The tank limo trend in the U.K. continues apace with the "Limotrack," a converted BV206 Full-Tracked Articulated Personnel Carrier that will carry your drunken friends in style at speeds up to 35MPH. Inside its been retrofitted with a drinks cooler, a sound system, and a freak-out-your-date smoke machine. It is also supposedly amphibious, so if the party gets boring in London you can attempt a drunken invasion of France.

If you must... [LimoTrack.co.uk via Red Ferret]

Trondheim, the third-largest city in Norway, has a very high percentage of bike riders compared to the rest of the country, something to which they ascribe partially to the "Trampe," a 130-meter bicycle "lift" that takes cyclers up the steepest incline in town. Riders activate the Trampe with a keycard. A small metal plate comes up from the ground, on which a rider rests their right foot, putting their weight on the plate as it pushes them up the hill.

Since launching in 1993, the Trampe has given 220,000 rides up the hill with no injuries.

Project Page [Trampe.no] (Thanks, Marilyn!

Somewhere today a dedicated football game tailgater will see this rideable electric cooler/scoot hybrid. A light will go off in his head. Visions of fame and adventure in the stadium parking lot will usher forth like a home team tearing through a paper hoop. The dream will be crushed under a crumpling beer can pressed into his softened skull after chugging a cold one in celebration.

The cooler can hold up to 24 "beverage cans." The scooter can hold up to 300 pounds and has a 15 mile range, which is actually rather impressive all told. It's $500, plus $30 if you want the seat and backrest, which seem like a necessary addition. "Type-R" stickers must be installed by the operator.

Catalog Page [Hammacher.com via Technabob]

This year's Tokyo Auto Show is turning out to be one of the most exciting in years, with tons of great concept cars (not to mention the introduction of the Nissan GT-R). The latest: This Fuso Canter "Eco-D" concept dump truck from Mitsubishi. The Fuso is one of the great truck brands of the world, used for a variety of purposes.

The Fuso has been on my short list of "To Be Converted Into Mobile Reporting Rig" vehicles for a while; unlike others on the list, such as Pinzgauer, I could actually afford a Fuso. But now I want it to be this Fuso.

Mitshibishi Fuso Canter Eco-D Concept Dump Truck [Jalopnik]

Previously:
• Suzuki Biplane Concept: Motorcycle, Not Aeroplane [BBG]
• Nissan GT-R Cockpit Display Gets Videogame Touch [BBG]
• Daihatsu Mudmaster-C Concept Kei Van [BBG]
• Honda PUYO Concept [BBG]
• Suzuki's Tonka-like X-HEAD Concept Truck [BBG]

Crave.CNET.com has this picture of the Yamaha "Bobby" concept folding electric scooter, shown at this year's Tokyo Auto Show. (Great name!) Sadly, while this is the expanded version, the folded-up mode isn't all that much smaller. I'd still putt-putt—or whirr-whirr—the hell out of this.

Bobby, the foldable scooter [Crave.CNET.com]

The "iShoes" are electric roller skates with a 5-7 mile range over flat surfaces, controlled by a tethered, uh, control tether. They can reach speeds of up to 15MPH. They're said to be in testing, with available and pricing data yet to be announced.

They look extremely unsuitable for wet-weather use.

Product Page [TheiShoes.com via Gizmodo]

Jalopnik is at the Tokyo Auto Show and snapped a few pictures of this fantastic Suzuki "Biplane" motorcycle concept. I'm not entirely sure why it's called "Biplane." Perhaps it will all-too-easily send its rider airborne?

Tokyo Motor Show: Sleek Suzuki Biplane Revealed [Jalopnik]

Popular Mechanics' Ben Stewart took a few laps in a prototype Toyota Prius that can be plugged into a wall outlet to recharge its batteries. He says it seems likely that the next generation Prius, a 2009 model, will feature plug-in technology.

The most impressive part of the system was that it can take 1/4 to 1/2 throttle without engaging the gasoline engine. And that means for short 3 to 4 mile commutes, one could conceivably get to work and return home solely on electric power. The hybrid mode works much like the current car, engaging the internal combustion engine much sooner. This mode, it is presumed will be most applicable to long trips, when charging the battery isn’t an option.

