The terms of the loan mandated certain milestones and timescales that Fisker needed to meet in order to claim each part of the cash, and with the shipping schedule not going according to plan there’s now a mandatory renegotiation. So far, Fisker says, it has received $193m of the total loan and is “renegotiating some terms of the DOE agreement” as well as continuing to “pursue alternative funding sources.”

It’s not the only recent bad news for Fisker Automotive. The company was forced to recall 239 Karma cars earlier this year, after battery issues spotted in December became more widespread.

Fisker had originally planned to push out Project Nina in 2012, though now says it will focus on the Karma this year and return to the second model at a later point, timescale unspecified. The company has already raised around $850m in private equity funding.

[via Engadget]

“The agency’s investigation has concluded that no discernible defect trend exists and that the vehicle modifications recently developed by General Motors reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts” NHTSA

Those guidelines will be targeted at emergency response teams and others who may come into contact with electric vehicles. With the Volt, the particular issue surrounded an apparent fire risk prompted after side-impact tests punctured the battery and coolant leaked; atypical tests – including x-rays of batteries – performed on various Volt components replicated a fire, though no real-world example has been recorded.

“NHTSA has developed interim guidance — with the assistance of the National Fire Protection Association, the Department of Energy, and others — to increase awareness and identify appropriate safety measures for these groups. The agency expects this guidance will help inform the ongoing work by NFPA, DOE, and vehicle manufacturers to educate the emergency response community, law enforcement officers, and others about electric vehicles” NHTSA

In the meantime, GM has offered non-Volt loaner vehicles to nervous owners while the testing was underway, and even to buy back unwanted cars that drivers no longer felt safe in. “We did not have one customer that wanted to sell it back or felt concerned enough to get a loaner vehicle” one Chevrolet dealer told the NYTimes, though the company has missed its 2011 sales target by over 1,000 cars.

The salvage attempt itself will be technologically complex, requiring multiple specialists teams to operate on the vessel simultaneously. Most immediate – aside from search & rescue looking for any remaining survivors – is a team from SMIT, which has been tasked with removing in excess of 2,300 tonnes of fuel still onboard.

Although experts say the risk of a spillage is low, there are concerns that if the Costa Concordia slips into deeper water then removing the fuel will be made far more complex. Anti-spill booms have been put into place around the ship.

Beyond that, a fleet of ships will winch the cruise ship upright again, potentially using inflatables progressively placed underneath its body to help tip it back to the correct orientation. That will only be possible once the full extent of the puncture damage underneath is understood, however. The salvage project as a whole is expected to extend across a period of months or more.

[via BBC]

The wedge-shaped structure consists of various stacked layers, with the more private areas of the house – such as bedrooms – shifted further back and away from public view. Modular and pull-out cabinets, seating and other furniture increases flexibility in use, while the bathroom is a wetroom with a sunken bathtub.

Up to 45 solar panels can be mounted on the roof, providing three times the energy than the CHIP home actually requires. LED lighting and wireless switches mean less power, fewer bulbs and no complex tangle of wiring, while HVAC energy use is reduced by implementing a large water storage tank. This maintains a thermal load, cutting down on water-heating costs as well as drawing off excess heat in summer.

As for tech, the iPad is used to remotely control the wireless ZigBee Control4 lighting and other kit, as well as show real-time information on power consumption, while the Kinect means you can control the CHIP’s various systems using gestures and pointing. Sensors mean CHIP can turn on specific hardware when you sit in certain chairs, close blinds when it’s bright, and automatically lower shutters to avoid passive heating.

The 750 square meter house is an entry into the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

[via SmartPlanet]

“Apple will also open its supply chain to the FLA’s independent auditing team, who will measure our suppliers’ performance against the FLA’s Workplace Code of Conduct and the results will appear on their website” Apple

In addition to the checks, the FLA will also be working with Apple on its worker empowerment program and its Supplier Employee Education and Development (SEED) program. These teach workers their employment rights – including health & safety and occupational health standards – as well as offering classes in finance, computers and English. The FLA already works with civil society organizations, universities and companies on social responsibility programs.

“We found that Apple takes supplier responsibility seriously and we look forward to their participation in the Fair Labor Association. We welcome Apple’s commitment to greater transparency and independent oversight, and we hope its participation will set a new standard for the electronics industry.” Auret van Heerden, president, FLA

Apple said that 229 audits took place in 2011, an 80-percent uptick from 2010, just short of half of which were first-time investigations. The company also called in independent engineering experts to carry out new environmental checks on fourteen specific Chinese facilities. “We uncovered some violations” Apple confirmed, but says it “worked with our suppliers to correct the issues.”

The disclosure is part of Apple’s annual Supplier Responsibility Program, with the company releasing today its progress report for 2011. Apparently supply chain 229 audits took place last year – 80-percent more than in 2010 – and 100 of which were first-time investigations. These also included new environmental checks, focused on specific Chinese suppliers, working alongside independent engineering experts to look into 14 facilities.

“We uncovered some violations” Apple says, “and worked with our suppliers to correct the issues.” That environmental aspect is only going to get more intense in 2012, Apple claims.

Meanwhile, Apple found no underage workers, at its final assembly suppliers at least, and has apparently enrolled over 60,000 workers in business and entrepreneurship classes, lessons to improve computer skills, or to learn English. Common issues discovered among suppliers include not paying overtime or using salary penalties as disciplinary measures, some “accidental” hiring of underage labor where checks were insufficient, and various safety problems with equipment and training, which resulted in one facility being shut down until problems were addressed.

