CO2ube filters out carbon dioxide from your tailpipe

Carbon dioxide emissions have been linked to all sorts of environmental ills. Improvements in car design are helping the issue, but the CO2ube Kickstarter project wants to take carbon dioxide filtration to any car on the road.

The CO2ube attaches onto the end of your tailpipe using hose clamps. A combination of algae and sodium hydroxide filters out the carbon dioxide as it exits from car.

A single CO2ube is going for a pledge price of $45. The company behind the product, Ecoviate, has created working prototypes and is looking to produce the device in quantity. A smartphone app is also intended to accompany the CO2ube. The app would let you track your emissions over time.

The CO2ube could end up being a good start in democratizing carbon dioxide filtration systems. The creators hope to qualify the device for a tax credit and gain approval for CO2ube-equipped cars to ride in HOV lanes without meeting the minimum occupant requirement. If these bonuses go through, it could help improve the attractiveness of the product for commuters.The CO2ube will definitely make you think more about what's coming out of your tailpipe, but there are some drawbacks to the system. The filter lasts eight to 10 weeks, so you would have to change it out every couple of months. There is a year's-supply pledge level on Kickstarter, coming in at $500. It could be a hard sell, however, to convince the masses to attach a fresh device to their tailpipes at least five times every year.

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Rubbee turns any bike into an electric one in seconds

Electric bicycles are a lot like regular bikes, but the trade-off for getting an electrical assist is usually a heavier and more expensive ride. The Rubbee on Kickstarter is a clever take on the concept of electric bike conversion kits. Everything is in one compact package that attaches to a bike's seat post.

A friction wheel sits on the back tire while a built-in electric motor turns it, giving you up to a 15-mile range. The device weighs 14 pounds and can be attached and removed quickly. A handle lets you carry it around and stash it inside, out of sight.

The Rubbee looks pretty nifty and could handily solve some of the lingering issues around electric bike conversions, like running wires, weight, and difficulty with swapping between bicycles.It takes a couple of hours to recharge the Rubbee, and it can hit a top speed of 15 mph. The device is controlled through a throttle, which you install ahead of time. Extra throttles can be picked up to equip multiple bikes.

The Rubbee's portability and simplicity do come with a high price tag. The regular pledge price is set around $1,370. For people used to spending a lot on high-end bike gear, that may not be too bad. For folks who are just curious about electric bikes, it may be a bit out of range.

The Rubbee rides along.

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