The power still has to come from somewhere, of course, but putting plug-in options into the most popular hybrid car is a good thing, as it widens the variety of sources from which the power can be obtained, be it from regional power plants or home zero-point dynamos.

First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype [PopularMechanics.com]

The integrated control screen in the dashboard of the upcoming Nissan GT-R was developed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital, whose work you may know as the creators of the Gran Turismo series of racing games on the Sony Playstation.

Every time I look at that car I just sigh. What a machine!

The Official Car of Godzilla [Edmunds.com via Gizmodo]

As I've said before, I highly doubt we'll be able to buy our way out of any climate or environmental crisis. (Although every little change we can make helps.) And while this particular anecdote does in fact talk about buying new taxi cabs to replace an older, inefficient ones, the backstory of how it happened is much more important.

Take the New York City taxi story. Two years ago, David Yassky, a City Council member, sat down with one of his backers, Jack Hidary, a technology entrepreneur, to brainstorm about how to make New York City greener — at scale. For starters, they checked with the Taxi and Limousine Commission to see what it would take to replace the old gas-guzzling Crown Victoria yellow cabs, which get around 10 miles a gallon, with better-mileage, low-emission hybrids. Great idea, only it turned out to be illegal, thanks to some old size regulations designed to favor Crown Vics.

Recalled Mr. Hidary: “When they first told me, I said, ‘Are you serious? Illegal?’” So he formed a nonprofit called SmartTransportation.org to help Mr. Yassky lobby the City Council to change the laws to permit hybrid taxis. They also reframed it as a health issue, with the help of Louise Vetter, president of the American Lung Association of the City of New York.

Save the Planet: Vote Smart [NYTimes]

Mubarak Muhammed Abdullahi, a 24-year-old Nigerian physics undergraduate, is building functional helicopters from junk cars and motorcycles. This one, powered by a Honda Civic engine, has been flown "briefly" six times, never higher than seven feet. Many of the other parts from a Boeing 747 which crashed near him home years ago.

"You start it, allow it to run for a minute or two and you then shift the accelerator forward and the propeller on top begins to spin. The further you shift the accelerator the faster it goes and once you reach 300 rmp you press the joystick and it takes off," Abdullahi explained from the cockpit.

He said he learned the rudiments of flying a helicopter from the Internet and first got the idea of building one from the films he watches on television.

Home-made helicopters hit northern Nigeria [Yahoo/AFP via Gizmodo via The Raw Feed]

What would a concept jet interior look like if it were designed by BMW? Like this, apparently.

Autopia has more details (and another picture) of the concept project, a joint venture by BMW and Brazilian jet manufacturer Embraer.

BMW, Embraer Conceive Ultimate Flying Machine [Autopia]

What's not to love about this cover from the April, 1935 issue of Everyday Science and Mechanics? A fantastic logo font! Money-making plans! An amazing, completely impractical sky toboggan pitching itself towards the ground as a single passenger takes notice of the pilot's worried grimace!

Nobody made the future more terrifying that Hugo Gernsback, Editor. That's why today in the tech publications business we call a death machine cover with a nice font—a jet-powered grain combine underneath a banner of Futura, say—"The Ol' Gernsback." Like most technology cover stories, that is nearly true.

Sky Toboggan (1935) [Paleo-Future]

Ron de Jong's Switchbike was shown at the Holland Innovation show, although it's not currently in production. By flipping a switch on the handle, it converts quickly from a regular city bike (those sturdy bikes used all across Europe) into a more comfortable recumbent model for longer jaunts.

Switchbike - I Want One [FreshCreation.nl via Gizmodo]

While I've found rear-view bike mirrors to be only of moderate use, the "Rear Vision Activity Mirror" would at least prevent passers-by from ripping my mirrors off my bike. Besides that, though, I'm not sure that wrist-, arm-, and glove-mounted mirrors would be all that helpful, since you'd have to waggle your arm around to get them in the right position.

Rear Vision [BikeCommunters.com via Gadget Lab]
Product Page [RearVisionMirror.com]

If there were any justice in the world, this concept Daihatsu transporter—dubbed, kitted out as it is for off-roading, the Mudmaster-C—would be something I could go out any buy today.

Let's just soak that in: Mudmaster-C.

