Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Nissan’s interactive robots team up to make in-car parenting a breeze and favorite activity for babies onboard

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Experts suggest, going out with your fussy infant for a drive can lull them to sleep and smoothen their peace. But sitting in the car, facing the other way around in their chair, a child may not always be the happiest and you may not have all the control you desire. To your rescue, Japanese auto giant Nissan has designed cute robots that will make in-car parenting a breeze and a favorite activity for your tiny winy.

This is being made possible by Nissan through Iruyo: The Intelligent Puppet. The automaker has collaborated with compatriot Akachan Honpo, a baby goods retailer, to make the Iruyo, furry babysitter. It comes built-in with a range of sensors and communication devices to ensure parents get an affordable toy robot they can safely have around their baby.

Designer: Nissan x Akachan Honpo

To cut the chase, Iruyo: The Intelligent Puppet is a moniker used for a set of two similar-looking state-of-the-art robotic companions that vary visually in their size and come in thoughtfully fashioned red and subtler pink and white colors. The little one, aptly called the Baby Iruyo, is designed to sit near the driver – essentially in the cup holder – while the elder Iruyo rests in the backseat, facing the child sitting in their chair.

Baby Iruyo is programmed to understand voice commands; guess, only in Japanese for now. So, when the child gets cranky in the backseat, the parent can speak some consoling commands such as “I’m here” or “play peek-a-boo” and the little Iruyo relays that to the Iruyo, facing the child, which then makes suitable gestures to keep the kid entertained.

Well, Iruyo is either avatar is only a concept for now, but already the highly researched companion robot has been found to be a preoccupying activity in 90 percent of babies. Half of this percentage of babies have even experienced mood enhancements with the robot by their side. This data is instigating the makers to continue with trials and general experience sessions. One such event is slated at the Akachan Honpo store in LaLaport Yokohama on February 10 and 11.

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Leica EDC Multitool was designed for camera tinkerers as well as seasoned outdoor enthusiasts

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Multitools have a special place in an adventurer’s life, who must always be prepared for an emergency when venturing outdoors. The best preparation against the unforeseen is having a multitool in the everyday carry gear. Offering a number of simple and effective ways to tackle a range of problems when outside the house, or in the everyday routine at home, for that matter, a multitool in its portable format is a constructive option.

If you’re an enthusiast, or for the knowledge of the not-so-familiar, Victorinox and Leatherman are arguably the two most prominent names in the multitool industry. With the use of new materials and formats, many competitors and young designers are reinventing the wheel. A case in point is the Leica Multi, which is an EDC designed for the famed optics giant with impressions of its cameras reflected in the form factor.

Designer: Marco Barbosa

Over the years with its unrelenting simplicity and compactness, the Leica cameras have paved the way for all types of modern photography. Now the Leica M forms the basis for the design of a multitool that draws more than its looks from the SL2 camera. The Leica Multi has a similar machined aluminum body and is manually assembled for precision and quality.

The smallest of design features of the Marco Barbosa’s multitool reflect the Leica brand image and closely represent its analog camera details, which would allow the familiar customers to use the multitool easily due to the acquired knowledge from using Leica cameras. To keep it in line, and more productive for Leica users, the Multi is made to stick (through a housing) to the bottom of a Leica camera where the tripod does. To ensure the everyday carry gear is even more versatile to use its housing includes a spatial reading photometer that harks back to the analog days.

Talking of versatility, the Leica Multi is designed in two parts. The screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, saw, knife, scissors, corkscrew, and cap opener are located on one side, while the precision instruments like the flashlight and goldsmith’s keys are placed on the other. Opening these individual tools is easy: select the tool and rotate the handle.

When the particular tool is fully open, it locks into place so it is hassle-free to use, and pressing the shoot button unlocks the tool to retrieve it back to its residing space. All the tools have a magnetic tip and the flashlight on the Multi goes on and off with the press of the Leica logo onboard. The Leica Multi, bare bone is directed toward Leica customers, but its design and effectiveness, I presume, will leave many outdoorsy yearning!