The full progress report can be read here [pdf link].

As for suppliers, some expected names are on the list, including Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Quanta, though we can’t spot TSMC, the independent chip foundry which at one point was tipped to be replacing Samsung as an Apple A6 supplier.

[via Chronic]

So, you get a new Human-Machine Interface (HMI) touchscreen based on a smartphone UI, controlling air conditioning, audio, battery-charge and navigation functions and learning from the driver’s habits to adapt the interface and automated routines over time. There’s also a new Pre-Collision System (PCS) with lane departure, rear-end and pedestrian collision avoidance, pulling together data from radar and stereo cameras – along with IR floodlights at night – to recognize potential hazards.

Toyota NS4 Concept:

Wing mirrors and rear-view mirrors are replaced with cameras, beaming information to high-res screens across the dashboard, and the glass gets hydrophobic and anti-fog coatings along with UV and anti-solar treatments.

As for the Toyota Prius c, the sub-$19,000 hybrid is intended for roads somewhat sooner than the NS4, and pairs a choice of 1.5 liter or 1.8 liter four-cylinder VVT-i engines with an electric motor, CVT and 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack under the rear seats. That’s apparently good for 53 mpg in the city or 46 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 50 mpg.

You also get nine airbags as standard, along with automatic climate control, Multi-Information Display and Bluetooth hands-free controls, and remote keyless entry. There’ll be an optional 6.1-inch touchscreen satnav unit with iPhone integration and SiriusXM satellite radio support.

It’s all part of what Acura reckons was part of the original appeal of the NSX: “high performance through engineering efficiency.” The SH-AWD (sport hybrid all wheel drive) system runs its power through a dual-clutch transmission, while an electric motor provides “supercar acceleration” with the least possible impact on efficiency.

Acura isn’t saying quite how efficient the NSX Concept actually is, however, preferring to point to a respectable power-to-weight ratio. Unfortunately it doesn’t say either power or weight either, leaving us somewhat in the dark about performance overall.

Still, it looks amazing and we’re not the only ones who have fond memories of the original NSX, so you can bet this is a project Honda fans will be watching closely. More details in the video below.

All that’s known so far is that the Model X will be based on the same underpinnings as the Model S sedan, the four door car Tesla is expected begin deliveries on later this year. As a fully electric, plug-in vehicle it will qualify for the US government tax credits, though final pricing for the Model X itself is yet to be confirmed.

All Musk will say is that he expects the SUV to be “will be very well received” when it’s revealed next month. Some of Tesla’s expertise will also be called upon for Toyota’s new RAV4, for which Musk says his company is providing “the whole power train, motor, battery pack, inverter, and charger and all the software.” That’s expected to be revealed midway through this year.

Meanwhile the two seats are like bright yellow hammocks, split in the middle for extra comfort, and the dashboard is suitably swoopy for a concept, with a combination of mother-of-pearl white and brushed aluminum. The tailgate is electrically operated, and when all the motorized parts have finished shuffling out of the way, reveals a 90cm-long load area.

That’s not going to compete with a dual-cab pick-up truck, but it’s not bad for a vehicle that measures 3.547 x 1.506 x 1.701 meters; smart expects it to be put to use with a pair of the company’s existing electric bikes. In fact, there are two charging points for the bikes in the loadbay itself, allowing you to keep them topped up while you transport them.

This isn’t the first unusual, cutaway version of a traditional smart from the company. Back in 2002 smart launched the limited edition crossblade, a pared back modification of the regular fortwo that lacked a windscreen, doors or roof. Right now, though, smart is only saying that the electric powerplant of the for-us will make it to production, at the heart of the smart fortwo electric drive set to go on sale in spring 2012.

“We’re getting a lot of interest, we’re just not getting a lot of buyers” one GM dealer told the newspaper, referring to the $41,000 price tag of the electric car. “Customers come in, they are wowed by the display, the quick acceleration. It’s just going to take a while for the American public to accept the price.”

Now, though, it seems the public will also have to stomach the Volt’s patchy safety record. General Motors has moved swiftly to reassure early-adopters that the fire risk to the car is negligible, even going so far as to offer to buy back vehicles from those people who have decided the Volt is not for them. Unfortunately, a federal safety investigation is already underway into whether the Volt presents a serious safety problem.

According to GM, a fix is in the works for the roughly 6,000 Volts already on the road – a number that indicates another 2,000 cars are expected to be delivered to satisfy existing orders, or sold to new buyers, before the year is out. The problem, the company claims, is where a broken pipe drips coolant onto the battery wiring and, eventually, causes a short-circuit. US government testing on three cars found the issue caused the li-ion batteries to spark or catch fire, after the cars had been used in crash testing.

GM has set a 45,000 Volt sales target for 2012. According to former vice chairman Bob Lutz, who led the Volt project, the 2011 target “was ambitious and should never have been announced” and was likely to fail from the outset as production couldn’t keep up.

The fruits of the Toyota and BMW deal will initially be seen in 2014, as Toyota cars for the European market roll off the production line under BMW power. The German company has been pushing to expand its engine and powertrain supply business, with the Toyota arrangement presenting shoppers with a cheaper way to get their hands on a BMW-powered car.

