Posts Tagged ‘ Slovakia ’

Solar-Powered Ecocapsule Allows You to Live Off the Grid Anywhere in the World


Slovakia’s  Architects recently revealed several exciting details about the Ecocapsule that will give you the opportunity to live anywhere in the world. Ecocapsule is a micro-shelter that operates off-grid by using sustainable technology such as solar power, rainwater collection and filtration, and wind power. In addition to this environmentally friendly aspect, the structure allows for worldwide flexibility and portability, since it can be easily transported and used as an independent research station, a tourist lodge, an emergency house, or even as a humanitarian-action unit.

Despite measuring only 14.6 feet in length, 7.9 feet in width, and 8.2 feet in height, the Ecocapsule can comfortably fit two adults and provide the same luxuries as a hotel room. A built-in kitchenette, running water, a flushing toilet, and a hot shower are now comforts that can be taken into the wilderness. For those that want to use this egg-shaped structure for scientific research, there is plenty of storage space for equipment and any necessary technology. When transporting this capsule, no special preparations are needed, since it can be shipped, airlifted, or even pulled by an animal.  

 

On May 28th, the Ecocapsule will be unveiled at the Pioneers Festival in Vienna and more details will be released then. By the end of this year, this innovative structure will be made available for purchase. 

Upstream Wakeboarding.


This 4th of July, I’m headed a few hours north of wine country (Napa Valley, for those of you not familiar with NorCal) with a few buddies of mine to do it up in a lake house.  While on the lake, we’ll be engaged in tons of water sports, so I decided to do a little bit of research.  In my quest for knowledge, I came cross the video below about folks bored with wakeboarding in a lake behind a boat.  They seem to have decided it was time to head down to thier swift-moving neighborhood creek, attach the same type of motorized, ariel tow lines they use in wakeskating, and wake upstream against the current.  The footage is from last week’s 2011 Red Bull UpStream in Slovakia’s Bratislava, Cunovo.  I’ve never heard of any of the winners of this bizarre, foreign water sport, but it looks quite, quite fun none the less.