Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Lotus Theory 1 EV sports car has centred driving position and disappearing haptic buttons

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Lotus is making a smooth transition towards the electric vehicle era with the Eletre Hyper SUV, and has not made much fuzz about EV concepts, that is until now. This is the Theory 1 EV concept by the UK-based automotive manufacturer that highlights the three core principles of the brand going into the future – Digital, Natural and Analouge.

The “Theory” manifesto entails the exciting future of limitless possibilities coming from the house of Lotus. To start with, Theory 1 underpins the choice of a compact EV sports car having a three-seater layout. Something right out of the McLaren F1 handbook, the concept car focuses on lightweight construction and innovative technology that puts sustainability at the fore.

Designer: Lotus

The main challenge for the design team was to adapt the Challenge of 10, wherein just 10 main A-frame elements were used. Compare that to a typical car frame construction that uses a hundred elements at best. Recycled material like aluminum is used to keep the overall weight down since battery power is at a premium when hauling long distances is concerned. The result is an all-wheel drive vehicle powered by a 987 hp electric drivetrain capable of hurling it from 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds and having a top speed of 200 mph. The EV weighs less than 1,600kg, and features a 70kWh battery pack. Range on the Theory 1 is touted to be 250 miles which is impressive for a performance EV.

The Performance of the sports car is enhanced by the active aero features like the rounded underfloor (That’s so Lotus) to feed the cooling system, side-pods to direct air into the rear diffuser and a cone-inspired front nose to reinstate the brand’s racing heritage. Doors in Theory 1 have the wrap, reverse-opening mechanism which demonstrates that Lotus is not holding back on its future design language.

The three-seater EV with the central driving position focuses on minimalism with its material choice and interface. The 3D printed headrests come with a KEF binaural sound system and active noise canceling tech for each of the occupants to have their private soundscape. One of the most interesting techs seated inside Theory 1 is the LOTUSWEAR developed in collaboration with wearable robotics company MotorSkins. The fluidic feedback of the system includes inflatable controls on the yoke-steering wheel that appear on demand for a tactile driving experience.

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Blind Watch makes life easier for visually impaired, can be used as a hand clock

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Life for the visually impaired is not easy as they have to struggle even to get done most of the simplest tasks. Thankfully inclusively designed daily gadgets and devices make their life much easier. Keeping track of time is one of the needs that blind people have to depend on others if they haven’t got the hang of talking watches like the VOICE GRUS, or find them impractical in noisier environments.

A braille watch is the next best option as we saw with the Ehsaas concept watch designed by Nikhil Kapoor. Now, yet another concept envisions the future of timepieces crafted for the visually disabled so that they can lead a normal life.

Designer: Jinkyo Han

It’s about feeling the time tick on your hand as the braille system denoted by the marking on the watch gives the blind idea of the hour and minute of the day exactly. The square-shaped dial of the watch has two overlapping knobs represented by the hours and minutes hands with precise markings to differentiate the two. The inner gear mechanism actuates the movement of these big dials to define the exact time of the day which is important for anyone with visual disability.

While the Blind Watch can be worn on the hand as a wristwatch by securing straps to the metal body, the designer proposes the use of a single strap for it to be used as a hand clock. This makes it easy for the person to carry it in the pocket or secure it around the neck to prevent it from getting misplaced. The watch is a tad bigger for the wrist and will only fit well for people with bigger hands.

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Nike Dunk Low Halloween will spook festive flair in sneaker culture this October

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Nike is all set to give fans a reason to spook up the neighborhood this Halloween with the introduction of not one but two eerie edition kicks. Just earlier this month, the Swoosh company took wraps off the Halloweenized model of the Air Force 1 Low, and now we are here with the Nike Dunk Low “Halloween,” offering a frightful take on the court favorite.

Designed with the scary style statement, not specifically for the court alone; the street-smart Dunk Low silhouette captures the spirit of Halloween very nicely with Bright Cactus, Black, and Green Curry colorway, embellishing the cracked leather upper and other unnerving antics of the pair.

Designer: Nike

Designed for the holiday with its “Halloween” color scheme, the limited-edition Dunk Low Halloween, carries many fan-favorite aspects to give the creeps. First up, the cracked leather upper contrasts with a molded skull motif (with a 3D effect) on the black toe box. The shoe is marked with eye-catching textured black material on its tongue and the laterals while orange laces and the gum soles give the shoes a vintage aesthetic.

