And We All Float On, Alright: Flying Taxis To Be Tested In 2017

Alright nerds.  It’s Friday, and while you’re dreaming about the impending weekend, why not also dream about the phenomenal parts of our future?  Especially that old (new?) chestnut, flying cars.  Why aren’t they already floating around in this glorious 21^st-century utopia we’ve created for ourselves?  Well, glorious 21^st-century utopia or no, the flying cars could be swooping in for testing as early as next year.

It is time.
(Image courtesy darkroastedblend.com.)

Get Your Kicks (And E-Car Charges) On Route 66!

It’s immortalized in song as “the highway that’s the best” for a reason…and now, even more so!  The United States' storied stretch of roadway, Route 66, will be going green in a major way…

Oldschool neon can now be lit by futuristic solar power...
what a trip!
(Image courtesy e-spaces.eu.)

Olli, Olli, Oil-Free: New Electric, 3-D Printed Shuttle Bus Rolls Out In DC

The description sounds like the ultimate futuristic vehicle, but the technology is here today: an autonomous, 3-D printed, electric shuttle bus. As of today, it’s transporting the citizens of one of America’s oldest cities into the future…

This cozy little computer-generated craft
might be revolutionizing shared vehicles in big cities.
(Image courtesy csmonitor.com.)

Setting Sail For The Stars: Elon Musk's Martian Colonization Plan Is Serious

Earthlings, rejoice, you may not be forced to remain bound by the surly bonds of our gravity for much longer. Noted future-forward thinker and tech revolutionary Elon Musk wants to start a Martian migration A.S.A.P….are you willing to trade in the Pale Blue Dot for a chance to pioneer on the Red Planet?

Musk for Martian President, 2032!
(Image courtesy bornscientist.com.)

Keep On (Electric) Truckin': Tesla And Mack Team Up On Efficient New Powertrain

It’s not just fancy sports cars or even reasonable commuter vehicles that are getting the sustainable treatment.  The e-car rockstars at Tesla, in partnership with Mack, have also developed a non-fossil-fuel dependent garbage truck, with a special modification…

It's still trying to help the environment, even if your non-recycling, plastic-bag addicted self isn't.
(Image courtesy popsci.com.)

Electrifying: Tesla Model 3 Demand Hits 325,000 Reservations

We've fought wars over it, ruined countless swaths of the environment over it, created unimaginably massive fortunes due to it, crushed entire parallel industries over it, and in general had it govern our lives way more than any fuel source should, but any rational modern human has to admit:  the fossil fuel empire is over.  Now, the next phase of transportation is about to do donuts all over our past fast 'n furious foibles...but will the massive demand exceed the possibilities of prompt production?

Sharp AND smart:  the Model 3 is a ride not to be denied.
(Image courtesy digitaltrends.com.)

Enjoy Your HD Cat Videos, Indonesia: SpaceX Sends Up Satellite Successfully

The big story in space this week was all about the man who fell to Earth, but it's worth noting that another important mission was headed UP.  Namely, the SpaceX SES-9 payload of a communications satellite that will provide critical connectivity from its place in space...

{Space}X Gon' Give It To Ya!
(Image courtesy Ken Kremer / universetoday.com.)

Super News For Supersonic Flight: NASA's Working On A New Prize For The Skies

It's been an exciting week for aerospace!  Yesterday, astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko returned from 340 days on the International Space Station, Virgin Galactic announced their new space plane just a few days previous, and on Monday, the world got a very special Leap Day present indeed:  news that a new NASA-commissioned plane could, in a few years, be leaping wide oceans in a single, supersonic bound...

SHOTGUN.
NASA's on a speculative supersonic spin...
(Image courtesy NASA.gov.)

The Opportunity Of Unity: Virgin Galactic Has A New Spaceplane On The Horizon

With the imminent return of NASA astronaut Scott Kelly from his near-yearlong post on the International Space Station, humanity has once again become publicly aware of how cool it is for people to exist in space.  Now, entrepreneur Richard Branson is set to up the ante by sending up a new spaceship...and anyone who can pay the price can be a passenger.

SPACE.  PLANE.
YES.
(Image courtesy arstechnica.com.)

