Once In a Lifetime: Contest Gives You The Chance To Go 1500 MPH

Vorsprung durch Technik quite literally goes galactic this week as Audi prepares to set yet another precedent by launching one lucky competition winner 62 miles up into sub-orbital space at speeds of more than 1,500mph. Developed in conjunction with weekly science and technology magazine The New Scientist, the ‘New Scientist Space Adventure in association with Audi’ complements the A6 advertising campaign revealing that Audi has actually filed more patents than NASA. After extensive training the winner will be flown at twice the speed of sound in the rocket-powered Xerus Sub-orbital Vehicle into sub-orbital space, experiencing G-force and weightlessness and enjoying stunning views of the Blue Planet.

To be in with a chance of winning the once-in-a-lifetime space adventure, entrants must offer the most original and imaginative answer to the question: ‘What is the best patented invention of all time – and why?’ Among the most famous, and ubiquitous, patented designs are cat’s eyes, the bra, the television, sun tan lotion and even the internet.

Director of Audi UK Jeremy Hicks was delighted that this daring project has come to fruition: “This couldn’t be much better suited to us. Audi is already no stranger to pushing back the boundaries of what is possible technologically and aesthetically, so it is fitting that when the Vorsprung durch Technik brand runs a competition it doesn’t simply see the sky as the limit!” he said.

Jeremy Webb, Editor of the New Scientist, emphasised that contestants will need to employ plenty of ‘outside the box’ thinking: “Entrants will have to be imaginative, as there will be some strong contenders – both familiar and obscure – for the accolade of best-ever patent. The first contender has got to be the telephone. No other invention has fostered communication in the way the telephone has. Next is the humble electric light bulb. It might seem a dim idea but artificial light has made a profound impact on the world - and is still doing so. There are plenty of other ideas out there: the aeroplane, the transistor, penicillin or Velcro. And I’m dying to see a great justification for how bubble wrap changed the world!”

The current space-themed Audi campaign claims that NASA has filed 6,509 patents to date, while the German prestige manufacturer has filed 9,621 in developing the A6 Saloon and Avant. This figure - which covers everything from the humble washer to the A6's FSI direct fuel injection system and MMI control unit – highlights Audi’s commitment to Vorsprung durch Technik: progress through technology.

The competition opens on February 1st 2007 and will close on April 30th. The winner will be announced on 31 May 2007 in the 2 June 2007 issue of New Scientist. Further details will be available from February 1st by logging on to www.winatriptospace.co.uk

Greenlight - 2/1/2007 11:03:37 AM

0 Boost

If this is for the "A6 advertising campaign " then I'd love to see how fast the S6 one is lol.

IamEvilHomer - 2/1/2007 12:45:10 PM

-1 Boost

not 1500 mph but close

chewy - 2/1/2007 12:46:49 PM

0 Boost

That is an excellent campaign.

MunichRob - 2/1/2007 1:02:48 PM

+1 Boost

Audi’s Campaign is truly out of this world.

Richard Branson (I think his name is) Owner or Virgin Records is offering commercial flights to space as early as 2009. About 20 passengers at a time can be taken into Earth's orbit on a newly developed space shuttle for less than 100 grand as opposed to a few million.

cdoke - 2/1/2007 1:54:14 PM

+2 Boost

"claims that NASA has filed 6,509 patents to date, while the German prestige manufacturer has filed 9,621 in developing the A6 Saloon and Avant."

That is extremely deceptive.

"NASA’s policy with respect to any invention made in the performance of experimental, developmental, or research work with small business firms, colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations is basedon the Bayh-Dole Act, as amended (35 U.S.C. 200 et. seq.; 37 CFR Part 401). The Bayh-Dole Actallows small business firms, colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations to elect to retain title toinventions made (i.e., conceived or first actually reduced to practice) under a funding agreement with a Federal agency that is funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government.....[the contractor will]

• Disclose each “Subject Invention” to the Federal agency (by way of the New TechnologyRepresentative identified in NFS Section 1852.227-72 or the clause at 14 CFR 1274.906 included in the contract) within 2 months after the inventor discloses it in writing to contractor personnel responsible for patent matters (A “Subject Invention” is defined in the Patent Rights clause to meanany invention or discovery of the contractor, which is or may be patentable or otherwise protectableunder title 35 of the United States Code, conceived or first actually reduced to practice in the performance of work under the contract);

• Elect in writing whether or not to retain title to any such invention by notifying the Federal agencywithin 2 years of disclosure to the Federal agency, except, in any case where publication, sale, or public use has initiated the 1 year statutory period wherein valid patent protection can still be obtained in the United States, the period for election of title may be shortened by the agency to a date that is no more than 60 days prior to the end of the statutory period;...

If the contractor fails to disclose, request waiver, or file a patent application in accordance with the contract (or if a waiver is denied), the Government retains title to the invention. Once title vests in NASA, NASA may file patent applications and license the applications and any resulting patents obtained..."

http://invention.nasa.gov/docs/NTR_Process.pdf

NASA contracts out most of its stuff, like the Booster Rockets for the Shuttle, where originally invented by the definct engineering firm Morton Thiokol.

Even the slightest incinuation that some 2-bit car company is even comparable to NASA is insulting to concept of engineering. NASA in the form of the Space Shuttle possesses the single most complex machine every built by the human race. It has over 2.5 million parts and 1,440 cicuit breakers. As an engineer I will say this; a car, even the most technologically advanced one, is not a truly complex device.

MunichRob - 2/1/2007 7:08:14 PM

+2 Boost

Somehow someone is offended by the comment's Chewy or I made as we both got voted down...Ridiculous considering what we stated wasn’t a jab at anyone...in fact it’s almost frustrating people, but I’ll try & not take it to seriously.