Update on the Terrafigura Transition: Not yet the flying car we all want

About one year ago, we covered a driveable airplane called the Terrafugia Transition. I believe that back then we said they would be available “sometime before 2012”, however, a source has told me that the company hopes to have them out before the end of 2009.

Just think! One more year until we actually have flying cars! Or at least the closest thing to them. The Terrafugia Transition may not be able to do Vertical Take-off Landings, or hover, but it can take off from a normal airplane runway.

As you can see from the YouTube video that has no sound, the wings just fold up after landing. It reminds me of the car that Matt Tracker used to drive on M.A.S.K., but some of you probably don’t remember that old cartoon.

The Terrafugia is certified by both the FAA as a light airplane, and the NHTSA as street legal. Just to let you know, you will need a light sport license to fly the Transition, but to drive it, it looks like all you’ll need is a regular license. The wings will not open up unless a specific combination is entered to guard against what would be a spectacular climax to a highway high-speed chase.

Ego Flash allows for hand-free operation in the car

There has recently been a law passed where I live that says that all cell phone calls made in cars must be hands-free. I suppose this is designed to prevent accidents from inattentive drivers always on the phone, but I still see drivers with cell phones pressed to their ears in blatant violation of this law.

Maybe these drivers need an Ego Flash. The Ego Flash has nothing to do with a motivational talk in any way, but an advanced Bluetooth hands-free device for the automobile.

The Ego Flash has two components, one of them is the actual processor of the two, and the other is the device with a 1.6 inch OLED display. This display has caller ID, controls the phone, it can hang up, and even do redials.

It can also do text messaging, and it will even read them aloud. By the way, did I mention that the Ego Flash can hold 10,000 phone contacts? It is also able to play MP3s right from the phone itself.

Photo Identification Ignition Interlock device

Smart Start, Inc. from Irving has recently rolled out the new Photo Identification Ignition Interlock device that could potentially help save lives on the road. What does it do exactly? Well, this device uses patented technology which remembers photographs of the interlock user and associating it with an ignition interlock device. This device is smart enough to know

who is actually taking the breath test, and is almost 100% foolproof since it works on each and every test, including attempted tests. Just to get a better idea of how secure and effective it is, Texas Judges have required 250 offenders to install the Photo-ID interlock device as an additional sanction on the SSI 20/20 Interlock device since September 1st this year.

According to Lamar Ball, CEO of Smart Start, “Drunk driving is preventable; we are committed to saving lives and making our roadways safe. Assisting in the prevention of the needless incidence of drunk driving is our mission, and research shows interlocks are a proven tool in reducing DWI recidivism.”

This futuristic tool is a commitment by SSI to display their ongoing commitment when it comes to helping authorities monitor interlock offenders. This technology has proven itself to be a major step forward for ignition interlock technology, and it will provide answers to the million dollar question: “How do I know who took the interlock test?” Guess there is no fooling technology, but what happens when one wears one of those masks found in the Mission Impossible series that match the exact photograph used? Will it be able to circumvent the safety system then?

The device can be found all over Texas, and SSI will be offering free installation from now until January next year, so might as well take advantage of this three-month window period to take full advantage of the situation.