Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

This amphibious electric vehicle has the smarts for practical urban mobility needs

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Electric, Hydrogen and Hybrid vehicles are going to partly solve the environmental crisis, but the fact remains, the number of vehicles on the roads isn’t going to reduce. The battle for every inch of road space will intensify in the future, no matter how desperately the compact concept vehicles try to gain popularity.

The only viable solution then left are the flying cars which I’m now a great fan of due to their mostly impractical approach to things in real-life conditions when air space is going to get crowded. One probable solution for tropical regions in particular is an amphibious vehicle that’ll bypass traffic congestions on freeways for timely travel schedules.

Designer: Bernardo Pereira

The CROSSER V1 is designed keeping in mind the commuting needs of coastal cities. The primary idea of this kind of transportation is to have flexibility of transportation in such regions for speedy commuting. The fact that this is an electric vehicle reduces the amount of noise created, and also the levels of pollution. The fleet of CROSSER vehicles creates a customized service for inhabitants of urban cities to meet the 24×7 hour needs of every kind of user.

According to the designer, the rise in sea level will eventually lead most of the world’s population to migrate to these regions and look for viable means of earning livelihood. This will lead to an increase in road congestion and pressurize the already overburdened mobility systems. Thus, leading to the dire need for new mobility solutions when owning a private vehicle will no longer be of interest to the majority of Populus.

The future of mobility will be dominated by diverse needs that depend on the user’s travel intention, interaction and lifestyle. This leads to a transition that allows for interconnected mobility systems that are in line with sustainable practices and technologies. Bernardo initially created four different iterations for this concept and the final design is this amphibious transportation service that serves the users. The vehicle has an intelligent navigation system that takes the fastest route, either on land or water.

The CROSSER is developed to be an adaptable service that goes beyond passenger transportation and bears modular features for modifying the interiors depending on the needs of the user. By default, the vehicle comes with a four-seat configuration with a display to beam all the route information, weather and warnings. The vehicle boasting a panoramic view has seats with sensors and adjustable headrests.

When it’s time to tread on the waters, the CROSSER V1 employs the suspension system to raise the maximum height angle by 90 degrees. Everything is done autonomously aided by the LiDAR and Radar sensors, without the need to stop the vehicle. The in-built dual cameras with a 150-degree viewing angle further add to the feed of the user’s display. This whole system not only aids in water travel but also identifies obstacles on land.

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Experience True Van-Life Luxury with this Tailor-Made Camping Box for All Your Needs

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Campervans have their own set of advantages, but it’s a fixed construction you cannot choose to part with when you want to use the vehicle for everyday street life. This shortcoming may have given birth to the idea of slide-in camping solutions that convert the vans into campers when the wilderness calls. Over the years, with the transforming needs of adventurers, these camping solutions have evolved so much so that a company in Austria has now designed a full-proof camping box to fit at the back of your vehicle and leave you wanting nothing more.

Built with the notion of bringing real-life luxury to the road, the CampBoks slide-in camping solution comprises a fully equipped slide-out kitchen, foldable bed, sliding dining with a cantilevered bench and table, outdoor shower, and an optional, portable toilet. With all these amenities, the CampBoks can transform any ordinary van into a capable camper for wherever your adventure may take you.

Designer: CampBoks

The comprehensive camping box slides onto the seat rails of, or can be fitted into, a range of vehicles such as the Ford Transit, VW Transporter, Mercedes V-Class, Renault Trafic and the like. The versatile Camboks kit, with all its versatility, adds some weight to the back of your vehicle: It weighs 140 kg, which is more than the ordinary options on the market. But the features you get with this one, I’m sure we won’t mind the extra few kilos.

The traditional camper slide-in can keep the weight in measure since they come with limited facilities such as a bed and perhaps a kitchen. The CamBoks adds to these customary features with outdoor dining, a compact work table, and a full-fledged kitchen and fits snugly in a midsize van.

