Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

LEGO and Nike revive the Air Max 95 Neon for a spring release next year

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LEGO and Nike make an impactful pairing. We have seen that in the past, and it’s a story that will repeat itself in the Spring of 2026, when the two stalwarts revive the Nike Air Max 95 in its OG colorway for the love of brick fans. Designed by Sergio Lozano, Air Max 95 is often regarded as the most popular Nike sneaker, and now, with its collaborative revisit after twenty years since release in 1995, the LEGO x Air Max 95 “Neon”⁠ is going to have some definite takers.

Nike and LEGO have been redefining the norm with their collaborations since the first fully co-branded Nike Dunk x LEGO Set. The idea behind their partnership has been to give kids a world where sports and creative play always win. In that accord, an inspiring celebration of the sneaker culture and creative imagination of LEGOs was the LEGO x Nike Air Max Dn that painted the internet yellow on its release in the summer this year.

Designer: Nike x LEGO

After dropping these beauties, the two now have their eyes set on the release of the LEGO x Air Max 95 next spring. The sneaker in its neon colorway has a drawn-on upper and an evident love affair with LEGO bricks. The reimagined “Neon” colorway of the Air Max 95 is confirmed in Grad School and Pre School sizes, and is remarkably apparent in its inspiration even though it doesn’t feature the typical suede side panels.

The new LEGO Air Max 95 has a T-toe, which appears stretched on both sides and climbs up to the laces in shiny leather. The illustrated gradient panels – reaching up to the mesh upper – in a smooth progress from deep black to smoky gray and up to metallic silver, have a sense of charm in themselves. But what stands out is the vibrant neon accents that illuminate the lace eyelets, the Swoosh branding, and also finds a hint in the pressurized Air units within the midsole.

The volt green is not limited to the abovementioned accents, you can also find it in the underfoot, where it livens up the Air Max bubbles. The iconic square LEGO logo with the brand name outlined in white font is featured on the tongue and insoles. But what subtly makes its presence felt are the LEGO mini figs on the heel tab – one with a trophy in the hand and the other heading a football. If you like what you see, you can get the LEGO x Nike Air Max 95 Neon starting March 28, 2026. It will be released through Nike and select retailers, both online and in-store, in grade school and pre-school sizing, starting $162 and $132, respectively.

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Tech-savvy YouTuber builds a cardboard airplane with detachable landing gear

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The Wright Brothers changed the course of history when they took the first ever flight on December 1903. Their biplane, crafted from wood and fabric, had a rudder for yaw control, wing warping for roll control, and front elevators for pitch control. The first flight lasted for just 12 seconds, driven by the custom 12-horsepower engine and propellers.

The aviation industry has come a long way since that decisive event, and it’s always good to have a similar nostalgic feel again. Peter Sripol, along with his team, has built a cardboard airplane that has plywood-structured wings (just like the Wright Brothers’ airplane) and is capable of flying one person with ease. Interestingly, the DIYer uses a Pizza box to fit in the altimeter, air speed gauge, and the attitude indicator. According to his estimation, the plane is a giant shipping box, given that it has around 95 percent cardboard parts, which in itself is a feat.

Designer: Peter Sripol

The shape of the fully assembled airplane is just like any other double-propeller plane that’s commercially produced. It is narrower on the tail end and wider near the seating section for aerodynamic efficiency. Just that it’s not as polished and fine-tuned since it is just a prototype for now. After putting together the fuselage, wings, and the custom-made wheel assembly that ejects once the thing is airborne to shed extra weight, Peter drove around the plane in taxing mode to check if all the basics are working fine. The wheels seemed to drag a little, and the batteries powering the thing were not enough for the flight speed.

After fixing the initial kinks, he managed to get off the ground a few feet, but as soon as the landing gear assembly detached, the cardboard airplane flew for a few feet and veered off course to land abruptly. Coming back to the design, the corrugated cardboard parts of the plane are glued together for structural integrity. There are small cutouts on the sides and on the front to have a clear view. The DIY project is in work, and the maker plans to install the controls on the sides and the rudder pedals on the floor. For now, Peter uses the wireless controller to actuate the inputs for the drive and flight tests. Fitting the flight controls inside is going to be touch-and-go, given that there is only one entry and exit opening on the plane from the front. The tail section has folded cardboard skins that take the shape of the stabilizers, elevator, and rudder.

