photo by Musthafa, Anton

Under the agreement, Detroit Electric will use Proton’s underutilized assembly line. Detroit Electric’s motor, lithium polymer battery, the drive train and other components will be fitted in the bodies of two Proton models, Persona and Gen 2. They will be sold as Detroit Electric, without a specific brand name.

more

Keep up the trend. Sorry Saudi Arabia..

• Sicko’s Arabia and Dubai is no better
• ZeroTruck

Researcher Kamal Meattle along with NASA has concluded that these three plants, areca palm, mother-in-law’s tongue and money plant are the most effective at cleaning the air indoors and providing oxygen. Time to plant some in the bedroom. Video from TED here

• Gardening on the moon
• Proof TMNet is cheating you

Besides the quietude, I can see that there are multiple environmental benefits. No bagging: it’s pure mulch mower. Reduced fugitive emissions. Owners can cancel their US$40/week landscaping contract, and count the savings against the capital and operating cost of the Automower Hybrid (said to be around $20.00/year in electricity). Wonder what the payback period would be in California?

via TreeHugger

• Honda Insight, most affordable hybrid
• India VC up 120 percent

This house looks awesome. Who knew green living could be so comfortable?

On display from May 8, 2008 to Jan. 4, 2009, the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit not only features sustainable design and recycled materials, it also includes cutting-edge “smart” technology. With help from Wired magazine, the exhibit incorporates automation systems that save homeowners time, reduce energy consumption and enhance entertainment.

via ABCNews

• IKEA to sell solar panels
• Image Metrics video 3D facial animation

Magnetic Air Cars, Inc. of San Jose California hopes to be in production by 2010.

The Magnetic Air Car uses three on-board substations to harness compressed air. The resulting airflow is channeled, modulated, and converted to torque that propels the car.

According to company representative Paul Donovan, the car uses a silicon salt battery that has 30% more mass power than a lead acid storage battery and can charge completely within an hour. The 95 percent recyclable battery can also can be used in a temperature range from -40 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius.

via CleanTechnica

• Intel demos wireless power
• MiEV

Awesome geodesic home designs. I love this.

The unique shape of the Easy Dome, called an icosahedron, is designed to optimize the amount of interior space inside each home. Made up of several hexagonal pieced together, the dome hosts a wealth of interior nooks and crannies, making it stand out from other prefab home designs.

via Inhabitat

• Keith Barry does seriously cool “brain magic” at TED
• Sexy Cookies

Affordable Honda hybrid on sale as soon as spring 2009, under 20k USD.

Honda achieved a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components which should make Insight the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. The production Insight will be offered as a five-door, five-passenger hatchback. Numerous technologies, including a function to assist customers in achieving more fuel efficient driving habits, will be applied to achieve a further improvement in real world fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.

via ecomodder

• Keith Barry does seriously cool “brain magic” at TED
• Social networking increases efficiency at work

Looks like Ikea will have PV panels in stores within a few years.

IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad’s son Peter is an avowed green tech believer, and Stenebo’s Greentech will put about US$75 million into at many as ten companies in five different areas: solar technology, energy conservation, water saving products, alternative lighting, and new product materials. Scandinavian companies are Greentech’s first focus. Nearly all of these areas are ones we would welcome the IKEA low-cost approach to, although setting up solar roof panels with just the simplistic diagrams and little Allen keys that accompany IKEA’s usual do-it-yourself furniture seems something of a stretch. Then there’s the problem than many installations require building and other permits. But IKEA’s fabulous distribution network of 270 global superstores would mean green tech for the global masses, a welcome development.

via TreeHugger

• Dude, you smoked my car
• Coca Cola to roll out hybrid delivery trucks

Vertigro bioreactor

• I think he can dance
• Nikon D90 D-SLR records movies at 1280×720