Before the release of the Cybertruck (for eager buyers), Tesla was developing an official accessory with Heimplanet to satiate the needs of adventure junkies. Known as the Cybertruck Basecamp Tent, the sleek and stylish add-on would turn the electric truck into a sporty off-grid camping vehicle for nature lovers.
The accessory has finally shipped for people who pre-booked and unfortunately, it looks nothing like the version promised in the 2019 renders and prototype. Just like the Cybertruck’s overblown bubble hype, the Basecamp Tent for the truck bed looks like a gray blob of unfinished and shabby product that’s more like a homeless encampment.
There are a lot of strings attached when we consider the ease of installation as Tesla recommends owners bring the thing to the service center for initial installation of the brackets. Ideally, that should not be the case as one should be able to seamlessly install it on his/her own. A user on the CybertruckOwnersClub forum says that “forcefully popping out the Aeroflap” just feels like a less-than-premium experience. Removing or reinstalling the Aeroflap compromises the waterproofing at the front of the vault. Also, the plastic pieces/clips hooked from the Aeroflap are susceptible to breaking with repeated use.
Strangely the manual lists down the “Tent Mode” – supposed to self-level on a sloped surface – which apparently doesn’t exist right now. So, should we expect some kind of update or add-on fix it? The second-hearted approach in launching this product is evident from the small little gripes. On a positive note, the Roof Peak clips are easy to locate and attach to the roof, as they fit along the triangle section of the truck’s window. This helps maintain the structural integrity of the tent, and once everything is in place, inflate the tent to set up the base for the night. Another advantage is the space under the stowed basecamp to store essentials. Not to mention the lightweight aesthetics and the use of premium materials.
If the price had been reasonable, my perspective would have been different about all the shortcomings in features and the overall design. But shelling out $3,000 for this unfinished accessory that’s a handful while installing and uninstalling, is not at all justified!
Electric vehicles are increasingly becoming preferred over gas-driven vehicles, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that EVs still have two psychological barriers they need to overcome – range anxiety, and long charging periods. Even with supercharging networks, you still need to wait multiple minutes to boost your batteries as compared to a gas station where you’ve filled your tank in probably under a minute. Electric cars and bikes are still working around trying to find a more tenable solution, but Hanoi-based Carota Design has a clever alternative. The D05 Electric Delivery Scooter concept comes with batteries located in the bottom, but what’s interesting is that they’re only detachable from the bottom too (you can’t lift them out through the top). As a result, the D05 also comes with a unique servicing platform that automatically detaches and replaces battery packs. All you need to do is drive onto the platform and park your electric scooter and an automated setup in the platform takes over the rest, detaching your old battery and inputting a new one, quite like a factory line. The process takes under a minute, is much safer than having humans remove and replace batteries, and is virtually theft and tamper-proof too, since you’d have to tip the entire scooter over onto its side if you wanted to manually take the battery out yourself. Sure, it’s just a concept for the time-being, but even on paper, it completely checks out.
The e-scooter has a rather utilitarian design, given its function. Made for last-mile commutes for deliveries, the scooter adopts a blockish form factor, highlighting its inner components and the two storage areas (one on the front, and one on the side). The D05 seats just one, has a low-hanging form factor that’s made further stable by the base-mounted heavy Li-ion batteries, and even though it’s fairly utilitarian, comes with a rather slick design featuring an interplay between silver and black parts, a clever use of lime green giving the e-scooter a splash of color, and hubless wheels that contribute to the D05’s future-forward design.
The battery-changing platform is pretty simple schematically, but does require a fair bit of technical expertise. The scooter needs to be parked perfectly on the platform for the arm to extend outwards, grab the old battery, disengage it, and replace it with a new battery. It’s rather similar to Tesla’s self-plugging charging snake from nearly a decade ago (2015 to be precise) but doesn’t require to be that calibrated. The battery modules move upwards and downwards, and one single platform can store as many as 7 battery packs (as per the schematic shown above), or even more if you detail it further. The process takes roughly a minute, quite like changing batteries on a TV remote, and once your new batteries are in, the scooter is ready to go.