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The 1,642 piece LEGO Mercedes-AMG W14 E Performance will arrive in March 2024

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LEGO Technic has found a deep-rooted fancy for motorsports lately with the release of the McLaren F1 MP4 Ayrton Senna LEGO set and Speed Champions 2023 McLaren. Now the group has revealed the Mercedes-AMG W14 E Performance and a smaller pull-back version. The scaled replica of Lewis Hamilton’s 2023 Mercedes-AMG W14 F1 car is highly intricate and one to get for Formula-1 fans who follow the sport passionately.

The seven-time world champion sparked the interest of audiences worldwide with his domination at the pinnacle of motorsports for nearly a decade. This has earned the team millions of fans who come to witness the driving craft of Lewis and his machine. Sadly the team has tumbled from the top spot as Red Bull hit back with a flurry of wins but that doesn’t take anything away from the champion and his glory years. This LEGO set celebrates that winning spree and domination etched forever in the hearts of Mercedes fans.

Designer: LEGO Group

LEGO Technic is expanding its ever-growing collection of motorsports replicas with the Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance LEGO set. The 1/8 scale model can be built piece by piece from the individual 1,642 LEGO bricks to form the W14 measuring 13 cm tall, 63cm long and 26 cm wide. Symbolized by the black color to keep the carbon parts from being painted to reduce that minuscule amount of weight, the F1 car is crafted to the most fine details.

The see-through V6 engine has moving piston parts, a working steering wheel, suspensions, differential, slick tires (without the Pirelli branding) and a DRS rear wing to complete the build. The original livery in the form of stickers has been replicated on the bodywork, making it a very inviting final form if you love the Silver Arrows for what they are.

The LEGO set will be released on March 1, 2024, for interested buyers and I’m sure there will be many takers. Also, LEGO will release a smaller version for kids in a pull-back form to have maximum fun.

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Hotel on Wheels: Vision Pullman Express redefines luxury travel honed by Level 5 Autonomy

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Traveling luxuriously in modern times is synonymous with names like the Maybach S Class, Rolls Royce Ghost, Porsche Panamera and Bentley Continental GT. Such is the lure of luxury that once you get a taste of it, you never want to go back. The same holds for the future where clean energy vehicles will overtake their gasoline-powered counterparts.

Even at that time luxury will be at the forefront for those who can afford to own. The Hotel on Wheels: Vision Pullman Express culminates from that inner desire for comfortable mobility for a premium experience. The concept vehicle designed by Arya Kani holds merit for short-term travelers as well as those who prefer more adventurous escapades wrapped in the best luxury available.

Designer: Arya Kani

The car is equipped with level 5 autonomy, dripping with utmost comfort and flexible options for traveling while working or resting. There are swappable seats, dedicated sections for rest and work for professional travelers. The buck doesn’t stop at that as there are options for flexible drop-offs, mobile bot room service and even the option to hop on one of the integrated micro-mobility scooters and bikes. Yes, these micro vehicles are housed within the huge Hotel on Wheels which justifies its name threefold.

Since we are more levied towards the design aspect let’s throw some light on the semi-flat front cabin contrasted by the elegant rear section. The front grille bears the Mercedes-Benz influence with the apparent logo muting any inquisitiveness. The daylight opening with the semi-flat glass and a front seat row seems out of place but has a valid purpose. The wavey exterior is inspired by the West Coast of the United States for that cool overall vibe.

On the inside, the car has an airy large glass roof for maximum natural light to seep in. Comfort and functionality are given precedence here with dual zones for seating and dining. There are adjustable rising seats to enjoy the panoramic view outside, whether parked or traveling. For the more flamboyant type, there is the lookout bar with the perfect ambiance for weekend fun. The interior can be turned into a private oasis with the push of a button to reduce the natural light coming in which comes in handy for the summers too.

This concept sees Mercedes-Benz and Belmond Group join forces to plug this huge gap in the futuristic vehicle market that concentrates solely on clean energy and minimalism. The designers envision a future where people will be able to rent out such vehicles for a quality-of-life experience amidst the choking strains of going minimalistic. The premium urban travel-themed aura of the vehicle will be 100 percent tailored to the needs of discerning travelers.

The choice of the two brands to develop this EV concept seems logical since Mercedes-Benz and Belmond Group have evolving businesses in travel and mobility. Take, for example, the Mercedes Sprinter and Orient Express trains by Belmond.

