Tricycle, Bicycle

The SHIFT Tricycle designed at Purdue University helps children gradually learn how to balance by providing two rear wheels that change angle as speed is increased.  When the child starts out, the back wheels provide a wider base for extra stability, and as the newbie builds momentum the wheels shift towards parallel, putting more of the balance responsibility on the child. 
Since this is just a concept, I’m not quite sure how well the tricycle handles, how it maneuvers corners, or what happens when you slam on the breaks (are the wheels able to shift back or do they stop at parallel?).  Aside from these questions, the trike seems pretty cool.

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imageWhy would you want this? 

I know, your parents didn’t give you enough attention as a child, so you use possessions to force fleeting glimpses of admiration from unassuming strangers in an atypical attempt to fill (if even for a microcosmic second) that void with something you call pride but we call pretentiousness.  In other words, you’re a rich prick.

Built by the 18 year old Ben J. Poss Gulak, the Uno is an electric vehicle that uses two microgyro-motors; one for turning and one for forward and backward movement.  You might remember the microgyro-motor technology from Dean Kamen’s Segway.  I’m a fan of Kamen because he’s from my home state and has the same birth day as myself; two excellent reasons to like someone.  Ben on the other hand named his two wheeled invention the “Uno”- nice job dumb ass, why didn’t you just call it the “tripod” or the “I’m a total douche bag”.

We’re just kidding Ben, we look forward to seeing what else you have in store for the future.

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If you really want to confuse the coppers, ride this contraption away from the scene of your next crime.  I can see the headlines now, “16 foot unilateral insect leaves bloody footprints at shoe store robbery“.
This completely non-practical piece of equipment was created by Max Knight Design for the benefit of Intersection Magazine.  It might not be the most comfortable ride, but it will be sure to turn some heads.   

volitan, flying fish boat, star wars like boat

The Volitan is a Star Wars-esque sail boat design by Designnobis Studio that utilizes solid wind sails and solar energy at the same time. The energy that’s harnessed from the solar panels and wind turbine are stored in a battery that can be utilized throughout the day and night. The wings actually track the sun and wind for optimal performance and in extreme whether conditions they fold up against the side of the boat. Since the Volitan is engineered to operate in winds of up to 60 knots, you’re pretty much screwed if the wings run and hide.  But if you do need to move without the sails the motors on both sides of the boat allow the Volitan to maneuver like Bryan Boitano on a cold day.