Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[How to unload a truckload of bamboo poles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/how-to-unload-a-truckload-of-bamboo-poles/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/how-to-unload-a-truckload-of-bamboo-poles/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/how-to-unload-a-truckload-of-bamboo-poles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Truck unloading bamboo - video screencap

Have you ever wondered why home improvement delivery trucks have that little forklift piggybacking on the back of the trailer? To make unloading all the heavy supplies easier, of course. But what happens if you're trying to unload a massive amount of bamboo quickly and without a forklift? For this driver, the answer is to get creative.

We don't want to spoil that action for you, but you can check it out for yourself in the video posted below. We're just not sure if we should file this as a "How To" or a "What Not To Do" video. Either way, enjoy.

Continue reading How to unload a truckload of bamboo poles

How to unload a truckload of bamboo poles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bamboobamboo polescargofunny videotruck failtruckingunloadingvideoFri, 22 Mar 2013 12:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20511741/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/22/how-to-unload-a-truckload-of-bamboo-poles/20511741/article-detail.xml 20511741 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/bamboo-truck-unloading_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/bamboo-truck-unloading.jpg <![CDATA[Could bamboo resin be a good alternative to carbon fiber for cars?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/could-bamboo-resin-be-a-good-alternative-to-carbon-fiber-for-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/could-bamboo-resin-be-a-good-alternative-to-carbon-fiber-for-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/could-bamboo-resin-be-a-good-alternative-to-carbon-fiber-for-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2002 Ford MA Concept

The quest for ever-better lightweight manufacturing materials has led one electric vehicle builder to consider using woven bamboo fiber and vegetable resin in the place of costly carbon fiber or heavy fiberglass. The material is already being put to use in the surfboard industry, and Greg Abbott, a guy who spends his days converting internal-combustion vehicles to EVs, says that in the future, EV kits may have bodies that use bamboo for their body structure. Abbott says the material is strong enough to fall somewhere between fiberglass and carbon fiber on the strength-to-width ratio scale.

Bamboo has a number of fairly obvious appealing traits as a manufacturing material. The crop is quick-growing, stout and easily replenished, which makes it inexpensive as well. The plant is used in everything from flooring to textiles, paper and water processing, so the thought of turning to bamboo for car bodies isn't that far fetched.

Could bamboo resin be a good alternative to carbon fiber for cars? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bamboobamboo fibercarbon fiberelectric vehicleevfiberglassgreg abbottresinvegetable resinThu, 06 Oct 2011 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20072663/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/06/could-bamboo-resin-be-a-good-alternative-to-carbon-fiber-for-car/20072663/article-detail.xml 20072663 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/2002fordmaconcept1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/2002fordmaconcept1.jpg <![CDATA[Geneva 2011: Rinspeed BamBoo is a grown-up golf cart for the jet set]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-rinspeed-bamboo-is-a-grown-up-golf-cart-for-the-jet/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-rinspeed-bamboo-is-a-grown-up-golf-cart-for-the-jet/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-rinspeed-bamboo-is-a-grown-up-golf-cart-for-the-jet/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rinspeed BamBoo
Rinspeed BamBoo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rinspeed brings a touch of the Mediterranean life to the Geneva Motor Show floor with the BamBoo. The four-passenger electric golf-cart for grown-ups is able to run up to 75 miles per hour and has a range of 65 miles thanks to a 54-kW motor. That should be plenty to get you from the dock where your yacht is berthed, to the clubs of Monaco and back again.

If partying all night has you feeling a little groggy the next day, just hop in the BamBoo and head to the beach. Once there, you can use the inflatable roof as a beach blanket(!). Don't forget to bring the included tablet PC with you, to keep in touch with friends. Once back on the road, the BamBoo will still allow you to stay in touch by providing the ability to display messages in the front grille.

It might be just us, but we can't help but think that the color scheme makes the BamBoo look more than a little like a cocktail-sized version of the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile - mustard and all. Check out our high-res gallery below and let us know what you think.