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Hunting blind specialist designs HitchHiker, an affordable way to go camping around the year

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Pickup campers, trailers, and pop-up tents all have one thing in common; they persuade an enthusiast to step out of their driving seat over into the camper of choice filled with most essential amenities for a few days on the road. In the list of exceptional options popping up by the day, a hunting blind manufacturer is putting the tried and tested high density EPE foam material into creating the HitchHiker.

HitchHiker is what its name portrays; a tiny camping solution that rides on the back of your truck or trailer to give you a well-insulated, ultra-lightweight sleeping pod to curl into when the sun goes down. This pick-up camper, as you would have realized, is not the usual one to hitch behind your truck, in fact, the 190-pound fully insulated, hard-walled bare-bones sleeper camper is made to be carried along for an overlanding experience.

Designer: Tusca Outdoors

Pennsylvania-based mobile shelter manufacturer, Tusca Outdoors, has designed the simple HitchHiker with one motive: to let the enthusiasts retire in it after a long day’s drive. The camper doesn’t intend to include a kitchen or a washing setup or a pop-out skylight – it ideally is an all-weather enclosed camper with a lockable single entry. Owning to its bare-bone construction and single-point simplicity, it is very affordably priced at $2,750.

The construction is ultra-insulated. The company notes it can be heated with body heat even in sub-zero temperatures. Even though it has an electric port on the outside, you can use it to connect an electric or propane heater. For the adventurer, the HitchHiker then does function as a teardrop camper in all four seasons. Measuring 90-inch by 58-inch, the camper is ultra-compact and can fit onto the bed of a 5×8 utility trailer. It can be secured on the pick-up bed with accompanying 2-inch ratchet straps.

As far as features of the HitchHiker interior go, it is made to accommodate a full-size bed (available separately), which can sleep up to two adults comfortably. To ensure the interior is fresh and lighted, the HitchHiker has been fashioned with screened windows on both sides and even has small vents to maintain ventilation when the windows are closed.

What really makes this portable camping pod a good company is the convenience with which you can haul it. With two people, you can pick and set it up on the truck bed or trailer. And when you want to use it as a toy hauler, HitchHiker can be used on a larger trailer (larger than a 5×8). You can station the camper right in front and have the ATV or a bike behind it. IF the HitchHiker gets you excited, Tusca is showing it at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Plan a trip this week!

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Lightweight and sleek Gocycle cargo e-bike fold down for hassle-free transportation

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Gocycle is pretty adept at making electric bikes showcasing a sleek, exotic design. Taking their innovation further, they’ve revealed the lightweight Gocycle CXI Family Cargo Bicycle that carries forward the core values of lightweight and portability for people who were always turned off by cumbersome cargo bikes.

The company has added the CXi lineup of cargo e-bikes that come with core patented innovations including side-mounted Pitstopwheels, F1-inspired monocoque chassis, internal cabling and Cleandrive drivetrain. There are two e-bikes, CXi and CX+ which are more or less the same, with the differentiator being the newly designed FloFit Handlebar in the latter.

Designer: Gocycle

The CXi’s patent-pending handlebar permits adjustments for reach height, multiple hand positioning, fingertip controls and grip angle to toggle the upright or forward stance. Other than that the signature Gocycle styling is evident with an appealing design that has no visual presence of chains, spokes, wires or gears. Some are engineered into oblivion, while others are cleverly hidden behind engineered shrouds and custom-built frames. The 51 lb bike folds down to a transportable size of 46.5 x 15.75 x 30.75 inches which makes it highly practical for diverse needs.

Combining the performance front, the cargo bikes are built on the hydro-formed 6061 T6 front frame and carbon fiber rear frame. This time around Gocycle is calling it the WingPillar Frame which can haul a load of up to 480 lb. The MIK-compatible rear rack does all the heavy lifting with space for accessories and seating. There’s the 500-W front hub motor that provides smooth pedal assistance of 20 mph courtesy of the five-speed Shimano Nexus geared hub. On a single charge, the 375-Wh battery is good for a range of 50 miles.

The two models will arrive in a choice of six colors with the CXi priced at $6,999 and the CX+ coming in at $7,999. Deliveries are scheduled for September and pre-orders are live now for a refundable deposit of $499.

