Rex Exoskeleton promises to change the lives of physically debilitated drastically. Fabricated by a New Zealand based technology company, Rex stands up as a viable contender against traditional wheel chair owing to its usability against the traditional armchair. Rex is a set of bionic legs which most importantly allows its users to self transfer themselves in and out without any external help. What makes it suitable forparaplegics is the fact that the exoskeleton can support full weight of the person making it easier to stand, walk, move sideways, go up and down steps and walk on flat hard surfaces including ramps and slopes. Rex would go on sale in New Zealand this year followed by an international launch in 2011.

Source:  Thedesignblog.org

A new space era is dawning in the middle of the New Mexico (USA) desert, with theconstruction of the first private space port. And the Spaceport America could be just the first in a series of other similar infra-structures, should the investment in the space industry prove to be right. Behind this initiative is Virgin Galactic, belonging to multimillionaire Richard Branson, who invested 300 million dollars in the project.


The contest for the Spaceport America building was won by renowned British firm Foster+partners, which has been distinguished for the creation of bold and cutting-edge projects, especially airports. The entire set is over 10 000m^2 and incorporates green technology, from solar panels to cooling systems through tubes buried in the ground, which makes them self-sufficient and a new paradigm where sustainable architecture is concerned.

Furthermore, the new spaceport presents the necessary conditions to become a new icon in image and environmental integration. According to its authors, its dynamic shape tries to capture the “drama and mystery” of space traveling, evoking retro-futuristic images of the first steps in space conquest. But this time it isn’t just science-fiction: the Spaceport America should start activities next year (2011).

The Virgin Galactic’s involvement in this project didn’t happen at random. The company already has the spaceships that will be put to work there, namely the spaceship White Knight Two, and the recently introduced Space Ship Two, able to carry 6 passengers and travel at over 100 km of altitude. If you happen to have 200 000 dollars to pay for a trip that includes three training days at the Spaceport America, a few minutes under zero gravity, bar service and a descent with 6 G forces, then you should promptly make a reservation, because there are plenty of candidates. And if you think it’s expensive, I will have you know that transatlantic air trips – one way only – cost a little less than that, at the time they were introduced.

Exploring space travel with a laser technology, a student group at the Umea Insitute of Design have created a fictive space liner called Aurora Spacelines for top dog honchos who think that time is money. Planned for a space business travel age, the Aurora has been envisioned to take the big guns on a whirlwind ride halfway across the globe in just 45 minutes! To facilitate that fast and brief ride, designers Niklas Palm, Metin Kaplan and Tae-Yeol Lim used laser technology invented by Dr Leik Myrabo at LightcraftTechnologies Inc.


Set in 2029, the light aircraft has been designed to have calculated interior and exterior space and looks more like a science fiction.

Applying modern materials and manufacturing methods to the antiquated 19th century technology of airships, designer James Yarger has developed an airship concept dubbed the “Ground to Orbit” (GTO) that makes use of lighter than air (LTA) gas for easy lift and better performance on stretched expeditions, while leaving about 80% less carbon footprint in comparison to any similar sized aircraft. Featuring a body finished in lightweight fabric/objects, the new airship doesn’t need a runway, which makes it a very practical means of delivery and pickup of cargo and passengers from remote locationsaround the world. Presenting an aerodynamic design to ensure better speed and performance, the GTO offers a safe and sustainable flight than any passenger jet.

Designer: James Yarger
Source:  Thedesignblog.org

Whenever we think of space endeavors, organizations such as NASA, European Space Agency or even ISRO crop up in our heads. But a private British aerospace company – Reaction Engines Limited (REL) is all set to rather develop a more inclusive system of space traveling, with their Skylon spaceplane concept.


The Skylon concept will be a single stage to orbit combined cycle powered orbital spaceplane. A single stage to orbit (SSTO) vehicle reaches orbit from the surface of a body without jettisoning hardware, in the process expending only propellants and fluids. That means the Skylon will not use booster rockets of any kind (though SSTO vehiclesstill remain in conceptual stages).

