We’ve got the best of the Web today, including how flip flops can save the rainforest, 911 moves into the future and a pod that drives itself.

World’s Most Expensive Flip Flop Will Save the Rainforests

Would you drop $18,000 on a pair of flip flops? Well, Los Angeles artist David Palmer seems to think so. He designed the sandals for Chipkos, an eco-friendly sandal company with a unique “buy one, give back” plan. For every pair you buy, the proceeds go to protect 100,000 square feet of endangered rain forest land. But that’s not all. You get a meet-and-greet with Palmer and a two-night stay at LEED-certified Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. But if you can’t afford these flip flops, check out Chipkos other moderately priced sandals. (via @TreeHugger)

911 Will Soon Accept Texts, Videos, Photos

911 emergency response calls will soon step into the digital age. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced a five-step plan to update the technology for multimedia platforms. The plan, called Next Generation 911, will enable the current 911 emergency response system to receive text messages, videos and photos. FCC hopes this will provide quicker emergency response times and give individuals more options to contact 911. (via @mashable)

This Pod Drives Itself: The Latest in Personal Transit Comes with No Conductor

London’s Heathrow Airport has put the airport shuttle system on autopilot with a revolutionary personal rapid transit system. UK-based company ULTra created 22 electric autopilot pods that can shuttle 800 passengers a day back and forth from parking lots to the British Airways terminal. Each pod can hold up to four passengers and their luggage and can travel 25 miles per hour. Passengers press a button to start the vehicle and select their destination, and laser sensors guide the pods along the 1.2 mile slender railway. The automated revolution has even caught the interests of San Jose and Mountain View, Calif., Tysons Corner, Virg., Calgary, Alberta, and other cities. (via @GOOD)