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Archive for the 'automotive' Tag

By David Ponce
If you’re one of those people who actually uses an off road vehicle off roads, then something like this little device from Uxsight might come in handy. Attach it to your dash with the self adhesive bottom and be constantly aware of your vehicle’s tilt and roll. You can even enter maximum values as per your vehicle’s handbook and be alerted of impending doom or whatever it is that happens when you do stuff with your car you really shouldn’t be doing in the first place.
Since it’s all of $18, don’t be surprised that there’s no real carbon on the device; it just sort of looks like there is. Barely.
[ Product Page ] VIA [ Ubergizmo ]

By Andrew Liszewski
A few weeks ago we brought you this ridiculous F1Showcar Motion Simulator and lamented that the $44,900 investment only included a 19-inch LCD display which would hardly provide a ‘realistic’ driving experience. Instead, we’d have liked to have seen a screen like the one the RS1 Xtreme M3 Simulator from Texas Sim Racing Inc. comes with. Specifics about its actual size aren’t listed on the website, but the display does provide 180 degrees of “immersion screen technology” which works in conjunction with a 3-axis motion actuator system that’s capable of acceleration up to 2G’s. I have to say I completely agree with the company’s slogan, “it doesn’t need to look like one, It only needs to feel like one” though they should also include a bit about it costing like one too, since you’re looking at about $30,000 for this particular setup.
[ RS1 Xtreme M3 Racing Simulator ] VIA [ Born Rich ]
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

By David Ponce
There are levels to nerdship and we’re pretty sure that spending countless hours building your very own miniature replica of the Tumbler from Batman Begins and The Dark Knight qualifies your for a lifetime achievement award. Ebay user “tully712″ did just that but at least had the presence of mind to try and capitalize from his obsession by putting up plans to his creation for auction. The starting price was $29.88 and with 13 hours left, bidding is unfortunately only up to, well, $29.88.
Should you be the lucky winner of this auction you will receive a zipped copy of the files by email, granting you a license to build this yourself although not ownership of the design itself. We’re not certain about the legal implications of this user profiting from a car actually designed by a multi-million dollar cinematic production, but we doubt anyone really gives a damn.
Keep reading for a video of the Tumbler Go-Kart in action and a little photo gallery.
Read the rest of this entry »

By Andrew Liszewski
At times RFID technology gets a bad rap, but that’s because it’s not always the best solution for every situation. (ie Passports etc.) However, here’s one example where the technology really shines. Developed by DeWalt, Tool Link is a $1,120 option for Ford trucks that uses RFID tags to keep track of your tools so that you don’t accidentally leave one behind at a job site.
The system comes with 50 tags that can be attached to tools and hardware from any manufacturer, an RFID scanner plus software that runs on the truck’s in-dash computer, as well as a couple of RFID antennas located in the truck’s bed. Once you’ve created a database of your hardware the system can keep track of what items were in the truck at the start of the day, and what items are missing before you leave the construction site at the end of the day, before they go missing permanently.
[ Gearlog - It's 5 O'Clock. Do You Know Where Your Tools Are? ]

By Andrew Liszewski
The Cheetah GPSmirror is a replacement rear-view mirror for your vehicle that uses GPS and a built-in database of speed traps and red light cameras (covering the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia) to apparently let you know when it’s ’safe’ to speed or run a red light. Voice, tone and visual alerts let you know when you’re approaching a camera, or even when you’ve gone over the speed limit, though something tells me anyone buying one of these is probably going to ignore those. ~$250 from Buy.com.
[ Cheetah GPSMirror Speed & Red Light Camera Detector ] VIA [ Uncrate ]

By David Ponce
We like to talk design here at OhGizmo!, so here’s some for you. The Halcyon car is a concept by designer Ralph Tayler-Webb whose looks and construction methods got our curiosity piqued. Inspired by the tranquility and silence of a glider flight over Dartmoor in south west England, Tayler-Webb embarked on a quest to design a car that would allow you to glide through landscapes rather than drive through them, seeing as the beauty and serenity of nature is often crudely broken by the sound and sight of traffic.
Turning to the owl for ideas, the Halcyon is ultra-lightweight, clean, efficient and eerily silent. It’s powered by an electric motor and it’s constructed from porous aluminum. This material is structurally similar to the bones of the owl and has the added advantage of being extremely light while maintaining sufficient rigidity and adequate sound absorption. In other words, it’s light, strong and creates a very quiet cabin.
Of course, this is only a concept. But could this be the way cars will look in a few years?
More pictures after the jump.
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By Andrew Liszewski
For a mere $44,900 you can order yourself a full-size Formula1 replica car complete with paint scheme and graphics of your choosing as well as authentic F1 tires, racing seat and harness, steering wheel and pedal system all mounted on a pneumatically powered motion platform. But here’s what I don’t get. The actual rFactor racing simulator software is displayed on a 19-inch LCD. 19-inches!! If I was already spending close to $45K on a simulator ride I would be more than willing to shell out an extra $5K for a set of wrap-around displays, or at the least something considerably larger than 19-inches.
[ F1Showcar Motion Simulator ] VIA [ Born Rich ]

By David Ponce
It’s not like the Lamborghini Reventon isn’t already an obscenely beautiful car. But that doesn’t stop some people from trying to improve on the design. What you have here is a concept from some guy in Iran, Emil Baddal.
Why are we posting this? Well, why not? Even gadget lovers can appreciate pretty car pictures. Hit the jump for a bunch more.
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By Andrew Liszewski
While definitely slick looking, I think these new suitcases, that are a result of a partnership between McLaren and Samsonite, might actually venture a bit too far into overkill territory. The luxury bags, which start at $326 and will be available in the Fall or Winter, feature a high-end suspension system for the wheels which absorbs the impact of bumpy or uneven terrain to protect what’s inside the bag. It’s a clever idea and all, but until they develop a suspension system that protects your suitcase from baggage handlers, I’m not interested.
[ AME Info - Samsonite partners with McLaren ] VIA [ Born Rich ]
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