Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

iKamper Skycamp DLX four-person rooftop tent arrives with LED lighting, inflatable mattress, and cork flooring

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Rooftop tents have their market. Most developers understand the demand and are leaving no stone unturned. To that accord, we already have double-story pick-up rooftop tents ruling the roost. But what if you don’t have a pickup? iKamper has been in constant hustle to give us (those without pickups) reasons to explore, not only as a couple but even stretch the exploration experience to a group of friends or a family.

After the success of the Skycamp 3.0, iKamper is now including some customer-preferred aftermarket accessories into their new fold-out rooftop tent that should elevate the camping experience for many in more ways than one. Dubbed the Skycamp DLX (deluxe, if you may) follows the similar design language of its predecessor with a black finish and hardshell body and then adds to its some features like LED mood lighting, inflatable comfortable mattress, and cork flooring to give us the ultimate, four-person rooftop tent.

Designer: iKamper

The deluxe rooftop tent is basically a hardshell rooftop tent during the day and when popped up open, it reveals a whole lot of living space for an entire family. It comes with a Rocky Black textured matte black fiber-reinforced shell and features a strong aluminum honeycomb base, on which iKamper has installed cork flooring for better insulation and noise-proofing. The pop-up contraption is defined by heavy-duty fabric that complements the durability and style of the hardshell.

Interestingly, the Skycamp DLX is a four-season rooftop tent that unfolds to double the living/sleeping area while remaining compact in the drive mode. Its versatility is enhanced by its compatibility: the roof tent is compatible with most vehicle types with a mounting system that allows it to mount onto most cross bars and roof racks. Adding to the durable form factor is the full black-out privacy to keep your space sleep-worthy, unless you want the light to penetrate in, and has ample interior storage to store the bedding and other essentials.

For the natural light to fill the space well and ensure ventilation, the rooftop tent has multiple windows and a skylight. The best however is reserved for the evening when the integrated, colored lights can light up the tent interior as soon as it is connected to the USB port. LED light strips are also installed on the outside, to light up the ladder and entry. These lights have different color and illumination variations, controllable from the remote control onboard.

Once the evening has set, the lights are ready and glowing to your mood, and it’s time to hit the bed; you can inflate the mattress within (using the provided pump) and comfortably doze off to get up fresh for a new day of exploration. For those interested, iKamper is offering the Skycamp DLX in two configurations. The starting price for the four-man Skycamp DLX starts at $5,150. The Skycamp DLX Mini, a two-man rooftop tent option will set you back by $4,450.

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YouTuber custom builds coffee machine into a PC for freshly brewed cup of Joe at work

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If you’re someone like Martina of YouTube channel Nerdforge, who craves a cup of coffee after lunch, or maybe during work, you don’t have to get up and hit the kitchen anymore. Martina has built herself a PC case mod that brews a perfect cup of coffee with the touch of a button. And if you’re an ardent coffee buff, she has a detailed video on how you can try and build a PC that also makes coffee in a quick and efficient manner.

This PC with a built in coffee maker brews and dispense a hot cup of coffee whenever you want, but the process of building it from scratch hasn’t been easy. The idea started with, what if there was a coffee maker installed right into the PC, you wouldn’t have to get up and fetch a cup when you wanted it after lunch. And so, the modification started with the empty Corsair Obsidian 1000D tower case, which was considered big enough to fit the coffee machine.

Designer: Nerdforge

The humungous PC case was needed because Martina did not want to install a pod coffee maker. She wanted the entire machine: from bean grinder to brewer and dispenser, all-in-one, functioning glitch-free on a press of a button. The PC case was first cleared of the side panels and obstruction on the right where the coffee mug would need space to move in and out. Then the bean grinder was first trimmed to fit into the case with 3D printed pipes, funnels and attachments connecting it to the brewing machine.

Martina removed the coffee container from the dispenser to replace it with a mug that could be easily accessed by the user. Once the hardware was ready, the recreated coffee machine was connected to an Arduino (by Martina’s partner Hansi) to be able to control it using just one button. The machine grinds, brews, and dispense a savory cup of coffee in one breath, with all the precision. The duo has added a visual progress bar to see where the coffee making process has reached. Also, provided is a sensor that ensure the coffee never begins brewing until there is a cup in the holder.

Although everything in the video is all about the installation of the coffee machine in the PC case, it has been fitted with capable innards to deliver computing needs. It comes installed with Intel Core i7-14700K processor and an Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti graphics. Other details are scanty, but the PC is air-cooled to ensure it can keep the temperature on both – coffee machine and PC – sides effectively cooled. Finally, for an impressive and aesthetically pleasing look, Martina decorated the case mod with stained wood on both the inside and the outside, and finished the look with LED lights.

