Running purely on compressed air and operated using a joy stick, Motor Development International (MDI) has reveiled the AIRPod, a revolutionary vehicle which the makers claim can cover 100km for just AU$2 (about 80 pence).

Unveiled in Nice, France earlier this month the AIRPod is the brainchild of MDI of Luxemborg and France and IndraNet Technologies of New Zealand who formed IT MDI-Energy Ltd.

A small compressed air engine and two alternators allow the AIRPod to cover 200km per fill of compressed air and has an extended range of 600km in the duel-fuel version which can operate on biofuel. 

The vehicle is also smaller than a Smart forTwo yet can fit four inside. There is no steering wheel and no gears although it has a top speed on 75km/h. To refill the 175 litres compressed air carbon fibre bottle takes 1.2 minutes.

“Traditional electric vehicles typically take five hours or more for a full charge and the cost about fiver times more than the AIRPod”, claims Guy Negre, Managing Director of MDI and the inventor and designer of the AIRPod. 

The manufacturers boast that it can be developed as a golf cart, utility vehicle for trade people and an off-road farm vehicle.

“The design is extremely versatile” adds Mr Negre.

And despite its strange and vulnerable appearance the makers claim it is very safe too;

“Safety wise, MDI is producing the ultimate”, Dr Arnoux Managing Director of IndraNet says.

“The airbags are outside the AIRPod. When a crash is imminent the airbags inflate and absorb the kinetic energy. The Pod itself is made of composite materials that constitute a safe cell protecting the passengers” he adds.

IT MDI-Energy is also looking to adapt their compressed air technology to produce low-cost air conditioning units, hot water and recycle grey water. And although compressing air is not currently a completely carbon-free process, IT MDI-Energy believes they can meet the demand for renewable-derived energy sources.

“The launch of the AIRPod marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards 100 per cent solar and sustainable lifestyles” said Dr Arnoux. “We expect that within three years, MDI will have implemented new versions of its technology enabling its engines to run on energy 100 per cent derived from solar sources” he said.

Available in New Zealand from early next year, it is expected that they will be available in Europe shortly afterwards.

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