The Suburb Eating Robot

Among all of the intense, ultra serious eco talk happening these days, it’s a bit refreshing to see someone thinking about playful ways to address sustainability through design in an unconventional way. This is the world’s first “Suburb Eating Robot.” The project was done by Australian architect Andrew Maynard for Critical Visions 2008 (CV08). His studio, Andrew Maynard Architects presented it as rant or criticism at the CV08 conference this year put on by the Royal Australian Institute of Architect’s in Sydney. Inspiration for the project grew out the increasing problems that suburbs are creating in Australia and Maynard was determined to shed some light on the issue.

Playfully responding to a question in a recent interview, he asks, “where will suburbanites live when there is no other means of circulation to their homes? What will we do with our abandoned and decaying suburbs? And most importantly, what will we do with the 50% of Australians that are over-weight due to car dependence and a sedentary lifestyle?” He also commented, “we’re thinking about getting a few more students here in the office to build a prototype in the store room. Then we will accidentally (or on purpose) spill various liquids on it until it comes to life and starts killing people indiscriminately and tries to take over the world, we can only hope…”

Watch the project video

Download the PDF

An interview with Maynard on Architecture MNP

Improving The BMW Fuel Economy and Performance

Over the years BMW has not been gravitating towards hybrids in the same way that others in the industry have, reluctant to make these petrol/electric cars that will be more fuel efficient. However, their vehicles have seen some increase in fuel efficiency. We’ve noticed a small boost in performance and mileage in the Mini Cooper series (part of BMW), debuting with a very similar look but in a completely redone form with its 2007 model. The company has also been working to try out hydrogen technology (a not-so glorious technology popular in the early 2000’s) with the BMW Hydrogen 7, a production-ready model that has been put in the hands of 100 “leading figures from the worlds of culture, politics, business and the media.” We’re not sure if they’re going to release the feedback they’ve been getting with this trial run, but it would be great to hear what people are actually saying after extended use of the car.

BMW’s promoted concept called ActiveHybrid, represents the “future of BMW hybrid technologies”. It is slated to play a big role in their EfficientDynamics, a set of initiatives with components in the car focused on reducing fuel consumption and emission levels, without affecting “driving pleasure”, as they often mention in their promotional material. The overall aim of BMW’s ActiveHybrid is to achieve 20% less fuel consumption and emissions in many of their cars. To showcase their vision, the company has updated their X6 Concept car as a hybrid, with new styling, as well as explanations about how this new technology will function. BMW released their X6 concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007.

Click here to see the 2008 BMW sustainability report