Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Oddly-shaped PlayStation 5 Pro concept emphasizes VR immersion for Metaverse games

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Sony just released the PlayStation 5 Slim to give gamers another reason for hitting the couch this winter season. The console is considerably smaller than the bigger brother released in November 2020. The question remains, is it the better version of the PS5 or do gamers deserve a better gaming console from Sony?

This is where the rumors of a PlayStation 5 Pro sound exciting, filling in the gap to the long lull before PS6 finally hits the shelves. Like the PS4 Pro, the PS5 Pro gaming console is destined to be a better version of the base PlayStation 5. So, what will the PS5 Pro be like set for a probable November 2024 launch? It’ll be more powerful, have more memory and have advanced hardware.

Designer: Seungjae Lee

This flamboyant concept gives our imagination wings of what PS5 Pro could bring to the competition. The main focus here is on the augmented reality and virtual reality aspects of modern games, and that’s where we’re headed in the future. Gear for such a gaming console requires VR headsets and accompanying controllers. The rear of the console houses the VR controllers and headsets and comes with wireless plug-and-play functionality.

To keep the wire-clutter of main cables routed to the console to a minimum, the bottom rear handles the organizing aspect. What’s most intriguing about this concept gaming console are the controllers. They can behave as knuckle controllers in conjunction with the VR headset for an immersive experience. When two are joined together, they behave as a normal controller of the current generation.

Not only the controllers, but the VR headset also has a hidden surprise on top. There are docked wireless earbuds that can be used for increased audio immersion. All-in-all, the PS5 Pro concept is designed for enhanced gaming experience in the Metaverse. To add spice to the customary PlayStation theme, Seungjae has designed the renders in peppy options including a camouflage skin.

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Flowcamper rolls out the first campervan built around the needs of our canine friends

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There is something exciting about having your dog hike with you during the day and sit alongside you at the campfire by night. This is why many adventurers prefer to have their dogs along on their campervan when they head out. And this is not just true for solo travelers, in fact, small families on long road trips prefer to travel with their dogs.

To make this adventure more suitable and comfortable for both the pets and their humans, Germany-based Flowcamper has come up with the Fellschnute: the first campervan built around the needs of our canine friends. Well, the campervan is customizable to make the road trip experience desirable for dogs, it does not at any point, compromise on the convenience and functionality of the people onboard.

Designer: Flowcamper

The Fellschnute dog camper designed for adventurous outings with dogs, has a customizable interior based on the modular floor rail system. This makes dedicated areas for the pet and humans possible, so each can have their spacious living area, yet stay at a safe distance from the other. To that accord, the configuration of the dog area in the rear of the vehicle is such that it can be accessed from either an interior door or the one facing the tailgate.

This space for dogs, which is way more than the little nooks dogs get to themselves on other campervans, can easily “accommodate one to four dogs,” depending on the choice of kennel layout the customer opts for, Flowcamper informs. Above the spacious dog area, the Fellschnute makes provision to mount a fold-out bed and if you have more than a couple of people lying over, the bed in the pop-up roof is usable.

The living area for humans comprises special seats that can track back and forth or be positioned in any orientation to create a more spacious living space. Here you also have a small corner kitchen behind the driver’s seat. The kitchen is laid out with a 30-liter compressor cool box, a two-burner stove, and a sink. The utensils and other kitchen accessories hide away in drawers while a table swivels out for dining and working needs.

Interesting part of the Fellschnute campervan is its 18-L fresh water system which is linked up to the kitchen sink and hand sprayer at the back to wash up a dirty dogo or clean up your gear. Flowcamper also offers a portable air conditioner that doesn’t help with the cooling of the campervan, instead is specially designed to keep the dog kennel(s) temperature down by almost 15 degrees. For human convenience, however, there is a dry separating toilet that can be hidden from sight or can be pulled out in the open to double up as a bench at camp. The campervan draws power from a 400-watt solar system onboard and retails for a starting price of $75,000.