The wing is the most challenging section to build, as during flight, cardboard is not the most ideal material due to its low compression tolerance, hence the small plywood plates embedded inside the wing structure. For a secure embodiment, the wings are attached to the fuselage with bolts and reinforced cardboard doublers. The electric motors for propulsion are mounted on the reinforced cardboard structure, while the batteries, speed controls, and the messy wiring are housed inside the fuselage. We’ll have to wait for a few weeks, when the next video arrives, and hopefully Peter will take flight in this DIY cardboard airplane.

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Fiio Snowsky Disc is a compact audio player tailored for modern listeners

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For audiophiles, nothing gets beyond their love for music and the audio gear they own. The exploration for the best headphone, IEM, or DAC never ends, given there is so much to discover and the different permutations of combining the gear for blissful audio output. This has consequently led to several brands trying to cater to this serious hobby while staying on a budget.

Fiio, as a Chi-Fi brand, has ensured that audiophiles don’t always have to invest in steeply priced gear to get the preferred sound without breaking the budget. The DM15 R2R Portable CD Player by the Chinese brand already demonstrated how serious they are about spreading the love for music in all forms and shapes. Now they’ve revealed the Snowsky Disc digital audio player, which is the perfect amalgam of modern audio technology and the unrelenting charm of the CD player.

Designer: Fiio

The compact DAP is designed with the needs of modern audiophiles in mind, who prioritize audio quality, intuitive operation, and a love for physical music libraries. Versatility is the key here as the audio player is compatible with all the devices you throw at it, and supports a wide array of file types. Connect it to your valued in-ear monitors or pair it with sensitive headphones; Snowsky Disc can handle it all without much fuss. The player is built on a dual DAC architecture that promises balanced, clean, and detailed audio, no matter what file type you are playing it through. This enhances the overall musical tonality for a more engaging listening experience.

The CD player-inspired design of this DAP is something anyone would appreciate. There’s a circular touch screen on the front to toggle all the on-screen controls. The inclusion of lyrics playback and album artwork adds to the engagement with your music listening sessions. The audio gadget can also be controlled via the compatible smartphone app for convenience. Along with support for 2TB memory expansion to carry your high-resolution music files, the player also supports audio streaming via apps. It has built-in Wi-Fi support for AirPlay streaming and installing firmware updates on the fly.

For wired connectivity, the player has a USB-C port, a 3.5mm single-ended jack, and a 4.4mm balanced output. The player can even be connected to external DACs, hi-fi systems, amplifiers, and other audio gear via the SPDIF output. If you want to enjoy music wirelessly, the LDAC high-res codec can be connected to supported headphones, IEMs, and earbuds. Snowsky Disc boasts 12 hours of playback, which is enough to get you through a day of work or travel. Priced at $80, the digital audio player will be available to buy in January.

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Shiver x Expandable 6×6 motorhome will deliver comfortable mobile lodging for a team of six

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We have seen luxurious mobile homes, liveable work pods built on trailers, and compact campers to slide onto the truck beds. But this expandable rig is not going that route; it’s changing the spectrum by presenting itself as a first self-sufficient ‘dorm on wheels.’ Perhaps, Expandable Trailers, the company behind the build, will refrain from calling its dedicated creation something on those lines, but if you’re a team of six, requiring a ‘dependable space to rest, recharge, and regroup’ – before a game in the city or in the middle of a sandstorm – this expandable pod is all that you will want.

Expandable Trailers has custom-built this 30-foot expandable motorhome for Shiver Offroad, a prominent raid team that’s a regular at the Dakar Rally – a challenging desert race. It is based on a MAN 6×6 HD truck chassis for the team that needs a stable and comforting basecamp in the most remote place, without compromising space, facilities, and functionality necessary for all the individual and team needs. The compact Shiver Offroad mansion is designed to expand on location into a spacious living area for six.