Seek Guidance (Through Traffic) From Morgan Freeman's Voice

The demand is simple:  you need to go places, which likely requires directions.  Those directions can be read off of a boring old map, or a guy who once played God can liltingly illuminate them for you.

"Get busy ridin', or get busy dyin'."
(Image courtesy buzzfeed.com.)

On The Mooove: Beef Tallow Biofuel Helps Propel Navy Ships

The U.S. Navy is the mightiest fleet in the world, but with the tides turning on fossil fuels, how will they expect to stay sustainable in the 21st century?  The answer is fat.  Gallons and gallons of it.

It's like how you eat burgers for fuel...
except mixed with petroleum and multiplied by a warship.
(Image courtesy sandiegouniontribune.com)

Moonage Daydream: Is Audi Backing The Next Successful Moon Rover?

It's 2016 and we've only progressed a little bit more into the future, but the prospect of space travel is always pushing further forward.  For instance, one of the better car companies of past and modern times is now helping a team of scientists plot how to put a rover on the moon...you know, for the future.

It's more R2-D2 than R8, but that's still cool.
(Image courtesy theverge.com.)

The Beast In The Yeast: Beer-Byproduct Biofuel

With all of the waste products our society creates, why not put some of them to use as fuel?  It's already working for french-fry-oil vehicles, so why not use a material that's also awesomely abundant, thanks to our love of beer?

Friends DO let friends drive cars fueled by beer.
(Image courtesy dbexportbeer.co.nz.)

Space Station Sunday: Meet NASA's First Commercial Crew

Good afternoon, space fans!  Here's some more of the best for the ISS.

Someday, when civilians are chilling in SpaceX space station pods, these pictures will be on the wall.
(Image courtesy spaceflightinsider.com.)

Prize In The Skies: Solar Plane Set To Cross Pacific, Break World Record

With solar technological innovations progressing every day, and with powerful supporters claiming it will be the energy of our future, solar power is rapidly eclipsing all that oil has to offer.  Now, a solar-powered plane is poised to make history, if only it can keep the lights on to cross the Pacific...

Could there be a bright future in store for solar planes?  The Solar Impulse 2 will help find out!
(Image courtesy industrie-techno.com.)

Tech Vs. Wrecks: New System Prevents Drunk Driving Before It Can Happen

While we await the arrival of the luxurious, robotically-chauffeured self-driving cars of the future (even if they can be hacked), engineers are still looking to improve on our current driving methods.  Now, plans to curtail drunk-driving have joined forces with the unstoppable progress of science...

Make all the bad decisions you want, just not in a vehicle.
(Image courtesy cbs.com.)

Countdown To Liftoff: Virgin Galactic Claims Space Tourism Will Commence In Two Years Or Less

With SpaceX successfully ferrying cargo to the International Space Station on the regular, and space tourism plans from Russia well in the works, the world's financial elite are starting to slaver over the speculation of a vacation in space.  Virgin Galactic have now thrown in their spacesuit-gauntlet, claiming they will be actively operating outside of the atmosphere in as little as two years.

These are what spacesuit gauntlets look like, BTW.
(Image courtesy fineartamerica.com.)

Hackseat Driver: Will Autonomous Cars Be Too Susceptible To E-Intruders?

Hackers love taking on the challenge of manipulating technology that is supposed to be beyond any outsider's control.  This can cause havoc on computers, phones, and other devices...but what happens when a hacker targets a self-driving car?

Could hackers take you and your car for a joyride?
(Image courtesy computerworld.com.)

Way To Go: New Apple Maps Launch To Include Public Transit, Indoor Maps & More Flyovers

It's a feature that has benefited humanity tremendously since its inception, and now, it's even more comprehensive.  Apple Maps is upgrading their app to include subways, trains, new flyover views, and even robotically-determined floorplans inside of buildings.

Plot your commute or view your dream vacation, all in the palm of your hand.
(Image courtesy technewstoday.com.)

On The Fly: "World's Smallest Aircraft" Seeking To Launch Later This Year

If you thought the electric unicycle that we wrote about last week was cool, wait until you see this new prototype portable flying device...

It's the love child of a Segway and a Hovercraft.
(Image courtesy pinterest.com.)