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With its tactical accessories, this company plans to add value and substance to oddly-shaped Cybertruck

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After what seemed like a long time due, Tesla very recently handed over the first limited production units of the Cybertruck electric pickup. If you are one of the select few to have gotten your hands on the oddly-shaped truck, you have reasons to rejoice. Unplugged Performance, a developer of stylish and high-performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, has stepped up with a range of Up Invincible accessories for the Cybertruck that intend to improve every aspect, on and off-road – of the pickup’s driving and ownership experience.

The launch of the aftermarket accessories aligns with the Cybertruck’s delivery event last week, and steps up the customization game for the owners to give their purchase an even more exciting outlook. The range of accessories includes lift kits, steel bumpers, armor, carbon fiber panels, LED lights, and more. All of which individually or together (if your pocket allows) would put the already unique Cybertruck into a never-fatomed pickup category.

Designer: Unplugged Performance

According to the creator, some of the accessories in the Up Invincible range should be available starting this month, while most of them will only be launched in the first quarter of 2024. Nonetheless, while we are at it, the standard upgrades to tune the Cybertruck’s off-roading capabilities include the 2.5-inch lift kit which enhances the ground clearance to 19.5 inches without affecting the truck’s inherent air suspension and other elements.

Taking the word hardcore to the next level are the 20-inch beadlock wheels and the brake rotors. These are meant for off-roading but are legal for everyday commutes in the Cybertruck. While the lift kit is priced at $9,950, the beadlock wheel and brake rotors would set you back up to $2,290 and $2,390 respectively.

The Up Invincible is not only about enhancing the off-road ability of the already capable Cybertruck. In fact, the range of accessories that make the Cybertruck a road wonder includes steel front bumpers, front and rear carbon fiber fender flares, a front bull bar, and an underbody armor that provides ribbed protection for your truck. Additional excitements to retrofit the Cybertruck are a roof rack and a carbon fiber hood with Kevlar reinforcement that fits atop the steel hood of the standard Tesla truck.

What really makes a statement and adds to the umpteen usability is the Unplugged Performance’s fully enclosed and lockable rail-based bed storage system. The storage drawers here are more secure and have a sizable capacity. These are accessible via the tailgate or can be reached through the hatch doors from the top. This $100 system along with a 50-inch LED light bar gives the Cybertruck more flare and functionality.

The retrofit accessories generally add to the drag of a vehicle. How much will these mentioned accessories, and others in the range, affect that of the Cybertruck is not yet pointed out. But these are the first real upgrades to be available for the Tesla’s ambitious pickup truck after the Basecamp tent that we have discussed this past week since the Cybertruck production models have gone out.

 

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Morgan XP-1 electric trike redefines retrofuturism with handcrafted bespoke design and power delivery

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Marching towards an electrified future, iconic British automaker Morgan Motor has unveiled details about its latest creation, the Morgan XP-1 (Experimental Prototype 1). This electric three-wheeler marks a significant shift for the brand renowned for its classic design and combustion engine vehicles. The XP-1 promises to deliver an exhilarating 134 horsepower of good, clean fun, redefining the perception of electric vehicles in the automotive landscape.

Morgan’s commitment to embracing sustainable technology is evident in the XP-1’s specifications. The vehicle is part of the company’s broader strategy to transition towards electric power. The development vehicle embodies Morgan’s dedication to innovation while preserving the distinctive charm that has defined the brand for over a century!

Designer: Morgan Motor

The XP-1 represents a new era for Morgan, boasting a design that seamlessly blends modernity with the British motor car manufacturer’s timeless aesthetics. The three-wheeler prototype promises to captivate enthusiasts who appreciate the brand’s rich heritage while embracing the latest advancements in automotive technology. The XP-1 to that accord is not merely an electric vehicle it is a testament to Morgan’s ability to adapt and evolve while staying true to its roots.

The XP-1’s design is a harmonious fusion of classic Morgan aesthetics and contemporary styling. The three-wheeler maintains the brand’s distinctive charm while incorporating modern elements that define its electric identity. The vehicle’s exterior exudes sophistication, with aerodynamic considerations complementing its overall aesthetic appeal. Underneath its classic exterior, the XP-1 hosts a state-of-the-art battery system that powers its electric motor. The 33 kWh battery unit is placed under that cheeky nose, promising a range of around 150 miles which by industry standards is pretty little but we’ve to consider It’s a purist’s wild dream come true.

