maglev
Vehicles
2:00PM Chris Oaten | Reducing our reliance on cars. With magnets. At up to 240km/h. All still hypothetical, of course, but worth checking in on at Phsyorg (via Digg). We think El Jobso might have something to say about the name, though. I mean, hey, it rhymes with iPod. There’s a battle for brand identity right there.
Skypods. The Future Of Urban Transport?
2:00PM Chris Oaten | Reducing our reliance on cars. With magnets. At up to 240km/h. All still hypothetical, of course, but worth checking in on at Phsyorg (via Digg). We think El Jobso might have something to say about the name, though. I mean, hey, it rhymes with iPod. There’s a battle for brand identity right there. 
Vehicles
One-Person Maglev Car, Like Riding a 480KPH Roller Coaster to Work
2:40AM Mark Wilson | It sure looks like a roller coaster, but this maglev (magnetic levitation) car is more likely in development for personal transportation. By Tyco and Gakken, the maglev system suspends the car 2-3 centimeters above the track, propelling the rider forward without friction. Since the fastest record for a full-blown maglev train is 580 kph, my guess is that an open cockpit like this one could make for one hell of a bug-faced ride. Maybe that face squeegee startup isn’t such a crazy investment after all. [nikkei BP via NewLaunches] More »
Vehicles
Transportation Bill Gives US$45 Million To Maglev Project, Sets It Up For Fail
2:00AM Gizmodo US Edition | A new transportation bill signed by Bush on Friday would free up US$45 million to build the U.S.’s first maglev train. The train will travel between Disneyland and Las Vegas at up to 480 kph and is meant to help ease traffic on the 400+ kilometre ride on Interstate 15. While I’m all for high-speed trains and efficient public transportation, isn’t the Bush administration forgetting something? More »
Science
Maglev Haptic Control Technology Could be Used for Microsurgery, Robot Control
10:15AM Adrian Covert | Gadget Lab got a hands-on demo with prototype magnetic levitation haptic control unit at Carnegie Mellon University, where they got a simulated feel for 3D rabbits, hard surfaces and vinyl records. In addition to simulating the general shapes of objects, the technology can accurately reproduce qualities like texture and elasticity using an interesting dual joystick setup. More »
Vehicles
