Museum of Science and Industry

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY UPDATES FAST FORWARD EXHIBIT WITH NEW INNOVATORS AND TECHNOLOGIES

Fast Forward exhibit welcomes new Aptera 2e vehicle and KumoTek KT-X robots

CHICAGO (October 26, 2009)—The Museum of Science and Industry has added two innovative new technologies to the permanent exhibit Fast Forward … Inventing the Future. First opened in September 2008, the exhibit showcases cutting-edge innovations and research from groundbreaking inventors and scientists from around the world. The gallery has been designed to be updated to keep guests connected to our ever-changing world.

The latest additions to Fast Forward are  hand-built prototype for the ultra efficient Aptera 2e all electric vehicle by Steve Fambro, co-founder of Aptera Motors and two KT-X bipedal humanoid robots by Matt Fisher, founder of KumoTek Robotics.

Through these new featured elements, in addition to the 10 other innovators and products within the exhibit, guests will learn how ingenuity and creativity are being used to shape our future and advance our society in the areas of agriculture, transportation, entertainment, energy and much more.

About the Aptera 2e:
The three-wheeled, pearl white Aptera 2e is one of the most advanced electric passenger vehicles in the world. Its extreme shape borrows from the design of both airplanes and Formula One race cars to make it aerodynamic, efficient and safe. The vehicle was created by Steve Fambro, co-founder of California-based Aptera Motors. The word “Aptera” is Greek for “wingless,” a reference to the aircraft inspired design and construction of the two-door vehicle.  

The Aptera 2e is powered completely by electricity. It has a range of roughly 120 miles and recharges in eight hours using a standard 110 volt wall outlet. It can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under 10 seconds and can reach speeds of more than 85 miles per hour. The Aptera 2e  retails between $25,000 – $40,000 and the company is currently accepting pre-orders for California residents. For more information, visit www.Aptera.com.

About the KumoTek KT-X:
The KT-X bipedal robot is the latest robot to emerge from the creative lab of Matt Fisher and Texas-based KumoTek Robotics, and it’s the first bi-pedal robot platform of its kind to be offered for sale in the United States. This technically advanced robot was designed to offer an entertaining, low-cost alternative to high-end robotics, stylishly combining sleek design and cutting-edge robotics engineering.

The robot is capable of walking, running, somersaulting and standing up from a face-up or face-down lying position. It can even be programmed to pull itself up autonomously after it has fallen over. Museum guests will see two robots perform and interact with each other. The KT-X stands 13 inches tall and has more than 75 preprogrammed acrobatic motions. For more information, go to www.KumoTek.com.

About Fast Forward … Inventing the Future
In the interactive Fast Forward gallery, guests experience the thrill of discovery, the passion for new ideas and optimism for the future that has motivated 12  innovators to take bold ideas and bring them to life. Selected by Museum exhibit curators, these people are pushing the current boundaries of science and technology to solve problems and help make the world a better place.

Guest hear the innovators stories in their own words through video presentations—and can interact with models and prototypes of new inventions.

In addition to interacting with KT-X and the Aptera 2e, guests can:

• learn about clothing that is engineered to communicate emotions over long distances and respond to the environment;
• try their hand at planting virtual crops in a vertical farm created for urban landscapes;
• play an amazing digital musical instrument with the touch of a tabletop;
• discover how “paper” could one day provide nourishment in a famine;
• and more …

Fast Forward demonstrates that with a spark of inspiration, and hard work, the future of our world can be changed for the better. The inspiring stories of these innovators encourage Museum guests to dream big­—because anyone of us can produce extraordinary ideas and because we are inventing the future.

Fast Forward … Inventing the Future is included with general admission to the Museum. And every weekday through Oct. 30, guests will receive complimentary general admission to the Museum, so this unique exhibit can be enjoyed for free.

The Museum of Science and Industry’s mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational. Located at 57^th Street and Lake Shore Drive, the Museum is open every day of the year except December 25. Regular Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Museum offers indoor parking and is accessible by CTA and Metra.  The Museum is supported in part through the generosity of the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visit the Museum’s Web site at www.msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414 or (800) GO-TO-MSI outside of the Chicago area.

Press Materials

• September 3 Media Open House (PDF)
• General Release (PDF)
• Exhibit Update Release (Oct. 09) (PDF)
• Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Meet the Innovators (PDF)
• The Future is Hands-On (Exhibit Interactives) (PDF)

Images

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Learn to play the Reactable

Photo credit: JB Spector, Museum of Science and Industry

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Get up close to the all electric Aptera 2e vehicle.

Photo credit: JB Spector, Museum of Science and Industry

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Grab control of the KT-X bipedal robot to make it walk, kick and even somersault.

Photo credit: JB Spector, Museum of Science and Industry

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The images presented here are for the express use for promoting the Museum of Science and Industry. All images must be properly credited. Images may not be reproduced by third parties without express written permission from the Museum of Science and Industry.