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This playable Tetris LEGO set will have you brain exercising for hours on end

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The nostalgic play of the Tetris game has got generations of love and for good reason. 15-year-old Willis Gibson finally managed to beat Tetris by reaching level 157 of the classic video game and setting the internet on fire. Now that Willis has got this challenge under his belt, a LEGO enthusiast has got a real-world Tetris set game to engage in.

This is a LEGO Ideas submission by designer victorvey300 that’s insanely clever and seems like total fun to kill some free time. The real-life Tetris game incorporates the gameplay and elements of the video game ingeniously and challenges even the most seasoned Tetris fans to get a high score.

Designer: victorvey300

Called the Tetris Solid, this LEGO set has got my solid vote for being the next big LEGO Ideas project that should hit the shelves ASAP. The small case with the LEGO bricks opens up to reveal the vertical lanes where you slide the tetrominoes in the desired orientation. A rollable treadmill on the right shows the next brick to slide, and you have to think fast on your heels where the brick should go. You can even keep a score of how well you are playing which is ingenious.

Pretty obviously, you cannot make the lines disappear when a horizontal gap is filled (it’s real life not a video game graphic, remember). That’s why the maker took the liberty to tweak the rules a bit, wherein you have to fill the board complexly with all the pieces, just like a puzzle game. A Tetris spin-off for sure but still has the classic influence for the most part which is impressive.

You win if you manage to add all the pieces to the board without any gaps being left. Of course, it’ll take a lot of tries before you get the hang of it but if you do fail, there is a reset button in the form of a lever that lets all the pieces drop back into the box to start fresh. To commemorate Alexey Pajitnov, the creator of Tetris, the box has a hidden compartment that reveals the geniuses’ diorama complete with a PC depicting the time when he created the game.

That said, the current 4,000-odd supporters for the Tetris Solid is quite low considering how cool this idea actually is. Let’s hope this LEGO idea reaches more enthusiasts who’ll eventually push it into becoming an official LEGO set someday.

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Overlay next-gen home display wants to skim down multiple display demands with one AR Screen

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Thanks to smart home technology integration, we have become dependent on digital displays for communication, infotainment, and even for preparing culinary bites in the kitchen. This means we need multiple displays: one in the family room for entertainment, another in the bathroom to read news and weather updates, one in the study for working from home, and if you’re not a Michelin chef yourself, a display in the kitchen to run the recipe guide for help!

Investing in all such displays, and still having them suffice for only one purpose at one place doesn’t really add up in 2024. If you’re in the same league of thought, Overlay – designed for Samsung – is the “Next Home Display” that wants to skim down the multiple display demand and fill it with one wholesome unit that has mobile roots.

Designers: Susanna Kim

More than an adjustable, mobile display, the Overlay is a sensor-enabled contraption that can move about the house – on preset commands or on call – to suffice a multitude of infotainment objectives and more. The onboard mapping sensors allow the mobile display to map the space and divide it into understandable zones. Users can pin the desired location on the map and set content (entertainment, information, etc) for each pin with a time. For instance, “the user” can pin the dining “table area to watch Netflix” while dining.

When it is time for dinner, the Overlay will automatically arrive at the table and turn on Netflix, as advised. The user can adjust the height of the display to their liking and watch the movie on Netflix without additional setup requirements (it has an integrated speaker system). In case you are too lazy to adjust the height, Overlay is designed to do that automatically for you. Auto height adjusting display rests on a solid base which is equipped with small radius omni-wheels for smooth maneuvering within the mapped space.

It can be teamed up with the TV or other devices in the house as an enlarged display for them. The unit can overlay more information about what you’re watching on TV or stand by the washing machine and give you a heads-up about when it’s time to take them to the dryers. It comes with an AI assistant to take voice commands and has a transparent screen to display match or player statistics when you’re watching a game of football on TV for instance.

Alongside being an omnipresent mobile display, the Overlay comes with motion sensors and LiDAR camera that provide it the ability to identify objects and perhaps provide plant and pet care tips to the user. Over and above monitoring the condition of plants in its mapped space, it can even regulate watering for personalized, automated care. All this functionality demands great power, for which the Overlay is pretty self-sufficient as well. It is powered by a rechargeable battery that it juices up by heading straight to the charging dock when the power is running low (no human intervention required here either). Capable of bringing MR experience to the home, the Overlay is designed in four distinct colors that should complement any home effortlessly.

