Bell Helicopter’s Futuristic Helicopter Concept

A helicopter may seem at first glance like a simple, whirligig flying machine, but in fact it’s an incredibly complex collection of rotating parts that requires great skill to fly and maintain.

How to design the next generation of helicopters presents a daunting challenge—with so much going on, every tiny tweak trips a chain of other changes that must be made, and progress is excruciatingly slow.

But now Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, has for the first time stepped up to take on the challenge to imagine and create a conceptual helicopter of the future. The new concept aircraft, the Bell FCX-001, incorporates cutting-edge technologies with the aim to make helicopters smarter, safer, more efficient, and easier to fly.

The FCX-001 is the result of six months’ work by a team of engineers and graphic designers. It’s essentially a three-dimensional road map, incorporating emerging technologies and innovations into a package that allows both the creative team and future customers to imagine the next generation of helicopters. The new technologies include a hybrid propulsion system that’s simpler to operate and maintain, an anti-torque system in the tail boom that’s safer and quieter, morphing rotor blades for enhanced efficiency, and an advanced flight deck to ease the pilot’s workload.

For passengers, individualized augmented-reality systems in the cabin make it easy to choose from a range of options—catch up on world news, host a video conference, share documents with other passengers, or relax with a movie or music. The FCX-001 is just the first step in creating the helicopter of the future, says Bell. The engineering and design team continues their work, behind closed doors—and when they’re ready, Bell will reveal the next step in the evolutionary road map for rotary flight.  (bellhelicopter.com)

5 Incredible Concept Cars

 5 Incredible Concept Cars from the International Automobile Festival

Aston Martin AM-RB 001

Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing are the dynamic duo behind the Aston Martin AM-RB 001, a futuristic fury that combines the distinctive polish of the British luxury marque with the Formula 1 team’s racing pedigree. With an aesthetic that is equal parts space fighter and road racer, the carbon-fiber coupe carries a naturally aspirated V-12 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of 1 hp to 2.2 pounds. The concept car was developed by Marek Reichman (Aston Martin’s chief creative officer), David King (Aston Martin’s chief special operations officer), and Adrian Newey (Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer).

The team plans for the vehicle to be at the vanguard in all aspects of performance with the help of cutting-edge transmission technology and the next generation of aerodynamic enhancements. The projected production run will range from 99 and 150 examples with deliveries as early as 2018.

Renault Trezor

Perhaps what is most impressive about the Renault Trezor at first glance is not the advanced all-electric power-train or autonomous driving technology, but the innovative clamshell-like roof that raises up to admit entry. Once inside, passengers in the gorgeous grand tourer are ensconced in red, from the leather upholstery to the dash. The latter, comprising overlays of ash and integrated with a touch-screen display, has been created by the wood-framed-bicycle builders at Keim Cycles.

Along with styling that shows off France’s flair for beautiful bodywork, the Trezor also entices with powerful performance from a pair of motors. The two were developed from those used by the marque’s winning e.dams racing team competing in the FIA Formula E series. With 350 hp, the concept travels from zero to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds and can be operated in three modes: Neutral, Sport, and Autonomous.

DS E-Tense

A truly green grand tourer, the DS E-Tense is an electric-powered, chartreuse coupe that represents the vehicular vision of the DS marque, a relatively new subsidiary of Citroën’s parent company Groupe PSA. Its zero-emissions motor manages to generate 402 hp (with about 380 ft lbs of torque), kicking the car from zero to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. And the battery enables a range of roughly 185 miles.

The eye-catching cabin includes a steel dashboard, tulip-shaped steering wheel, upholstery that required 800 hours to develop, and a sound system that features nine Focul Utopia speakers. And further accenting the automobile is a helmet harness designed by Moynat, Paris’ leather goods legend—because in France, fashion never takes a backseat.

Jaguar I-Pace

A big cat that protects its environment, the Jaguar I-Pace SUV is the British marque’s first run at electric mobility, and its claws have certainly been sunk into the technology. The I-Pace purrs with dual motors that provide 400 hp (with 516 ft lbs of torque) and the ability to pounce from zero to 60 mph in about 4 seconds. And the lithium-ion battery, which allows an operational range of 220 miles per charge, can be brought up to 80 percent of full capacity in only 90 minutes.

