The solar powered Airship One concept is actually a hybrid between an airplane and a semi-rigid airship, developed with an objective to overcome the unbelievable fuel expense of conventional airlines. The aircraft is just a bit heavier than the air, therefore, it requires reasonably less effort to become airborne and stylishly cruise at 120 mph. Moreover, it features vectored ducted fans that facilitate the ship to hover or cruise. The craft’s semi-rigid structure includes carbon fiber paneling, aluminum-grade airframe and strong PVP fabric. With a large cargo bay that can house two full-trailer containers and a passenger compartment which can easily accommodate 25 passengers, the Airship One offers a quiet, eco-friendly and efficient future to air transport.
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Spaceport America is the first commercial spaceport in the world located at New Mexico with hanger and terminal facility aiming to launch individual citizens into space for profit. This taxpayer-funded project worth around $200 million comprises a 10,000-foot runway to fly the airplane with the spacecraft that will break free into 62 miles of space before returning to the base. The flights are designed to last around two hours including 5 minutes of gravity free condition. Seems like science fiction? Around 250 people are ready to pay $200,000 each for a trip during early next year. What do you think now?
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Myung Jin Jung, who is studying in car design course of Hongik University, has designed the Honda Zeppelin, a luxurious futuristic sedan car as his final year thesis. As the name suggests, this splendid car was partially inspired by airships. The mass impression of this car was achieved by combining soft volume elements of an airship and potent lines that are commonly found in luxurious automobiles. The symmetric styling of this Honda Zeppelin is an extraordinary feature which can run from the hood, down the roofline and the entire rear end. Slit-like windscreen is another exclusive feature of this car. There is an inclusive video display inside the car which will allow the driver a greater field-of-vision.
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If you are a sports car fanatic, chances are that you had heard about this very famous and award winning sports car design – The Audi Shark. This sports car concept was designed by Kazim Doku and had just won the top price in the recently concluded 2008 Desire Design Competition in Italy by the Domus Academy. Are you ready for the future? The Audi Shark is a flying vehicle. A two-seater flying car was inspired by the designs of the motorcycle and the airplane combined. With sleek shark-look, the lights are made of transparent tubes, sporty seats and cockpit-like interior design.
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The smallest improvement to the highway freight industry will create a great impact. This highly efficient truck is achieved by the use of a diesel/electric hybrid setup, a converting sleeper cab, and its streamline design. The truck runs with high efficiency through the use of a combustion turbine coupled with an electrical generator. The generator charges the battery reservoir. The combustion turbine utilizes its thermal energy by the use of a steam generator throughout the cooling system, the steam generator also provides an additional amount of cooling, reducing the size of engine ventilation and overall body drag.
The converging sleeper cab sits like a conventional driving cab, but allows for more visibility. The driving cab rotates to allow for a better sleeping position, and reveals a storage compartment for personal storage and a mini dresser. While the cab is in the sleep position the drive pedals are locked out under the cab, due to the rotation, for safety. The seats fold down and together to form a comfortable memory foam mattress.
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