For professional landscapers and property managers of sprawling green spaces, achieving that perfectly manicured lawn can be a constant battle. Traditionally, robotic mowers have relied on boundary wires to define their work area. This not only requires time-consuming installation but also presents a challenge during maintenance or landscaping projects. Husqvarna, a name synonymous with outdoor power equipment (and also motorcycles), is shaking things up with the Automower 520 EPOS, a revolutionary robot mower that ditches the wires in favor of a sophisticated GPS navigation system.
Designed for tackling large areas of up to 5,000 square meters (roughly 1.2 acres), the Automower 520 EPOS boasts an impressive ability to handle slopes as steep as 45 degrees. This makes it ideal for managing expansive properties like parks, sports complexes, or corporate campuses. The key innovation lies in the EPOS system, which does away with the need for physical boundary wires. Instead, it utilizes a network of satellites and a reference station to create a virtual work zone. This not only saves time on installation but also eliminates the risk of accidentally damaging wires during other lawn maintenance tasks.
The mower seamlessly integrates with Husqvarna Fleet Services, a comprehensive app-based management system. Imagine the convenience of remotely controlling and monitoring your entire fleet of mowers from your smartphone or computer. The app allows for functionalities like simultaneous operation of multiple mowers, real-time location tracking, and even adjusting mowing schedules based on weather conditions. An alarm system deters potential theft, while automatic weather timers ensure the mower adapts its schedule to avoid rain or excessive heat, maximizing its efficiency and protecting the health of the lawn.
The mower employs a systematic mowing pattern, ensuring a consistently well-maintained lawn. The tiny grass clippings it leaves behind are finely mulched and returned to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. This eco-friendly approach not only eliminates the need for bagging and disposal of clippings but also contributes to a healthier, greener landscape. Furthermore, the mower boasts features like over-the-air software updates and a patented cutting height adjustment system, ensuring it stays at the forefront of lawn care technology.
While the initial cost of the Automower 520 EPOS might seem like a significant investment, the long-term benefits for professional lawn care providers are undeniable. Reduced labor costs due to automation, improved efficiency through remote management, and a consistently pristine lawn all contribute to a significant return on investment. The Automower 520 EPOS represents a glimpse into the future of lawn maintenance, a future where robotic mowers operate with precision and autonomy, guided by the power of GPS technology. This innovative solution not only frees up valuable time and resources but also paves the way for a more sustainable approach to maintaining sprawling green spaces.
Some people cycle for exercise, some do it for the commute, and some do it as a sport, exploring the toughest terrain on the planet. Common sense dictates that all those activities would require bicycles of different calibers and capabilities – the Heybike Hero wasn’t designed for ‘common sense’… it was designed to absolutely defy it. Armed with a 1000W motor and an incredibly resilient carbon fiber frame, the Hero conquers all, whether it’s well-paved bike lanes or harsh off-road terrain. Available in two styles, the Hero has an overall range of 60 miles on a full charge, weighs just 75 lbs, and comes with a staggering 10-year warranty on the bike’s solid carbon fiber frame.
The Hero comes in two variants, the Step Through with its distinct frame design, and the Trapeze, which is slightly more conventional, but just as spectacular looking. Along with the two frame designs, you also have the option between a 750W mid-drive motor, or a 1000W rear drive motor. The mid-drive motor is notable for its efficiency, and its position plays a crucial role in boosting the e-bike’s power. This central motor configuration offers a few distinct advantages – By strategically placing the motor near the pedals, the Hero achieves a more balanced weight distribution. This translates to improved handling and stability, particularly crucial when navigating uneven terrain or challenging inclines. Traditional hub motors, often located on the front or rear wheel, can cause the bike to feel unbalanced and hinder maneuverability on technical trails. The Hero’s mid-drive motor placement ensures a more natural riding experience, akin to a traditional bicycle.
Furthermore, the mid-drive motor delivers torque directly to the drivetrain, resulting in a smoother and more natural power delivery compared to hub motors. This translates to effortless ascents on challenging inclines and smooth power delivery on rugged trails. Riders can conquer diverse landscapes with confidence, knowing the Hero can handle demanding climbs and uneven surfaces with ease. For riders on a budget, the 1000W rear-wheel variant offers a good balance between power and price, having a tag that’s $300 cheaper than the mid-drive motor variant.
