Husqvarna Panthera Leo Concept: Cool Plug-in Electric Mower

In keeping with the eco-friendly theme that seems to have swept all types of industries, Sweden's Husqvarna has presented an all-electric plug-in mower concept called Panthera Leo. Made out of recyclable materials, the green concept mower supposedly gives an indication how the future of mowing might come to look. In terms of design, there's no doubt that the futuristic-looking Panthera Leo will grab the attention of your neighbors.

In the Panthera Leo, the traditional gas engine has been replaced by a Lithium-phosphate battery pack that can be charged at any electrical outlet. A full charge offers approximately two hours of working time. The mower comes equipped with five powerful electrical motors partnered with a sound absorbing cutting deck. There are three separate cutters equipped with razor sharp blades that can be controlled to suit wide or narrow lawns (from 85cm up to 120cm).

All functions of the mower are controlled through paddles on the steering wheel while an LCD-display informs the driver about the speed, cutting height, cutting width, remaining battery time, service needs and even warns him about objects that are too close.

Here's The Best-Selling Car in the USA: Little Tikes Cozy Coupe...

Okay, it may not be a car in the traditional sense but nevertheless, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe you see pictured above outsold every single car in the United States in 2008 with more than 457,000 units delivered throughout the year. So take that Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Built at a factory in Hudson, Ohio -that's probably even more amazing considering the fact that just about everything today is made in China, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe has sold more than 10 million units in its 30-year history. Due to its success, the toy was introduce into the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Cleveland on June 6, 2009.

Gadgets: Ferrari F430 PC with Intel Atom Processor

We've seen PCs cramped in all sorts of products including a Batmobile toy and something that looks like a VW Bus, but we're always amused with these type of creations. According to the crew over at Engagdet, this modified radio-controlled Ferrari F430 RC made its premiere at a Chinese technology show and it packs an Intel Atom processor along with various peripherals like the CD/DVD tray that sticks out like a tongue from the RC's lower fascia.

Volkswagen Service Personnel make use of Virtual X-Ray Vision Tech

At some point, every child would like to be a superhero with X-ray vision. Adults too, though they would use the ability for very different purposes... Until now, only a select few, like TSA personnel, have had the opportunity to see what’s it like to have superhuman vision.

Volkswagen is changing this by introducing the “Augmented Reality” technology designed to offer its service personnel a virtual X-ray-like view of the car. According to the automaker, employees will make use of this technology to improve their training and knowledge of the cars.

“Augmented Reality” utilizes a video-based positioning software to determine the position of the image projector and viewer in relation to the studied vehicle. That means that computer-generated details can be projected with extreme precision onto the car’s body, thus giving the onlooker the opportunity to study what’s under the sheetmetal without ever opening the bonnet.

“Three-dimensional design data is projected onto the surfaces of a production vehicle, in the correct position and in perspective even from different viewing angles. This creates a kind of 'virtual x-ray vision' for the viewer, which enables them to see otherwise hidden components and structures inside the vehicle” explained Prof. Jürgen Leohold, Head of Volkswagen Group Research.

The system also allows for individual components or component designations to be placed over or, if necessary, to project other prepared animations onto the vehicle.

This technology was first used on the Touareg Hybrid, shown in the gallery below, during training sessions for importer instructors and for service training on the new Sharan as well.

The new tgechnology was developed in-house by Volkswagen Group Research and Volkswagen Service Academy and its use is going to be extended in the near future for international training, vehicle development, production planning and even marketing.

Your Neighbor's Kid and his Power Wheels Never had a Chance: Motorized Toy Classics

Is your child a fan of driving 1950's Jags while wearing a Herringbone blazer and smoking a bubble pipe? Perhaps with a nice set of driving gloves and goggles? If so, or if you simply deem Power Wheels too plebeian for your progeny, then the Harrington Group and Pocket Classics have something for you (and the kid, should he be home from boarding school in Switzerland).

Both shops have a similar selection of classics such as a Porsche 356, Jaguar E-Type, 300 SL, Willys Jeep, and Bugatti T35 in which your child can stylishly cruise around the country club.

No word on price from the Harrington Group, but keep reading and you'll see how it could probably end up pretty steep. Each car features a composite chassis and body, "can be driven by anyone 6 and up" (hell yes!), is offered with automatic or manual transmissions, and is powered by various engines (from 50-cc up to racing kart engines). Also, the power unit can be upgraded over time.

The rest of the features make these little spoiled bastard-mobiles better than my daily driver (really...REALLY). Said features include: disc brakes, electric start, reverse gear, working lights / horn, rack and pinion steering, an optional leather interior, 6-month warranty, and a damn fitted car cover.

The Jag and Bugatti get some special options, too, other than available racing numbers; personalized plates, national flags, and carpet are on available on the Jaguar, while the Bugatti can get brass knockoffs and a brass brake handle (the basic one is poor-man's turned aluminum), a wood-rim steering wheel, racing exhaust, and white wall tires.

They even make push scooters, but for that info you'll have to click the link. This is a car site, Richy Rich.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com