With Peak Oil just around the corner, humans are going to be faced with very few options for mobility in the future — stop travelling or find alternative forms of transport. Imagine travelling with dozens of balloons or in a futuristic-looking helium ship or maybe in a car made of vegetables and powered by chocolate. Sound too good to be true? Check out our collection of the craziest forms of green transport.
The Helios Concept Car by Kim Gu-Han.
Helios Concept Car
The Helios Concept Car, designed by Kim Gu-Han from Universität Duisburg-Essen in Germany, shows us just how quickly innovative ideas and concepts for more ecological transport are becoming commonplace. The electric off road vehicle is powered by solar energy produced from its photovoltaic panels. The large, wing-like solar panels increase the energy charging capacity of the car. The solar panels are retractable for driving, but the car’s solar panels also offer the ability to power your home when the car is not in motion – provided you park it outside the garage of course and point the panels toward the sun.
Cluster ballooning in Temecula, California. Image courtesy Susan Dawson.
Cluster Ballooning
If a child were to create a flying device, their fantasy
of air travel would probably look something like cluster ballooning – enormous, brightly colored balloons attached to a lawnchair or other form of seating, slowly moving across the sky. Cluster ballooning is fascinating to watch and ever since Larry Walters captured the world’s
attention in 1982 with his solo flight , people have become addicted to watching the sport and
a few even dare to try it.
The Aeolus Airship by Christopher Ottersbach.
The Aeolus Airship travel concept, from designer Christopher Ottersbach, is a vehicle that allows people to travel around the planet. The Aeolus Airship, designed for two to four people, floats in the air, lifted by a large volume of helium and it can stay airborne for a journey of two weeks.
The Xof1 solar car by Marcelo da Luz.
The Xof1 solar car, created by Marcelo da Luz has spent the last year shattering numerous world records including; first solar car in the world to operate below freezing temperatures, first solar car in the world to drive on an ice road, first solar car to reach the Arctic circle, first solar car to charge with the power of the midnight sun and last but not least, the Xof1 is the world distance record holder for distance travelled in a solar car.
The Blue Space: Dry Multi-Role Underwater Vehicle with Muscle Power.
The Blue Space: Dry Multi-Role Underwater Vehicle with Muscle Power is a vehicle design project from the Saint Petersburg State Marine Engineering University in Russia that allows individuals to travel under the sea at a depth of 30 meters with thrust provided by pedalling the vehicle. The project, directed by Vladimir Taradonov, is believed to be the world’s only human-powered underwater vehicle.
The Grass Wheel. Image courtesy of André Forget.
The Grass Wheel was created by a group of students from the Dalhousie School of Architecture and is a humorous look at the real need for green spaces in urban environments. With the Grass Wheel you can take green space with you wherever you travel. Although travel might be a bit slow.
The WorldFirst F3 Racecar.
Imagine a car made from potatoes, a steering wheel made of carrots and powered by chocolate and vegetable oil that goes 125mph around corners. Sound like an impossibility? Well, Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC) has created the WorldFirst F3 Racecar made from sustainable and renewable materials.
The Human-Powered River Gym concept by Mitchell Joachim.
The Human-Powered River Gym concept, designed by architect Mitchell Joachim and personal trainer Douglas Joachim, is an innovative response to the lack of motion in North American society and a contribution to lessening urban pollution. The design concept originated as a response to the manner in which city dwellers exercise. With the Human-Powered River Gym people can get their exercise while helping other people travel on the water.
The Kite Car by Tsun-Ho Wang, Min-Gyu Jung & Sung-Je Do.
The Kite Car, or Wind Light Vehicle, is the latest in zero emissions fantasy car created by Tsun-Ho Wang, Min-Gyu Jung & Sung-Je Do. Designed for the future, the Wind Light Vehicle allows two possible methods of propulsion. The giant wing on the hood is designed to swing upright so the vehicle can operate in a similar manner to a windsurfing board. The wing is also detachable and can be used like a kite-surfing wing in more extreme windy conditions.
