(Editor's note: to read the rest of Derrick's NextFest coverage, click here)



Overall, Wired's NextFest certainly wasn't the Paris Motor Show, nor was it meant to be. Instead, it was a gathering of new technologies in many different fields. On the positive side, I'd say that if there was any underlying theme other than new technologies, it would had to have been environmental reponsibility or sustainable green culture. Not every exhibit was focused on eco-friendliness, but a large portion of them were. I'd say close to one-third of the exhibits had something environmentally friendly to show which involved nearly half of the floor space (primarily due to the sheer size of GM's and GE's exhibits). What was great to see was that automotive and energy exhibits seemed to lead the way in environmental research and development.

Earlier, I gave focus to GM's portfolio of green machines, the fastest electric car in the world (which was built by Ohio State), Virginia Tech's Challenge X-leading E85-electric hybrid Equinox, Xof1's solar car aimed at breaking the world distance record, Carl Vogel's electric Harley, and Wheelsurf's mono-wheel, cycle-like recreational contraption. However, in this wrap-up, I'd like to at least mention a handful of other advanced vehicles that were present at NextFest: Noland's Bionic Dolphin, Newtsub's Deepworker 2000, General Electric's clean diesel train, AdRide bicycles and last but not least Paul Allen's SpaceShipOne.

Make the jump to keep reading. There are more pictures back there, too.