The look is completed with a long-molded Swoosh logo appearing in the same color and material as the toe box. This look of the Dunk Low is not very different from the Black and Crimson colorway of the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Halloween” iteration which carries a similar human skull modeled on the toe box. This is not a coincidence; Nike wants the season’s spooky spirit to flow down the customers with the same highlight.

That said, the Dunk Low Halloween is not just tweaked with seasonal appropriateness to blend festive flair with sneaker culture. It has been dealt with all the aspects of the lineup to ensure there is no compromise in comfort. For the interested ones, the Nike Dunk Low Halloween is slated for release on October 26, 2024. It will be available via Nike SNKRS and a few other retailers starting at $130. Nike Air Force 1 Low Halloween will also hit the market around the same time for a starting price of $140.

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8BitDo’s Mod Kit turns wired NGC controller into wireless one with Hall Effect joysticks

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If you wish to again play games on your Nintendo console with the GameCube controller that has damaged wires and bad instances of drifting analog sticks, then this accessory arrives as a blessing in disguise. 8BitDo has introduced a mod kit that lets you upgrade your GameCube controller to a wireless gamepad, so that you’re not impulsively tempted into buying a new one.

This is not the first time 8BitDo has introduced a mod kit for the Nintendo controllers including the N64 and earlier ones, so this comes as no surprise. The trick here is that you’ll have to replace the existing PCB of the NGC controller with a drop-in board. The Chinese tech company is taking pre-orders for this useful gaming accessory that’ll make you go wireless if you hate the wire clutter on your Nintendo ecosystem. Called the NGC Mod Kit, this one is slated to ship on 25th September.

Designer: 8BitDo

You’ll need to have basic soldering knowledge and loads of patience to make the changeover. Remember, controllers are not that easy to put together when opened up. Although not as tedious as putting together something like a DualSense. Of course, there are certified adapters on the market (including 8BitDo GBros and Nintendo’s official adapter) that allow you to use the wired GameCube controller with the Switch but this mod kit cuts out the extra and brings straightforward wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

Along with making your gamepad wireless, there are other add-ons as well. It has Hall effect joysticks for improved lifespan and immunity against sensitive vibrations if you love to play your FPS games hard. The accessory adds a 300mAh USB-C rechargeable battery with 6 hours of playtime for gaming without interruptions. It also adds a new set of triggers to the controller, so basically, you’ll have a virtually new gaming controller to play around with.

8BitDo Mod Kit priced at $26 is worth the spend if you have a Nintendo GameCube controller with chewed-down wires and defunct joystick controls. The only catch is, that you’ll have to slash out another $26 for the Tetro Receiver for GNC to connect to the GameCube. So, spending $52 on a wire-free setup for your existing NGC controller makes logical sense.

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This ultra-thin portable music player redefines music listening experience

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Portable music players have for long been the staple of audiophiles who cannot compromise on the audio quality of the tracks they listen to. Astell&Kern, FiiO and Sony have dominated this space for a long with their consistency.

Now Steelworks Studio wants these big names to level up their game with the SW-1 music player, which a proposed concept for a DAP that embodies functionality with visually pleasing aesthetics for a unified listening experience.

Designer: Steelworks Studio

A bezeless responsive touchscreen that is encapsulated by the durable aluminum body frame without subduing the retro charm signifies this design leap. The minimalist aesthetic is complemented by the stunning OLED display that fits the vibe of modern audio listeners. This concept chooses the trending silver finish for the frame that has a beautiful volume knob in the bottom center to induce a tactical feel.

The user can listen to their music on the 360-degree surround sound speakers as well as the gadget can be placed in the horizontal orientation. Yes, it’s got an equally robust kickstand for placing the device on a flat surface in landscape mode. So, you’re not just limited to music, but can also enjoy immersive binge-watching on the player.

The SW-1 music player has a very sleek and ergonomic footprint so that it can be carried easily in your daily commute to work. While the form factor is slightly taller than your usual Hi-res music player, the gadget is far thinner than other DAPs out there. Honestly, the height could have been a little less considering the display only occupies around 1/4th of the screen real estate. Anyways, the skim form fits like a charm in hand and that volume knob adds spice to your music listening experience.

 

 

 

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Star Wars StarSpeeder 3000 set recreates the thrill of Disney’s iconic theme ride

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The StarSpeeder 3000 attraction of the Star Tours at the Disney theme parks takes riders on an exciting journey of the Star Wars universe. For those who have experienced the thrill of this intergalactic ride, the limited-edition Star Tours StarSpeeder 3000 makes complete sense.

