An estate agent is reinventing...
An estate agent is reinventing the wheel - the steering wheel, that is. Dennis Bellehumeur of Florida has patented a device that can detect alcohol in the sweat on the palms of a driver"s hands. By embedding it in the wheel and linking it to the vehicle"s ignition system, he hopes the unit will cut drink-driving.
Italian scooter giant...
Italian scooter giant Piaggio continues to push the twist and go boundaries. It pioneered the three-wheeler with its MP3 ò€“ and now, it has squeezed an 839cc V-twin into a maxi-scooter frame.
Drivers switching from four wheels would have to complete their full bike test to ride the new Gilera GP800 ò€“ but the power it gives on long commutes makes this worthwhile.
The unit is much more refined than the single-cylinders in other big Piaggio scooters. It is also stable at any speed.
Tall riders will love the generous legroom, while the screen is electrically adjustable. But you pay a price ò€“ when ridden hard, the Gilera returns less than 50mpg. Plus, the under-seat storage has enough room for only one full-face helmet. Owners will have to maintain the chain, too. Yet these are compromises weò€™d put up with for the comfort and pace the GP800 offers.