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Apple Vision Pro iFixit teardown reveals what’s inside and how it works

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Apple has entered a new product category with the Vision Pro. The expensive eyewear, positioned to transport us into the future of VR, is an expensive deal to begin with at $3,499. So, ripping something of that value apart to just reveal how repairable it is and to what it packs within that makes it worthy of making Apple a new category giant may seem obnoxious to us.

But that’s little of a deterrent for the folks at iFixit, who pride in tearing down the latest gadgets to see how easy or difficult it is to repair them and examine what makes it a favorite. In that scheme of things, iFixit has put its heating guns and prying tools to use to tear open Apple’s new tech marvel. What they see is pretty straightforward: a few easy-to-remove parts and then complicated screws, connectors, and seals to get past before fully revealing the impressive cameras and more.

Designer: iFixit

Between the easy take offs and the intricate connectors, the Vision Pro – iFixit teardown reveals – has some unbelievable tech crammed. Some of this is never seen before, especially the advanced EyeSight display which it is discovered uses several videos of the wearer’s eyes simultaneously.

As the iFixit video runs through the teardown it shows Apple’s new AR/VR headset is similarly detailed and intriguing as the other Apple devices. So, the process of tearing it down is not easy and required a heat gun, screwdrivers, prying tools, and lots of effort. But as you’ll see, the effort is worth appreciating.

First up, the video suggests the customizable face cushion, light seals are easy to pull off, while the power chord has to be turned to unlock. The device’s knit band pops easily off the headgear stems, from the integrated latch. Stem with speakers disassemble the eye housing swiftly as well leaving the cameras, sensors, battery, R1 chip, and EyeSight display to take a look into.

This is according to iFixit the first scratch of the detailed teardown that would be revealed in the near future. The initial teardown however shows that the Vision Pro is inside out what we have heard of. It has some high-end tech within its small form factor, but it will require some elbow grease to repair.

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Mayla Yacht’s speedboat combines powerboat performance and swanky automotive luxury into one

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Mayla Yacht is already well known in the arena of sports car manufacturing, so why not extend that skill to the waters? That’s the very reason behind the development of this 44-foot GT superboat that supersedes the current designs in both aesthetics and visual presence. Not to mention it’ll come with an option to choose from gas, diesel, electric and hybrid powertrains delivering 3,000 HP. Each one of these monster engines is capable of hurling the speedboat to a top speed of 100 knots.

The German marque currently designing winning yachts, knows this space well, therefore, justifying their foray into the superboat design world. This sharp pointed nose vessel made from high-end carbon fiber material has a spacious cockpit section to enjoy the summer rides and a water toy garage that doubles as a beach club. If all this already excites you, mark your calendars for the Mayla GT world premiere at Boat Düsseldorf 2024.

Designer: Mayla Yacht

The use of carbon prepreg keeps the overall weight well below 3.8 tons which helps both in efficiency and range. To help the boat achieve hair-raising speeds between 50 – 100+ knots, there’s the deep-V monohull with twin transversal steps that create air bubbles to reduce surface friction. Also, the Petestep deflectors push the water spray downwards to facilitate power efficiency, stability and reduced noise.

When it’s time to finally settle down and have a lounge party in the open seas, the boat accommodates up to 8 passengers in the multipurpose cockpit section. There’s everything from sundeck with sliding loungers, and foldable dining tables to a wet bar or BBQ. If you feel the urge to get up close and personal with the inviting waters, the beach club platform is the section to settle down. Under the deck, the GT has a double bed, sofa lounge, wardrobe with vanity, entertainment system and separate shower sections. For a comfortable stay, the vessel has on board 200 liters of fresh water and 22 liters of hot water system.

According to Mayla, the entry-level GT superboat will make its first appearance at the Boat Düsseldorf with a price tag of approximately $1.8 million. If interested buyers have more cash to burn, they can opt for more options to spoil themselves in luxury. If you are someone who wants to try out the vessel but doesn’t have that amount of money to spare, the German company is also offering trials beginning in Spring 2024.