The CampBoks is designed and manufactured entirely in Austria with three compartmentalizations. The driver-side section comprises a slide-out kitchen provided with a single-burner Primus gas stove, small worktable, 15-L refrigerator box, and sink with a faucet that using an attachment can double as an outdoor shower.  The compartment in the middle has a sliding table which is provided with two benches – sliding out – from the two main sections on either side of the table. In the passenger side section, CampBoks provides a slide-out with three Euroboxes you can use for bulk storage.

Toward the inside, you have a folding A-frame bed, which folds in to form a sofa on either side (toward the inside of the vehicle and the tailgate). By the night, it can lay flat to transform into a full-size bed for a couple. You get under-bed storage plus two 12-L fresh water canisters slipped in underneath. Alongside the comfy bed (useable in seating position as well) you get a side-mounted swivel table that can be your additional dining or work desk, depending on your mood and weather. With all its features and an additional option to include a dry separating toilet, the CampBoks starts at approximately $7,000.

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Levitating Xbox controller themed on the “Dune: Part Two” movie is up for grabs via a competition

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There’s no denying, we love everything that levitates. Consider the magical element of a floating gadget or the sheer curiosity of the working mechanism, anything that suspends in mid-air, ignites our curiosity. Of course, this levitating Xbox controller wouldn’t escape our radar.

This special edition gaming Xbox gaming controller will mark the release of Dune: Part 2 on March 1. Microsoft is labeling it as the world’s first floating Xbox controller, and we’ll agree since this is a one-of-a-kind creation. The idea behind the levitating aesthetic is to mimic the Ornithopter’s capability to hover over the Arrakis’ dunes. The good news is that you can win this one-off collectors’ piece by topping the sweepstakes competition by Microsoft on X.

Designer: Microsoft

Limited edition hardware is nothing new to Microsoft for promoting their flagship console. For the Dune edition version, the tech giant has collaborated with Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures to promote the release of Denis Villeneuve’s movie. Coming on to the levitating feature, the controller rests on a stand that floats. The visual trickery is not made clear by Microsoft but we presume magnets are used to weave the magic. Hiding behind the big sandy base that’s most likely created to aid this cool illusion.

The gaming controller has a custom finish complete with the movie logo and symbols. Similarly, the Xbox Series S console carries a vibrant design to represent the scale of Arrakis in the cosmos. It is accompanied by the Dune-themed Ornithopter Stand for the complete feel. If you are interested in rolling in for the competition jump right away to check out the official rules and eligibility details. The entry period is currently on and will go on till March 25.

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G-Shock and Land Cruiser tie-up for Dakar Rally-inspired Mudman rugged watch

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Collaborations in the top tech echelons are routine. Some are hard stretched but few are like a match made in heaven. A meaningful partnership in the latter type is the Toyota Land Cruiser’s tie-up with G-Shock. I am sure this collab, which marries high-end watchmaking with automotive genius, would need no introduction. But if you mean why, the companies thrive on their ability to go anywhere and take what you throw at them, so why not?

The partnership marks the 30-year history of Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body competing at the Dakar Rally. The watch for the occasion is designed to embody the spirit of resilience and adventure, which are the main stakes of the iconic motor sporting event renowned for its challenging and exhausting terrain.

Designer: G-Shock x Land Cruiser

Dubbed the GW9500TLC-1 Mudman ‘Land Cruiser’ limited edition, it is based on one of the most rugged G-Shock watches, the Mudman GW9500. Aptly chosen to represent the most extreme motorsports event, the G-Shock Mudman in the collaboration is inspired by the TLC racing team and the Dakar Rally itself.

That said, the new watch is as close as it can be to the Mudman GW9500 in features and style, except for a few tweaks that make this G-Shock a Toyota companion for the desert. The primary distinction is the use of stainless steel for the bezel and the custom color theme of black and red ion plating that make the timepiece and keeps it in theme with the rally car, Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport’s color scheme. For its distinction, the collaborative G-Shock x Land Cruiser Mudman, reference GW9500TLC-1, is priced about $60 higher than the base Mudman model at $440.