An e-bike isn’t really complete with just a motor, though… the Hero also packs an intelligent torque sensor that continuously monitors the rider’s pedaling input, adjusting the motor’s assistance accordingly. As the rider applies more pressure to the pedals, the sensor detects the increased effort and seamlessly increases motor assistance. Conversely, when the rider eases off pedaling, the sensor reduces motor assistance, creating a more natural and intuitive riding experience. This eliminates the jerky starts and stops sometimes associated with e-bikes, minimizing rider fatigue and maximizing efficiency. You’ve also got 5 levels of pedal assist to choose from, letting you either rely heavily on the motor for a more relaxed riding experience, or go entirely analog and test your cardio and stamina.
Conquering new territories and exploring hidden gems becomes easy thanks to the Hero’s impressive range. On a single charge, the Hero boasts an overall range of up to 60 miles, powered by a rigorously certified 864Wh battery. This eliminates “range anxiety,” a common concern for e-bike riders. Furthermore, the 48V/4A charger offers a full charge in just 4 hours, letting you spend more time on the road and less time attached to a power socket.
The meticulously crafted T800 carbon fiber frame also plays a crucial role in the Hero’s exceptional performance. Preferred by elite automotive and aerospace industries for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, the carbon fiber build allows the Hero to achieve a remarkable weight of only 2.8kg. This translates to superior maneuverability on the trails, particularly when navigating tight corners or uneven surfaces. A heavier e-bike can feel sluggish and cumbersome, especially when navigating technical terrain. The Hero’s lightweight design allows for effortless handling and increased control, empowering riders to tackle challenging trails with confidence. The frame is also exceptionally durable, allowing the Hero to tackle even the most demanding terrain without breaking a sweat.
Both the Step-through and Trapeze variants cater to riders of all sizes, ranging from 5’3″ to 6’6″ feet tall, thanks to an adjustable saddle design. The saddle comes with shock absorption too, along with the frame’s full-suspension build, offering a smooth riding experience regardless of the terrain you shred on. 26×4-inch tires let you glide on rocky roads as if they were paved concrete, and hydraulic disc brakes let you stop confidently to keep you and others around you safe.
The e-bike comes with its own dashboard that displays relevant riding information, although what sets it apart is a companion smartphone app that adds a layer of ‘smartness’ to your e-bike experience. The Heybike app seamlessly integrates with the e-bike, providing riders with valuable data and functionalities. The app displays real-time data on speed, distance traveled, and battery level, allowing riders to monitor their progress and plan their journeys effectively. It also boasts navigation assistance, a valuable tool for exploring unfamiliar territories. Riders can pre-plan their routes or utilize the app’s navigation features to discover new trails. Additionally, the app offers various intelligent features that can further enhance the riding experience. These features may include customizable settings for motor assistance levels, trip history tracking, and maintenance reminders.
Once you’ve zeroed in on a frame design, you can choose between the 750W mid-drive motor that offers 160Nm of torque and a much more powerful ride experience, or the 1000W rear-drive motor that opts for a more standard e-bike architecture and offers just 100Nm of torque. The 750W Hero starts at a discounted $2699, while the 1000W comes for $2399. Both variants have a 2-year warranty on the e-bike itself, but a 10-year warranty on Heybike’s state-of-the-art carbon fiber chassis.
There are hardcore adventure enthusiasts who like to carry their home on wheels, and then there are ones who like to keep things toned down for the occasional skirmish into the woods for a day. For the former, there are countless options on the market, and for the latter, there’s a niche still left wide open for exploration.
A New Zealand startup wants to give Tesla Model Y owners a reason to head out of the city limits. The company wants to offer a simple yet efficient solution in the form of a sleeper platform that sits snugly behind the rear seats. When it’s time to set up a temporary camp, the make-shift camper platform flings up giving access to the trunk and expands into a two-berth bed. Thus, transforming your Model Y into a micro-home to catch a quick nap in the late afternoon.