Gallery: Rinspeed BamBoo: Geneva 2011

Rinspeed BamBooRinspeed BamBooRinspeed BamBooRinspeed BamBooRinspeed BamBoo

Gallery: Rinspeed BamBoo


Live photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Geneva 2011: Rinspeed BamBoo is a grown-up golf cart for the jet set originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bambooelectricgenevageneva 2011geneva motor showgolf cartrinspeedrinspeed bambooTue, 01 Mar 2011 14:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19863148/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-rinspeed-bamboo-is-a-grown-up-golf-cart-for-the-jet/19863148/article-detail.xml 19863148 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/01-rinspeed-bamboo-geneva-2011630opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/01-rinspeed-bamboo-geneva-2011630opt.jpg <![CDATA[Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/videos-rinspeed-bamboo-takes-us-on-vacation-from-geneva-to-sain/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/videos-rinspeed-bamboo-takes-us-on-vacation-from-geneva-to-sain/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/videos-rinspeed-bamboo-takes-us-on-vacation-from-geneva-to-sain/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Rinspeed BamBoo concept at the Geneva Motor Show
Rinspeed BamBoo - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Rinspeed's oddball creations are as much rare birds as they are strange ones. Every year we arrive in Geneva and take a good long look at the latest one before moving on, and then the cars are never to be seen again. And we wouldn't expect any different from this year's bizarre concept car.

Called the BamBoo, it's the Swiss firm's vision of a modern-day, all-electric, open-air beach buggy of sorts, and, like its predecessors, bears little in the way of resemblance to any other car on the road today. Well, maybe the old Fiat Jolly, Mini Moke and any number of fiberglass-bodied dune buggies...

So if you want to take a closer look at the BamBoo in its intended natural habitat - Saint-Tropez - check out the quartet of videos after the jump. Because the show will soon be over, and so will the car that Rinspeed built for it. Oh, and guys: looks like the driver above is single... says so right at the front of the car.


Gallery: Rinspeed BamBoo


[Source: Caradisiac]

Continue reading Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez

Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 geneva motor showbamboogenevageneva 2011geneva motor showrinspeedrinspeed bamboovideovideosTue, 22 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19853910/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/22/videos-rinspeed-bamboo-takes-us-on-vacation-from-geneva-to-sain/19853910/article-detail.xml 19853910 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/bamboo-vidcap7_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/bamboo-vidcap7.jpg <![CDATA[Rinspeed BamBoo frolics in the sunshine ahead of Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/rinspeed-bamboo-frolics-in-the-sunshine-ahead-of-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/rinspeed-bamboo-frolics-in-the-sunshine-ahead-of-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/rinspeed-bamboo-frolics-in-the-sunshine-ahead-of-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rinspeed Bamboo concept
The Rinspeed BamBoo enjoys the summer sun - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rinspeed BamBooRinspeed has unleashed a mammoth collection of photos featuring its upcoming BamBoo. We eagerly await spying this grown-up golf-cart (their words) in person at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The photos are heavy on the stylized portrayal of wealthy youth enjoying a summer in Saint-Tropez, yet they reveal little of what's under the BamBoo's skin.

We do know that its German-made 54-kW electric motor will allow speeds of up to 75 miles per hour and that its battery (unknown chemistry) offers 65 miles of range. What's more, it appears that there may be a bicycle or two taking up residence in the rear cargo area. Tech junkies will surely appreciate the included seven-inch (Android-powered?) tablet computer.

The photos are fun to look at (get a load of the inflatable roof that also serves as a beach blanket) and help give us an idea of what to expect when we finally train our own lenses on the real-life version of the BamBoo. In the meantime, feel free to check out the press release after the break.


Gallery: Rinspeed BamBoo


[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Rinspeed BamBoo frolics in the sunshine ahead of Geneva

Rinspeed BamBoo frolics in the sunshine ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 geneva motor showbamboogenevageneva 2011geneva motor showgeneva motor show 2011rinspeedrinspeed bambooWed, 16 Feb 2011 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19846697/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/16/rinspeed-bamboo-frolics-in-the-sunshine-ahead-of-geneva/19846697/article-detail.xml 19846697 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/rinspeed-bamboo-beach_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/rinspeed-bamboo-beach.jpg <![CDATA[Rinspeed BamBoo concept pops its top with artist Jamez Rizzi]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/rinspeed-bamboo-concept-pops-its-top-with-artist-jamez-rizzi/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/rinspeed-bamboo-concept-pops-its-top-with-artist-jamez-rizzi/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/rinspeed-bamboo-concept-pops-its-top-with-artist-jamez-rizzi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Rinspeed BamBoo - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's a lot of adjectives you could ascribe to Rinspeed's wild creations. After all, each one is as different from the one that came before as it is from any other car on the road or the show stand. So if we had to pick one, it would be "unique." And the latest Geneva-bound BamBoo concept car is no exception.

Initially released about a month back, the BamBoo is an off-beat concept for an easy-going car-about-town designed for vacation homes and resort destinations. A grown-up golf cart is what the quirky Swiss designer itself calls the vehicle. But in case it wasn't unique enough, Rinspeed has now taken measures to make it even more so.