According to Morgan Motors, “the powertrain engineered specifically for XP-1, gives its engineers complete control of calibrations to create a range of driving modes featuring a mix of driving characteristics, providing the opportunity to define exactly how an electric Morgan should drive.” The retro-futuristic trike weighing just 1,543 pounds churns out 134 horsepower, delivering the power to the single rear wheel. The XP-1 comes with four drive modes that can be switched seamlessly, represented by a funny-looking chili pepper on the digital display.

Beyond its impressive power and design, the Morgan XP-1 is likely to feature cutting-edge connectivity and driver-assistance technologies. As the automotive industry continues to integrate smart features into vehicles, the XP-1 is poised to offer a holistic driving experience that goes beyond the traditional bounds of a three-wheeler. That said the company wants to keep the vehicle experimental and after “’12 months of design and build, XP-1 will now embark on a comprehensive testing program over the next 18–24 months.”

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With an articulated spine this robot mouse can beat ‘Spot’ at pace and maneuvers in small turning radius

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Over the years, quadruped – four-legged – robots led by the likes of Spot, by Boston Dynamics, have captured our imagination far and wide. These robots have been through various upgrades, including the robotic dog that can now walk, jump, and maneuver like the real thing. Even though the construction of these robots is already very sophisticated, it remains to be perfected for widespread applications.

A step forward in this direction can be a mouse robot with an articulated spine developed by collaborative research teams from the Technical University of Munich, University of Technology, Nuremberg, and Sun Yat-Sen University, China. The articulation of the spine allows the mouse named NeRmo full body control and stabilization, which provides it with a more balanced frame along with agility and gait much like a real rodent with a biological spine.

Designer: Zhenshan Bing

This mouse created with a flexible spine and tendons is the first interpretation of spine-centric quadruped, unlike the four-legged robots whose anatomical mimicking just finishes at the leg-based motor skills. Yes, they can walk, jump or even pull off a few dance moves, but the NeRmo can do that and more. While the others are robotic in their movement and approach, the researchers led by Zhenshan Bing, believe their mouse – with a spine and tendons running through it – can move almost alike and turn equally efficiently as its biological counterpart.

NeRmo is an agile-legged robot that leaves behind challenges of movement and regulating spine flexion that other quadrupeds using similar spine enhancement – like in the case of Boston Dynamics’ Cheetah robot – have proved. The robot with 3D printed parts and Raspberry Pi for its brain has a sensory system that can make decisions and navigate autonomously.

The NeRmo is an experimental robot that helps understand the spine-based quadruped locomotion skills. The findings are pretty optimistic, which means, that its development can be a promising inspiration for more such small agile-legged robots. The construction of the NeRmo modular robot, according to the research team is low cost, owing to its building process. With the articulated spine, the research shows, the robotic mouse can adjust its posture, extend its stride to walk faster, and make agile maneuvers in a small turning radius and while walking.

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Inspired by the Ukrainian war, Life Chariot off-road trailer is designed to assist medics with rescue missions

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Dire situations bring out the best in humans. And war-torn Ukraine has been a reason for many lifesaving inventions that are not only helping here but also opening new avenues in places where the need may arise. One such creation is the Life Chariot: a lightweight offroad trailer for combat rescue and evacuation. Designed without typical emergency lighting and anything like the MEDEVAC vehicles, we usually see in evacuation missions, the rescue trailer is inspired by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its growing demand for healthcare and evacuation vehicles.

This Life Chariot is developed by Polish industrial designer, Piotr Tluszcz, who, recognizing the hardships of Ukrainian medics (trying to rescue lives from the war-shattered areas), wanted to build an all-terrain solution to help them with their evacuation missions. The Life Chariot is therefore made lightweight and comes with Da Orffo off-road suspension to make it easier and safer to rescue the wounded than in the truck, which the Ukrainian medics do at the moment.

Designer: Lodz Design

Given its novel, steel skeleton design and off-road suspension, this MEDEVAC-like trailer provides a convenient and smooth ride for the patient onboard. For this, the Life Chariot comes with an adjustable hitch to tow behind a capable vehicle and features a removable stretcher to accommodate one wounded person and two medics on either side, sitting stable on strapped seats with medical equipment overhead for easy access.

