DATUM Mar. 2014 | Page 25

Datum 2014 that scary black body armour that Christian Bale wears in the recent Batman movies. The Bodyguard, which was patented by a California inventor in 2007 under the title of "wearable shield and self-defense device," is designed to be a shield, a non-lethal weapon and a communications device all in one. The flexible arm, which is armoured with Kevlar and hard plastic, contains a rechargeable lithium battery pack that powers an "electronic deterrent" device built into the arm's artificial skin. All the user has to do questionable, since we've never seen a cat who was a willing is pull a pin, and traveller. an assailant who grabs his or her Bat Suit arm is going to get zapped with Have you ever wanted to leave the ground and electricity. The soar like a bird -- or perhaps a bat? In January 2012, a Bodyguard is Connecticut-based inventor was granted a patent for what also equipped the application describes as "a completely dynamic human with a bright LED powered flying suit" that is modelled after the bat's style of flashlight, an HD camera capable of transmitting pictures, aviation. The inventor explains in the patent application that and a charging slot into which an iPhone apparently fits bats are fellow mammals and the flying creatures "most nicely.We could see this gadget becoming an indispensible closely related to human beings." tool for law enforcement officers and bodyguards of the future, but given that you have to inquire about it to get a price quote, we're guessing that it'll be too costly to make The device much of a dent into the everyday suburban adventurer consists of market. a pair of Seed Racer strap-on bat-like wings with Mercedes-Benz has been an innovator for decades. rigid and You can thank the German auto manufacturer for diesel and non-rigid supercharged engines on passenger cars, antilock brakes, portions electronic stability systems and more. But nothing could be that can be manipulated by the wearer once aloft. Initially more innovative than the BIOME concept car, unveiled at the getting off the ground is a bit trickier: Unlike bats, which Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2010. Here's how the simply do what comes naturally, the wearer of the flying official press release described the vehicle: "The Mercedes- suit would have to be towed, or made to ride on a bicycle, Benz BIOME grows in a completely organic environment skis or rollerblades down an incline and then assume a from seeds sown in a nursery. Out on the road the car emits leaning-forward flying posture and leap into the air at the pure oxygen, and at the end of its lifespan it can be simply appropriate moment. composted or used as building material."Engineers from Body Armour With Built-in Stun Gun, Flashlight and Camera phone Charger the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, Calif., created the car as part of the Los Angeles Design Challenge, which called for a safe and comfortable compact car of the future that could accommodate four passengers, The Armstar Bodyguard 9XI-HD01 looks a bit like demonstrate good handling and weigh only 1,000 pounds 21