And here comes the part about fuel efficiency that interests us – if the researchers can work it out, the cost of launching a payload to geostationary orbit would be fifteen times cheaper than it is now! The concept will be using the company’s own SABRE engine (Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine), and according to European Space Agency:

“ESA has not identified any critical topics that would prevent a successful development of the engine.”

Again it should be duly noted that the SABRE is also at its conceptual stage (though a engine derivative has already being designed for a passenger jet). The system basically calls for a hypersonic precooled hybrid air breathing rocket engine for launching the proposed Skylon into low Earth orbit (LEO). The precooling mechanism cools the hot, ram compressed air, in effect creating a high pressure ratio within the engine. The compressed air is further fed to the combustion chamber, to be ignited with liquid hydrogen, while the high pressure ratio provides the high thrust at very high speeds and altitudes.

Source: EcoFriend.com

Freestyle kayaking is a fairly young offshoot with the canoe sport, wherever athletesperform maneuvers similar to those of skaters, snowboarders or even surfers. This freestyle raft design by David Laudert aims to improve about the ergonomics, appearance, along with overall user connection to the kayak. The particular athlete“fuses” with the shell and is fully reinforced within the interior without using straps that normally hold an athlete in place, relieving the fear to getting stuck under the motorboat in the event that it spins over and simultaneously enhancing the adrenaline-pumping experience.

Designer: David Laudert
Source: TechCracks.com

The exterior design of the Moonstream was heavily inspired by nature, from the protective shell of a tortoise, aquatic form of the humpback whale and stance of thegiraffe. The suspension and wheels are fully adjustable for height, camber and track. The wheels even have a unique ‘walking’ capability at slow speeds (similar to an insect).

Inside, the NASA Moonstream has been styled to offer a comfortable living space, and also provide all the necessities for work, play, washing, communication with earth and sleeping.

The driver of the NASA Moonstream sits in the cockpit at the front of the vehicle in a unique reversed chair. This supports the chest area and allows the driver to see the ground directly in front of the Moonstream more effectively.

In the words of the designer. “The Moonstream is the ultimate luxury space lounge, designed to change public perceptions of Nasa and entice people to be more interested in a future mission to the moon. The Moonstream enables true comfort for habitants of thevehicle and also provides an appealing setting for filming of the daily lives of people on the 1st ever moon road trip from the north to south pole”.

Designer: Anthony Sims

Source:  Diseno-Art.com

H2P Vehicle Concept by Xin ZheChen is a study of an amphibious vehicle designed for the Shanghai of the future. Among the features are the special wheels, which integrate a pressure-adjustable air cushion system, a water propulsion system and a lighting unit.

Designer: Xin ZheChen
Source:  Techcracks.com

In futures, trams for the public mobility will differ considerably to those currently run in our town. Here is on one concept that reveals how they will look like. This tram is a futuristic vehicle envisioned by Andrew and is designed with populous cites of Japan in mind.

Andrew’s concept is dubbed ‘Future Tram’ and won’t be controlled by a driver sitting inside, but by the host computer that nullifies the use of lights. However, for its visibility in the dark there is blue bar under the roof, and lights inside the cabin.

This tram has two doors and one of the doors has slope that allows the physically challenged people to get inside and out comfortably and safely. Also, the tram roof has 4 powerful racks and the brain of the machine.

The tram also has spare batteries that fulfill the needs of electricity in the difficult times. This tram can best be used for sightseeing transportation as well as a usual route bus, which would have brought people to work and back to home, but that would surely ask to build many new roads.

Source:  Automotto.org

An entry at Michelin Challenge Design 2010, the “Biway” by designers Aleshina Ekaterinaand Kamyshev Vitaly is an all-electric public transportation, which makes commutation safer and greener in urban environments. The zero-emission public transportation is essentially an all-electric bus to run on city roads, which combines to form a train transport to move on a fiber freeway. The Biway revitalizes its onboard battery while moving on the fiber freeway. In addition, passengers can switch the buses without wasting any time and effort in finding one to their destination.