Meanwhile, both firms will begin collaborative research into next-gen lithium-ion battery technologies, which could be used to power electric cars and hybrids such as BMW’s i3 and i8 concepts. The partnership is being painted as the first of a number of possible collaborative projects.

As for Honda, it’s not talking about electric but about getting frugal diesel powerplants into cars sooner. The first Earth Dreams Technology engine will show up in the new European Civic, set to go on sale in late 2012. Lighter than existing diesel engines, it has sub-100g/km CO2 emissions yet still delivers 300Nm of torque (at 2000rpm). No word on whether we’ll ever see it appear in cars in North America.

Honda and Toyota didn’t let the Tokyo opportunity to have some weird car fun pass them by, however. As well as the more sensible announcements, Honda brought out the EV-STER TRON-style roadster, while Toyota created what it described as “a smartphone on wheels” in the shape of the ridiculously customizable Fun-Vii.

In fact, Google says its data centers use around half of the power that rivals demand, with a significant reduction in facilities costs – such as cooling and powering the servers themselves – being the main reason. Meanwhile around 35-percent of the power Google uses is from renewable sources: the solar panels at its Mountain View campus, for instance, are good for 3m kWh of electricity each year.

Meanwhile further investments are set to unlock 1.7 GW of renewable energy – or enough power for over 350,000 homes – from external projects. Google’s obvious hope is that businesses and individuals will shift their email and other activities to the company’s servers instead, but it all makes for interesting reading if you’ve ever wondered how much power it takes to run your online life.

The original list was compiled from public information and court documents, the report authors explained, given Apple’s notorious secrecy regarding the identity of companies in its supply chain. More than twenty on the list had been accused of environmental violations, including claims that Chinese villagers living nearby certain factories experienced a higher rate of cancer diagnoses.

The accusations are particularly galling for Apple, given the company’s vocal attitude toward environmental policy. According to the company’s site - and something reiterated in several Steve Jobs keynotes – “Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible.” In recent years that has included excising lead, BFR, PVC, mercury and arsenic from the production line. “Although most countries still allow use of these substances” Apple maintains, “we have worked with our manufacturing partners to eliminate them from our products.”

Although Apple has begun a dialog with at least one of the companies responsible for the report, it has not released a full list of its actual suppliers. “Apple is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility throughout our supply base” Apple spokesperson Carolyn Wu told the FT. “We require that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made.”

Nissan VP Andy Palmer accused Top Gear of deceiving its viewers, pointing out that the telemetrics in the Leaf had wirelessly updated the car company on the production crew’s actions. They, he suggested, were part of a system of safeguards in place to prevent owners of the car from experiencing flat batteries midway through a journey, something the TV show had failed to highlight.

Clarkson, unsurprisingly, remains defiant, arguing that rather than setting out to review the Leaf, the footage was meant to highlight the remaining issues in recharging electric cars. “The piece was about the difficulties of recharging the electric car” he wrote in his column in The Sunday Times this weekend. “At no point did we mislead the viewers. Top Gear’s job is to say to everybody, ‘Just a minute, do not believe (electric cars) can be run as simply as you have been told. Charging them up is a pain in the arse’.”

Nissan claims the Leaf can travel between 47 and 105 miles on a single charge, depending on driving style and road conditions. The company encourages competitive eco-friendliness, using a system called CARWINGS that allows drivers to compare their frugality with other owners.

Dr Soon is an astrophysicist at the Solar, Stellar and Planetary Sciences Division of the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, and has become widely known in climate change circles for his controversial stance that solar variation, rather than CO2 emissions, are at the root of melting arctic sea ice. Among his more vocal opinions was the so-called “hockey stick controversy” which countered claims that global temperatures had sharply climbed in the second half of the previous century.

For his part, Soon is unrepentant, telling Reuters that “I have never been motivated by financial reward in any of my scientific research” despite confirming that he had been funded by fossil fuel interests. ”I would have accepted money from Greenpeace if they had offered it to do my research” he argued.

As for the companies themselves, although the investigation threatens to paint them as intrusively attempting to manipulate climate change research results they’re aggressively defensive. “Greenpeace needs to get into the 21st century” Exxon spokesman Alan Jeffers suggests, “they’re still fighting a war to try to make a villain here, when there’s a very serious issue about how you deal with emissions and energy needs that go with growing economies around the world.”

[via Guardian; image via Junk for Code]

That integration will allow cars from the German marques to intelligently take advantage of off-peak or low-rate energy supplies, negotiate for charging slots so as not to overload the system, and give feedback on performance and other data. Since it will use the same charging ports as the cars rely on for power, it will make getting connected – using regular IP standards – more straightforward too.

We’re guessing manufacturers will also be able to collect more up-to-date feedback on the car’s status, such as whether it requires servicing and the health of the batteries, rather than rely on systems checks when the vehicle is brought in (or using some sort of embedded cellular connection, which adds cost). No word on when the first 911 with a Powerline plug will pull off the forecourt.

Press Release:

HomePlug® Powerline Alliance Announces Support from Global German Auto Manufacturers for HomePlug GP Specification

Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen Line Up Behind HomePlug Green PHY for Electric Vehicle Charging Technology Standard

Taipei, Taiwan – June 1, 2011 – At its event at COMPUTEX Taipei today, the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance (www.homeplug.org) announced support from Germany’s major car manufacturers – Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen – for its HomePlug Technology.