Designer: Expandable Trailers

The Shiver x Expandable motorhome is not about pomp and show, even though it’s built on the Expandable Trailers’ signature expanding mechanism, which opens the interior on either side for all the necessary elements Shiver Offroad may need for its team of six. It is for all good reasons, a mobile space that puts functionality and comfort ahead of everything else. “No hassle with temporary tents or booking accommodations. Just pull up, expand, and get to work — or rest,” the company press information notes.

The glass exterior of this mobile rally base is topped with a full-size rooftop terrace. It starts as an open floor plan on the inside. For Shiver Offroad, it has, however, been customized to meet the team’s needs with fixed bunk beds for six members on one side (which presents itself like a shared dorm room). Each bed is provided with its own power outlet, a reading light, and a tiny storage compartment for stowing away personal belongings.

The pod is more than just an off-road capable mobile home. It is designed to be fully self-reliant with its own power supply from a generator and a battery. The expanding rig has a kitchen comprising a cooktop, sink, fridge, and storage cabinets. A dining area is also provided for the team members to have shared meals. Without the bathroom, this would be incomplete. We learn that it also features a separate shower room and a toilet, and a washer-dryer combo to handle the laundry. For when the team wants to wind down after the hustle, a small lounge space, along with a large window, makes it possible. Just outside – in the rear – is the spiral staircase leading to the terrace on the roof.

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Music-reactive LED Christmas tree turns holiday decor into an interactive display

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Holiday lighting has long relied on repeated patterns and static effects, but this music-reactive LED Christmas tree brings a new dimension to seasonal decor by turning sound into visual effects. The project is a simple wooden frame with off-the-shelf LEDs and an audio sensor to create a festive display that animates in real time with sound. Built around an ESP32 microcontroller running the open-source WLED software, the assembly combines woodworking, basic electronics, and wireless configuration into a project that is both instructive and visually striking.

The core of this DIY is an ESP32-D1 mini microcontroller, chosen for its built-in Wi-Fi, processing capability, and compatibility with WLED, a flexible lighting control platform. WLED runs on the ESP32 and provides a web-based interface for configuring LED lighting effects, colors, and patterns without requiring deep coding knowledge. In this tree, WLED’s audio-reactive mode analyzes sound input and drives the LED effects so that the lights flash, pulse, and change in response to music playing nearby. A small INMP441 digital microphone module is wired to the ESP32 to capture ambient audio, enabling this interaction between the physical decorations and sound.

Designer: DB Making

Structurally, the tree is made from common materials. A wooden frame cut into the triangular silhouette of a Christmas tree serves as the backbone. Addressable WS2812B LED strips are mounted along this frame, arranged to expose each LED through a round opening in a corresponding ping-pong ball acting as the light diffuser. These balls soften and spread the light emitted by each LED, creating a uniform glow rather than pinpoint beams. A 3D-printed jig assists in cutting consistent openings in the balls, which are then glued in orderly rows to complete the tree’s face.

Electronic assembly happens on a small perfboard, where the ESP32, microphone module, power connector, and LED strip connector are soldered together. Wiring the LEDs to follow the correct data flow direction and securing the controller board in a neat enclosure ensures reliable operation. Once built, a 5V DC supply powers the tree, and the ESP32 is connected to a computer or network to install WLED firmware via the official web installer. Within WLED’s setup interface, users enter Wi-Fi credentials, set the total number of LEDs, assign the correct data pin, and enable audio-reactive settings along with microphone parameters.

After configuration, the tree’s lighting can be controlled from a smartphone or computer, allowing owners to adjust brightness, choose effects, or simply enjoy music-responsive visuals. The sound-reactive mode responds to ambient audio captured by the microphone, translating beats and rhythms into dynamic light patterns that bring an interactive element to holiday decorations.