Besides all that, this G-Shock x Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body Mudman has all the same features as the GW9500. It has a Carbon Core Guard interior that’s resistant to dust and keeps the watch tough yet lightweight. The watch is solar powered, has a dynamic dual-layer LCD, features 6 radio-controlled timekeeping, and 200-meter water resistance. The digital compass, altimeter, barometer, and thermometer make the watch an ideal partner for the 10,000km Dakar Rally.

G-Shock has ensured perfect branding to render the watch appropriate for The TLC racing team. The caseback wears the TLC logo. The G-Shock x Team Land Cruiser Mudman’s rugged case comes paired with a black rubber strap which has a brown sand-splashed pattern for camouflage in the desert.

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Lamborghini Countach LP400 replica flaunts intricate scissor doors and rear-view periscope mirror

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The Lamborghini Countach LP400 was the first generation of its kind and way ahead of time in terms of design given it debuted way back in 1974. Those scissor doors and the rear-view periscope mirror that vanished into the roof, just like the periscope of a submarine captured the imagination of performance car lovers. Fast forward to the current day and Lambo is basking in the glory of the Revuelto plug-in hybrid supercar.

Amalgam Collection, a brand out of Bristol, UK, renowned for making the most detailed scale model replicas of famous four-wheelers like the Ferrari 296 GT3 sportscar has again caught our attention. This time they’ve created intricate 1:8 scale models of both the Revuelto and Countach LP400. Since we like things classic, so for now our focus is the nostalgic LP400 scale model that’s handmade to perfection with thousands of precisely engineered parts completing the build.

Designer: Amalgam Collection

As expected from the scale model builder, this fully-opening scale replica took almost 400 hours of the craftspeople’s time and skillful effort. The design took shape from the original CAD models and digital scan files provided. Further details were obtained from the thousands of pictures of the classic 4.0-liter V12-powered supercar. If we overlook the 250-400 hours of creating each of the scale model units, the initial time input to develop the tooling for vehicles that the maker has never before made alone takes a mind-boggling 2,500 – 4,000 hours!

According to Amalgam, the exterior and interior of the car will be accurately replicated to the last visible detail. These include the color of the seat stitching, brake calipers, steering wheel, speaker indents, manual shifter, license plates, and even the ashtray in the center console. Predictably, the front trunk has a spare tire and the headlights can be toggled between up and down position.

They further added that their long-term collaboration with Lamborghini  permits them full access to “the brand’s paint codes, color samples, and every personalized detail to ensure their model matches their full-size counterpart.”

There will be a limited number of 199 units of the scale model Countach LP400 in Giallo Fly yellow or Rosso red color options. This model is priced at approximately $19,900 for automotive collectors willing to pay any price for such intricate works of art. You could buy a real sedan for that price tag!

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AYANEO’s Mini Gaming Console borrows NES persona to satisfy Retro-geeks

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The AYANEO Mini PC AM01 boasting the nostalgic Mac design got the tech pundits excited and for good measure. With the looks of the classic Mac and the innards of a Windows 11 PC, the cool little desk accessory is a gaming console at large for gamers who love retro flavors.

When we first got you acquainted with this little bundle of joy, there were already talks of the Retro Mini PC AM02 which emulates the design of the classic NES. A mini PC at heart, this one too balances out the retro and contemporary design scheme to perfection. Obviously, Nintendo fans will fancy this one over the AM01, but other users will also be drawn by its 4-inch touchscreen, considering most of the rivals don’t offer this luxury.

Designer: AYANEO

This mini gaming console blends unique design aesthetics with high-performance hardware without any compromise in the compact form factor. Keep it on your desk or mount it on a wall or anything in the vicinity, the mini gaming console weighing just 538g is equally impressive. The recreated front cover tactfully hides all the input/output ports for a clean look which is another resounding plus. This cover can be click opened with a red button opposite the power button, adding to the cool trickery.