After intense case studies and tests, the five German car manufacturers – working together as the Coordination Office Charging Interface – chose to support HomePlug’s IEEE 1901 Profile Green PHY (GP) as the technology for the charging interface of electric vehicles. Additionally, HomePlug has invited the participation of these auto manufacturers in developing the HomePlug Green PHY certification program. The HomePlug Powerline Alliance serves as a compliance and certification body for IEEE 1901 and manages the largest compliance and interoperability certification program for powerline networking products.

“For electric vehicles to be widely accepted, they must integrate into existing and emerging charging infrastructures, connected to the smart grid,” noted Dr. Heiko Doerr, Manager of Coordination Office Charging Interface. “For charging electric vehicles, the communication interface is established via the charging connector, and the HomePlug Green PHY provides a common communications standard to support all modes of AC and DC charging.”

The HomePlug GP specification, finalized in June 2010, is a low power, highly reliable and cost-optimized powerline networking specification which targets “Smart Grid” applications such as appliances, smart meters, climate control, and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. Utility companies and manufacturers are looking to adopt communications and networking technologies, such as HomePlug GP, to help consumers and businesses monitor and reduce their energy consumption. More details about HomePlug GP can be found at http://www.homeplug.org/tech/homeplug_gp. HomePlug GP is a key component of the HomePlug technology portfolio, along with HomePlug AV broadband powerline technology and the upcoming HomePlug AV2 specification. HomePlug AV is the baseline technology for the IEEE 1901 powerline standard. All three specifications are fully interoperable with each other and with IEEE’s 1901 powerline standard, and they are designed to make it easier for multiple chip suppliers and manufacturers to deliver products to support IP networking.

“The endorsement and support of these world class manufacturers is a significant step in establishing robust technology standards to deliver on the smart grid promise,” commented Rob Ranck, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance. “We are delighted with their decision and look forward to working with them to develop the product certification process.”

The announcement comes on the heels of recent research reports from In-Stat, Infonetics and Pike Research pointing to the continued leadership of the HomePlug technology standard around the world. Pike Research analyst Bob Gohn commented, “The adoption of standards is a key driver to widespread smart appliance adoption, and our research indicates that HomePlug Green PHY is likely to be the power line standard that gives manufacturers the confidence to rollout products in increasingly greater numbers.”

COMPUTEX Taipei Event – June 1, 9 AM – 12 Noon
COMPUTEX is Asia’s largest IT exhibition and conference, and second largest in the world to CeBit in Germany. Today, the HomePlug Powerline Alliance will host an industry “Meet and Greet” event during the show at the Taipei International Convention Center. It will be held at 2F, Room 201 (A+B) and is open to all interested parties attending the exhibition.

During this informal seminar, HomePlug President Rob Ranck and several Board of Directors representatives will provide updates on the Alliance’s current initiatives: HomePlug AV (IEEE P1901), HomePlug Green PHY and the new HomePlug AV2 standard.

About the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance
With HomePlug technology, the electrical wires in the home can now distribute broadband Internet, HD video, digital music and smart energy applications. The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. (www.homeplug.org) is an industry-led initiative with 65 member companies that creates specifications, marketing and certification programs to accelerate worldwide adoption of powerline networking with HomePlug technology.

Sponsor members include Broadcom Corporation (BRCM); Cisco (CSCO); Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK); GE Energy, an affiliate of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE); Qualcomm Atheros (QCOM); Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723); SPiDCOM Technologies; and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM).

In fact, Greenpeace estimates that the facility will suck down the equivalent consumption of 80,000 average US homes. That electricity will come from Duke Energy, which uses 62-percent coal and 32-percent nuclear sources. It’s the coal use which gets Apple a particularly low score, with an 54.5-percent overall data center reliance on coal energy (compared to Facebook at 53.2-percent and IBM at 51.6-percent).

Greenpeace was forced to use estimates in its calculations, since the companies rated in the report aren’t legally obligated to reveal their energy usage stats. Instead it based the numbers of publicly-released data center investment stats, along with other government and utility company information. Data centers as a whole are believed to account for as much as 2-percent of the world’s total electricity consumption.

We’re expecting Apple to respond quickly to this one, given how much emphasis the company places on its green credentials, though so far it has declined to comment on the Greenpeace report. It does raise questions as to what extent we hold companies responsible for energy sourcing, and how much that impacts our decision to choose one device or service provider over another. Will Apple’s ranking in this report make you less likely to choose an iPhone, Mac or use MobileMe, or do you see data center power consumption as a necessary evil too many degrees separate from you as a user to factor into the buying decision? Let us know in the comments.

[via Guardian]

In fact, almost a third of the cost of a TV over the average seven year life-cycle is down to energy running costs, according to IFA global director of consumer electronics Jürgen Boyny. On the average 42-inch LCD HDTV, with an €828 sticker price, power will add a further 31-percent – or €370 – during that seven year period. Perhaps more surprising is the range energy consumption spans across different sets from different manufacturers: some 32-inch HDTVs can use as little as 72W, while at the other end of the scale, some identically-sized HDTVs can consume over 150W.