The play set limited to just 3,000 units debuted at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and for Star Wars fans the set will be available for purchase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World starting 13 September. This set will be available via Tatooine Traders and interested buyers will have to get the park reservations to get one. Those who’ll go with the online purchase option can buy the StarSpeeder 3000 set exclusively from the Disney Store for $300 starting today.

Designer: Disney

The limited edition set comes with an LCD screen to play the original attraction footage with matching audio. The real ride is emulated with the scale seats having seat belts and opening doors that are activated with a chime sound. It comes with blasters, cannons and thrusters that have sound effects. To display it on your shelf, the set comes with a light-up display stand, along with the 3.75-inch minifigures of Captain Rex and R2-D2.

There’s an extendable landing gear that retracts when it’s time for action and locks in place. Those side panels are removable, and so are the rooftop carrier and roof panel. To keep the realism effect going, the set has exterior light effects too. This Star Wars playset requires six AA batteries to run and it would have been better off with an internal battery charged via a charging cable. That said, the batteries should last a long time unless you’re obsessed with playing around with the play set.

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Postmodern Cone Watch puts architecture on the wrist to elevate you into lifetime of distinction

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Whether you like the POP watch, made in collaboration with a 6-year-old and his painting skills, the Donut Watch that puts Apple logo mimicking donut on the dial, the infographic face watch, or for that matter, the all-new Postmodern Cone Watch (in picture above); there is one thing in common, all of these are the brainchild of the same person.

Created by Paul Kweton of Studio PAULBAUT, these watches, especially the cone watch, are peculiar. They of course attract with their distinctiveness, but you have to agree that these challenge the traditional idea of watchmaking with their playful reinterpretation of the timepiece as we know it.

Designer: Studio PAULBAUT

Postmodern Cone Watch, as the name gives out and the images show, is a cone-shaped watch inspired by the postmodern architecture characterized by curved forms, decorative elements, asymmetry, and vibrant colors. All of which are evident in this playfully attractive yet recognizably functional watch.

Paul Kweton, for this watch, has recreated an iconic postmodern building and shaped it into a watch. The colors and textures are chosen independent of the building’s structure or function, and do not have cohesiveness with functionality, rather depict the artistic freedom, prevalent in each of Paul’s previous works. The watch features a 3D-printed dial in a light blue hue that contrasts with the miniature conical building-shaped watch case featuring a nice blend of blue and yellow.

The Postmodern Cone Watch is paired with a white rubber strap and has an oversized cylindrical crown to add whimsy to it. The dial features black hour and minute hands, but the entire package sitting on the wrist is more than a watch, it is a timeless architecture on the wrist. We don’t have a word on the price or possible availability of the watch at the time of writing, but bold use of color and structure is sure to give you a lifetime of distinction, at least every time you wear it!

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Bell & Ross BR-03 Horizon pushes aviation-inspired horology to the next level

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Bell & Ross in its DNA is about aviation horology, fusing functionality with aesthetics. Their aviation instrument-inspired watches have had many takers, especially the BR-03 series debuted in 2005. Now the collection is getting another intriguing timepiece to the flight instrument series.

The BR-03 Horizon brings a new way of reading time with the aircraft navigation instrument look and feel that watch lovers will want to add to their collection. Limited to just 999 pieces, the watch pays homage to the vital instruments that keep pilots and the aircraft safe in uncharted territory. Those four screws on the dial stamp the signature brand identity for an impressive aesthetic.

Designer: Bell & Ross

The 100-meter water-resistant BR-03 Horizon is signified by the distinct blue (representing the sky) and black (representing the earth) color scheme which mimics the horizon dial found on aircrafts. This is complemented by the horizontal orange decal (along the 3 to 9 o-clock line) representing the current orientation in the air, indicated by the pitch (tilt forward and back) and bank (side-to-side tilt). Of course, this is just a representation for visual excitement.

The square-shaped 41mm micro-blasted black ceramic case of the timepiece is highly durable against any elements and also looks striking. To top it off the sapphire crystal maintains clear visibility of the dial in any lighting conditions. Keeping track of time is simple with the black and white-striped hand tracking the seconds and the white hand indicating the minutes. The watch is powered by the updated automatic BR-CAL.327 calibre having a 54-hour power reserve.