That being said, having a replaceable battery system, no matter how convenient, does have its concerns. For starters, you need to produce MANY more batteries than EVs, since your battery network will have to account for availability, shortages, etc. That itself is a strain on the environment, but more so, the consumer faces a unique problem too – you don’t know whether the new, charged battery being put in your EV has 100% battery health. The freshly charged battery being added to your e-scooter at the charging platform could be 5-10 years old and therefore offer less range than a brand-new one. Moreover, older batteries could offer vulnerabilities, making the overall system slightly unsafe if they’re not monitored and taken out of circulation. In the broader scheme of things, having a charging network makes more sense because you can simply plug your e-scooter into any power outlet to be on the safe side instead of swapping out your batteries. Hopefully, EV companies could design a hybrid system of charging and battery replacement, making the adoption of EVs much smoother. Older batteries could eventually be recycled too, reducing strain on the environment in the longer run.
After dumping billions of dollars into the idea of an Apple Car, the Cupertino giant has officially scrapped the electric car project. So why are we ranting about it now? That’s because new details have surfaced about the inside stories of how the project was never the real deal from the beginning.
Some inside poking from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has unearthed interesting details about the highly anticipated four-wheeled car that could have been anything from a hatchback or sedan to an SUV or performance sports car. In the report by the trusted Apple tipster, there were some interesting revelations about the ambitious project that lingered on for a decade and finally laid to rest last week.
According to Gurman, the idea pool was divided majorly into two think tanks – ones who wanted less autonomy and others who vouched for a fully autonomous version without any human intervention. The second option was chosen and that was the real problem on practical grounds. They were confident of breaking the code for a full self-driving vehicle and eventually, it turned out to be a challenge that was more difficult than anticipated. Some of these decisions were taken in the early phase of the 2014s when the reality was not clear and ambitions were high. Of course with Tesla also on the horizon of gaining traction, it was motivation for the Apple Car team to break the code.
Time trickled through and when the Cupertino giant realized the idea was not feasible, it was too late. That said, now the monkey is off the back, we can enjoy some of the details that lie deep in the trenches of the initial design files. Yes, these mock-ups were referred to by the core team but we’ll never get hands on those secret documents since Apple is ultra-proactive when it comes to security. The next best thing is to put in as many details as possible in an AI tool (Meta AI to be precise) and come up with these cute Apple Car designs that Engadget found enchanting.
A showcase of the automotive geniuses for tomorrow, the Geneva International Motor Show 2024, saw some fascinating automobile innovations. Amid them, drenched in eye-piercing yellow theme, was Renault’s collaborative project carried out in association with reckoned French startups in the mobility sector.
Titled the Renault 5 Movements, it is a series of electric vehicles comprising a bicycle motocross, foldable sailboat, sea bike, snow bike, and a surfboard with an electric hydrofoil. This impressive and diverse range of Renault options is a nod to the elements of nature: earth, water, air, and snow, and is an integral part of the company’s 100 percent electric revolution.
For the earth, the R5 Evol BMX is an all-electric bicycle motocross designed in association with Olivier Le Quellec. The bike is powered by a 500W motor that can take you cruising at 45km/h. It is designed to combine “dynamism and performance,” which makes it a perfect option for urban commuting and living the bike thrill off the tar.
Taking to the water, Renault has a fantastic foldable sailboat designed with Antoine Simon. Dubbed the Reverso, the versatile and compact boat features a stable, rigid hull. With a payload capacity of 180 kg, this sailboat – that is apt to take a family for an outing – has a folding design. It can be disassembled into four separate floating sections for the convenience of transportation.
Following on is Renault and Flavien Neyertz’s Searacer. This electric sea bike developed for water sports, comes ready with a high-density motor that can give this electric jet ski-style a boost of up to 77km/h. The motor offers a two-hour range, which should appeal to pros and beginners alike. If the bike is not your type, Renault also has the Plume surfboard by Etienne Mombereau for you. Weighing 3kg, this surfboard with electric hydrofoil is designed to take you on water adventures at speeds of up to 35 km with 1.5 hours of run-time.
If your fancy is not satiated by the regular land and water rides, Renault has come up with an electric snowbike called the Moonbike designed by Nicolas Muron. Its chain and belt-free design comprises a track and a front ski that can help the Moonbike achieve top speeds of up to 40km/h. That should be a good speed for treading the snow paths with 3 hours of assured ride time. Whatever your choice, Renault 5 Movements has a ride for you. The information on pricing and any possible availability is in oblivion for now.