In both the US and Europe, a new policy of mandatory energy efficiency labeling will look to address that confusion in 2011. TVs sold in the US after July 11 2011 will have to sport a bright yellow and black sticker – either square or triangular – indicating the estimated yearly operating cost. As for Europe, the EU Energy Label – already familiar on home appliances like washing machines and freezers – will be mandatory this year, rating sets on a G (worst) to A (best) scale initially and then, in 2014, shifting from F to A+, in 2017 from E an A++, and finally from D to A+++ in 2020.

It’s expected that technological limitations will prevent anything further than A+++. On that European scale, usually you’ll need an LED-backlit set with no small amount of consideration given to energy efficiency to get an A rating. Most sets are in categories B through to D. The European Commission reckons that the average family with a 50-inch and 32-inch LCD TV would save €50 each year if they opted for A rated rather than D rated models.

The introduction of power labeling is likely to add an extra layer of confusion to the HDTV buying process: 720p or 1080p, LED backlighting or something else, smart TV technology and even how many HDMI ports and other connections. Still, the good news is that manufacturers have already got wise to the new transparency, and the average energy use per set has actually decreased model-to-model from 158W in 2008 to 118W in 2010. Still, it’s worth loading up the calculator on your smartphone when you’re out among the Best Buy shelves, to see whether that budget special TV will end up a bad decision when you factor in running costs.

The treaty would establish a Ministry of Mother Earth, and would give the planet an ombudsman with the job of hearing nature’s complaints. These would be brought forward by activist groups, and other countries.

Pablo Salon, Bolivia’s ambassador to the UN explains: “If you want to have balance, and you think that the only (entities) who have rights are humans or companies, then how can you reach balance? But if you recognize that nature too has rights, and (if you provide) legal forms to protect and preserve those rights, then you can achieve balance.” Other countries have been supportive of the treaty, including Ecuador, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Bolivia also issued a pamphlet in 2008 with 10 commandments to save the planet. Number one? End capitalism.

Debate is set to begin on April 20th, two days before the UN’s recognition of the second International Mother Earth Day, which is another initiative led by Morales.

I’m going to go out on a limb here, and predict that this treaty will not have wide acceptance.

[via Canada.com]

A 300 kW electric motor powered by a Li-Ion battery array handles the grunt side of the equation, while there are sixteen doors along its 15m length. The whole thing is the brainchild of Wubbo Ockels, a green-power obsessed physicist and former astronaut.

While the Dutch government aren’t entirely convinced by the Superbus project, it seems the UAE has no such qualms. The electric vehicle will apparently be running between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in trials from May 2011.

[via BornRich]

Video demo after the cut

Together, the two sources are good enough to power a portable TV for 4.8hrs, though you can connect two units together to double the runtime. The flexible solar panel sheet is developed by Fuji Electric Systems, and the internal battery can be recharged from a 12V DV input.

There’s also a standard USB port for hooking up portable gadgets like cellphones. OS began shipping the GSR-110B back in January, with the device priced at 60,000 yen ($730).

[youtube XjL1mQFlp7A]

[via OhGizmo]

Video demo after the cut

Inspired by a city scooter, the Voltitude bike has disc brakes and is rear-wheel drive; it has integrated front and rear LED lighting, and takes around four hours to charge with a power supply said to be around the same size as you’d have for a laptop. When folded you can trundle the bike along next to you, or hit the “walk” mode button and have it power along at up to 3.7mph (or roughly walking pace).

A five, seven or eight speed gearbox and up to 15.5mph top speed (with some pedal assistance) round out the key specs. Currently the Voltitude bike is being sold in limited numbers as part of a trial in Switzerland, but the company expects to broaden that to worldwide sales in September. No word on pricing, however.

[via Born Rich]

A NASA press briefing this morning detailed the failure a little further, but it will take a full investigation to properly figure out what went wrong on the Taurus XL rocket. Meanwhile NASA is also looking for the Glory satellite itself

“The new Earth-observing satellite was intended to improve our understanding of how the sun and tiny atmospheric particles called aerosols affect Earth’s climate” NASA’s project mission states. It would have orbited the Earth once every 100 minutes, using a Total Irradiance Monitor and an Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor to measure sunlight and aerosol presence.

The i3 is an all-electric vehicle intended for urban use, constructed largely from Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), and using decelerative torque to recharge the battery on braking. The motor itself is the size of two drinks crates, half the size of a traditional gas engine (though that doesn’t include the batteries).

As for the BMW i8, that’s a plug-in hybrid for boosted range, and uses the same CFRP materials to keep weight down. Each will be stuffed full of electronic gizmos and quite probably look a whole lot less slinky by the time they reach the road.

Press Release:

New BMW sub-brand: BMW i

Munich. The new BMW sub-brand focused on developing sustainable mobility solutions has been launched. “BMW i represents a new movement in premium mobility. With the introduction of this new sub-brand, the BMW Group reaffirms its leadership as the most innovative and sustainable premium car company. The products and services have been conceived around a revolutionary approach: purpose designed and purpose built for sustainable, premium mobility. It’s a new day in our industry; a new era for individual mobility. This is BMW i – Born Electric.” said Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Marketing, in Munich on Monday.
In a first move, two models will be launched under the new sub-brand from 2013 – the BMW i3 and BMW i8. The BMW Group will also significantly expand its range of mobility services over the years ahead. To achieve this, a Venture Capital company was founded in New York City, BMW i Ventures, with an investment totalling up to 100 million US dollars.
“BMW i offers visionary cars and services, inspiring design, and an entirely new concept of premium mobility – all with a focus on sustainability”, explained Robertson. The BMW i brand comprises vehicles and services developed since 2007 as part of project i, a BMW Group think tank exploring sustainable mobility solutions. It is the BMW Group’s response to changing customer needs, including increasing demand for alternative drive trains, such as electric drive systems and hybrids. There is a widespread desire in megacities for solutions which intelligently combine the benefits of various mobility concepts in a single package.