We do love the idea of full-blown camper kits for hatchbacks and crossovers, but for occasional users, this is a practical solution that does what’s needed with maximum conviction and the least hassle. This makes sense for people who like to preserve their rear seat space. Ones who want to take along a camping stove and a compact tent. The extending camping bed is tailor-made for the Tesla’s mid-sized SUV, as it fits perfectly in the rear section with a few interlocking slats.
Once fitted, the lightweight platform (not heavy like the full-blown camper kits that affect range) slides on top of the folded rear seats and extends into a stable base to sleep two adults without breaking a sweat. To add more width, the two detachable front wings attach to both sides. This presents a bed platform measuring 73 x 50 inches that folds back down to a 36-inch platform fitting in the back of your trusted electric SUV.
One feature that instantly resonated with me is the tilting-up hinged design that rises so that one can clear all the mess from the sunken space in the trunk. This also doubles as a two-tier storage system, as the upper shelf can be used to store frequently used cargo and the lower section to stash things that are not used frequently. Another feature other than this useful utility is a couple of slide-out tabletops that double as a bed or outdoor side tables.
The platform bed by Teraglide is crafted out of premium birch plywood with a protective soft-touch film for extra durability. Best of all, the assembly doesn’t rely on any hard mounting and can be easily done with the help of a buddy. The maker is serious about pitching its product worldwide and is looking for manufacturing associates in the US and Europe to bring down shipping costs. Priced at approximately $850 for the base model, the startup has also got a $970 version that comes prefitted with a self-inflating memory foam mattress.
Tufport has just entered the trending overlanding market with a stunning iteration that looks robust enough for the beaten paths and adverse weather conditions. This rugged off-road-ready mobile home dubbed The Sea to Sky model, is tailored for adventurers who like things minimal, yet full-proof for extended trips.
As soon as you step inside, everything is ultra-utilitarian and modular to make maximum use of space. The Canada-based manufacturer has a strong product when we stack it against the likes of TruckHouse, Scout Campers, or the Hilux conversion by Direct Cars. For Overlanding pick-up owners, all these options and this new one by Tufport are the best recommended all-in-one solutions when we talk of slide-in truck bed campers.
This first-ever model in the Overlander truck camper series is crafted out of a lightweight one-piece composite fiberglass construction to put minimum stress on your pick-up or 4×4’s engine. Going by Tufport’s industrial strength standards, the rig is designed to be ultra-watertight. It fits easily with most full-size and mid-size trucks with a 6.5’ box, so compatibility should not be an issue. Interior space and headroom are nothing to worry about as it has a height of 65” and an interior width of 72”, good enough for tall individuals as well.
Coming onto the utilitarian aspect, there are plenty of storage cabinets, a couch that transforms into a twin bed, over cab sleeping area, and a galley kitchen with a counter and vertical pantry section. There’s nothing on the inside (accessible via the rear door) that you’ll find out of place or unnecessary in the Sea to Sky camper. The windows on the camper are tinted and screened to let in natural light for a more airy feel. Along with this, the roof vent keeps the interiors well-ventilated.
To give the owners more freedom for customization as per their liking, Tufport will be offering the hard shell as a blank canvas. If someone desires to have a four-season ready rig at the time of delivery, they can choose the optional OEM add-ons, including sinks, induction cooktops, heaters, or refrigerators. Along with this serious off-roaders can also get the camper fitted with a roof rack (to mount, gear, kayaks, or skis), solar panel array for off-grid living, and extendable awning to have complete freedom.
The Sea to Sky Overlander will officially release the rig as Overland Expo Mountain West, and hopefully, the pricing will also be revealed. Just for reference, the Adventure slide-in shell model comes at a price tag of $9,495, so the Overlander camper one should be priced more than this version given its well-outfitted interiors and extra features. Interested adventure lovers can take the initial leap with a $1,000 deposit to secure the waitlist spot.
