Wow! Check Out The Future Of Compressed Air Cars...

[Turborama]

The "Honda Air" - A Car Inspired By Roller Coasters + Skydiving And Powered By Compressed Air


"The Honda Air concept is a vision of the future of lightweight and alternative fuel performance vehicles. Inspired by the modern roller coaster as well as skydiving wing-suits, the Air is powered by a compressed air and pneumatic regulator system. It utilizes turbo vacuums and external air-flow to regenerate tank pressure for extended range and increased boost for an estimated 100 miles. The chassis doubles as the master tank and all components, including seating, are mounted to the central chassis/tank to eliminate redundant structure and reduce overall weight.

Vegetable based polymer panels and fairings protect occupants, maintaining the solid Honda method; safety for everyone. The Air’s cockpit and package maintain the aggressive human packaging of a modern roller coaster aimed at maximizing the open air experience. In order to reduce weight and increase dynamic performance, a hub-less wheel and drive system eliminates the use of heavy drive train components. Glass reinforced seating panels, urethane tire composition and skeletal sub-frame components combine for drastic weight savings. Using a Honda generator / air compressor at home or tire filler at your local filling station, the main tanks and reserves can be filled quickly and safely.

At just under 800 lbs., the powerful anthem of pneumatic propulsion and a character unlike any zero-emission vehicle exemplifies Honda’s concept of fun to drive."

From (inc. high resolution photos): http://www.laautoshow.com/DC10/Honda.html

[Scuba]

1. And why isn't it American? Because...

...instead of funding R&D efforts we gave hundreds of billions of dollars in tax rebates to the most profitable industry in the history of commerce.

[Uncle Joe]

12. I believe one strike that we have going against us, is our demonization of intellectual brilliance.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x567976


“Twenty years ago, my dad missed it by one percentage point, and it’s beat him up ever since,” said William, a banker with a law degree who looked to be in his early 30s.

He didn't want his last name printed because, well, think of the ridicule he’d suffer if he didn’t make it. Or better yet, what if he did?

“A lot of my friends keep it a secret,” the test proctor, Rhonda Johnston, told me.

Johnston even took her Mensa membership off her resume after a while, figuring it might hurt her career. “Some people are intimidated.”


Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/11/04/102844/commentary-better-hide-that-mensa.html#ixzz14KIdPyDv

It seems to me, the Japanese venerate intelligence and creativity more than we do, our institutions ie:corporate media are quick to label such a thing as "elitist" or "boring" and our greatest accolades are given to the concept of profit; even if it's monopolistic and destructive to our nation and the world.

I believe we have greater insecurity in regards to intelligence and as you point out I believe that's related to logic based disputing of our current dysfunctional policies and the string pulling power brokers; behind those policies.

[Turborama]

13. Good points, very well made!

Thank you, Uncle Joe, for the (dare I say it) wise words and the link to that OP. :thumbsup:

[StandingInLeftField]

2. Gee, when I posted about the pneumatic car I was pooh-poohed.

"It'll never work...blah, blah"

Seems that Honda thinks that it might. Thanks for posting this.

[madokie]

3. Well actually

if I remember correctly the one you linked to was an old concept that has been around for quite some time. The french CAT air engine as far as I know doesn't exist except on paper. That may have been why you didn't get this same response. But I'm just guessing here

[StandingInLeftField]

4. I believe there were several working versions in Paris.

One was seen operating in the flesh on the tv show I watched. The French company then went on to partner with Tata Motors of India, and that was as far as it got. I believe you were the one that pointed out that that particular partnership didn't fly, but others dismissed the concept on technical grounds, which I disagreed with.

[madokie]

5. I'm sorry

but I do want to welcome you to our world, the DU that is :hi:

[StandingInLeftField]

8. Thanks, I appreciate the welcome.

I've lurked here for a very long time, but have just recently decided to quit being a wallflower and participate.

[Tesha]

9. I'm one of the people who suggested that the French car was impractical.

And my first impression of this car is the same. Fill up at a
gas station's tire pump? Impossible! It would take hours to
move that much energy and the gas station owner (who is
paying for the electricity to compress the air) won't let you
do this.

Plus, the energy density of compressed air (at any reasonable
pressure) remains too low. This is especially true if you allow
the compressed air to cool, losing its thermal energy.

On the other hand, there are some interesting projects going
on with *UTILITY-SCALE* compressed air energy storage; I'm
hopeful that those will pay off.

Tesha

[rurallib]

6. Any idea of range, speed or capacity?

If the car weighs only 800lbs, a couple of passengers could easily up that weight 50%.

[Turborama]

10. The range is up to 100 miles, apparently

It can be filled up easily, too.

Not sure about MPH or capacity. It's a concept car which proves they don't have to be like this...

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Shouldn't that be 'inspired by roller skates'?

I can't help noticing the lack of even a rudimentary windscreen, let alone any roof, which implies they don't expect people to go as fast as, say, a scooter. More like bicycle speeds (or even skating speeds).

[MadHound]

11. One thing I'd like to see is how well it does when T-boned by an 18 wheeler

Sitting on a large tank full of compressed air is like sitting on top of a bomb. One crack, one puncture of the tank and the whole thing blows up.