Bumsuk Lim, a transportation design professor at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, demands that his students focus on how to move people and goods from point A to point B in an urban setting. One of the concepts borne out of that elegantly simple directive is Deus Ex Machina, designed by former student Jake Loniak. Part exoskeleton, part motorbike, the three-wheeled vehicle runs on lithium-ion batteries boosted by ultracapacitors (which offer better acceleration). Worn almost as a jacket, machine is steered via "muscles" mechanized by pressured air and activated by the driver's gestures. The Deus Ex Machina is projected to top out at 75 mph and is meant to be a sports model among wearable vehicles (note the lack of storage). The concept, Lim says, "solves some of the fundamental mobility issues, but is still the kind of exciting vehicle that people are like, 'I want to try that. I want to go to work in that.' You can't forget the emotional link between the buyer and the vehicle."
Paul Borkan on 12 Sep 12"At the dawn of human civilization, one of the first ancient hunters throws a crude spear, no more than a sharpened stick, and by some miracle brings down a sickly animal at the back of a herd. The warrior drags it back to his camp where he quickly finds what is edible or useful on the animal. He discovers bones, skin, and teeth don't taste very good and decides to find other uses for them. Bones become weapons, teeth trinkets. Without much imagination the warrior uses the hide for the same purpose the animal used it for, protection from the elements and the environment. Over time the hide dries out naturally and the ancient man notices the hide is tougher and lighter. He'll think he won the prehistoric lottery until it rains or he falls into a river. Once the hide gets wet again it will start to rot and smell something awful. "