Ming watches exist for a clock enthusiast like me. No wonder then, I knew a thing or two about the lead founder and designer Ming Thein. I was aware that he is an avid photographer and a horologist, but honestly, I didn’t know he is also big enough a cycling buff to get Firefly to customize him an everyday bike that could fold to fit into his Rimowa luggage for easy travel.
Firefly Bicycles needs no introductions. It is known for customizing bikes to order whether you need a racer, a durable one for off-roading, or something “totally different,” in the case of Ming, a truly foldable commuter with all the bells and whistles.
Tailored to Ming Thein, is the pictured Firefly MiniVelo travel bike. It is by virtue a titanium bicycle designed to fit perfectly inside a Rimowa travel case. The custom-made bike has been specially designed to disassemble and assemble like a puzzle to fit into a briefcase and back to ride without a flinch.
The MiniVelo thrives on its lightweight and durable chassis that can be unfastened into two halves, with other parts following suit, disassembling to fit into a piece of compact luggage. The main highlight here, which makes the entire assembly and disassembly routine interesting, is the hydraulic line couplers built into the bike frame.
The innovation of this bike design extends to the 3D printed forks, SMC Govan tri-spoke wheels, and seat post made of carbon fiber, which together contribute to the lightweight of the MiniVelo travel bike. Furthering the idea of unique travel customized to user style, Firefly allows the titanium frame to be a canvas for anodizing.
The MiniVelo, as mentioned, is made to order for a horologist with a love for travel and cycling. Firefly is not likely to, at least at the time of writing, replicate the idea for mass production. But if you are fascinated by the idea of a titanium mini bicycle, you can fit in Rimowa luggage, head over to Firefly Bicycles, and request a customized option right away.
Overlanding adventures demand fully ruggedized camping trailers that can take whatever the dusty and bumpy roads have to throw at them. SylvanSport did the most spectacular, for the purpose, in the Go Camper, which won numerous accolades, including the title of the “Coolest. Camper. Ever,” by National Geographic. Now, to build on the Go Camper’s off-road capabilities, the outdoor adventure goods company from North Carolina has launched the all-new GOAT.
GOAT, the Go All Terrain trailer, is a lightweight, rugged off-roader that can haul your gear, bikes, and more alongside, giving you an on-site option to pitch your tent and sleep four in comfort. If you have been on the hunt for a compact trailer for camping and hauling, your search will end at the really impactful GOAT, which is towable by anything between a Subaru Wilderness, JEEP, or a Toyota Tacoma and the like.
GO All-Terrain with 1,200 lbs dry weight is designed for carrying up to 950lb payload. Its custom exterior powder-coated aluminum frame makes the lightweight trailer a more refined living space with greater versatility than the Go Camper. The GOAT has a 7-foot long, 4-foot wide, and 1.4-foot high versatile cargo area, which can double as a toy hauler for your motorbike or an ATV, if you may. Additionally, the rack system allows you to carry rooftop baskets, kayak carriers, and cargo containers safely.
When you are on the unbeaten path, you want your trailer to perform without a hiccup. To that end, the new SylvanSport’s trailer comes with all-terrain tires cushioned by Timbren HD Axle-Less suspension system, a comfortable 18 inches underbody clearance (with a spare tire hooked on the side to the aluminum body), and a very impressive 42 degrees departure angle. An optional off-read hitch makes it ready for any terrain, while the storage box on the front of the trailer gives 9 cubic feet of additional waterproof storage space.
The real magic of the GOAT is not its hauling capacity, it’s the living quarters it offers for on-the-go comfort. The canopy – ripstop nylon waterproof tent – pulls down from the trailer’s roof, attaches to the frame securely, and can be set up in under 10 minutes by two people, as seen in the promo video.
The roomy trailer is pretty impressive with 6 foot 5 inches of headroom in the center. You have a pull-down table, hooked to the front, for dining and working, while two separate (80 x 30 inch) beds flank it on both (left and right) sides. You have windows on the sides with see-through and privacy layers, and by using two table panels attached to the side beds, you get a king and a half size bed. The GOAT is available for preorder in Stealth Grey and Venture Green colorways. Its base price starts at $18,495. You can prebook now and delivery is expected to begin in April 2024.