Revolutionary vehicle concepts
“With BMW i, we are building on the success and strength of our core brand,” emphasised Robertson. The BMW i3– previously known as the Megacity Vehicle – will be the BMW Group’s first series-produced car for urban areas to be driven by electric power alone. The BMW i8, meanwhile, is based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study. Its plug-in hybrid drive blends the sporting ability of a high-performance machine with the fuel consumption and emissions of a small car.
Both models are based on a revolutionary construction concept known as LifeDrive architecture. An aluminium chassis houses the powertrain, and the passenger cell consists of high-strength but extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). “Both cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems. We used the innovative architecture and CFRP to cancel out practically all of the extra weight added by the batteries. For our customers this means superior driving dynamics combined with significantly increased range using electric power,” explains Klaus Draeger, BMW Board member responsible for development.

BMW i8 to be built in Leipzig
Like the BMW i3, the BMW i8 will also be manufactured at BMW’s Leipzig plant. Around 400 million euros will be invested in new plant facilities and some 800 jobs will be created up to 2013. Development and production synergies will be achieved through both vehicles using the same component sets for the electric motors, power electronics, and high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.

A range of vehicle-independent services
An additional range of mobility services – which can also be used independently of the cars – will be an integral component of BMW i. This will allow the creation of a new, profitable area of business over the long term and attract new customers to the company’s brands.
“Mobility requirements are changing in rapidly expanding megacities” adds Ian Robertson. “Our commitment to car-enabled mobility services, like BMW ConnectedDrive, will be significantly expanded under BMW i. We’ll also grow our car-related premium mobility services. What’s truly groundbreaking is that we’ll begin offering car-independent premium mobility services. BMW i aims to provide customized mobility solutions across a seamless network of premium products and premium services.” The focus is on solutions which will improve usage of existing parking spaces, as well as intelligent navigation systems with local information, intermodal route planning, and premium car-sharing.
In addition to services developed in-house, the BMW Group is pursuing collaborations with partner companies and exploring strategic capital investments in providers of mobility services. To this end, the venture capital company BMW i Ventures has the goal to expand the range of products and services offered by BMW i in the long term by taking stakes in highly innovative service providers.
New York-based My City Way is the first company in which BMW i Ventures has taken a stake. Of the partnership, Ian Robertson said, “I am thrilled to announce that we have just signed our first strategic partnership with My City Way. As a mobile app, My City Way provides users with information on public transportation, parking availability, and local entertainment for over 40 cities in the US. Another 40 cities will be part of the global rollout, including Munich, of course.”

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen electric technologies used in luxury cars, and while the earth-friendly kit is often seen as the preserve of the hair-shirt brigade, there are plenty of reasons it also fits in with more expensive vehicles. Lexus has offered a hybrid LX-series for a few years now, taking advantage of electric motors’ quiet running, smooth response and potent acceleration in the LX600hL, pairing them with a 6-liter gasoline engine.

Rolls Royce says the 102EX will be used to test the potential of electric to see if it can live up to expectations of “ultra-luxury cars.” If so, a commercial version could be on the cards, though we’d recommend you start saving now.

[youtube Al4Vw5o1Fuk]

That saves space and also makes for a more ergonomic – and less messy – way of watering small gardens. No word on exact pricing, but according to the designers the Raindrop Mini system is available now in European gardening centers.

[via Core77]

Half of the prize fund went to WindMade, a coalition backed by WWF, LEGO Group and Bloomberg to brand products that have been made with windpower. Meanwhile, three further ventures got $250,000 each, including Barefoot College founder Bunker Roy, Seventh Generation Advisors founder Terry Terry Tamminen – a former Arnold Schwarzenegger adviser on green issues, and finally thin-film photovoltaics company First Solar.

Video demo after the cut

That server allows usage monitoring either from a regular browser or from a smartphone. Since the control is bi-directional, as well as tracking which appliance is sucking down power – such as a lamp or TV that has been left turned on – you can shut it off remotely.

However, it’s also possible to program the individual ELP Modules with a preset level of power above which they’re not allowed to supply. LED indicators on each transition from green through to red as that limit is approached, after which time the socket shuts off altogether. ELP expects to have the system on the market in the summer of 2011.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/15450411[/vimeo]

[via TechCrunch]

The company is looking for $10,000 by January 26 2011 to get the project off the ground. Generous investors will get the chance to help Jelloware perfect the design with some hands-on (or lips-on) testing, while the exceptionally-generous will get a Jelloware cocktail party kit.

Part of that testing will include picking out the best flavors for the cups, which are each meant to compliment the drink that goes inside them. Early suggestions included lemon-basil, ginger-mint, and rosemary-beet.

[via Treehugger]

So, as well as seeing how many miles you achieve per kilowatt of energy, the Leaf can also tell you how many miles your neighbours have achieved. It looks like the CARWINGS system updates the rankings every month; it’s unclear what Nissan intend to do with the results, if anything, but there’d be a great PR opportunity for rewarding the more frugal drivers each time.