Riding smoothly over any terrain, the trailer helps medical evacuation teams in conflict zones and other challenging environments to help them carry out rescues briskly and with the least danger to any parties. When the injured person in need of medical assistance is strapped up to the stretcher, the medics can hop onboard and cover the protective steel skeleton body of the trailer with a fireproof tarpaulin and allow the stretcher into its stipulated mount through the side or rear.

The trailer, which is more like a steel-caged contraption at first sight, also has an additional stretcher mount on the supposed roof. Two such Life Chariots have already been handed to the Ukrainian military and one to a voluntary Polish medic unit for testing. The Life Chariot was recently awarded the James Dyson Humanitarian Award. The designer is looking to utilize the prize money and the feedback from Ukrainian and Polish units for the betterment of the rescue trailer.

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Next-gen Logitech G Astro A50 X headphones boast HDMI passthrough switching between gaming consoles and PC audio/video

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Gone are the days when passionate gamers used to swear by only a single gaming console. In fact, in the current age is not uncommon to find gamers have a multi-console setup to keep them covered for all the gaming frenzy the tech world has to offer. If you are from this camp then switching your headphones to connect to the PlayStation or Xbox seamlessly is still a craving.

That’s about to change with the Logitech G Astro A50 X Lightspeed wireless gaming headset designed for this very purpose. Unlike Bluetooth multipoint connection available on most flagship headphones, this one employs HDMI connection routed to a base station to do the seamless switching of audio and video to the TV right from the headset with the touch of a button.

Designer: Logitech

The high-resolution audio headphones designed on the original A50 are the fifth generation of the popular Astro A50 console gaming headsets. That no-nonsense switching between PS5, Xbox series X|S and PC is attributed to the in-house Logitech PLAYSYNC technology. The headphones are as good as they get when it comes to satisfying demanding audiophiles and gamers. The 40mm PRO-G Graphene Driver and 24-bit LIGHTSPEED Wireless technology deliver crisp audio performance that’ll make you hear every minute detail.

This flagship gaming headset with an impressive 24-hour battery life (on a single charge) boasts super comfort with an open-back design that promises long hours of gaming without breaking a sweat. The hub of the headphones is the base station that supports 4K 120Hz HDR, VRR and ALLM. Players can mix the game chat and in-game audio to the preferred levels with the on-ear controls and adjustable sidetone. The headphone base also supports multi-connection Bluetooth so that you can take up calls, listen to music, or attend Discord chats without even moving a muscle.

Logitech is also mindful of the environment, hence it gets Carbon Neutral certification too. The A50 X’s body is made out of 35% post-consumer recycled plastic and the paper packaging is sourced from FSC-certified forests. For $350 the headphones are value for money given it’s also a 3-in-1 HDMI 2.1 switcher with wireless audio output and Bluetooth input. You can pre-order them right away in  Black or White finishes with shipping promised by the end of this month.

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This smart adjustable lectern is all-in-one audio-visual solution for least distraction in teacher-pupil communication

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Lecterns have come of age over the years from sturdy wooden contraptions to those that are embedded with smart systems or foldable for storage convenience. One aspect, for me, that remains overly inert is the design. It has become sleeker with time and more materials have been incorporated into their construction. However, they have only solved one direct function and have been little impactful in minimizing user distraction.

This is what TZEN Studio intends to rectify with the design idea of a smart adjustable lectern. Conceived with the simple idea of trying to make a lectern an effective tool of communication between teachers and students, this adjustable option incorporates a handful of conveniences. Some may be overly obvious some are nifty and user-friendly.

Designer: TZEN Studio

You’d not be wrong in guessing the smart adjustable lectern turns up with a host of audio-visual arrangements. It does that making it suitable for classrooms in schools and colleges. Given that a range of smart lecterns with multimedia integrations has made it to the fore, this guy had to do something more to complete it. To that accord, it comes with a colorful, modernistic, and robust design – incorporating more than an interactive system – to make two-way interaction between teacher and students more productive and less distractive.

The adjustment option of the lectern allows the teacher to adjust on the fly to their height, or to use it standing behind or on the side of it. For the latter, it comes with an extracting platform on the right to keep a book or a document. The nice combination of black and white with a hint of orange makes the lectern a vibrant element in the new-age classroom, while the multimedia interaction adds to the convenience of an interactive class.