Carmakers like Lamborghini and Porsche have made the bold move to test the viability of an all-terrain supercar with the Huracan Sterrato and 911 Dakar respectively. Interestingly, one imaginative designer has derived inspiration from such builds to come up with a concept Maserati MC20 Dakar Edition to conquer any terrain an off-roader would fancy. While one would argue that the Maserati Grecale and Levante SUVs already have a presence in the market for off-roading, this concept increases the stakes a level higher.
Destined to be a mid-engined supercar, the MC Dakar Edition rides on lifted suspension and gripper tires with additions like a pair of gripper hooks and a bespoke roof rack with front-facing lights. This fun project gives high weightage to fun and style over performance, so the conceptualizer doesn’t propose any upgrades to the mid-mounted twin-turbo V6 engine capable of generating 538 lb-ft of torque.
Keeping in mind this build is a Dakar edition, so the off-road modifications will disturb the aerodynamics and add to the overall weight. This will directly impact the top speed and acceleration. But if this supercar is off-roading for most of its clocked miles, it won’t matter. Continuing with the off-roading character of the vehicle, there are satin-finish aluminum skid plates on the rear and bumper extensions for a beefier profile. No doubt this concept would look dapper compared to the modified MC20.
We are not counting on the probability of this concept making it to real life as the designer works for 7 Design House which is a tuning company that has already weaved their magic on the Maserati MC20 Coupe and Cielo for visual enhancements. If potential owners like the idea of a Maserati turned into a Dakar Edition version, we could have a real version too in the future.
With just one joystick and two touchscreen panels, the Skyryse One is making helicopters more autonomous, intuitive, and safe.
Helicopters, like pretty much any airborne vehicle, are notoriously difficult to operate. You’ve got controls in front of you, beside you, sometimes even above you – it’s no wonder you need a license with hundreds of hours of training to be able to professionally pilot one. While understandably, you’d expect helicopter pilots to go through rigorous training before being certified to operate a hunk of metal through the sky, there’s really no need for control panels and dashboards to be as complicated as they are. Founded in 2016, Skyryse has been working to simplify how helicopters are operated. Distinct from traditional helicopters, the Skyryse One eschews conventional controls like the cyclic stick, collective lever, throttle, and anti-torque pedals for a simplified control scheme centered around a single stick and a touchscreen interface. This design philosophy is built around Skyryse’s proprietary SkyOS system, which aims to enhance safety by streamlining operations and automating critical functions such as takeoff, hovering, and in the event of system failures, autorotation and landing. The company’s first-ever helicopter, the Skyryse One, puts this new control panel front and center. In fact the company claims it’s so easy to learn, you need just 20 hours of practice before taking to the skies.
Eschewing the traditional, mechanically complex controls found in helicopters, Skyryse introduces a fly-by-wire system controlled by a single four-axis control stick and two touch screens. This system, powered by Skyryse’s proprietary SkyOS, brings an unprecedented level of simplicity and safety to aviation. Fly-by-wire, a technology where electronic systems replace mechanical ones, is not new to aviation but applying it to helicopters in such a simplified manner certainly is. The SkyOS enhances this system by continuously analyzing pilot input, environmental conditions, aircraft status, and flight parameters, ensuring the aircraft remains within a safe flight envelope.
One of the most groundbreaking features of the Skyryse One is its fully automated autorotation capability. In traditional helicopters, autorotation is a complex emergency maneuver required when the engine fails, demanding immediate and precise actions from the pilot. The Skyryse One, through SkyOS, automates this process, significantly reducing the pilot’s workload and making emergency landings safer.
Moreover, features like auto-pickup and set-down, swipe-to-start, and hover assist simplify operations that previously required intricate control and coordination. The inherent stability feature of the Skyryse One means that at any point, the pilot can release the controls, with the aircraft immediately activating autonomous protocols to maintain safe flying parameters.
Skyryse is making the dream of piloting more accessible. Despite its advanced technology, flying the Skyryse One only requires a standard helicopter Private Pilot License. For those already licensed for airplanes, transitioning to the Skyryse One involves just an additional 20 hours of flight training. This approach could significantly expand the helicopter pilot community by lowering the entry barrier to flying.
