The Transforming Motorcycle

Yes, yes people!! The 'Future' is coming, complete with laser vision, dehydrated food and transforming vehicles!! Okay... So the first two are nowhere near fruition, but the last one is shown in the above video. The Uno Transformer made its debut at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, and features the capacity to transform from a triple-wheeled unicycle to a sleek two-wheeled motorcycle. The Uno uses a gyroscope to balance itself and does its transformation while accelerating for maximum stability and speed for its small frame. It's completely electric-powered, meaning you won't have to break your bank, and lets out zero-emissions, meaning it's 'green' by default. The only thing that the Uno's design sacrifices is horsepower, clocking in at a top speed of 35 MPH. You won't blow by the Ducatti's and Kawasaki's, but you'll definitely look cool doing it. Check out the BPG Uno III in action.

Undercity

I know I'm not the only frequent NYC Subway rider who wonders exactly what the tracks, tunnels and rails look like outside of the train. These guys, street historian Steven Duncan and videographer Andrew Wonder, got to see just that in their expedition in the belly of the beast known as the Subway. Armed with a Canon 5d Mark II camera, an LED flashlight and a ridiculous knowledge of the inner workings of a rapid transit system, Duncan visits numerous train stations (abandoned and functioning), and runs amok in the tunnels, all while dodging trains, transit workers and cops, and the deadly third rail. Duncan sees everything from decade-old graffiti to a bunch of tunnel-dwelling citizens, some of whom had lived in the Subway tunnels since the 80s.

The most interesting part of the documentary is Duncan talking about some of the penalties for getting caught trespassing, and seeing him maneuver around the Subway tracks and restricted areas, even while people are in plain view. He even shows the viewer New York City's first sewer at Canal Street on the trip, going in a manhole. My question is, how in the world does one become an urban historian, or know about some of these places, without having nearly died a few times? I'm guessing he's done this before, as Duncan alludes to being in Paris and getting caught trying to climb the Cathedral at Notre Dame. Although, this really piques my interest, it's a bit too crazy for me, especially when you think about the smell. Either way, Duncan's journey is visually stunning for those of us curious about the workings of the city's underworld. Too bad he didn't catch any of the sewer dwelling alligators... or the mole people. I'd actually pay to see those...

PS: All you Brooklyn people are going to love the end.

The Seabreacher X

*cues Jaws theme music* I can't ever say that I've wanted to ride a shark, though the prospect would be a hell of a story for the kids. Unfortunately, I enjoy my limbs, and haven't grown any gills yet, so finding my way near one of these beastly fish is more unlikely than a Ja Rule comeback tour. Even so, the allure of the shark is undeniable: powerful, vicious, and apparently tasty with some lemon pepper and olive oil. The folks over at Innespace, an aquatic engineering company, have designed the Seabreacher X, the latest in their line of 'submersible watercrafts'. The Seabreacher obviously takes the form of a great white shark, but seats two, for those romantic nights on the water, travelling at break-neck speeds. It boasts a 260hp supercharged engine, propelling the vessel to a top speed of 50mph on the surface and 25mph below. Below? Yes, below. The Seabreacher X is capable of dipping under the water for a unique experience. The best part, though, is the actual breaching, where the Seabreacher can literally 'jump' out of the water. This looks like one hell of an idea, but for $60,000 and up, Innespace can keep them. Doesn't hurt to dream though...

The Chinese Straddling Bus

I found this courtesy of my homie Ant at Backyard Banter

Having lived in cities for all of my life, I've noticed two distinct problems that plague every city: traffic congestion and public transportation. Some cities have so many cars on the road that public transportation suffers, while other cities have so many cars that everyone suffers. The amount of vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes) on the roads today make finding sustainable ways to keep our cities' roadways moving a high priority. That said, few people have found good methods to lessen the congestion while keeping costs down. Until now. Shenzhen Huashi of China has developed an ingenious, yet remarkably simple concept to ease congestion in cities: the Straddling Bus. The bus uses the space in between different lanes on a street, and literally straddles the road, going over cars, other (smaller buses), trucks, small motor vehicles and pedestrians. It would use electric and solar energy to run, as well as be easier to construct than, say a subway. People would enter and exit the straddling bus through ladders on the side or through overpasses. Plus, the straddling bus (in the demonstration) has a capacity of 1200 people per bus, which dumps all over any other modern transport system in the world. All in all, this is an brilliant idea because it's so simple. It almost makes you wonder 'Why didn't I think of this?'. The straddling bus already has over 186 km of track ready to start construction next year, so this concept is about to make it to practice really soon. Check out the video and some flicks...

Star Wars on the 6 Train

If you find yourself dozing off during your morning commute, I implore you to stay awake! Tom foolery tends to occur when we least expect it, and often in the most ridiculous ways. Improv Everywhere is a group of improv actors based in New York City that started off doing flash mobs (real flash mobs, not the BS they're calling rioting teenagers in Philly), and now has toned their act down for smaller settings, like the 6 train. In this video, they re-enact the scene in Star Wars with Princess Leia and Darth Vader's first meeting. The reactions from the other commuters are priceless, and the book Leia is reading is next on my reader's list. Just goes to show you that the Force can be used for good, evil and comedy. Check the video out...

The Arch Group 'SLEEPBOX'

How many of you guys would sleep in a public place, like a train station or a bus stop? Trust, I find ways to sleep everywhere, but sleeping in public always has the aspect of danger or just plain old exposure that will keep you awake. I suppose that's what the people at The Arch Group were thinking about when they began designs on their SLEEPBOX. The architects see the boxes installed at train stations, airports and shopping centers, where users would rent between 15 minutes and several hours.. Between users, the bedding would be automatically changed, with sheets wound from one roller onto another. While I think the idea is brilliant, especially for Europe and Asia (light rail travel is the norm outside of the US), I can't help but think there are some gross people out there who'd turn the SLEEPBOX into their personal public and drug sex rooms. Also, the whole idea of resting my head where I know thousands have been is just a bit eerie to me (though we do the same thing everyday on public transportation). Even so, the invention is great for people with layovers or foreigners without immediate accommodation. How about you? Would any of you guys (readers) rock with a SLEEPBOX?