The Charger Daytona electric version has been in my crosshair for quite some time now, and Dodge has finally pulled the drapes off. Yes, the production version of an equally potent Daytona with a dual-motor powertrain is finally official. The quiet beast can deliver the same performance as its big brother powered by the Hemi V8 engine.
This highly anticipated electric muscle car is slated to be available for buyers later this year in two variants – R/T and Scat Pack. Both these versions will further have a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan options. Securing the future for such drivetrains, Dodge has already revealed plans for a Banshee performance version of the electric Charger Daytona next year. As and when that one will be released, boy… it’s going to tickle the fancies of the most avid speed demons!
Talking of the technical specifications the electric Charger will be built on the STLA Large platform, the company’s top-of-the-line electric architecture designed for SUVs and heavy cars. There’s a bigger 100.5 kWh battery to provide all the performance-oriented power to the drivetrain. This will be accompanied by the 400V propulsion system for DC fast charging – enabling an 80 percent charge level in just 52 minutes. But we know what all you motorheads are interested in – that’s the acceleration and top speeds. The R/T churns out 456 horsepower, and 404Lb-ft of torque for shooting from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds. The Scat Pack has more under its belly with 630 horsepower and 627lb-ft of torque to go from 60mph in just 3.3 seconds.
Having a drag race at those speeds requires massive stopping power, hence, the electric Dodge Charger is fitted with huge 16-inch Brembo brakes and red six-piston front/four-piston rear fixed calipers. This is paired with the “Brake by Wire” intelligent braking system that uses a central module to control vehicle deceleration for “optimum braking force and pedal feedback.” Performance in different sets of conditions should also be a cakewalk given the electric Charger is loaded with Auto, Eco, Sport, and Wet / Snow on the R/T version. The Scat Pack variant will get two additional modes – Track and Drag. As clear from the names, the track mode will optimize the car for “maximum vehicle performance capability on smooth, dry surfaces; while the Drag mode is tailored for “optimal dragstrip launch and straight-line acceleration.”
Of course, a muscle car should not only look (with a faux exhaust) and perform like a beast but also need to have that heavy grunt to impart an impact on onlookers. Dodge has that sorted with the low-speed hum that turns into a growl as the car accelerates. Coming on to the interiors, the electric muscle car will have pretty much the same cabin build as the recent Charger models. However, there will be a tad more gadgets and technology to match the electric vehicle theme. On the front there are dual free-standing displays, one is a 10.3- or 16-inch gauge cluster and the other is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The steering wheel is more squared-off and the pistol-grip gear shifter is placed on the center console.
The automotive designs that have been pouring in at Yanko Design have truly blown our minds! Each automotive design was cutthroat and innovative, bringing in something that we don’t usually see in the market. From killer speed to dashing good looks, to impenetrable safety standards, every automotive we featured at YD broke some design barrier for us, and hopefully, they did the same for you as well. Hence, we’ve curated a collection of automotive designs that we feel were the best of the lot. Each of these drool-worthy automobiles is mercilessly pushing the boundaries of the automotive industry. Automotive enthusiasts will be itching to get their hands on them, and take them for a spin on the streets!
1. The Diode
Called the Diode, this e-bike concept was designed by Tien Hung, and it has a neo-minimalistic design that pays tribute to the future of the electric power train. The bike is almost invisible, excluding one singular horizontal pillar that runs from the dashboard to the taillight, with a large battery module placed underneath it. The bike also has a powerful rear-wheel drivetrain, and a cushy seat.
2. Mayla Yacht
This 44-foot GT super boat by Mayla Yacht is designed to surpass the current designs in the market – in terms of both aesthetics and visual presence. It also comes with an option of gas, diesel, electric, and hybrid powertrains delivering 3000 HP. The monster engines are capable of pushing the speedboat to a top speed of 100 knots.
3. Ford Mini Bronco
The Ford Mini Bronco was designed by Mexico-based Kobayashi, and they gave us a sneak peek into the year 2030. This exceptional car has been designed for the year 2030, and it features modern elements, with a compact two-door configuration, that will remind you of the Suzuki Jimny. It is created to redefine and rejuvenate the off-road segment, by giving it a new perspective.
