Wildest Place AMERICA Land of the SPIRIT BEAR Making ¢¥} HUN aN J Fossil Find A MISSING LINK? Advertisement The 2011 Guide to Automotive Advancements Electric Vehicles, Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids and Fuel Cells — How to Navigate New Driving Technology By M. Desmond Roth The numbers drive home the stakes: by 2035, there will be an estimated 1.6 billion cars on the road throughout the world. If every one of these cars was fueled by a gas engine, C02 emissions would reach an estimated 8.2 billion metric tons per year. Yet it’s been estimated that if every one of those cars was pow- ered by hybrid technology, com- bining an electric motor with a gas engine, those emissions could be cut nearly in half.’ Scientists today can agree that reducing gas consumption and relying on alternative fuel technology are critical to re- ducing greenhouse emissions and stabilizing the climate. At the core of the latest advances is hybrid technology, which forms the foundation for next-generation cars powered by electricity, hydro- gen and biofuels. Release The Next Big Thing: Plug-in Hybrid There will soon be a hybrid for nearly every driver's needs as costs and performance metrics compete with conventional gas engine vehicles. Toyota is launching 11 different hybrid models globally in two years starting from 2011, seven of which will be all-new, not merely the next generation of an existing model. Going one step further is the Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) which is currently the subject of an inter- national 600-vehicle demonstration Storallags & FantaWag program which began about a year ago and will run until the ve- hicle goes on sale approximately this time next year. Offering the latest technological innovations of the current Prius, the Prius PHV currently being demon- strated adds a high-capacity lithiurn- ion battery that enables the vehicle to travel up to 13 miles on electric energy only, and can be recharged by plugging into a standard 110v home electric outlet or a 220v charging station. The Prius Plug-in can operate in all-electric mode at highway speeds of up to 60 mph, producing zero emissions during = as r = Coral ECC Con short commutes. When the EV- only portion of the battery is drained of power, the vehicle defaults into Prius-mode, with conventional hybrid gas-electric power delivery and a combined fuel economy of approximately 50 mpg! Emissions-Free in EV Mode, Stress-Free in Hybrid (HV) Mode The Prius Plug-in Hybrid demonstration vehicle can be fully recharged with a household electric outlet of 110v in just 3 hours. With a 220v outlet, it takes just one and a half hours to fully recharge — ultimately allowing for emissions-free driving in EV mode and stress-free driving during out-of-town weekend trips in HV mode. Now imagine driving an SUV that can drive 430 miles? per fuel- ing, and releases nothing more than water. That's what current U.S. test drivers are experiencing Rapid technologi adoption of = - ut ee = [=i & 1 70... 3 EMISSIONS will vary depending on conditions. Advertisement with the Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV-adv). Relying solely on batteries and hydrogen, the FCHV-adv car is powered by the electrical energy created by the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, which forms zero-emis- sions water vapor that is passed out the tailpipe. “It's no longer a question of will these plug-in and hydrogen vehicles happen or not. It's about how quickly the market will grow, and how big their numbers will get,” says Tim Lipman, co-director of the University of California - Berkeley's Transportation Sustain- ability Research Center (TSRC). Toyota plans on launching its fuel cell mode! no later than 2015, once all testing of safety and reli- ability features are complete. Not Just Greener - Better While the ecological benefits of the Plug-in Hybrid and Fuel Cell ELECTRIC (EV) 100mi: Pure electric cars use zero fuel and produce zeroemissions while driving. Tesla Motors, an carly leader in electric engine technology, is collaborating with Toyota to develop a RAVa EV compact SUN, targeted for arrival in 2012 4) 2017 EPA mpg estimates (combined), Actual driving range will vary. 5) All igures based on Toyota internal testing. Actual range and emissions combines engines for 95... Hybrid Vehicle are generating excitement among environ- mentalists and government officials, the technology and practical advantages are help- ing build enthusiasm among test drivers around the world. “Our studies tend to show that once people are exposed to these next-generation cars, their general impressions go up,” says Lipman, who oversees a pilot program for the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle. After experiencing the fuel effi- ciency, quiet engines and smooth acceleration, test drivers report that the cars are not just greener — they're better. “There's a market segment that will buy a clean car, but a much bigger market segment will buy a better car. That's where the prospects are good for these greener cars.” ting the drogen ter and Emission-Free Range * * EMISSIONS MATTER. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that CO2 emissions must be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 to limit long-term average temperature rise between 20°C = 24°C (S.6°F = 43°F) Jiaph naw? tod Siar purposed OFvy Advertisement The Road Ahead: Meeting the Needs of it would take six decades v be hard to imagine before electric cars would make — : their comeback, driven by the era century ago, sales of oil crisis of the 1970s, which —— set in motion two decades of IC vehicles outstripped experiments and futuristic new — ; model launches, But the cars riven car sales in the U.S. all came with limitations and —<— costs that prevented them from catching on. At the turn of the 20th century, as began in the early 1900s, elec- It wasn't until 1997, when the many as 30,000 electric cars took __ tric cars simply couldn't com- first Prius hybrid rolled onto the to the roads, including a fleet of pete. Gas-fueled cars cost halfas streets of Japan, that a practical New York taxis. But when mass much and could travel further eco-conscious car finally arrived. production of petroleum cars and at faster speeds. By bridging the gap between The Evolution of G r Cars: MUUON OF GFeeNeL Ca IS: 1992 1996 Toyota introduces The first RAV4 EV its first EV in Japan introduced in Japan 1965 (Town Ace Minivan) (1997 in the U.S) Hybrid technology 1997 development 1 995 The first Prius begins at Toyota Hydrogen fuel cell hybrid introduced research begins in Japan at Toyota EARLY DAYS TRANSITION YEARS 1835 1977 American Thomas Oil crisis leads to Davenport credited futuristic but limited with building the first electric models “electric carriage” SOURCES: |) international Ener gees (IEA). World Energy Outlook 2010, “Policies Scenario.” Estimate is for total crea light-duty ve- hicles* on the road worldwide. 2) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates 5.10-5.20 metric tans CO? per vehicle-year for the average vehicle an the road today. Calculation: 1.6 billion cars multiplied by 5.15 metric tons equals 8.2 billion metric tans. 3) Estimates based on U.S. De- Advertisement Tomorrow’s Driver electric and gas engines, the Prius became an immediate hit — selling more than 100,000 units with its first model and reaching the two million mark by 2009. The car soon became an international symbol of envi- ronmental progress. Today, the electrification of the passenger car is mov- ing rapidly in many directions. Recent advances in lithium-ion battery technology have helped re-launch electric cars. Tesla an early leader in electric engine technology, is collaborating with Toyota to develop a RAV4 EV compact SUV, targeted for arrival in 2012. Clearing the Horizon In the end, in order to meet in- ternational fuel efficiency stan- dards, “there has to be a massive global adoption of hybrids,” says Bradley Berman, editor of HybridCars.com. For mass adop- tion to happen, consumers must have choices that are accessible and meet their daily needs. i Timeline 002 st hydrogen evel-cell hybrids are @ased in Japan id the U.S. 2010 here electric cars 5S.COli = StoreMax Tesla teams up with Toyota to produce 2011 Toyota hybrid lineup is expanded with release of 11 new models in two years PRIUS FAMILY GROWS R WwW A R 1,000,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 2007 2009 One million hybrids sold worldwide partment of Energy (DOE), Argonne National Lab, GREET 2010 figures. 4) 2011 EPA m, Actual driving range will vary. 5) All figures based on Toyota internal testing. Actual range and emissions will arketing Carporation vary depending on conditions. Two million hybrids sold worldwide Release 2011 Three millian hybrids sold worldwide ©2011 Tayota Motor Sales & Storshiags & Fantallag estimates (combined). Building on 14 years of ad- vances in hybrid car technology, Toyota continues to pioneer the technological advances that expand choices to meet the needs of all people. The company’s complete range of hybrid technology is at the core of plans to create eco-conscious cars across its lineup, each one moving us further away from dependency on gasoline, and each one improving the air we breathe. That will mean a clearer horizon for everyone, 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles and Toyota electric vehicles are targeted to belaunched 2015 FCHV is targeted to be available to consumers TOYOTA www.toyota-global.com (0 ore A eat call ame ge onus Caribt eS pon eell canon.com ©2011 Canon Inc A very particular parrot. The yellow-eared parrot roosts and nests in one place and one place alone: the wax palm tree. With the wax palm as its home base, the boldly beautiful bird ventures out to find fruit, bark and buds to eat. A male and female form a breeding pair while a third bird, called a brood-helper, often assists the couple in feeding and caring for their chicks—an unusual behavior among parrots. While populations had \ Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognerhynchus icterotis) Size: Head and body length, approx. 42 cm (16.5 inches) Weight: Approx. 