The on-board AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS APU, DDR5 RAM (16/32 GB) and 512GB/1TB SSD on the AM02 are well-equipped for PC gaming or tasks like video editing or music composition. To keep the internal temperature down, the mini gaming console has a potent four-copper pipe heat dissipation structure, aided by the 45W large-size turbine fan. Coming onto the screen it displays vital statistics for nerds including CPU data, current FPS, temperature and fan speed. For normal users, a left swipe on the screen toggles the view to the current date and time. One more swipe displays the virtual volume control and the option to toggle the display on or off.

For gamers, the company has an in-built launcher or you can use your own preferred launcher like the Launchbox/BigBox to run Steam or Epic titles, but that option requires a bit of working around. The AYANEO Mini PC AM01 will set you back anywhere between $440 – $630 depending on the chosen configuration. For that starting price you can get yourself a PS5, so the mini gaming console is at a more premium spectrum of the market choices.

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LEGO Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage set is made for Disney fans of all ages

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Disney fans are definitely upset with the delayed release of Marc Webb’s upcoming remake of the 1937 classic. They had been waiting to see Rachel Zegler bite the forbidden fruit in the new Snow White movie, which is now pushed back by almost a year from its original March 22, 2024 release date to March 21, 2025. That is not a reason for LEGO to fall back and procrastinate.

The passionate brick builders have released a gorgeous, and immensely detailed, LEGO version of the Seven Dwarf’s Cottage from the iconic Disney animation. This build comprises 2228 pieces and 10 mini figurines – slated to go on sale starting March 4, 2024 for $220. If you’re a LEGO Insider, you have a chance to get early access to this set beginning March 1.

Designer: LEGO

Created to allow Disney buffs bring the sweet story home in LEGO bricks; it is not a simple layout. The build is intriguing and effectively detailed to remind us of all the interesting aspects of the lore. In that breath, the LEGO Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage comes complete with Snow White’s glass coffin, the Evil Queen with the forbidden red apple, all Seven Dwarfs, and the Prince to revive the Snow White out of the death bed with his kiss.

This quaint forest cottage with a straw-roofed structure is nestled in a bounty of green vegetation, close to the wishing well, and has animal friends for company. The open layout of the cottage with a removable side of the roof features other highlights like the bedroom with seven beds, dining table, and a room with a pipe organ.

The LEGO’s new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set – measuring 8 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 7.5 inches deep – is a pretty exciting deviation for the disappointed aficionados. And even if you are not a fan, this set for adults can be a distinctive themed gift for movie lovers in your circle!

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World’s smallest humanoid robot is more than a toy – it walks, dances and even kicks a ball

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School students from Hong Kong have shined in the world sphere with an entry in the Guinness World Records. They have, in the school robotics laboratory, built what is now recognized as the smallest humanoid in the world by the ace record keeper. To reach the feat, they had to do better than just build a miniature bot. A robot to be billed a record holder must be capable of bipedal movement and able to articulate its knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders.

The four-member team of Aaron Ho Yat Fung, Isaac Zachary To, Justin Wang Tou Duong, and Ngo Hei Leung, with their bot which does not have a moniker yet, has broken the record for the smallest robot held by Pakistan’s Zain Ahmad Qureshi. For reference, the humanoid from Diocesan Boys’ School students is “shorter than a standard ballpoint pen.”

Designer: Diocesan Boys’ School, Hong Kong

According to the information shared by Guinness World Records, the new smallest humanoid measures 141 mm tall. For the record, it is estimated 11.3 mm shorter than the previous record-holding robot by Qureshi. Even though the underlying intention of such a miniature robot was to break the Guinness Record; the brains behind it believe, the bot can be a “small, low cost, rechargeable, and programmable” platform for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) education. The small size also leaves the possibility of mass-producing such a robot at a lower cost.

The robot itself was first designed in CAD and then its acrylic panels and 3D-printed components were produced and assembled in the school’s robotics lab. Students thereafter reached out to a servo motors manufacturer. Putting the servos together on a 16-channel control board, installed at the back of the robot, students were able to control their bot using onboard buttons and via a mobile device.