The eco-competitiveness factor of environmentally friendly cars was perhaps first realized in any broad sense when the Toyota Prius launched. Like the Leaf, the Prius could show energy consumption on a large LCD display in the dashboard, leading to drivers crowing about achieving the highest figures among their peers. Nissan’s system, however, takes things one step further, by automating the comparisons.

[via Autoblog Green]

The bubble provides some weather protection, but it also addresses one of the frequent criticisms of the C5 scooter, in that it was difficult to be seen while on the road since the C5 was so low to the ground. In contrast, the X-1 is 140cm high; there are also front and rear lights.

The real draw, though, is affordability. Sinclair Research reckons the X-1 can drive 10 miles for £0.10 (about sixteen cents), as long as you don’t mind helping out with some pedalling, though it’s not entirely clear how far the range is altogether. X-1 deliveries will kick off in July 2011.

[via The Register]

Those panels, AUO claims, are deadzone-free thanks to an eye-tracking system developed by SuperD.  That allows for 2D and 3D content to be displayed concurrently, with the 10.1-inch panel running at WXVGA (and targeted at tablets, AUO says) while the 15.6-inch panel runs at Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution.  Mass production is expected to kick off in Q3 2011.

As for the touchscreen solar keyboard, it’s a mere 2.1-mm thick and can run off sunlight or artificial lighting.  It’s not enough to do away with mains power altogether, unsurprisingly, but it can apparently reduce external power requirements by around 20-percent.

[via DigiTimes]

Video demo after the cut

That’s in contrast to a regular laptop, which can require up to 45 minutes to disassemble, requires three separate tools and involves as many as 120 steps.  The ease of construction doesn’t just help when the laptop is worn out, either; it also makes upgrading components like RAM and HDDs more straightforward.

The group used Autodesk software and a 3D printer to make different prototypes, all of which slot together but keep plastics, metals and circuitry easy to separate out.  Now we just need a forward-thinking manufacturer to adopt the ideas for a commercial product.

[via Core77]

Meanwhile Logitech will also be releasing a companion solar power app (www.logitech.com/k750.solarapp) which will help users position their keyboard to make the most of ambient lighting.  Indoor lights as well as the sun can be used to recharge the K750, and the app will throw up alerts when juice is running low.

Connectivity with your PC is via the Logitech Unifying Receiver, with 128-bit AES encryption to stop someone from illicitly sniffing your packets, and the same dongle will work with other Logitech hardware such as wireless mice.  The Solar Keyboard K750 is up for preorder now, priced at $79.99, and will arrive in the US and Europe from November.

Press Release:

If You’ve Got Light, You’ve Got Power: Logitech Introduces Solar-Powered Keyboard
Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 Powered By Light — Even Indoors

FREMONT, Calif. — Nov. 1, 2010 — Today, Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) introduced the Logitech® Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 — the company’s first light-powered keyboard. The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard powers itself whenever there’s light, even indoors, making battery hassles a thing of the past.

“The keyboard is still the best input device for typing emails and IMs, updating your Facebook™ page or posting responses to your favorite blogs — and the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 is the next big innovation in keyboard technology,” said Denis Pavillard, vice president of product marketing for Logitech’s keyboards and desktops. “The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard is powered by light but can work in total darkness for up to three months. Plus, with its PVC-free construction and fully recyclable packaging, it’s designed to minimize its footprint.”

Powered by Light — Even Indoors
To give you hassle-free convenience, the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard powers itself through its integrated solar panel — no power bricks or charging cables needed.
The included solar power app (available for download beginning Nov. 15, 2010 at www.logitech.com/k750.solarapp) features a lux meter to help you get the necessary light, makes it easy to get at-a-glance information about battery levels, and even alerts you when you need more power.

Logitech’s first solar keyboard can be powered by indoor light and stays charged for at least three months in total darkness. Plus an integrated power-indicator light eliminates surprises.

Only 1/3-Inch Thick
But Logitech did much more than bring solar power to the keyboard. At only 1/3-inch thick, the sleek Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard looks good. With its rounded edges and thin profile, this stylish, streamlined keyboard is a joy to hold and behold.

Feel-Good Typing
The low-profile keyboard features Logitech Incurve keys™. Using a concave design, Incurve keys support the shape of your fingertips, while helping guide your fingers to the right keys. In addition, the soft, rounded edges make it easy for your fingers to glide from key to key.

Powerful, Reliable Wireless Connection with Logitech Unifying Technology
The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 offers Logitech Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, keeping you connected with virtually no delays or dropouts, so you get all the benefits of a cord, with the convenience of wireless. Logitech Advanced 2.4 wireless also includes 128-bit AES encryption with the keyboard — one of the highest levels of security available.

Plus, the tiny Logitech® Unifying receiver is small enough to stay in your laptop, so there’s no need to unplug it when you move around. And you can easily add up to six Logitech Unifying and Unifying-ready mice and keyboards — without the hassle of multiple USB receivers.

Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in November 2010 for a suggested retail price of $79.99 (U.S.). To learn more about the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 please visit www.logitech.com or our blog for more information.

Verizon has liberally splashed Bing integration all over the Citrus, wherever Google used to be, and there’s a trackpad on the back of the smartphone for easier navigation.  In all, this isn’t likely to be a barnstormer of a device, but then again it’s also likely to be relatively cheap and Motorola has made the body from 25-percent post-consumer recycled plastic so there’s a little green halo around it too.