As revolutionary as it is, the Skyryse One comes with a hefty price tag of $1.8 million. However, for aviation enthusiasts and professionals looking for the cutting edge of safety and simplicity, the investment might well be worth it. The company has started accepting a $2,500 deposit for reservations, with deliveries expected to begin following airworthiness certification.
Living, Working, and Traveling have a new definition in 2024. Once, all three were separate entities; where you lived wasn’t where you worked, or where you worked you didn’t travel. But with trailers and camper vans, the entire definition is altering. Now, where you live is where you work, and where you work is where you travel. Based out of Cincinnati, Remote Vans has been making this transformation come real since 2021 and it’s reached a new high in 2024 with three new models—Friday, Oasis and Aegis.
The three Remote Vans variants are built on Mercedes Sprinter chassis with “power, comfort and connectivity” at the forefront. Born at the company’s new 30,000-square-foot production facility, all of the Friday, Oasis and Aegis are designed and fabricated in the factory except for slight metalwork carried out by a local vendor. While power comes from the Sprinter, comfort is ensured by the Remote Vans’ experience in Class B motorhomes, and connectivity is provided with Starlink high-speed internet. All of it is powered by a massive power bank, which can either juice up electrically or using a 190 watts solar panels.
Remote Vans is making inroads in the RV market now with some customized features that should put it in a different league from its competitors. For instance, the new Friday, Oasis and Aegis arrive with a company-built shower pan (recirculating and collapsible shower system), freshwater tank and other befitting features like Espar hydronic water and air heating system to make camping for extended time fun in them.
The new power bank – comprising a 16.8-kWh 51-V Lithionics battery and a 3,000W inverter – onboard these Remote Vans models comes with 60 percent more storage than in the previous models. It takes care of the power needs of an efficient 48-volt air conditioner that can run for days on portable energy. All three variants with features onboard are ideal for both small and grand expeditions but the base model Friday lacks some premium features like a suspension kit, long-range fuel tanks, and an option for additional solar panels that Oasis and Aegis do.
Friday, starting at $205,000 and includes a kitchen, queen bed, 90-degree swing seat, internal shower, portable toilet, roof rack, and awning. On the entry, you have a comfortable and warm living space, saturated with a legless bed, a scratch-proof kitchen, an overhead shelf, and lightweight upper cabinets. The kitchen comprising a countertop, induction cooktop, microwave, minimalist drawers, sink, and fridge is easily accessible from inside or outside of the van.
The queen-size Bascule Bed is designed to folds-up during the day to provide 17.4 sqft of unobstructed garage space beneath when required, while the interesting swivel seats and fold-out swivel table make possible multiple, remote workstation setups or dining possibilities on the go. The base essentials of the Friday remain the same for Oasis and Aegis, while some additional features spike up the price for the latter two camper vans.
Sowing the seed of Italian craftsmanship in car design will always be attributed to Marcello Gandini. Unfortunately, the legend passed away at the age of 85, leaving us with his iconic works including Lamborghini Countach and BMW Garmisch. He was the creative head behind the idea of incorporating the iconic scissor door and several other design innovations that were ahead of time.
Marcello’s cars have timeless appeal given they adorned the walls of automotive enthusiasts all over the world. Born in Turin, Italy, he worked as an interior designer and once was even rejected by Nuccio Bertone’s lead designer Giorgetto Giugiaro who himself had names like BMW M1, Maserati Ghibli and Lotus Esprit S1 under his design portfolio. Eventually, when Giugiaro moved on to Ghia in 1965, Gandini was hired by Bertone.
Designer: Marcello Gandini
This started an exciting journey that eventually led to designs like the Lamborghini LP500 prototype (earlier known as Countach), the Lancia Stratos Zero concept and the Alfa Romeo Monteral. During his 14-year stint at Bertone, he completed over 100 projects, most of which are deemed the classics in automotive design. His signature styles including the scissor doors and wedge-shaped outlines, even today capture everyone’s imagination. After leaving Bertone, Gandini started a new company with his wife Claudia. During this time he worked out of the box to design mass production cars for names like Polo, BMW and Renault.
