Mercedes Joystick Car - Not So New After All

Got this email today touting this cool new Mercedes that uses a joystick rather than a steering wheel. Perfect for the Nintendo generation, eh? Except that the F 200 was a concept introduced at the 1996 Paris Auto Show.

Interesting that 12 years later we're still stuck with steering wheels. I'm going to the Atlanta Auto Show next week so I'll let you know if I find anything I can drive with my xBox controller.

1996 Mercedes Benz "Joystick" F 200 Concept Car

Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell Hydrogen Car

It sounds like hydrogen might finally make it to your driveway. This article has a good, basic overview of how a hydrogen fuel cell works. And, if you live in New York; Southern California; or Washington, DC you can help test them out. With gas prices where they are, there might be a long line to get one.

Test-Driving the Car of the Future

New Michelin See-Thru Tire - Is It Tweel?

Radical new tire design by Michelin. The next generation of tires. They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show. These tires are airless and could be out on the market very soon. The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these tires.This is what great R&D will do, and just think of the impact on existing technology:

- no more air valves
- no more air compressors at gas stations
- no more repair kits

http://www.automedia.com/Future/Tire/is/a/Tweel/dsm20050201mt/1