In addition to moving its legs and arms, the robot, as seen in the video above, can be programmed to dance, do kung fu, and even kick a football. These moves are powered by a built-in 7.4V lithium-ion battery. The Diocesan Boys’ School robotics team wants to make the design and code of their tiny robot open source, which would further their idea of making STEAM education workshops interesting and economically viable.

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Electric SV Rover hypertruck is a Land Rover on steroids that’ll also get V8-powered variant

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When a four-wheeler has taken 14 years of rigorous design and development, it is bound to be impressive. Meet the SV Rover by California-based firm with a positive history of pushing the boundaries when it comes to building performance vehicles having a silhouette of iconic rides that generations adore.

The SV Rover is a spitting image of the classic Land Rover Defender 90 in form but underneath it packs a powerful electric drivetrain that’s tailored for any kind of harsh terrain. The inspiration for this hypertruck – the Defender 90 – was introduced to the world as a Baja truck but later on, Land Rover morphed it into a street legal hypertruck.

Designer: Scarbo Vintage

According to CEO Joe Scarbo, the SV Rover is a perfect amalgam of “off-road power, maneuverability and capability.” He adds that the electric performance vehicle is a classic British four-wheeler at heart with the muscle and technology of American vehicles. Thus, making this an ideal four-wheeled heavyweight you can bank on for a sublime driving experience, “beyond anything this side of a trophy truck.”  The nostalgic form of the truck is complemented by the choice of taking home either the all-electric version delivering over 1,000hp (from the 750kW and 75 kWh battery) or the mid-engine supercharged V8 engine. The EV version will come mated with eight-speed automatic paddle shifters.

Both these variants will have high-speed desert racing and low-speed technical off-roading features. Also, they’ll come with massive wheel arches, 40-inch tires on 20-inch forged wheels, pushrod suspension with air ride for height adjustable control, front & rear differential and classic contoured LED headlights. On the inside, the electric Hypertruck gets a 12.8-inch infotainment and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Comfort is not a concern with the bucket seats, and the Alcantara interior honed by the billet aluminum accents gives it a contemporary yet stylish character.

Other features include a push-button start, power windows, automatic climate control and power door locks. Although Scarbo Vintage has not revealed any official pricing it is rumored to start at $1.5 million with the option to go custom crazy for build-on order freedom. The question is how it’ll stack up against the Rivian R1T and the Cybertruck with a starting price of $90,000 and $61,000 respectively. Of, course Scarbo is confident they are offering something better to charge that exorbitant amount of cash. Also, there’s word yet on the slated launch date, so we have our hawk eyes set on that information.

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This ultra-luxurious superyacht boasts a lower level deck with panoramic glass walls

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Superyachts at their core are synonymous with supreme luxury and a lifestyle that is all about living life large. Mostly privately owned by the filthy rich, these high-end vessels are loaded with extravagant amenities, helipads, multiple decks, and lavish accommodations for the guests and crew.

While you expect all these luxuries and tons more in a superyacht, rarely does one come across a vessel that’s a notch superior to the rest. Meet The Arc, is a concept yacht designed keeping in mind the demanding comforts and keen eye for design of the wealthy individuals.

Designer: Ali Cam

The superyacht is highlighted by the organic contours that contrast with the sharp edges. It’s like a hypercar of the yacht world with regard to luxury and comfort. There are three levels on the vessel each serving its purpose for the occasion. The most eye-popping of them all is the lower deck that in part houses the individual rooms and the hue deck with transparent glass facades on both sides. This matte black section is the place to enjoy your evening meals and a drink.

The second level is an open deck area for engaging with the open seas and lounging in the warmth of the sun. The secondary sail of the vessel is pinned on the front to prevent any obstruction of the open views. The rear section has an enclosed lounging section if you like things to be muted down. Move to the top level of the superyacht and you are welcomed by the open swimming pool and relaxing area. The main sail of The Arc sits at a pivot point right in the middle of the lounging area which is a clever design inclusion for conversation starters.

The design theme of the superyacht is a flowing Sierra of black and titanium grey that brings a sense of luxury and speed into one. I love the lower level deck that gives open views of the seas while protecting one from the elements because the weather is not always bright and sunny!

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