Posts filed under 'Travel'
The only thing better than traveling first class would be first class with no baggage to haul around. Starting this month in Japan’s Kita Kyushu airport the reality maybe closer then you think. Robotic porters will be available during select afternoon hours and can carry just over 100lbs of luggage. Travelers either speak or input their desired point of destination via the on screen map. I’m guessing the phone is for calling taxi, limos or other airport services. Currently the robot porters are limited to taxi or bus stops. Pair this technology with the
RFID luggage tracking I mentioned earlier this afternoon, and your bags might just magically show up at your hotel or house.
More pics after the ‘leap’
Via Digitalworldtokyo via DVice
February 14th, 2008
According to
Digital Trends, for the next 6 months London Heathrow Airport and Emirates Airlines are testing RFID tagging to track luggage. Not just for internal airport use, the traveler will also receive text message updates as to the location of their bags. Hopefully all will bode well with Emirates Airlines and Heathrow, and the rest of the airport World will roll this technology out. It will be interesting to see how this system addresses the ‘lost luggage’ concern. No doubt this will draw some privacy concerns, though.
February 14th, 2008
Ann Arbor, Michigan has been on
a green project ‘tear’ lately. Earlier this year they began by replacing all
standard streetlights with LEDs. Now they’ve got a project on the books called The Interstate Traveler Hydrogen Highway. The state of Michigan hopes to connect Ann Arbor and Detroit using a raised railway like system that combines Maglev, Hydrogen and Solar Power technology. The system, called the ‘rail conduit cluster’, will be zero emission and carry cars, people, and even distribute electricity, water, liquid waste, fiber optics, hydrogen, oxygen (not sure what this would be used for) and other fuels. The project’s brainchild is
NEWTY award recipient Justin Eric Sutton. They’ve even designed an ‘active floor restraint’ for loading cars and cargo. The construction is set to start this year.
More pics and details after the ‘leap’
Update: According Megan Owens, the Exectuive Director, Transportation Riders United of Detroit this story is incorrect. “Your story about a maglev train being built in Ann Arbor is wrong. The idea is neat, but Ann Arbor officials confirm that there is no truth to this rumor.”
Complete details here.
Via Inhabitat
February 13th, 2008
Steve Jobs, the master of spin, pulled the new
Macbook
Air out of a manila envelope at this year’s Macworld conference. So what did some creative folks do to capitalize on the spin? Make a Macbook Air sleeve that resembles the same envelope of course – includes the red string as well. There’s also versions for the 15” and 17” Macbook Pro. Crafted of Poly microfiber and lined with a fuzzy neoprene lining (I didn’t know neoprene could be fuzzy), these sleeves will cost you $62, $68, and $72 respectively.
Available here.
Via Core77 and Mocoloco
February 12th, 2008
A ways back we reported on this crazy concept called the ‘
Forecasting Umbrella‘. At the time it was just that, a concept. Thanks to the guys and gals at ThinkGeek they’ve brought Seattle, Boston…well, crappy weather located folks - some fortuitous power. The
Ambient Forecasting Umbrella is actually a top notch looking rain protecting device. It’s got the flap at the top to allow for extreme wind gusts to pass through, and best of all includes a blue flashing LED at its handle to indicate if precipitation is in the forecast. If it flashes slow then there’s a lesser chance of rain or snow, faster and a greater chance. Too bad it doesn’t do red or green to provide greater clarity on what impending weather lies in one’s future. Receives weather updates from Accuweather.com and works in 150 US locations. Stick in a C battery and you’re in the wet.
For $99 you might be better off checking your iPhone and/or spending your money on one. You decide.
November 2nd, 2007
This one was just too cool to pass up. The new Airbus A380 is absolutely massive. It can hold a whopping 800+ people if stacked with just economy seats. Who would opt for that lay out, especially if you’re trying to drive brand allegiance and equity. That’s why you install a few private suites that include bed and TV. Apparently a movable wall can be manipulated and allow for two twin beds to be pushed together. Based on the pic it looks like it’s not entirely closed off since it features an open ceiling (you can see the sliding door in the mirror’s reflection, though). The 23″ flat screen TV and mood lighting are a fantastic touch. Cost of the suites? Probably upwards of $15,000 per trip…anyone know? For the maiden voyage one passenger paid just over $100k for two suites. Marketing slogan: “Joining the mile high club has never been so easy”. Surprisingly its the most fuel efficient and quietest passenger jet ever built.
More pics here.
October 25th, 2007
My friends over at
Aving News got some pics of Korean Air’s gigantic Airbus A380 - you know that winged monster of a plane? They’ve got some pretty detailed pictures if you click over. What was my biggest take away you ask? The crapper with a window seat of course!
September 7th, 2007
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