Gilligan's Island tech? Coconut oil-fueled, bamboo taxi
Bamboo Taxi - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Increasing powertrain efficiency is just one area in which vehicles' environmental impact can be lessened. A significant portion of the total energy used to operate the vehicle over its lifetime comes from sourcing and processing raw materials into individual vehicle components, as well as transporting finished vehicles to their end customers.
With this in mind, new taxis based on renewable materials are being built and used
Gallery: Bamboo Taxis in the Philippines
[Source: Fast Company]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LesPaul1 12:09PM (7/12/2009)
that's what they call a full-size rickshaw
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David 12:21PM (7/12/2009)
Those are jeepneys, you hick.
James 12:37PM (7/12/2009)
"Don't expect to see this on the list of IIHS Top Safety Picks anytime soon..."
Should be a top pick for..."Most Combustible" list.
Torrent 2:03PM (7/12/2009)
David buddy, where's your humor switch at.
James 8:58PM (7/12/2009)
"The bodywork is made entirely from bamboo -- a grass which, in addition to being strong and lightweight, grows back after it's harvested..."
It's so green....it's envious.
jpm100 12:13PM (7/12/2009)
Don't knock it. We're going to have to comply with CAFE & CARB somehow.
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Farris 1:09PM (7/12/2009)
:D
Unfortunately, it's not just CARB and CAFE we have to comply with. There's also IIHS. :(
I actually want to take a ride in one of these things. I would imagine it doesn't rattle at all over bumps. More of a "rustling" sound...
Rick 12:35PM (7/12/2009)
Imagine your hemp construction 'island transport' goes up in 'smoke', can the local constabulary fine you for driving under the influence? Gilligan!!!!!!
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Tony 1:21PM (7/12/2009)
Jeez you guys! How can you think about cars when someone mentions Mary-Ann. Only real men pick Mary Ann, the poseurs picked Ginger. Now what were you writing about earlier?
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Brad 8:06AM (7/13/2009)
Mary Ann FTW!!
Steven Lang 3:15PM (7/12/2009)
This is actually a really neat idea. You would need to have flame retardant chemicals with the bamboo and the crash impact safety would be... but if you're looking at a rural area with lots of rutted roads and limited transport, this would likely work well.
Looks like you could transport 8 to 10 folks in it and the operating costs are likely in the low single digits. It would be interesting to find out how this type of project works out.
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Conundrum 5:43PM (7/12/2009)
Who needs recyclable materials like aluminum and steel. Just build them out of biodegradable bamboo.
Put them up on blocks in the backyard long enough and the eyesore goes away naturally.
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BMWdownshift 6:23PM (7/12/2009)
Thats Unbeweaveable
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Nelson 7:46PM (7/12/2009)
Environmentally friendy huh? Many people forget you should take everything into account. In other words, nice chrome mirror.
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Javanese 11:08PM (7/12/2009)
Not just any chrome wing mirrors, but chrome BMW M3 wing mirrors.
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Aloysius Vampa 11:17PM (7/12/2009)
Yeah, but what's its 'Ring time?
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Gino 10:21AM (7/13/2009)
that's Filipino ingenuity, for you! proudly pinoy pre!
on the contrary, most road surfaces on rural areas are really non-existent, some (but not all) are cemented/paved but those are just major thoroughfares. so these taxis don't really need to go very fast.
fyi the frame is made from bamboo but the weaved cover is made from rattan - a kin to coconut fronds. (we call them banig, or sawali, very durable and versatile) which is also used as anything from sleeping mats, walls for huts, even dresses.
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Toy Yoda 3:29PM (7/13/2009)
This is awesome. And if you ever run out of fuel, you can throw parts of the car into the boiler and keep going!! :)
But seriously, a cool idea.
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