Teaming up with pop artist James Rizzi, the BamBoo has been turned into the kind of rolling canvas we know as an Art Car. But despite the image above, as well as the usual formula that calls for an all-enveloping design, by the time the veil lifts at the Geneva Palexpo in March, Rizzi will have applied his - there's that word again - unique talents only to the vehicle's inflatable roof surface. There will also be a little bird on the B pillar that, like a mood ring, is supposed to convey the occupants' disposition to the world passing them by. Follow the jump for the full press release.


Gallery: Rinspeed BamBoo


[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Rinspeed BamBoo concept pops its top with artist Jamez Rizzi

Rinspeed BamBoo concept pops its top with artist Jamez Rizzi originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 geneva motor showart carbamboogenevageneva 2011geneva motor showjames rizzirinspeedrinspeed bambooTue, 04 Jan 2011 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19784124/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/04/rinspeed-bamboo-concept-pops-its-top-with-artist-jamez-rizzi/19784124/article-detail.xml 19784124 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-dwnbamboo5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-dwnbamboo5.jpg <![CDATA[Rinspeed previews BamBoo well ahead of Geneva debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/rinspeed-previews-bamboo-well-ahead-of-geneva-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/rinspeed-previews-bamboo-well-ahead-of-geneva-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/rinspeed-previews-bamboo-well-ahead-of-geneva-debut/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Rinspeed BamBoo
Rinspeed BamBoo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ah, Rinspeed. The crafty Swiss design house that has brought us funky creations like the UC?, iChange and sQuba has just given us a preview of its latest creation, the BamBoo. Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next year, the BamBoo is a sort of "grown up golf cart" (Rinspeed's words, not ours), and as its name would suggest, many of the interior components have been constructed from bamboo fibers.

So, what's the purpose of the BamBoo? Beach assault vehicle? Tropical resort cruiser? Rinspeed offers this as an explanation:
"This open-top vehicle awakens the longing for sun, summer, for lightness and easiness, the desire to be at the beach. It is a reminiscence of the Seventies, of the south of France and St. Tropez. And one would expect to find Brigitte Bardot behind the wheel with playboy Gunther Sachs at her side heading towards Tahiti beach."
Sounds lovely, but the Swiss designers have left out practically all of the nitty-gritty details about the BamBoo, including powertrain, interior accommodations and plans for production (if any). Nevertheless, we'll get the full scoop at the Geneva show in March. In the meantime, check out Rinspeed's latter-day Fiat Jolly/Volkswagen Thing Acapulco in our gallery below, then follow the jump for the press release.


Gallery: Rinspeed BamBoo


[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Rinspeed previews BamBoo well ahead of Geneva debut

Rinspeed previews BamBoo well ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 geneva motor showbamboogenevageneva 2011geneva motor showrinspeedrinspeed bambooWed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19740056/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/01/rinspeed-previews-bamboo-well-ahead-of-geneva-debut/19740056/article-detail.xml 19740056 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/bamboo630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/bamboo630.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Gilligan's Island</i> tech? Coconut oil-fueled, bamboo taxi ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/12/gilligans-island-tech-coconut-oil-fueled-bamboo-taxi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/12/gilligans-island-tech-coconut-oil-fueled-bamboo-taxi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/12/gilligans-island-tech-coconut-oil-fueled-bamboo-taxi/#commentsFiled under:


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 on Gilligan's Island in the Filipino town of Tabontabon. The bodywork is made entirely from bamboo -- a grass which, in addition to being strong and lightweight, grows back after it's harvested. Don't expect to see this on the list of IIHS Top Safety Picks anytime soon, but as a low-speed vehicle for use in rural areas, it's an interesting alternative. Even the fuel is renewable, as the engines in these vehicles are powered by coconut oil-based biodiesel. Plus, if you're lucky, maybe you'll be able to split a fare with Ginger or Mary Ann on the way to the Professor's hut.


Gallery: Bamboo Taxis in the Philippines


[Source: Fast Company]

Gilligan's Island tech? Coconut oil-fueled, bamboo taxi originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bamboobamboo taxiBambooTaxibiodieselbiofuelcoconutcoconut oilcoconut oil biodieselCoconutOilCoconutOilBiodieselphilippinesSun, 12 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19095385/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/12/gilligans-island-tech-coconut-oil-fueled-bamboo-taxi/19095385/article-detail.xml 19095385 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/07/img-5219-580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/07/img-5219-580.jpg -1 2