Beyond its immediate festive appeal, the project provides a learning platform for hobbyists seeking hands-on experience with microcontrollers, programmable lighting, and real-time sensor integration. By using off-the-shelf components and open-source software, builders can expand or modify the design. This can be done by increasing the number of LEDs, experimenting with alternative diffuser materials, or adding networked effects.

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Mercedes-Benz reimagines the stellar Unimog with a sublime touch of luxury

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Mercedes-Benz has unveiled what could be the most luxurious Unimog ever built, marking a distinctive moment in the model’s nearly eight-decade history. Created by Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks in collaboration with Hellgeth Engineering, this one-off show vehicle celebrates the Unimog’s 80th anniversary in 2026 by pairing its legendary go-anywhere capability with levels of comfort and sophistication previously unseen in the series.

The new luxury Unimog is based on the robust U 4023 chassis, a platform already respected for tackling extreme terrain in both civilian and military settings. It retains core mechanical DNA such as a flexible frame, portal axles that lift critical drivetrain components high above obstacles, selectable all-wheel drive, and differential locks on both axles. These features ensure the vehicle maintains the off-road competence that defines the Unimog name.

Designer: Mercedes-Menz Trucks

Under the hood, the standard four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a Mercedes-Benz OM 936 six-cylinder turbodiesel displacing 7.7 liters and producing around 220 kW (300 hp). This upgrade not only boosts performance over traditional configurations but also pairs with a recalibrated transmission for smoother power delivery and improved on-road manners, notable in a vehicle as rugged as the Unimog. Visually, the luxury Unimog blends utilitarian toughness with contemporary design cues inspired by Mercedes’ SUV range. Its matte grey exterior is punctuated by aluminum beadlock wheels for serious off-road durability, modern LED lighting, and the innovative MirrorCam system, which uses cameras and internal displays in place of conventional mirrors to improve visibility. While still unmistakably a Unimog, these refinements hint at a more premium character.

Inside the double cab, which accommodates four passengers, the transformation is most striking. Premium leather covers the seats, steering wheel, and even the floor mats, all detailed with contrasting stitching. LED ambient lighting enhances the cabin’s atmosphere, and ergonomically revised seating promotes comfort over long journeys. These elements create an experience far removed from the typically utilitarian interiors of traditional Unimogs. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks frames this build as more than a static exhibit. After its public debut, the luxury Unimog will be handed to a customer for real-world testing in 2026. Feedback from this trial will help determine whether aspects of the project could evolve into a limited production or inspire future special editions.

The Unimog itself has a long legacy of versatility. Originally conceived as a “Universal-Motor-Gerät” in the aftermath of World War II, the model has served as everything from agricultural machinery to military transport and emergency-response vehicle. Its hallmark has always been exceptional adaptability and resilience across environments. Pricing for the existing U 4023 begins around the mid-six-figure mark (around $225,000), and with the bespoke powertrain and luxury appointments, this anniversary edition could command a significantly higher valuation should it ever reach limited production. For now, it stands as a bold reinterpretation of a vehicle long prized for its capability, signalling what might lie ahead if demand for ultra-premium off-road trucks continues to grow.

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Tiny Camper Company’s Stubby is $2,900, all-composite slide-in camper built to last

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I’m in awe of how quickly the RV industry is transitioning from wood and metal builds to all-composite construction. Following the release of the Unit-1 rugged squaredrop off-roader from California-based Ecno Evil, which was constructed without wood yet designed to tackle untamed roads, another 100 percent wood-free camper makes its presence known. Called the Stubby, it is a bare-bones slide-in camper that starts at just $2,900, making it an accessible entry point for almost any type of adventurer.

Completely wood-free, all-composite construction means this slide-in camper, whether it’s stationed on the pickup truck bed or mounted on a platform, will remain leak-proof and corrosion-free for the lifetime of the vehicle. To stay put where you choose to place it, the camper features a pair of aluminium slides and built-in tie-down points so it’s secure and stable to transport.

