Human-powered car to debut at tech fest

CHICAGO, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- A car that relies on human power and robotic butlers are just two of the items on display for Wired Magazine's NextFest in Chicago.

The fifth annual peak into the future begins Friday in Millennium Park and runs through Oct. 12, The Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday.

Among the gee-whiz technology set to be unveiled is a vehicle called HumanCar that has electricity-producing rowing handles for four passengers.

The $15,500 open-air vehicle can hit 60 miles an hour without ever burning an ounce of fuel, the newspaper says.

Made entirely of recycled plastics, HumanCar is able to climb the steepest hills with the help of an electric-assist motor.

"The distribution of technology away from a small amount of institutions and into the hands of regular folks changes the world," says Chris Anderson, Wired's editor-in-chief. "Wired on one level is about how technology changes the world."