Tesla EYE and BERU Bicycles – Alternative Energy Thursday
It’s Alternative Energy Thursday at Automopedia – though we bring this week’s news to you with a heavy heart. Just yesterday three execs from Tesla Motor Group were killed in a small plane crash outside Palo Alto, CA. – “A twin-engine Cessna piloted by a Tesla manager crashed into an East Palo Alto neighborhood today killing the pilot and two other Tesla employees on board.” Our condolences go out the those involved in the accident and their loved ones.
But we must press on, and start off Alt. Energy Thurs. with a look at the Tesla EYE concept. This 2+2 concept was constructed digitally at first, by a group of eleven L ‘Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin students studying for their Master of Arts in Transportation Design. EYE features some of the key points Tesla is always trying to push, a “2+2 type everyday sports car, high levels of comfort, youthfulness and digital-age compliance.” Tesla’s final product has been produced as a full-scale model for exhibition at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
Now to some non-auto related modes of transit. Engineers at BERU in Norfolk, England have created the “world’s first bike designed and hand built by Formula one engineers.” The lightweight Factor 001 is built using carbon monocoque frame completely customized to the owner’s physical measurements. In fact, the bicycle can be transformed to a specific frame shape and comes with added engravings on the handlebars. The Factor 001 bicycle has a starting price of £22,000! And you thought a Cannondale frame was pricey.
According to BERU, built into the frame are “highly sophisticated load sensors, wiring, batteries, control cables and lines for its hydraulic braking system.” With additional electronics, the bike collects data on ergonometrics, biometrics, physical forces, and environmental factors. Data is displayed on the included LCD touch screen, but can also be downloaded onto a computer for analysis. Sounds pretty fantastic! But will it blend?
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