Designer: Tiny Camper Company

The Stubby is designed and engineered by the guys at the Tiny Camper Company in Florida, which has been creating affordable and compact RVs and has a decent portfolio to show. The Stubby slide-in can fit right into the back of a medium-sized truck with the help of only two people, who can lift and put it there. The cabin is absolutely lightweight at 280 lbs – largely because it’s only a sturdy and capable skeleton. If you want it out there in the wilderness with you, you will have to furnish it up at least with bedding, cooking, and toilet facilities.

Notably, Stubby makes provision for power with a 110V interior outlet and a Marine-grade exterior power connection, but an alternative power source would be necessary when you want to camp in it. With the optional Zero Breeze Mark 2 air conditioner (that comes for an additional $700) and other addons, the slide-in camper should be apt for off-grid adventures and as a quick sleeping solution when you want to “convert your truck into a resting spot.”

Crafted for utmost durability and maximum utility, the 48 inches wide x 6-foot 5 inches long Stubby may be bare bones on the inside to start with, but on the outside, it’s an impressive cabin. The rear access door, measuring 26 inches x 32 inches, is the only entrance. The periphery of the slide-in camper is marked by a set of 12-inch x 24-inch side windows that are strategically positioned to maximize natural light and ventilation. To ensure passive airflow, the Stubby also gets a half-moon air vent on either side. For an asking price of under $3,000, the Tiny Camper Company’s offering is surely enticing. Also, if you don’t like a lot of weight and side-protruding campers in your truck bed, the compact Stubby is a winner!

 

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AI-powered headphones for private conversations even in the most crowded places

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We’ve come a long way when it comes to noise isolation used in headphones and earbuds. The Active Noise Cancellation technology employed in current-generation audio accessories has reached a level that allows for adaptive ANC levels depending on the ambient noise environment. A handful of brands even go the distance to implement turning on transparency mode automatically when someone is talking to you. That’s a novelty, but still, you’ll hear the voices of other people in the vicinity if you are in a crowded environment.

That could change with an innovation that aims to eliminate any unwanted voices in the conversation. For instance, when you are talking to your pal on the street, you’ll only hear his voice, and all the other voices of people will be muted out. This innovation will not be helpful as a daily driver, but it will assist people with hearing impairments in hearing better. The initial prototype developed by the group of researchers at the University of Washington is known as the proactive hearing assistant,” and it filters the conversation partner’s voice only and looks promising.

Designer: University of Washington

The AI-powered headphones do all the filtering automatically without any manual input which is a potent functionality current-gen headphones can hugely benefit from. The speech isolating technology suppresses the voices that don’t match the pattern of turn-taking conversation. The AI model on board keeps a tab on the timing patterns and filters out anything that doesn’t fit. Application of this exciting tech could not only be limited to audio accessories and hearing aids but also come integrated with wearable tech like smart glasses or VR headsets. The most practical implementation could come in handy at crowded places where you have to really focus on the person in conversation.

According to Senior author Shyam Gollakota, “Our insight is that when we’re conversing with a specific group of people, our speech naturally follows a turn-taking rhythm. And we can train AI to predict and track those rhythms using only audio, without the need for implanting electrodes.” The current prototype supports one wearer and up to four other people which is impressive. More so when you factor in the lag-free overall experience. Currently, the team is testing two different models of the iteration: one that runs a “who spoke when” check to look for any overlap between the speakers, identifying who’s speaking when. The second model cleans the raw signal and then feeds real-time isolated audio to the user. The latter, so far, has scored well with the 11 participants in the study.

Currently, these basic over-ear headphones are loaded with extra microphones, and the team is working on slimming down the size. In conjunction with the research that is going on, small chips are being developed that run these AI models, so that they can be fitted inside hearing aids or earbuds. So, are we ready for a future where intelligent hearing is part of our daily drive?

 

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Based on sensors in game controllers, this upper-limb wearable robot will help you with your daily chores

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One thing exoskeletons have done right is help with motor rehabilitation. Of course, their size and weight have decreased over time, but most of those available are suitable for rehabilitation, load-bearing assistance, and similar purposes. However, they are not designed for daily wear. Not concentrating on the lower limb, which is a saturated market, a duo of budding South Korean designers has targeted the upper limb; creating a wearable robot that can be worn for daily usage.

