Now with extra blades...

You know how razors are better with extra blades? Apparently, so are helicopters. At Sikorsky, they've been planning on a revolutionary coaxial blade arrangement for a while. The first test flight the other day was a big success. The final product is a helicopter that is expected to travel at close to 300 MPH.



Some background on the X2 Coaxial arrangement from Sikorsky:
www.sikorsky.com


News release on the recent test:
www.sikorsky.com

Recursive...

British luxury watch makers Bremont will be introducing a new Pilot's watch next month. The limited edition EP120 is made with parts of a famous RAF 1942 Spitfire Mk V fighter plane. Salvaged pieces from the restoration of the plane have been incorporated into the dial and movements. Cost: About 12,000 USD.




Tidbits from Men.style.com:
men.style.com


The Bremont site:
www.bremont.com

The wearable motorcycle...

Somewhere between an exoskeleton and a motorcycle, is the 'Deus Ex Machinea' -- a concept motorcycle designed by Jake Loniak. Picked up as a 'maybe' by Yamaha - this could be the shape of motorcycles to come.


A little background from Autoblog:
www.autoblog.com


Concept video by Jake:

Jake Loniak's Electric Exoskeleton Motorcycle - Watch the top videos of the week here


Thanks for the submission D!

Escort service...

One of the hottest trends in security right now is engaging Female Body Guards. There are times when having a big, beefy, no neck gent lurking around is just not practical or desirable.




One of the pioneering security agencies is U-Nome in Australia.
Read more about the all female staff on their homesite:
www.u-nomesecurity.com.au


Another was Anna Loginova, who died protecting her Porsche in Moscow, during a carjacking earlier this year.
Details via the Daily Mail:
www.dailymail.co.uk

Gordon is a rat...

More precisely, Gordon has the brain of a rat. At the University of Reading, they've built a simple robot called Gordon. His little brain is made up of the neurons of a rat. Either way, it's not very complimentary -- and a little creepy. It's one of the first successful fusions of biological and mechanical material.




Read more about it via LiveScience:
www.livescience.com

Lofty parking...

Two of life's pleasures - a good view and an excellent parking space, are being combined in Berlin. The 'Carloft' project has a series of luxury flats with drive-in elevators. No worries about door dings - your car is parked in a spacious private garden off of your balcony. Prices start at about 450,000 Euros. Other projects are planned throughout Germany.





Details via Carloft:
www.carloft.com

Carry on, then...

To celebrate their 110th anniversary, the Globetrotter Company asked industrial designer Ross Lovegrove (the chap responsible for the walkman) to come up with something special. He came up with this: a composite piece of luggage that weighs 3 pounds and it's bulletproof. Excellent. The new case will debut next month at fashion week in New York. Cost: about 3,500 USD.




The homepage of Globetrotter:
www.globe-trotterltd.com


Interview with Ross Lovegrove via WWD:
www.wwd.com

Surf Munich!

Munich is probably not the first place that comes to mind as a surf location with it being landlocked and all. Intrepid surfers have been river surfing on the Eisbach, a canal that that flows through Munich's English Garden. While not exactly a sanctioned activity, it's widely enjoyed.







Background info via The Atlantic:
www.theatlantic.com

Going for a quick swim...

Sure, you could train to swim very quickly - or you could just buy one of these: The 'Lunocent Monofin'. After spending way too much time studying the swimming habits of dolphins, Ciamillo Lunocet designed these swivel blades made of silicon wrapped carbon fiber. Cost: between 1200 and 1800 USD.



Details, video, and technical specifications via Lunocet:
www.lunocet.com

Climbing the walls...

Climbing is a great form of exercise, but it can be rather time consuming to wander off to a sheer cliff face. The 'Treadwall' can come in pretty handy. Similar to a treadmill, but it's vertical and has handholds. It offers an unlimited wall for an extended workout - and it's a little more forgiving if you slip. Prices vary based on size and options.





Available from the BrewersLedge:
brewersledge.net

A week of bonding...

You see those travel agencies advertising a 'James Bond Experience' all the time - but.. here's one that's rather exceptional... the folks at the BlueFish have this in mind: Clubbing in Monaco, private driving lessons with a formula 1 driver, Some water based fun on the Octupussy yacht, a quick flight to Russia for fighter jet training, followed by a tour a Kremlin. Not a bad week. Cost: about 75,000 USD.



Read a bit more via The BlueFish (click on the James Bond choice):
thebluefish.com

Japan, via Brazil...

One of the newest editions to the nightclub scene in Las Vegas is 'The SugarCane' at the Palazzo Resort. There aren't too many places in the desert where you can find taiko drummers, samba dancers, geisha girls, and models dressed as soccer players all hanging out together. Other fun includes demonstrations of the Brazilian martial art capoeira and 4000 elaborately illuminated sugarcanes that drop from the ceiling from time to time. It's all very subtle, but, you get the picture...

Located adjacent to 'SushiSamba' in the resort.


More info via the SushiSamba homepage:
sushisamba.com

It's in there somewhere...

If you're needing to stash a lot of equipment on your person, this might be for you: the 'Rodeo Jacket', by Scottevest. This seemingly normal jacket has a total of 39 hidden pockets for all those little items you like to travel with. A great conversation piece for you and the airport security people. Currently on sale for 100 USD.



The Rodeo Jacket by Scottevest:
www.scottevest.com

Pod Mod...

Only one third of small airports have an option for ground transportation - that poses quite a problem. Enter the 'MotoPod'. This pod modification for small planes adds a small, fold up motorcycle that can be stashed underneath your plane for a speedy get away. Cost: About 10,000 USD.



Details and video from the product site:
www.motorcyclepilot.com

Cuba Libre...

Author Peter Moruzzi is a little obsessed about the history of Havana. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. His new book: 'Havana Before Castro - When Cuba was a Tropical Playground' is just now available. Illustrated with great artwork from that period, it will keep you interested and informed until you get a chance to drop in.




Reviews, sample chapters, and graphics via the Book's website:

www.havanabeforecastro.com