Scammer impersonating Elon Musk

 Beware!

Dall-E3 created image

I recently received a private message from Elon Musk in my twitter (X) account. I confess, I felt good. However, I was skeptical because why would a multi-billionaire send a message. Has he no one else to correspond with?

Here are some screenshots on that day (about 2 days ago).

I humored him along to see where that would take me. Then he spoke about the enormous amount of money that he has made and going to make with a new Mining company of his. "Have you looked into investing in Bitcoin", etc. It did not smell good. I terminated the conversation.

It even got better. Then he sent a 0.06Sec voice mail. I ignored.

Today, another Musk (I don't know how many of them are walking around) became my follower and sent another message. This is getting comical and silly.

Well, I may not be the only person on the Internet who is subjected to this nonsense. Take care! I don't believe, he will be sending any message, especially now that he has to think about another $56 billion.

Toyota plays the trump card

Well, all electric vehicles will be history within the next 10 to 15 years as people and governments begin to realize that perhaps hydrogen is the way to go and any toxic material is a no-no.

Toyota came up with a hydrogen powered car very aptly called MIRAI (future) not too long ago and promising to sell in USA.

More stories here:

Toyota and Tesla disagree
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/07/battery-powered-car-is-history.html
Sustainable mobility story and concept car
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/07/toyota-fchv-concept-vehicle.html
Hydrogen powered car is no 'fool's' technology
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/12/toyotas-hydrogen-powered-car-is-no.html
Hydrogen fuel cell use for home is no pipe dream:
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/12/with-this-japan-could-easily-cut-carbon.html

Now that has become a reality with real dealers (8 in California alone) with real telephone & addresses to call and place orders. They should be available soon starting October 2015. In 2015 you may not see more than 3000 but is sure to pickup as realization sinks-in.

Here is a video (as well as the picture above) from Toyota on Toyota's press room site:

@travel: Bolt from GM likely to hit TESLA

GM is working on a electric car, the Chevy Bolt that would travel 200 miles on a single charge using LG's battery, a direct threat to TESLA's model 3. It's earlier volt could only make 38 miles.
Read here:
http://www.delhidailynews.com/news/GM-to-release-Chevy-Bolt-electric-car-in-2017--WSJ-1420890433/

Here is a picture of Chevy Bolt ready to be charged from tweaktown.com site.

Mahendra in India has already been sellin its second generation all electric vehicle REVA using lithium-ion batteries. Does not have all the gimmics but delivers reasonable mileage on a single charge. This car is perfect for congested cities like Bengaluru and smaller towns like Honolulu, Fort Collins, etc.

Read more here:

http://hodentekplus.blogspot.in/2015/01/you-do-not-need-to-buy-tesla-in-india.html




 

Toyota's hydrogen powered car is no 'fool's' technology

Not long ago some one from the all electrical vehicle technology quipped playing on the word 'fuel cell' that Toyota is pursuing a foolish path in its development of hydrogen powered car.

Older posts here:

http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/07/battery-powered-car-is-history.html
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/07/toyota-fchv-concept-vehicle.html

Now it even has a name. Well here is the car and Toyota is trippling its investment.

More details here:
http://hodentekplus.blogspot.com/2014/12/toyotas-hydrogen-powered-car-coming-to.html

 

Battery powered car is history

I was wondering why Toyota despite its 2.4% stake in Tesla decided to part ways. I suppose it was because Toyota did not buy into the idea that battery powered auto's are good enough for the long haul. Toyota is no novice when it comes to using batteries in autos. It appears that Toyota will finish off the collaboration with the current RAV4 EV model. On the details Toyota is not breaking up totally with Tesla but only as related to certain models. Read mode here about Toyota and Tesla regarding RAV4 EV ,
http://wallstcheatsheet.com/automobiles/tesla-and-toyotas-electric-rav4-break-up-no-reason-yet-given.html/?a=viewall

Here is picture of RAV4 EV from this site here: http://t.autos.msn.com/research/toyota/rav4-ev

$49,800

This end of contract make sense in view of Toyota bringing the ever first hydrogen powered car to the market:

http://t.autos.msn.com/news/toyota%e2%80%99s-fuel-cell-car-coming-to-us

Watch this video from CNBC:
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000286588

It is powered by a fuel - cell that produces hydrogen on board with a chemical reaction and probably does not need any hydrogen gas bottles. Probably there will be a battery for emergencies. Here is a picture of Toyota's Fuel-Cell Vehicle-FCV.

$69,000

It appears to be quite pricey. I am sure there are millionaire takers for FCV scattered over the globe.
It is rumored that Elon Musk called hydrogen powered vehicle something unmentionable, but those guys from Toyoda-Shi are not bluffing. They are serious. It will be interesting to watch TM and TSLA on MSN Money or CNBC.

The thing I do not like about FCV is its look. 

Hyperloop is doable, but...

PayPal (EBAY)
Tesla (TSLA)
SpaceX (Private)
SolarCity (SCTY)

and now Hyperloop.

http://www.spacex.com/Hyperloop
http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/hyperloop_alpha-20130812.pdf

Could it be the next disruptive technology",  is it doable?
Well the possibility of a system was demonstrated even as far back as 1867.
http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beach/chapter2.html

Since that time we have come a long way in technology, power, electrical machines; superconductivity; solar energy etc. It stands to reason that it is doable but would require enormous investment. Elon has tons of cash and should be able to pull off. His resume is par excellence. The fact that he has in-house capability in many of the required technologies (aerodynamics, electrical propulsion; storage batteries) makes it lot more doable.

There are technical challenges which start off from basic physical limitations and range across several material science related issues. Several of these have been discussed in the pdf document above.

I will be looking forward to see some more details after this initial proposal and perhaps a working model of modest track length. Of course, the economic aspects of it will be lot more interesting.  What provisions would be there for a breakdown event in the 'middle' of the tube?  

The group I worked with at Northrop Grumman's Advanced Research Center at Princeton in NJ and Bethpage, NY did work on a MagLev (Magnetic Levitation) based design and came up with a proof of principles proposal which unfortunately did not get funded. That was back in late 70's.

I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Foster Reusch for sharing some of the thoughts and the links.

Interested, contact hyperloop@spacex.com