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This shape-shifting rikshaw converts into an e-scooter in less than three minutes

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Having witnessed countless shape-shifting concepts and working prototypes, I always yearn for a set of wheels that is practical in real-life usage and easy enough to transform from one form to the other. To my amazement, an Indian automotive startup has that desire half-fulfilled. Meet the S32 EV that’s an electric scooter transforming into an e-rikshaw and vice versa.

While you won’t be seeing me driving an e-rikshaw in this lifetime atleast, the vehicle seems like a very good option for commercial use. Given the sheer intensity of commute, home delivery and logistics requirements of the nation, this is going to be a successful product. Designed specifically for the Indian subcontinent, the e-scooter can solve a lot of purposes – be it your commute to the supermarket to grab groceries or hauling medium-sized cargo across the city.

Designer: Surge EV

The interchangeable body frame is an industry-first innovation and it’s as easy as popping open the front section (fascia) of the rikshaw and sliding out the two-wheeler. This transition takes less than three minutes courtesy of the specially engineered spring-loaded mechanism, turning the three-wheeled e-rickshaw into an electric scooter so fast you’ll be amazed to see it in real time. All this is done at the touch of a button without the need for any tools. The result is a flexible vehicle that can take either of the two shapes depending on the needs.

The transforming vehicle has very little scope for personal usage, it is a great option for commercial use. For instance, a delivery vendor could configure the S32 on the fly depending on the needs of the client without needing to keep two separate vehicles for each usage. Each module has its separate batteries (independently charged) and motors to make them as independent as they can be. On the inside the vehicle is fitted with LED lighting, digital speedometer and switchgear.

When both of them are combined the three-wheeled rickshaw mode is activated – kicking into action the larger 11 kWH battery, generating 6bhp. It’s powerful enough to haul a weight of 500 kg and has a top speed of 50 km/h. When separated, the electric scooter’s 3.5 KWH battery is activated for commuting, having a top speed of 60 km/h thanks to the 4 bhp output.

Hero Motor Corp says the rikshaw module can be bought in either the hauling option with a cargo bed or the passenger configuration with seats at the back. The company has not revealed the pricing or actual release date but they’ve hinted at a probable production timeline of 2025.

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This two-story pick-up rooftop tent gives you a vantage point to live and stargaze

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The overlanding experience in your pick-up only gets better with an efficient and functional truck topper. And when that truck camper is a two-story complex with its own awning and touch of a button control; you can think, but won’t want to own anything else!

Inquisitive? Wild Land has come up with an interesting idea of Safari Camper, which is more than every day pick-up bed camper. After giving us the world’s first wireless remote-controlled rooftop tent, the Chinese overland product manufacturer has revealed the remote-controlled Safari Camper that rests on the truck bed and gives us a two-story tent to sleep and play on the press of an open button. Shutting it close is equally easy: Press close!

Designer: Wild Land

The Safari Camper is designed for the Chinese market and is already available there, state wise delivery is still in oblivion at the time of writing. That said, what intrigues an adventurer’s attention is the Safari Camper’s unique automatic lift system that opens from truck bed top to two stories to accommodate a few people easily. The lift is kicked into action from a keychain remote control – a little manual intervention is required to flip a few extensions – and you have a truck bed section and a high-perched rooftop tent above.

Of course, the kind of height the upper rooftop tent has, it is going to be somewhat vulnerable to the winds. But that little peril hasn’t stopped Wind Land from packing ample interior space here. The tent is accessed via a ladder from the pick-up bed and it has a 5.6-foot headroom extendable using the fold-out tent floor extensions on the front and back –pulled down manually – that increase sleeping space. The mesh windows in the tent offers 270-degree views, while the openable skylight lets you stargaze when the surroundings are engulfed in darkness.

The Safari Cruiser weighs about 250 kg, and rests on the top of the truck’s bed rails. When it’s closed it rests comfortably on the pick-up’s shell and can carry about 30 kg load of your adventure gear. At camp when you open it, in addition to the top tent, you have a second low tent below which doesn’t have much headroom and can be used as a kid’s room or for dining and lounging.

Interestingly, the top rooftop tent is laid with a 30W solar panel to power the LED lighting and lift system battery. Attached to the lower section is a 360-degree awning that provides shade from the sun and gives additional living space just outside, which can be fun at the beach or when fishing in the lake.

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