285 g (10 az) Habitat: Humid montane forest in the Andes of Colombia Surviving number: Estimated at 1,100 Photographed by Roland Seitre WILDLIFE AS CANON SEES IT dwindled to just 81 birds by 1998, this parrot has recovered to some extent since then. But with its only suitable habitat suffering severe fragmentation, it is still in particular danger. As we see it, we can help make the world a better place. Raising awareness of endangered species is just one of the ways we at Canon are taking action—for the good of the planet we call home. Visit canon.com/environment to learn more. VOL, 220 « NO. 2 iCub crawls, sits up, and apes human expressions. Made in Italy, it is used to study how robots interact with their surroundings. Story on page 66. MAX AGUILERA-HELLWEG NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC August 2011 TERTTUTTUTETTETEUTRRT UTE URLTEC PTET UPUTCRULUELCU ELLER TLE UMEELOMP IEEE EEE LU i DEVUUVUULEDEUUULEVEUAUUUED EVE TELEOTELUUU s4 Spirit Bear so A Multitasking Monkey The wildest place in America is home to the India’s langurs stand guard at public events, unlikeliest of creatures: a white black bear. have holy status—and can also be a bit pesky. By Bruce Barcott By Jennifer S. Holland Photographs by Paul Nicklen Photographs by Stefano Unterthiner s4 Pipeline Through Paradise o¢ Land of Shadows In the Great Bear Rainforest a tanker war has As it comes out of isolation, the nation of begun. It’s going to be a bare-knuckle fight. Myanmar is caught between darkness and light. By Bruce Barcott By Brook Larmer Photographs by Chien-Chi Chang 66 Robots Get Real :20 Part Ape, Part Human They can now serve drinks, act as companions, and look like us. Are we ready for them? By Chris Carroll Photographs by Max Aguilera-Hellweg A new ancestor emerges from the richest collection of fossils ever found. By Josh Fischman Photographs by Brent Stirton Art by John Gurche OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY SiO 235.6010) i! eyes a 5, 49 ff) =H vertisement CHASE & ™ If being a royal honeymoon destination SAPPHIRE beoahi isn't enough, in March 2012 the Seychelles will host the “Carnivals des Carnivals,” EWer-tial-itlale me) tal-Mol-1-] me) ma tal-mel-t ae] Ut) (@ig-ve)(-Mir-telidelam Ti Wileyclecwelalem=laic-lat-lialant=)ay' EX ( = | | '@ INF AN | from around the world. The fun plays out on Mahe in the capital city of Victoria. ex i= r i = Nn f eS i CoMal-]/om ell mel-imlaicemin-m@r-lsall'7: ee) em leok Chase Sapphire. Unlimited rewards and expert advisors who answer whenever you Call will give you more reasons to celebrate. Find out more at Chase.com/Sapphire. \ Nua = TAY Par Ss Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove in Mahe's north end has the Indian Ocean at its doorstep and lush tropical landscaping. LEMERIDIENFISHERMANSCOVE.COM DINE i= ia 8 E The venerable Marie-Antoinette restaurant serves home-style Creole cuisine in a charming century-old home. MAHE, TEL 248 26 62 22 Island hop—by catamaran —to Praslin for lunch at Coco Rouge, a simple spot with seriously good local fare. *, £ a r ~% § i ir htt as AN BAIE STE ANNE, PRASLIN, TEL 248 23 22 28 orl A Sea aaa = CHOP | o—_ 2 Ee B ih At the Tea Factory you'll see tea go from plant to process to teapot—and purchase samples such as Sey Té, a heady tea mix with hints of citrus, mint, and vanilla. SANS SOUCI, MAHE, TEL 248 37 82 21 Amid the souvenir T-shirts at the Craft Village are sweet little Creole dolls, model ships, and other handmade local- culture items. ANSE AUX PINS, MAHE, TEL 248 37 61 00 “CHASE Download National Geographic Traveler's “50 Places of a Lifetime” iPad* app, sponsored by Chase Sapphire. Cae eek s ECE ory GET OUT OF TOWN. CHASE & SAPPHIRE D. WALDEN Whether it’s a last-minute getaway or a trip home for the holidays, Chase Sapphire” lets you use Ultimate Rewards” to redeem for any flight, any hotel, any time. CHASE WHAT MATTERS” Find at more a nica coms Sappnire CHAS E cj 010 JPMorga ase & Co. Account byect to cat § = ‘al. Re tions and linntations apply Ch wee credit cards are issued by Chas +Mk, ISA NA 1380 nnavGioret ie for pricing and rewards details. August 2011 Here are the coolest extras 4 Editor’s Note sean on our electronic editions. Letters 8 National Geographic on TV 12 VISIONS » 18 Your Shot Robotic Soccer Watch a team of two-footed robots try to master the art of kicking a ball into a goal. Humans, do not be afraid. The robots fall down a lot. ngm.com + iPad Hunting Bears A video shows how 20 NOW photographer Paul Nicklen stalked the spirit bear. Gorillas at the Salad Bar > ngm.com + iPad They're giving up biscuits (right) for romaine to ward off heart disease. The Moon’s Inner Life Instruments left by the Apollo astronauts tell a molten tale. Pint Size(s) Britain's classic beer serving will shrink a bit this year. Puzzling Inventions Check out our quiz: Can you identify the objects in patent drawings? ngm.com s Dewnioad th Thus PDE A Man, a Beetle, a Mission A Nebraska entomologist strives to save a lowly bug. Spotting the Leopard Why are there so many coat patterns? See what digital data reveal. 28 NEXT Banking on Blue Blood > A horseshoe crab's vital fluid helps labs screen for pathogens. U On the Cover This mama Kermode bear came out for a crab apple meal in Canada's Great Bear Rainforest. The harvest was so bountiful that she didn't bother fishing for salmon. 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