It’s called the Sleev. For now, it’s not far beyond the drawing books, but from how and what it’s projected to be built for, its God damn great solution for the purpose. Sleev is designed as a daily upper-limb exosuit (wearable robot). It supports independent arm movement and is effortless to wear and remove: just one hand, no more!

Designers: Youngha Rho and Sungchan Ko

It’s not that we are seeing a robotic assistant for the arm for the first time. The market is flooded with iterations of bulky and inconvenient wearable robots that are designed with a great level of technological input and robotic sensors, but somehow make the wearer feel like a cyborg. With its sleek and lightweight limb, the Sleev is conceptualized to change that for a robotic assistant that you would like to wear. It can be strapped on like any other elbow brace to provide assistance in its movement. In addition to being a crucial option for people recovering from stroke or sports injury, the Sleev (for its design and attractive appearance) will augment daily tasks like lifting and carrying; you will like wearing it when carrying a baby for a long time or doing groceries and have a lot of packets to carry back home.

As a wearable robot conceptualized to integrate exoskeletons into our daily life, the Sleev is also strong and intelligent enough to support with rehabilitation activities. To ensure this, the design is integrated with FMG (force myography), a method that detects movement intentions through muscle pressure. The muscle pressure is different in people based on their gender, height, weight, and age. So, for the data accuracy and for the correct functioning of the wearable robot, this information about the users will be necessary. And a larger database will ensure better results, the designers believe.

Collaborating FMG with IMU sensors, the designers suggest, they can allow the algorithm to know where the user intends to move and help them with it accordingly. Both these sensors are affordable and commonly used in game controllers, so they should not be overly expensive when Sleev can find itself into mass production. Interestingly, it relates its movements based on muscle strength and intention. The Sleev doesn’t need to be worn directly on the skin; users can wear it over a thin innerwear as well and go on with it during their daily activities.

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This portable display for smartphones extends usability and convenience for hustlers

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Average screen time in the modern era has increased significantly due to the diversity of content available. The number of gadgets that we own on average has also increased, as we all love consuming content on TVs, computer screens, and the more convenient smartphones and tablets. The latter segment puts a lot more strain on our eyes and ultimately, on the brain.

While you have the freedom of extending the display real estate on your desktop, the option to have a portable display for your gadgets always comes in handy. The ONZE portable display with built on transparent OLED technology, wants to elevate how one views the content, without any strings attached. You can carry the display in your backpack, and when desired, it can be used for extending the display or used as a second screen for multitasking.

Designer: Seojin Lee

The standalone device is built for convenience, whether you are working remotely during travel or consuming multimedia content. It comes with a base that integrates the 3D spatial speakers and the trackpad for controlling the playback in multimedia mode without touching the screen. This sturdy base has a dual free-stop hinge that can move seamlessly to fit the best viewing position. The 16:9 aspect ratio of the screen is ideal for viewing in portrait mode if you want to use it as a tablet instead of your smartphone.

ONZE portable display has a rotating sensor dial on the top front that comes with an integrated R sensor, a ToF sensor, and an ambient light sensor. This ensures you are getting the most optimized brightness level, and the display can be fully operated with gestures. The portable display comes with two different viewing modes: Object Mode, which orients the display in a more vertical position for it to be used as a secondary screen for displaying widgets, and the Viewing Mode, which is a more laid-back orientation for relaxed viewing of content. The AOD Dial can be manually adjusted as well to adjust the amount of information that’s on the screen.

The Object Mode, in particular, displays the ambient graphics that automatically adapt to the room’s settings and the interior space. It can be doubled as a picture frame or have a more translucent vibe that overlays the screen with the elements and colors in the backdrop. For instance, it can adapt the color tones of your couch for the background of the on-screen display, thereby seamlessly blending with the interiors.

ONZE portable display is proposed to come in three classy color variants: Purple, Beige, and Steel Grey. Definitely, the portable gadget is utilitarian for professionals as well as content consumers, given its thoughtful design and features.

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