The all-purpose automobile’s bodywork has been made aerodynamically efficient with a pronounced hood scoop and air ducts. The interior bolsters comfort for four passengers with individually contoured seats, while the driver benefits from a floating center console (with two touch screens) and a heads-up display on the dash. The I-Pace is expected to join the competitive hunt by the latter half of 2018.

Opel GT Concept

The Opel GT Concept is like the latest athletic footwear—lightweight, highly functional, and flashy. Coming off the scales at roughly 2,200 pounds, the lithe looker holds a 145 hp, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine (with 151 ft lbs of torque) paired with a sequential 6-speed transmission. The power-train permits the coupe to sprint from zero to 62 mph in less than 8 seconds and reach roughly 133 mph.

The car follows in the taillights of another of the German marque’s concepts, the Experimental GT from 1965. Like its predecessor, the new version inspires admiration with its aesthetic presentation—the result of a design language that translates masterful minimalism but with a dash of splash. For example, the car is sans side mirrors or door handles: Flanking cockpit displays deliver visuals from exterior cameras and the doors are opened by a touch pad near the roof. This stealth approach is contrasted by the body’s distinctive striping and front tires, all in bright red, which call out for attention. Indeed, it’s hard to look away.

Taboo, the ultimate yacht fantasy

Design studios Gill Schmid (New York) and Tim Dempers (Cape Town) just unveiled their brand new project, a wonderful super yacht designed for the adventure, spreading over 90 meters of pure luxury.

Despite its huge cruising boat style, the Taboo super yacht was imagined for the adventurers looking for adrenaline, ready to explore the most remote regions of the world. Technically created to face the polar zones and tropical places, it offers an amazing luxury for its numerous passengers, ready for holidays with their friends or family (more than 26 passengers and 40 staff memberscan be on board).

For stronger sensations, the yacht is equipped with a landing strip for planes and helicopters, a submarine, some top of the range sea toys and... a hot air balloon ! To relax, farniente lovers can chill around the large central swimming-pool surrounded by aquariums filled with exotic fishes.
The decoration is sophisticated, highlighting transparency with huge picture windows and wooden battens looking like the most beautiful tropical palaces. Other delights, a second swimming-pool with its solarium, two jacuzzis, a Spa, a fitness center, a panoramic cocktail lounge, a casino and some VIP cabins. An extraordinaire project that is waiting for its first buyer.

Safari by flying concept suite

If you’re going on safari, or just getting away for the weekend, this concept plane by DesignQ provides the perfect ride.

The U.K.-based design shop developed the Explorer for BAE Systems (a global defense, security, and aerospace company). It is the first of four concepts that aim to explore the possibilities for the Avro Business Jet (ABJ), based on a repurposed BAE146 regional jet. The spacious layout provides a unique outdoor deck that is designed from a modified cargo door and can be deployed or stowed in just a few minutes with the push of a button. Other features include a barbecue station, a marble-floor entryway, and a fully equipped office.

The jet’s interior also provides plenty of space for a dining area, a lounge, two private staterooms, and crew quarters. With four jet engines placed high on the wings, the ABJ is also capable of landing on grass, gravel, or sand airstrips—opening up a world of remote locations for travelers to explore.

The concept was first introduced in 2010, but so far, none of the safari-ready aircraft have been produced. DesignQ will make you one for about $6 million. (designq.co.uk)

Ferrari F80 Concept by Adriano Raeli

The coolest Ferrari F80 concept you will ever see.

It’s called the Ferrari F80 Concept and created by Art Center graduate Adriano Raeli. It looks like a beefier version of LaFerrari only with each and every element of the exterior design made to be an absolute treat to the eyes.

Adriano Raeli is from Italy and recently graduated from Art Center College of Design with a degree in Transportation Design. He loves design among many other things and cars have been a major passion of him since he was a little kid. According to the description he gives on his concept, the F80 Concept aims to bring the most authentic F1 experience and performance to the road without compromising the brand’s class and elegance of form.

The vehicle is designed with Formula 1 architecture in mind with a blend of Ferrari’s LeMans heritage. Aerodynamics play an important role as the overall frontal area is decreased by the air channels that have been carved between the main body and the wheel arches. F1 A-arm suspension configuration is clearly visible through these openings. Other details such as the centralized exhaust are meant to decrease drag. The staggered seating positions of both driver and passenger are also closely related to that of F1 seating laying positions.