While none of the pictures at Jalopnik give me any real sense of scale, I imagine its about the size of all the other Japanese kei vans, which might be cramped for my proud Viking frame, but would make up for it by being light enough to carry on my back to my second-floor apartment.

Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Daihatsu Mudmaster-C Concept [Jalopnik]

The perfect accessory for people who express themselves through their choice of vehicles, the "Ford Tough" branding iron adroitly targets the insecurities of rhinestone truck owners, implying masculinity and power, but instead searing their neuroses for all to see. That the last thing a person would want from a properly-cooked steak is "Ford Toughness" is just gravy. (If you eat one of these steaks you'll need lots of gravy.)

The solid brass brand, complete with hardwood handle and real rawhide hanging strap, is seventy dollars—but what price to show your neighbors that every aspect of your life is bound with flame-hardened American pluck?

Friday Beerblog: Make Your Own Ford Steaks [Truckblog.com]

The wheeled space bun you see above the Honda PUYO concept to be shown at this year's Tokyo Auto Show. From the press release:

'PUYO' is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses the sensation of touching the vehicle's soft body. It is meant to convey a warm, friendly impression. ... The development theme for the PUYO exterior was to create a cornerless, 'Seamless Soft Box' form that is kind to both people and the environment. The goal was to create a personable design with the feel of an adorable pet"

The PUYO won't make it into production anytime in our near future, which is a pity. After I got over the initial shock I decided it has much to offer. It reminds me not of Japanese designs, but French—especially the view bubble.

(The other concept car Honda is showing, the CR-Z, is much more likely to make it into production as a CR-X-class hot hatch.)

Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Honda PUYO Concept Car Has No Edges, Begs To Be Fondled [Jalopnik]

Love it or hate it, it's impressive that WoW has crossed so fully into the mainstream that it can be used to sell other products.

These may be more common in the world of bikes that I realized, but I like the way the "Reelight" LED bike light works. Instead of using a dynamo to generate electricity like bike lights of the last several decades, the Reelight uses two neodymium magnets to charge a capacitor. Gadget Lab even supposes that more magnets could be clipped onto your wheel to generate extra power, which could in turn be used to top off phones and the like.

From what I can tell from reading the Amazon reviews, however, these only blink when the magnets pass, meaning it's unlikely they'd generate all that much power in the first place. It looks like you'll have to stick with the dynamos to power real headlights for now.

The Reelight is $40 for a set.

Product Page [Reelight.com]

Image: kayakbiker

First released in 1955, the Huffy Radio Bike featured a real, working AM radio inside its body, powered by batteries held in a rear rack carrier, with signals received by an antenna wired inside the frame.

From a contemporary ad in Boys Life: "Not a toy. Powerful radio has lock, sensitive tuner, volume control, clear-tone speaker. The bike's a beauty; streamlined design, gearshift, new easy-pedal tires."

Huffy later made strap-on plastic models for other bike models, but they just aren't the same.

More Pictures [Nostalgic.net]

Previously: Cy-Fi: Wireless iPod Speakers for Bicycles [BBG]

While it's just a concept, albeit one that will be constructed and displayed at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show, the Suzuki X-HEAD should really, really be constructed en masse. Jalopnik hits it on the head: this looks like a Tonka truck. And since it's a Japanese concept, it's probably modestly sized, which makes it all the better.

From the machine-translated release:

"X-HEAD" is " the cross utility vehicle " of the new genre which brings the various values which until recently are not. It has high running the whole distance characteristic, the "gym knee", "the escudo", it has high loading characteristic, DNA "of [kiyarii]" was succeeded, functional hopefulness was had. The naming, "X-HEAD" adjusting to the life style and sense of value of the person who rides, has meant the possibility this car which corresponds to various uses becoming unknown. Being possible to combine the carrier unit which is adjusted to life style 2 adults sleeps and can stay " the camper " and in the town coolly to ride it handles, " fashion " and so on, the person who rides " you play and stimulate heart and curiosity ". In addition, supposed the rescue rescue in various road circumstances " rescue " and so on, it is possible to answer also social mission, being tough, you propose the pleasant car.

Carrier camper!

Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Suzuki X-HEAD Concept [Jalopnik]