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NFS-inspired DAB 1 Alpha electric bike touts a recyclable battery and wireless charger

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DAB Motors has slowly emerged into the industry from its French roots, and now challenges the arena with a new electric two-wheeler. The Concept-E we saw a couple of years ago as a prototype, has finally graduated into a production-ready version, the DAB 1α motorbike. This final version matches (or even betters) the initial design and the technical specs proposed initially for the electric bike.

The brand was bought by Peugeot Motorcycles in 2023, and the developmental path has resulted in this model being inspired by the BMX culture, video games, Sci-Fi world and trail bikes. It took almost five years to bring the electric bike from the concept stage to production. For early adopters, the first batch of 400 limited edition units will come with unique design elements.

Designer: DAB Motors

DAB 1α is completely built at the Bayonne design studio and manufactured in the Beaulieu-Mandeure. The inclusion of retro gaming elements like the blue Nitro button inspired by the NFS franchise, adds spice to this future-forward ride. The company is touting a top speed of 130 km/h, most of which is attributed to its lightweight 125 kg body. Of course, all the gears and clutch are gone, so that you just press the throttle and focus ahead on the road. The bike is practical for use as it can be charged via a normal socket or a Type 2 charging port.

For the rider’s user experience, the 2.8-inch LCD screen displays important riding information. There’s respectable storage space in the  3.4-liter glove compartment, and buyers can choose to install a wireless charger designed in collaboration with Quadlock. To make sure the bike is futureproof, the company has fitted it with a powertrain mated to a fully recyclable and dismountable recyclable battery.

The inclusion of back pegs shows DAB Motors’ considerate attention to detail for the pillion. Coming on to the unique design elements, the numbered gold plate on the handlebar, handcrafted Alcantara seat, and subtle graphics make sure your DAB 1α stands out in the crowd. It’s worth mentioning the golden suspensions are designed in collaboration with Paioli and the forged carbon parts upcycled from Airbus carbon fiber. As seen form the visuals, the brake calipers are designed by Brembo, and the mated ABS braking system comes from the inhouse Peugeot Motocycles and DAB Motors’s brake disks.

DAB 1α which looks perfect for millennials, Gen-Z and everyone in between is available right now for reservations. The gearless electric bike is available in W-White or MGT-Grey color variants, and if you want to buy one, now is the right time.

 

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Smart Megatron transforms into a tank, responds to voice commands and shoots projectiles

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While all Transformers fans are tripping over Optimum Prime, it’s time to give the leader of the Decepticons his due chance. Yes, this self-transforming Megatron will win you over to join the bad side of the Transformers universe, the toy is that good. Created by Robosen Robotics in collaboration with Hasbro, the high-tech interactive collectible will force the inner child out of even the most serious middle-aged men.

Everything about this autobot is impressive, right from its design to the cool moves it is capable of. The Megatron is released as a limited edition collectible to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Transformers. Be informed that this thing comes at a steep price tag of $800 during the initial pre-order phase, and after that period the price is expected to shoot higher at around $1,200.

Designer: Robosen Robotics and Hasbro

With a simple voice command, the 21-inch Megatron transforms from a walking bipedal robot to a rolling tank. The way it changes personality in an instant is the most satisfying thing to watch. The voice commands further extend into triggering actions like firing plastic darts from the cannon or doing other cool tricks. It can also play out famous scenes from the franchise in the voice of actor Frank Welker with visual actions. Voice commands can be used to wake up the robot or even play Happy Birthday tunes. The servo motors and microchips let the user control it remotely from a smartphone with the companion app.

Get too close to the Autobot and it reacts to your touch, thanks to the touch sensors placed on the body. Don’t be surprised if it shouts out loud “You Fool” when touched on the front plate and picked up off the surface. In the tank mode, it can fire plastic cannons on voice commands and do a lot of other cool stuff you’ll love. The robot has a lot of servos and they are well concealed behind the clever spring-loaded flaps. Attention to detail is apparent here with small details like the automatically rotating logo when it converts from a tank to a standing robot.

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This $144 battle rope boasts a clever ‘ropeless’ compact design for small homes and anywhere workouts

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Whether you set up a home gym or have a gold membership at the fitness center down the street, you can always have a reason to skip the workout. But if you are among those who can skip a beat but not a session with the battle ropes; you would need the Z-Rope! A ropeless battle rope solution without the installation challenges, noise problems, and accessibility restrictions.