He even worked with Tata Motors in the year 2017 to bring to life the TaMo Racemo sportscar concept. Gandini also helped design the Volkswagen Polo, second-generation Renault 5 and Citroen BX. In the latter half of his glorious career, he experimented with non-automotive projects like the Angel helicopter, an expansive house in Corsica and noticeable industrial and furniture design spaces.
The legendary designer died aged 85 all of a sudden in the Rivoli municipality of Turin on Monday which was a shock for the design community. His funeral chapel was held on Thursday from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., and Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. local time. The funeral will extend to Saturday to allow fans and the design community to pay homage.
Teardrop trailers have, arguably, taken the camping world by storm. The industry is flooded with small, mini, and micro trailers with their customization options to fit user desires and requirements. Offering extreme overlanding comfort with a sleeping area and functional galley kitchen in the rear, these lightweight trailers in addition to being exciting and fun are also comfortable and glamorous.
Following the lead arrives Dropy, a light, compact, comfortable and overly versatile teardrop trailer designed and developed by Barcelona-based Drop Campers. While on the exterior, the squared-off Dropy is just an ordinary trailer, it reveals some exciting new ways to keep it simple with an interesting layout.
The variation of the Dropy lies in its kitchen, which basically comprises a fold-down traction board at the back alongside a small slide-out to hold a petite stove. This interesting convertible makeover, which is starkly compact in comparison with the rear galley kitchen, leaves more room in the sleeping quarter for the inhabitants to explore. The folding table can double as a work desk or a casual table when you want to just sit and relax outside of your camping trailer.
Always ready for what you throw at it, the Dropy has been designed to travel on tar, gravel, and unbeaten trails without much fuss courtesy of its welded galvanized steel chassis comprising a torsion bar axle and choice of leaf spring or independent suspension. Within its aluminum composite, birch body, black Line-X cabin, insulated with Kaiflex closed-cell rubber, you can experience an unforgettable living space featuring a double mattress, overhead cabinets, and some drawers and shelves for storage.
The interior of the Dropy trailer is well-lit with a skylight, and boat side doors with sliding windows. The camper is more of a shell otherwise starting at €21,500 (approximately $23,500). It is the la carte options that scale up the price and the utility of the Dropy. To that accord, Drop Campers offers a range of options depending on the Crossover (all-road), SUV (all-terrain), or Offroad variant you go for. This includes the choice of 110W rooftop solar panels, lithium battery, hot air heating system, outdoor water tank with road shower, refrigerator, Primus 2-burner gas stove, indoor hanging hammock for kids or pets, bike rack for 2 bicycles, ski and surfboard carriers, side-mounted dresser and outdoor bathroom/toilet, and more.
The Batmobile, as a symbol of power, stealth, and ingenuity has captivated audiences for generations with its dynamic presence in the DC Comics universe. Beyond the pages of comic books and the screens, the crime-fighting accomplice has inspired real-world automotive designers to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. From its humble beginnings as a stylized car in the 1940s to its latest incarnation in the movies, the Dark Knight’s legendary ride has undergone numerous adaptations, each reflecting the technological advancements and design trends of its respective era.
While many of these interpretations remain confined to the realm of fiction, some have transcended into reality, sparking imaginations and fueling the dreams of automotive enthusiasts and designers alike. This concept design is no different as it lands straight out from a realm of the future for Gotham’s vigilante to take charge of the streets!
The humungous size of this crime-fighting machine can be gauged from the minuscule size of the driving seat. Top it off with those spiked-up wheels for maximum grip even in the most inhospitable terrain or inclement weather conditions. You can even deem this vehicle fit for a universe where Batman and the junkies of Mad Max collide. For sure it is built for high-speed chases in the city and the outer bounds with equal dexterity. The low-slung riding position and the wide tires ensure maximum grip aided by those metal spikes. The uniquely shaped rear wing seems inspired by the Formula-1 cars of the current generation to increase the downforce. This Batmobile looks fit for a circuit racing world with its motorsports-inspired shape.
To beep up the intimidation quotient while maintaining a modern look, the Batmobile gets small red LED headlights and fog lamps up front. The overall glossy bodywork is contrasted by the matte titanium grey finish that looks gorgeous.