For this, the lectern is integrated with a computer and a keyboard, which is different from other options with touchscreen displays only. On the right of this installation is a touchscreen tablet, and right below you have a speaker for two-way communication. The essential microphone protrudes from the front and is highly adjustable. What catches the eye is the bottle/glass holder on the bottom left. Generally, a teacher has to walk out from in front of the lectern to fetch a glass of water leading to a break in momentum. This adjustable lectern puts it right there in front so there is the least distraction.

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Pi-POP is battery-less e-bike which runs on rider’s pedaling power that recharges its supercapacitor

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E-bikes are still a hot topic despite their battery safety being a looming concern since inception. The lithium batteries used in e-bikes are sensitive to high temperatures and we have seen cases where batteries have blown up leading to severe damage to the bike, in odd cases, even to the rider. Even though, there is no dearth of new e-bikes hitting the market. Latest in the ranks is the Pi-POP, which on the exterior is an average bike, but packs a lithium-free supercapacitor, that allows the bike to run only on the power the rider generates: no other source is needed.

Designed and developed by French manufacturer Pi-Pop, the Pi-POP e-bike is an electrically assisted bicycle, only first of its kind in the world. It makes riders negotiate all accessible trails without battery or recharging woes. Just ride on with the power you create!

Designer: Pi-Pop

Made in an aluminum frame with white and green colorway, the bike is readied for now only in a single size. Its integrated supercapacitor energy regeneration system recharges with the rider’s pedaling and braking. The Pi-POP e-bike regenerates power as the user pedals on a level road and kicks in the most power when the rider goes down a slope or while braking. This allows the rider to benefit from constantly renewed assistance, only that the most energy is consumed, rather than regenerated when riding uphill.

The bike remains within European standards and has been tailored to hit the maximum speed limit of 25mph. The Pi-POP achieves speeds up to 25mph only on renewed assistance pedaling. The e-bike is designed to restore most energy to the supercapacitor when the brakes are applied, so the regeneration of power is least when going uphill as opposed to coming downhill. The supercapacitor can store and release the energy to the bike almost ten times faster than normal lithium batteries making the idea of Pi-POP more effective and less cumbersome.

Of course, the Pi-POP is not made for off-road sites, it is an interesting everyday commuter, especially if you are looking for an e-bike with a difference. This one is different but it is only available in France (at the Pi-Pop factory in Loire River, Olivet) for now. In spite of the exclusivity, it is priced competitively against its compatriots in the traditional e-bike market. It comes for 2,450 euros (approximately $2,600).

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AI-assisted keyboard streamlines workflow for IT professionals and content creators

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If you ever wondered what the next big leap in technology could be, it surely is artificial intelligence. Set to take the world we live in by storm in the coming decade, the future is exciting as we all witness the metamorphosis in our daily routine thanks to this promising evolution.

As a coder or content creator, if you always wanted AI to be by your side to streamline processes, now is a good time to be alive. So, why not a mechanical keyboard that employs AI to your advantage to stay ahead of the curve?

Designer: Junha Kahm

While most of us prefer the Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard, Corsair K70 RGB Pro, 8Bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboard or Keychron Q Series – the Sparrow AI keyboard wants to dethrone them all with functionality so unique, that you’ll want to grab it right away. As the name suggests, the keyboard is tailored for productive workflow out of the box with its advanced AI-assisted features.

The smart keyboard has a semi-transparent display on the front that constantly keeps giving useful inputs and insight about the things you are typing on it. For example, if you are a coder and typing down lines of code and by mistake inputting a wrong code, Sparrow is mindful enough to suggest a rectification. The same is true for content creators who can benefit from the keyboard’s constant learning ability to weed any errors out of the workflow.

If you want to interact with the peripheral, there’s a switch button on the left that allows you to have a conversation right on the keyboard interface rather than going to your preferred AI program for help. When you want to use the traditional keyboard function and turn off any AI assists, it is as simple as toggling off the switch button.

This idea of an AI-assisted keyboard has every reason to make it past the concept and prototype stage. What do you think?

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