We come by hundreds of CrossFit accessories that vouch by their heart to assist you with full-body workout anywhere, any time. The new Z-Rope differs from them at the usability and functionality level. It’s highly portable, lightweight, and is an accessory that would let you indulge in high-intensity training in pin-drop silence. Just mind your breath, grunting, and foots taps, please!

Designer: Zest Up 

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $180 (20% off) Hurry! Only 5 Days Left. Raised over $315,000.

It’s not easy to make space for fitness equipment in your apartment or carry all the routine accessories when you’re traveling for work or leisure. In either case you are deprived of choices and/or either have to settle for less or go without exercise. Z-Rope steps up as a solution worth considering for two reasons: it is a ropeless battle rope that fits conveniently in your backpack (measures 19×1.5 inches and weighs less than 2 pounds), and can let you workout like you would with battle ropes – without disruptive noises, furniture damage, or potential setup costs – at the convenience of the home or wherever your life takes you.

The Z-Rope is thus tailored for small spaces and gym enthusiasts who travel and find it difficult to get gyms with battle ropes in their locality. It enables the user to not only reap the benefits of battle rope workout, but the makers say, it can help them with 13+ workouts, including cardio and strength training at personal convenience. The full-power training with the ropeless battle rope can help, “effectively in building muscle, stamina, and endurance,” the makers note. For reference, 10 minutes of intense workout with the Z-Rope can provide cardiovascular benefits equivalent to an hour of tennis or 2 hours of running.

As for the design; the baton-like Z-Rope is highly durable. A pair features comfortable EVA foam handles attached to elastic springs. This design – without the ropes – mimics the wave movement of traditional battle ropes – operating almost noiselessly, so that you can exercise freely at home or in your hotel room late at night or in the early hours of the day. Like with the traditional battle ropes, the Z-Rope has been tested to not only help users with the strength training of arms and upper body, it also assists in toning the core muscles and provides strength and substance to the lower body through consistent use.

The Z-Rope is perfect for on-the-go workouts but also for compact homes where storing gym equipment becomes a bit of a hassle. Measuring just 19 inches long and weighing 900 grams (1.9 pounds), the Z-Rope unlocks a healthy lifestyle without the size, price, and commitment of a Peloton. The Z-Rope starts at just $144 and begins shipping as soon as May 2024.

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $180 (20% off) Hurry! Only 5 Days Left. Raised over $315,000.

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MG EXE181 electric hypercar has an insanely low drag coefficient to hunt down speed records

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MG Motor has again got its sights set on land speed records, and move beyond the sports car arena. The British marque owned by the Shanghai-based SAIC Motor, has revealed the first teaser look of the EXE181 hypercar concept that will make its maiden appearance at the Auto China 2024.

The sleek hypercar has a balanced futuristic design fused with the inspirational record-setting racers from the 1950s. In fact, the sleek hypercar draws inspiration from the experimental car by MG dubbed EX181. The UFO-like aerodynamic classic racer was powered by a 1.5-liter twin-cam engine that produced 300 hp and had its crosshair set on the land speed record of that time. The dome-shaped vehicle eventually broke it in October 1959, clocking 254.91 mph top speed at the Bonneville Salt Flats

Designer: Saic Design

The new iteration of the classic record breaker has its name and the teardrop shape in common but other dynamics have drastically changed. This hypercar is more stylized for the year 2024 and is propelled by an electric drivetrain. The smooth elongated shape doesn’t look out of place and ends as a longtail when viewed from the side profile. The ride height is just a few millimeters from the ground, suggesting its racing DNA. Both the longtail design and the low ride height lend the hypercar an unbelievably low drag coefficient of 0.81.

There’s no word on the technical specifications of the hypercar but we believe it’s going to churn out 1,000 hp with ease. The only thing we know so far from MG’s official release is that the EXE181 will go from zero to 62 mph in a mere 1.9 seconds. That would make this hypercar the fastest off-the-line car on the planet. Top speed figures have also been kept in the dark so far, but we can expect it to at least break the 254.91 mph barrier set by its inspiration.

Such is the optimization of the vehicle that it supersedes the likes of Volkswagen XL1 and McLaren Speedtail having a drag coefficient of 0.199 and 0.278 respectively. The single-seater arrangement instantly puts one in the zone for competitive racing. There’s a yoke-style steering wheel and a touchscreen display to show all the HUD elements.

Don’t expect the MG EXE181 hypercar to hit the production lines anytime soon. Although, do expect to see this good-looking concept emerge as a prototype at the Beijing Motor Show 2024.

