MiniCAT - The car that runs on air
No really - Air. Air for fuel. I’m not kidding. It may be compressed air, but it’s still just air. Of course you need to expend a bit of energy to compress the air but it’s still just friggin’ air.
The car is the MiniCAT, developed by French automakers Moteur Development International (MDI), which has been working on the air car for more than 10 years.
Compressed air pushes the engine’s pistons (as with many vehicles) while cold, clean exhaust air cools the components and can be used as internal air conditioning for passenger comfort. Yep, exhaust pumped into the car’s cabin. On purpose. You’ll breathe exhaust and like it.
The MiniCAT’s will also include a wireless control system, voice recognition, GPS guidance, internet connectivity and digital entertainment. A central computer sends signals to microprocessors connected to each device (which should make repairs pretty easy. Just unplug and click in a new microchip and go).
Refueling - er, un, re-airating? - stations is planned to be available at gas stations and require only a few minutes. A full tank will cost about 1 Euro (about US$1.35) and take the MiniCAT about 200-300 KM (about 125 - 185 miles). Just in case you can’t get to some compressed air, n internal compressor will can re- fill the vehicle in 3-4 hours.
Like most truly innovative vehicles, it’ll hit foreign markets before the US. Four prototypes are already hit the road - a car, taxi, pickup truck. The final product is expected to cost less than $11,000. Oh, and they plan to use vegetable oil as a lubricant.
Lightweight, environmentally friendly, smells like french fries (in this case, quite literally) and economical? Sign me up…
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This is a nice idea - but generation and storing compressed air is not very efficient.
Why not directly use electric energy? It is quieter, too…
on March 22, 2007 at 10:30 AM - LINKpls send me whole info about mini cat
on March 26, 2007 at 08:35 AM - LINKthank you
congraulation!
on March 29, 2007 at 06:19 AM - LINKOne have achive great break through
after long time in resipocating enging
by just shifting topdead center from 0
to 70 deegre
it will be highy efficent engine of 21 cencury
you have done a amazing job
today on 14 june i saw your work on television and i am really
impresed
if it is all real
i have a offer for you
on June 14, 2007 at 06:50 PM - LINKby your tecnology and my investment and
distribution channel
i offer you to produce and sell these car to indian market
I loved reading about your new car technology. I am a retired employee from General Motors and would love to learn more about your car. Unsure of the true envriomental/cost saving to achieve the air but nice to read about a company that may wake General Motors up. I would sure like to see this car in Canada. Please keep the price reasonable and it is sure to sell.
on June 17, 2007 at 04:41 PM - LINKcarcharodon vasospasm interjectural podices dwarfishness anticovenanting lathyrism affection
on December 20, 2007 at 08:31 AM - LINKLewisville Best Western Inn & Suites
http://www.catholic.org.au/websites/index.asp?cat=2
wonderfull and we will not be dependedt on any one country or more as air is avialable every where.
on January 6, 2008 at 12:22 PM - LINKgood luck for world people
is india also involved in this project as i heard.
umesh rashmi
I would buy one now !!! Send them to the US.
on July 11, 2008 at 12:18 PM - LINKfor around town commutes it should be great.
Hi,
I am really happy reading that the car will be on roads in many countries by end of 2008.
I have also heard that Tata Motors, India, are planning to bring that car in India. Is it a reliable news?
Also, what about the spares and other support? Do you plan to set up work stations in all locations? Also how much electric power will it consume, if we use electricity to charge it?
Thanks again for bringing newer and better technology within common man’s reach..!!
Hats off to you all…!!
on August 3, 2008 at 07:46 AM - LINK