4. Gocycle CXI Family Cargo Bicycle
Gocycle recently unveiled the lightweight Gocycle CXI Family Cargo Bicycle that carries with it the properties of lightweight and portability for people who can’t deal with cumbersome cargo bikes. The lineup includes two e-bikes – the CXi and the CX+ which are quite similar, except the latter one has the new FloFit Handlebar. It permits adjustments for reach height, multiple hand positioning, fingertip controls, and grip angle to toggle the upright or forward stance.
5. Palladio
Dubbed Palladio, this concept for a hybrid yacht is designed to be ultra-light and can speed up to 55 knots maximum. It looks straight out of a sci-fi movie set in water and features a futuristic, mouth-shaped, avant-garde design that gives the impression that a pod is cruising through the waters. The yacht is made from carbon fiber propelled via twin Castoldi jets, and powered by two FTP engines.
6. MOQBA
This unique conceptual design is a mix of an e-scooter and a bike, and it can climb stairs! Called the MOQBA, it is designed to be the next-gen mobility ride for those who face difficulty in mobility. It is not designed to be a two-wheel automotive, in fact, it rides on four independent legs with wheel extensions. It is designed to be an extraordinary and innovative mini mecha for the future!
7. Model-A
Alef Aeronautics is a California-based sustainable electric transportation company, and it received government certification to fly its Model-A flying car over certain parts of the state, including Silicon Valley. The car is supposed to be the first of its kind and can function as a real car would on the road, but it is also able to vertically take off and fly in the skies. It is truly a step forward to having more vehicles in the sky, besides just planes and helicopters.
8. Xpeng AeroHT eVTOL Flying Car
Named the Xpeng AeroHT eVTOL Flying Car, this flying car was designed and developed by the AeroHT electric aviation wing of the Chinese auto company XPeng. The eVTOL flying car is a far cry from the conventional designs found on the market, it is a modular car with a unique and refreshing approach. It has a two-part design – one part car, and the other part is eVTOL, letting the vehicle seamlessly switch between aerial and land modes.
9. BMW Motorrad CH4 Superbike
This stunning café racer is designed by Sabino Leerentveld and it brings the image of Tony Stark taking on the bad guys in an uber-cool style. It features an aerodynamic geometric shape, and big fat wheels designed to provide a high-speed adrenaline rush. The BMW Motorrad CH4 superbike has a total Tony Stark influence and would look exceptional snaking through crowded city streets in hot pursuit of the villains.
10. MIMIC E-Bike
Meet the – MIMIC e-bike! The MIMIC e-bike resembles a crouching jungle cat, and it is a powerful electric bike designed by Roman Dolzhenko. It is equipped with a body that looks more like armor than a bike and features a rounded Tron Light Cycle-inspired form that is outfitted with rounded elements, and a complete absence of sharp edges or straight lines.
We’ve seen the Cybertruck handle off-road tasks with the ease of a machete cutting through soft butter… Whether it’s asphalt, gravel, sand-dunes, or even a shallow riverbed, it seems like Cybertruck drivers have managed to push the electric pickup truck to its limits to have it conquer those surfaces, but what about snow? YouTuber Heavy D Sparks decided to test the truck’s off-road abilities by having it run on one of the trickiest surfaces for any vehicle, snow-capped hills. Except, he wasn’t planning on just taking the Cybertruck as is, no… Heavy D Sparks decided to build the world’s first (and only) Cybertrack – a truck/snowmobile hybrid with treads instead of wheels. Borrowing a Cybertruck from fellow YouTuber Supercar Ron, Heavy D Sparks (also known as Heavy Diesel) decided to give the truck its biggest hardware upgrade ever.
The aim was to outfit the Cybertruck with “hell tracks,” a modification promising unparalleled off-road prowess. This endeavor was not without its hurdles, though; given the Cybertruck’s sheer weight and output, multiple parts and brackets ended up needing reinforcements because of how heavy the truck was. Parts would break, fold like cardboard, or even completely disengage, causing the truck to lose control or stop working entirely.
The truck was sourced from Supercar Ron, who happened to have an early Founder’s Edition of the Cybertruck, and very graciously gifted it to the Diesel Brothers team to modify however they saw fit. The journey of modification was a meticulous process involving the creation of custom parts such as bumpers and the addition of extra batteries in the back to support the massive lights installed on the top and the front courtesy Baja Designs. Finally, the truck got a custom wrap featuring a unique camouflage pattern that mimicked the Cybertruck’s angular design.