More details on the Citrus over at Android Community.

The Thinksound packaging isn’t quite as bright and glossy as that of rivals, but that’s down to the recycled cardboard and bleach-free materials. There’s no inner plastic liner, either, and the cables – which are PVC free – are tied up with string rather than metal ties. Even the carrying pouch is made from cotton sourced from renewable plantations. The ts02+ mic earbuds themselves are made from real wood, which Thinksound says also brings natural resonance and improved acoustics.

You’d hope there’d be some strong audio, too, given the founders of Thinksound met while working at Tivoli. The ts02+ mic headphones use 8mm drivers enclosed in either “silver cherry” or “black chocolate” wooden housings, with a 20Hz to 20kHz response range and a gold-plated 3.5mm plug. Midway down the cable is a basic one-button microphone/remote unit, which will work with your iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and “most” other smartphones, according to Thinksound; we didn’t have any trouble answering and ending calls on the handful of devices we tested it with, and you can play/pause and skip tracks on compatible devices.

Build quality feels decent, with the wood nicely finished. Four different earbud sizes are included – all the same basic shape, rather than any of the double-flange tips we’ve seen on other brands – together with a cable clip to keep the cord from flying around. They’re lightweight and comfortable, and the sound is reasonable if nothing outstanding. Trebles and mids are nicely defined and vocals are sharp, but there’s a noticeable lack of bass which can leave dance, R&B or electronic music feeling less than rounded. We prefer some more thump in the low-end, though the ts02+ mic are well suited to vocal or jazz which is less bass heavy.

It’s certainly not bad, but then again there’s a whole lot of competition in the $99 bracket. We’re partial to Sleek Audio’s SA1 headphones, which come in at $79.99, also have wooden housings but throw in detachable earphone cables and a user-adjustable audio tuning system. Still, the SA1′s don’t have the Thinksound’s in-line microphone.

There’s a lot to be said for making environmentally conscious decisions with your gadget purchases, and happily opting for the Thinksound ts02+ mic headphones isn’t the audio equivalent of wearing a hair-shirt. If being Earth-friendly, having decent sound and hands-free functionality are equally weighted, they come recommended; still, those looking for superlative audio performance at the expense of the other categories might find more for their money elsewhere.

They’re implemented in the Motorola NYXgreen, a traditionally designed remote that comes with a special charging stand.  Motorola reckons the NYXgreen can recharge in just sixty seconds, giving enough power for up to two weeks of use.  They’re also collaborating with the Ångström Laboratory of Uppsala University to produce an algae-based battery for future models.

Both the remotes – plus another couple of more mainstream units – will be available by the end of 2010, though not of course to end-users.  We’re hoping the super capacitors show up in domestic versions soon, though, since keeping a stack of AAs on hand is always frustrating.

Press Release:

Motorola Introduces New Range of IPTV Accessory Products at IBC 2010
New additions provide style, environmental efficiency and innovative tools to navigate the Internet Era of TV

September 10, 2010

AMSTERDAM – IBC 2010 – September 10, 2010 – Motorola, Inc (NYSE: MOT) today introduced the latest accessories for its industry-leading IPTV set-tops. Meeting the demands of today’s connected TV experience; the range of remote control units (RCU) are on show at this year’s IBC (Motorola stand, Hall 1 F30).

NYXgreen: The NYXgreen and dock is Motorola’s environmentally friendly RCU option. Eliminating traditional batteries, the RCU is powered by super capacitors, which can last for up to two weeks of use after charging via USB for just 60 seconds. Available by the end of 2010, this unit is particularly well suited to the hotel environment where maintaining batteries proves costly and inefficient. Looking forward, Motorola is collaborating with the Ångström Laboratory of Uppsala University on an innovative algae battery.

NYXboard: The NYXboard combines the traditional remote control form with a full keyboard to create a more intuitive navigational experience for sophisticated interactive TV services as well as traditional linear TV. Able to control both the set-top and television set, the NYXboard has sensors to recognise which side of the remote is being used in order to activate the buttons accordingly. The keyboard function answers the demands of navigating content in the Internet Era of TV, such as searching through larger and more complex on-demand libraries or accessing web content on the TV. NYXboard will be available by the end of 2010

M-TREM and MRCU180-BL: Also on show at IBC is the high quality mid-range M-TREM and the MRCU180-BL, which adds backlighting to the buttons on this already popular unit. Both the M-TREM and MRCU180-BL are available to ship today.

“Motorola’s latest RCUs are the perfect accessories for the Internet Era of TV, where consumers must find relevant content in the infinite catalog of entertainment. Whether they want a device boasting style, innovation or environmental efficiency, Motorola has a solution to meet their needs” commented Keith Kelley, vice president and general manager EMEA & Asia Pacific consumer premise equipment, Motorola Mobility.

In fact, anywhere that power is required but tricky to route is fair game, the consortium reckons.  In a car, power-generating sensors might be integrated into the seats, so that passenger movement and body head could be harnessed; other potential sources include dim light.

The project hopes to have commercial-scale powerless components ready within the next two to three years, and tip the segment as a whole to be worth $4.4bn by 2020.  If all 150 of those luxury car sensors were self-powering and interconnected, they suggest, it could generate enough power to last over a kilometre of driving.

[via Slashdot and via TechEye]