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This WILD all-terrain motorbike has tread-wheels for adventures in the most inhospitable environments

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The moment I laid eyes on this unique motorbike (or should I say snowmobile) it was evident the vehicle is made for the most inhospitable conditions and terrain. Perhaps, the ideal ride for post-apocalyptic times where survival of the fittest is the new order.

This is the Unitrack electric all-terrain vehicle designed and developed by Oruga SIA, a Mobility Tech startup in Latvia. The three-wheeled motorbike with three ballooned wheels employs the company’s proprietary patent-pending monotrack tech, specifically developed to take on the “diverse challenging terrains, from hot sand and muddy forests to rocky climbs and snowy landscapes.” Will it be able to disrupt the Rokon dominance, who is known for designing the most resourceful pack mules and mototractors, is something we’ll know only when the Unitrack is set to the test in real-world conditions.

Designer: Oruga SIA

If you’re thinking the vehicle is just a pipedream with just a prototype and concept designs to back its claim, well, they are prepping for a mid-2025 manufacturing deadline with sales beginning shortly after that. Oruga is accepting pre-orders for the rig that promises its ease of use for varying sectors including first responders and outdoor adventurers. Turing this thing on tight corners is a breeze as the contact point of the wheel in between bends on the sections when steering input is received. Although the vehicle has a turning radius of around 6 meters, it should be easy to maneuver in most circumstances.

It can even drive in reverse which is an added perk when you’re stuck in a tight spot. However, I’m not that convinced about the idea of a steering system turning the wheel that’s off the ground. That said, it does have some advantages compared to the existing 200cc four-stroke Rokon. There are eco-conscious selection of tools for paramedics, military and first responders. Coming onto the power delivery of the EV, it has a 90kW motor with the option to choose from two versions – Nude 150 kg and Heavyweight 300kg. The machine achieves a range of 62 miles on a single charge, and that number can be extended to 124 miles in the hybrid mode.

Oruga claims a top speed of 60mph be it driving on sand, snow, gravel or rocky climbs. Unlike the noisy gasoline-powered snowmobiles this will not disturb the peace of the wilderness since it is an electric vehicle. Surprisingly, there’s no working model right now to assess the Unitrack’s claim, but we’re expecting a version to soon be available. Most prospective buyers will only put in their hard-earned savings on this if they see a real-life demo of the thing.

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A driver’s delight – the Amida Digitrend makes resounding comeback after 50 years

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Inspired by the future of sports cars, the original Amida Digitrend was way ahead of its time when it was introduced in 1976. It was well accepted as a driver’s timepiece, but did not make a significant move in the watchmaking world then. Yet, as the legends would, after almost five decades, the watch is making a time-relevant revival in the limited “Take Off Edition.”

Conceived to mark the 50th anniversary of Amida Digitrend’s original model, the Take Off Edition is an amalgamation of heritage and nostalgia. Marking some clever, modern, consumer-centric watchmaking nuances, like the mechanical movement, all steel case, and sapphire crystal prism for display, the watch is a result of the dramatic commitment of a team of enthusiasts including watch designer Matthieu Allègre.

Designer: Amida

The reimagined, modernized version of the new Digitrend functions on the same principle as the OG. It may have the manually wound mechanical movement replaced with an automatic movement i.e. a Soprod’s Newton caliber offering 44 hours of power reserve, but it retains the unique time-telling mechanism that allows a diver to see the time without having to lift the hand from the steering wheel.

For this, the watch has the usual horizontal, dual hour and minute discs, which using the sapphire crystal prism for the display show them vertically; the prism even helps magnify the vertically presented digital numerals for better legibility. This atypical display of the Amida Digitrend is a result of its unusual case shape inspired by classic sports cars and modern architecture. To that accord, the car-body-like case of the Digitrend is made from a block of 316 L stainless steel. It is sleeker – measuring 39mm across – than the original yet maintains a retro-futuristic vibe to it.

The steel casing is overly opaque revealing nothing more than the dashboard-style time display and a winding crown on the side. On the left side of the display are the jumping hours and the trailing minutes are visible in the right corner, with Amida Digitrend typography taking up the center space. The caseback is visually interesting with a serial number for the Take Off Edition, a rocket art, and a see-through window showing the new movement in its entirety. The new Amida Digitrend watch, is set to be available for preorder starting May 28 (delivery to begin in October). It comes paired with either a charcoal Alcantara strap or an orange-colored calfskin strap with a stainless steel buckle.

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