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A new X-prize competitor (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/09/16/battery-or-fuel-cell-powered-inflatable-car-just-might-be-safes/). From Autoblog green, and I thought it was worth either a serious look, or a laugh. Still can't decide which. :D

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/09/16/battery-or-fuel-cell-powered-inflatable-car-just-might-be-safes/

"The inspiration for the Whisper design came from the Mars rover landing system. The car will cost less than $5,000. The Whisper will come in "two cardboard boxes for shipping by common carrier." After you inflate it, the engineers are "confident you can drive it off a 25-foot cliff without serious injury to its passengers." You don't have to worry about a tsunami or floods because it floats."

Say goodbye to rock chips and paint scratches! Say hello to going airborne if the wind picks up.

This is one of those things that I will definitely look into once more information is available, but I'll do so with one eyebrow raised. Even though the vehicle can surely withstand a serious impact the kinetic forces don't just conveniently disappear. They energy has to be transferred somewhere, and I'm afraid that would be to the passengers.

But like with airbags, the impulse is divided over a longer time, so the potential for injury should be somewhat less. That is ignoring the increased weight differences btwn you and the MegaCar plowing into you. Plus, think how the MegaCar would get away without a scratch! You could consider owning this car doing a public service to protect large Cars with bad drivers. ;)

I think that perhaps energy would be transferred "all over", so would not be more dangerous. I wonder about the big wind problem though or how it would do on ice.
OTOH, I think it is seriously cool and would be a great price.

--des

This is one of those things that I will definitely look into once more information is available, but I'll do so with one eyebrow raised. Even though the vehicle can surely withstand a serious impact the kinetic forces don't just conveniently disappear. They energy has to be transferred somewhere, and I'm afraid that would be to the passengers.