BR-03 Horizon’s striking dial is matched with the orange synthetic fabric strap. This has a Velcro closure and a black rubber strap, closed with a matte black PVD micro-blasted finish steel pin buckle to keep things contemporary. The timepiece is priced at £3,999 (approximately $5,250) and will surely be sold out in no time, so you better get one if you love Bell & Ross watches.

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A minimalistic matching phone for your Polestar 2

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Polestar is known for its high-performance electric vehicles and many concept gadgets have been inspired by the Swedish EV brand. There was a rumor of a Polestar phone right around the time of April’s Fool Day on the Polestar’s official website, and most took the bait announcing it as an official release by the brand.

What if Polestar decides to make a smartphone that’s embedded right into the brand’s ecosystem? A minimalistic and sleek smartphone that’s power-packed with the latest and greatest hardware for peak performance.

Designer: Xiangrong Zhang

Car-branded phones are not a rarity as Lamborghini and Porsche Design have explored bringing their unique aesthetics to the modern man’s best friend. The Polestar Phone will follow suit as the perfect match for your Polestar 2 EV. According to Xiangrong, the motive is to combine the best of both worlds, having the perfect balance of form and function. The device comes with a triple camera setup including a 15mm, 23mm and 70mm shooter having focal lengths of 2.4, 1.9 and 2.08 respectively.

The smartphone has the signature Polestar all-white hue combined with silver inserts for an immaculate look. Whether the phone runs on stock Android or a Polestar-developed skin on top can only be speculated but I want them to go for a minimal interface just like the Nothing Phone. As I said, the phone will be closely integrated into the Polestar EV ecosystem with connected features including remote monitoring, AutoStart and safety features.

The Polestar logo on the back will look classy and you’ll need to invest in a transparent case to show off. If Polestar wants to foray into the consumer tech market only time will tell but it’s highly unlikely unless the EV maker wants to spread its claws in a highly competitive marketplace of smartphones.

 

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Lando drives incredible Life-sized LEGO McLaren P1 for a lap around the Silverstone Circuit

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LEGO Technic has previously collaborated with big names like Lamborghini and McLaren Racing Formula-1 team to create real-life replicas with LEGO bricks. Now LEGO Technic engineers and McLaren have managed to achieve something truly remarkable with the LEGO McLaren P1. They managed to do a complete lap around the Silverstone track at a respectable speed.

Yes, this life-sized LEGO McLaren P1 was driven around the circuit by the team’s star F1 driver Lando Norris who is in hot pursuit of the championship leader Max Verstappen. This is an extraordinary feat considering how vibrations during the drive can disturb the structural integrity of a car that is made from LEGO bricks. The only thing that comes close to this build is the LEGO Bugatti Chiron which could only go in a straight line.

Designer: LEGO Technic and McLaren

This could be one of the most intricate and detailed LEGO builds ever that’s fully functional just like the real thing. It is constructed out of 342,817 pieces and took 8,344 hours in total to come to life thanks to the dedicated efforts of 23 designers, engineers and builders. The LEGO model is 600 pounds lighter than the real P1 which weighs 8,944 in dry weight. This is also the first ever LEGO model to feature a functional steering wheel that navigates the car around the 3.66-mile track. Powering the four-wheeled LEGO is an electric motor that uses a combination of 768 LEGO Technic motors bundled into eight motor packs (to replicate a V8 engine) in combination with an electric car battery to make up for the range for a complete lap at a top speed of approximately 40 mph.

The only things that are not LEGO in this build for obvious reasons are the steel frame for structural support, wheels, instrument cluster, and the steering wheel. Even the seats and side mirrors are crafted out of LEGO bricks to keep things authentic. According to Ben Gulliver, test and development director at McLaren, “Having worked on the original P1 program for McLaren, it’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original McLaren P1 brought to life so realistically by the Lego Technic team for the full-scale model.”

When Lando laid his eyes on this pixelated version of the real thing, he was a bit nervous to open the door and take the driver’s seat. Once he pushed the pedal on the straights and took the corners he was surprised by the handling of the LEGO version. Even though the car went at a snail’s pace compared to an F1 car or a sports car, it is something remarkable for a structure made completely out of LEGO bricks. Of course, this is the slowest Lando would have driven around the Silverstone circuit, still he was impressed by the build.

The LEGO McLaren P1 is just a one-off creation and the next best thing to get is the 1:8 scale version set of the McLaren P1.

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