Proponents of free and open source software are already familiar with the benefits of a collaborative, sharing approach to design, and now the automotive world is getting a taste of its own thanks to a Netherlands-based effort known as c,mm,n.

Sustainable mobility is at the heart of the motivation behind c,mm,n (reportedly pronounced "common"), an initiative from Stichting Natuur en Milieu (Dutch Society for Nature and Environment) along with the technical universities of Delft, Twente and Eindhoven. Aiming to provide a model for cars in the year 2020, the first collaboratively designed prototype car was debuted recently at Amsterdam's AutoRAI 2009 car show. Boasting zero emissions, the hydrogen-powered vehicle features a lightweight (and therefore fuel-saving) thermoplastic exterior and an interior including soy-based memory foam and other recyclable materials. What its developers call a "river display," meanwhile, is said to function like an iPhone with access to a variety of information including route-planning, carpooling and efficiency-maximizing systems. The vehicle is also optimised to minimize depreciation and repairs. Materials in the body, for example, last only three years; after that, the car is designed to be taken back to the factory and rebuilt. Most paradigm-busting of all, however, is that the car's blueprints are publicly available under an open source license, so its design can be used and modified by others as long as any derived works are shared with the public as well. More than 800 people are currently involved in c,mm,n through the site's "c, mm, nity" and developer's wiki. A video on YouTube (text in Dutch) provides a computer simulation of the c,mm,n in action.

Given Generation C(ontent)'s penchant for contributing content and having a say in matters large and small, it's no surprise open source software is gaining ground. Will the same concept have "wheels" in the automotive world? Only time will tell. In the meantime, one to watch—and get involved in! (Related: Converting standard Corollas into electric cars — Open source approach to textbook publishing.)

Website: www.cmmn.org
Contact: sijas@cmmn.org

Spotted by: Paul Coppes

Farmers markets have long been providing individuals with a place to purchase fresh produce, but until now there have been limited opportunities for individuals with gardens and fruit trees to distribute their own (leftover) crops.

Portland-based Veggie Trader, which just launched last month, is a kind of online farmers market that connects individual produce sellers, buyers and swappers. The service was started as an effort by foodies on both coasts of the US to help other families eat well, save money and make the most of the environment—all while putting their backyards to work for the benefit of the community. How it works? Registered users post listings describing their excess produce and specify what they’d like to receive in return—food or cash. They can also locate food available nearby, either by entering their zip code or by listing their desired produce in the ‘Wanted’ section, which is organized into categories like vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs, etc.

As more consumers take up urban and suburban farming, opportunities will grow for facilitators like Veggie Trader. One to set up for crop traders in your part of the world? (Related: More homegrown vegetables without the sweat.) For many more examples of concepts that help ordinary consumers make money instead of just spending it, check out trendwatching.com's latest briefing: sellsumers.

Website: www.veggietrader.com
Contact: www.veggietrader.com/contactus.php

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann & Emma Crameri

Over the past few years, there's been a surge of interest in urban beekeeping, mostly on a small scale by amateur beekeepers. Fortnum & Mason is now taking the practice to a new level—the famous London retailer has placed four hives on the roof of its 181 Piccadilly building. From where, as Fortnum's describes, the bees are able to "fly high above Mayfair, visiting the grounds, gardens and squares of the best addresses in London, gathering rather superior nectar." (The colony was previously housed by Fortnum's in Shropshire and Oxfordshire.)

Pollen from chestnut and lime trees, as well as a wide variety of other flowering plants, is expected to make for a delicate urban honey, which will be on sale from May 2009. A 227g jar of Piccadilly Honey will be priced at GBP 10. Completing the picture, Fortnum & Mason offers an upclose view of the palatial beehives via two webcams.

It's a wonderful example of a retailer and food brand taking an uber-local approach to food production, and creating a still-made-here story that consumers won't be able to resist ;-) (Related: Honey without the mess — Sweet snobmoddity.)

Website: www.fortnumandmason.com/Fortnums-Bees/Home.aspx

Spotted by: @ktmonkey

At 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide, the Smart fortwo is small enough to fit two vehicles into a single parking space. So why should Smart car owners have to pay full price for a half-used spot?

To encourage the use of environmentally friendly and space-saving vehicles, parking companies are starting to offer discounts. Meyers Parking, Icon Parking Systems and AviStar Airport Parking already offer half-priced parking in Manhattan for Smart fortwo owners. Now Central Parking System, in partnership with Smart USA, is joining them in offering half-price parking for Smart fortwo owners beyond Manhattan, expanding the opportunity to Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and New Jersey.

The Smart dealer network has sold more than 27,000 fortwos since January 2008, and there are about 4,000 current smart owners in the metropolitan New York market. With the customer base for small cars increasing rapidly, incentives that reward owners can add up to big business for parking companies. A perk to bring to owners of eco-friendlier cars around the world. (Related: Parking operator launches car-sharing service — Airport offers free electricity for electric cars.)

Websites: www.centralparking.com — www.smartusa.com

Spotted by: autobloggreen via Raymond Kollau

As cities around the world try to get cars off the roads, there's been increasing emphasis on public transportation, ride-sharing, telecommuting and bicycling as eco-minded alternatives. One we hadn't yet seen, however, is a luxury eco-bus used to give commuters a high-end ride to work.

San Francisco now requires that all employers with 20 workers or more offer a transit benefit program to support greener commuting. With that in mind, Bauer's Worldwide Transportation recently launched Wi-Drive, a green, weekday bus service that offers high-end transportation for commuters. Targeting professionals who wouldn't normally consider public transportation, Wi-Drive aims to emulate the comfort of a limousine or company shuttle. Padded leatherette seats, wifi, LCD screens, ports for phones and iPods, and work tables at each prereserved seat are among the amenities Wi-Drive commuters can enjoy, as well as the availability of food and beverages and an attendant on duty. The 52-seat vehicles themselves, meanwhile, run on CNG, propane or bio-fuel, and most stops on their routes are close to major companies or transit hubs. Bauer's will also work with companies or groups of commuters to build custom routes, and it has partnered with pre-tax transit programs Commuter Checks and WageWorks to integrate their offerings as well. One-way prices on Wi-Drive are USD 8.20 for most trips among Marin County, San Francisco and San Jose, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, with discounts for preloading the service's swipe card by the month. A loyalty program, meanwhile, rewards users with points to spend toward future commutes, and Bauer's allows companies to add their own custom incentives as well.

With all the many reasons to reduce driving, there's no doubt it needs to happen, and a first-class alternative may be just what it will take to get high-end commuters out of their BMWs. One to emulate on the roads near you? (Related: Rewarding consumers who drive less.)

Website: www.bauerswi-drive.org
Contact: customerservice@bauerswi-drive.org

Spotted by: Treehugger via Raymond Kollau