On The Go

By Maryanne Murray Buechner; Lev Grossman; Anita Hamilton

THIS SCOOTER'S NO POLLUTER

Just about everybody agrees that we would be better off using hydrogen instead of gas for fuel. For starters, hydrogen makes water vapor instead of carbon monoxide when it's burned. But building a safe, efficient hydrogen vehicle is another matter. Enter the Aqwon, the first hydrogen-powered scooter to meet Germany's stringent regulatory standards. The Aqwon can hit 30 m.p.h. with its two-stroke engine, but the biggest challenge was building a fuel tank that could safely store the hydrogen. In case of accident or fire, the Aqwon's tank simply freezes. If only the Hindenburg had had one of those. INVENTOR Aqwon AVAILABILITY Prototype only. Estimated cost: $6,400 TO LEARN MORE aqwon.com

FAST AND AMPHIBIOUS

If you're wondering what to get James Bond for Christmas this year, read on. The Gibbs Aquada looks like a sporty roadster, but drive it into a suitable body of water, press a button and in 12 seconds flat its wheels tuck gracefully under its body, and you're boating, not driving. The Gibbs Aquada can do 100 m.p.h. on land and a cool 30 m.p.h. afloat, powered by a proprietary jet-propulsion system that generates nearly a ton of thrust. If you're not superspy material, don't worry: the Aquada comes with special sensors that keep it from accidentally transforming itself at embarrassing moments--say, when you're cruising along on dry land. INVENTOR Gibbs Aquada AVAILABILITY Now, about $250,000 TO LEARN MORE aquada.co.uk

PARKING-SPACE INVADER

Back up. O.K., stop. A little more. O.K., now turn the wheel. More. More. Too much! Sorry, sir, was that your car? If you've ever driven in a city, you know the agony of parallel parking in a tight space. But your suffering may soon end. Toyota has invented a car that parallel parks itself. This new version of the Prius, Toyota's hybrid gas-electric automobile, has an optional self-parking feature, which combines a rear-mounted camera, power steering and special software that automatically guides the car backward into its curbside destination. With Intelligent Parking Assist, as Toyota calls the feature, the driver doesn't even have to touch the steering wheel. INVENTOR Toyota AVAILABILITY In Japan only, for about $20,000 TO LEARN MORE toyota.co.jp/company/prius/en

ICY RIDER

In 2000 adventurer Doug Stoup became the first American to ski from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole. But there was something wrong with the trip: it was too darn slow. So, working with bike designer and aerospace engineer Dan Hanebrink, Stoup came up with an alternative to skis: a bike that he could ride in Antarctica. The ice bike has no plastic parts (which would freeze and shatter in the extreme conditions), and the superfat, low-pressure tires provide traction in situations that would make a mountain bike weep. After a successful trial earlier this year, Stoup says he is ready to pedal to the Pole. INVENTORS Doug Stoup and Dan Hanebrink AVAILABILITY Now, $3,500 TO LEARN MORE iceaxe.tv/icebike.shtml