Testing the modified vehicle revealed a stark duality of success and challenge. On one hand, the Cybertruck demonstrated enhanced stability and performance, a direct result of the thoughtful modifications. On the other, the project was met with significant mechanical setbacks, including a broken spindle—a clear indicator of the factory parts’ limitations under rigorous testing conditions.
However, when the Cybertrack DID work on snow, Heavy D (who was piloting the vehicle) pointed out that the truck was handling the snow incredibly smoothly. “It feels so stable,” he mentioned. “I would feel totally comfortable loading this thing full of skiers and going to the top of any ski resort around, like the steepest runs.” The truck could comfortably cruise around at 40 to 50mph on snow, although there’s a fair discrepancy between what the speedometer says versus your actual ground speed. The speedometer outputs nearly double of what your actual ground speed is (because of how the treads rotate and how that translates to actual ground movement). It held its own on steep inclines too, but there was a bit of a malfunction right towards the end of the video.
Unexpectedly, the project received an encouraging nod from Tesla, an acknowledgment that perhaps was not anticipated. This support not only underscored Tesla’s openness to seeing its vehicles pushed to new boundaries but also cemented a deeper appreciation for the brand and its leadership, marking a positive shift in perception among the project team.
There’s a Part 2 video coming soon, with probably more repairs and modifications to the Cybertrack. You can follow Heavy D Sparks on YouTube for more.
The fact that the world’s fastest FPV drone looks somewhat like a missile is simultaneously incredibly cool and incredibly scary. It might change how we watch F1 races, but it has the potential to change much more than just that.
This just seems like the kind of crazy thing Red Bull would pull off. The company decided to challenge multiple-time F1 champion Max Verstappen to a race – the catch, Verstappen would be behind the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car, while his opponent would be the world’s fastest FPV drone. The project was in collaboration with Dutch Drone Gods, a group of FPV drone makers and pilots known for holding the existing title of the world’s fastest FPV filming drone with a 150km/h top speed. The only problem – Verstappen’s F1 car is more than twice as fast.
Drones aren’t new in the F1 circuit, given that the racing organization uses a combination of aerial filming methods to get their shots. Sustained footage is taken on helicopters that hover above the track, but for up-close shots, the F1 team relies on drones… the only problem is that these drones don’t follow the car around. They simply hover in the air, taking cinematic panning/dolly shots before the camera angle changes. Understandably, creating a drone that can follow an F1 car around like a third-person camera in a video game is just a tad bit short of impossible. Drones have a notoriously low flight time, outputting probably a maximum of 15-20 minutes of flight before their batteries get drained. Moreover, F1 cars can hit speeds of almost 400km/h and are designed to be highly responsive, making razor-sharp turns on the tarmac. The Dutch Drone Gods’ FPV maxes out at 150km/h, and can’t perform sharp maneuvers in mid-air. This meant redesigning the drone to hit higher speeds while being responsive, and perhaps most importantly, not melting or exploding in the air because of all the heat generated by hitting upwards of 300km/h speeds.
Pilot and Founder of DDG Ralph Hogenbirk and F1 World Champion Max Verstappen with the Red Bull PFV Drone
The process saw multiple iterations from the Dutch Drone Gods’ team, who took up the challenge of pushing their drone to be as fast as a Formula 1 racecar. The challenge, aside from speed, was also to make the drone maneuverable, and durable. Initial tests yielded a few pitfalls, wires would melt under extreme heat, parts would wear and tear or even explode, but more interestingly, the drone’s stability would take a beating just because of the wind turbulence created by the F1 car as it zoomed across the track. Two rounds of prototypes also showed that simple off-the-shelf components and 3D-printed outer shells couldn’t handle the task, so the DDG team decided to visit the Red Bull Advanced Technologies headquarters to partner with the team there to design the drone. The new drone had machined metal structures, speed-capable inner components, and an FRP composite outer shell that was lightweight but highly resilient.
The final drone prototype got one single chance to race against Verstappen in the latest RB20 car on the Silverstone track. It fared incredibly well against Verstappen, filming the car as it blitzed through the track. The goal wasn’t to go faster than Verstappen’s car, that would be a foolish mistake, but rather, to capture the racecar from a unique following PoV, giving the audience the effect of moving at the same speed as Verstappen. F1 race broadcasts are already pretty exciting to begin with, but imagine being able to follow a car with a camera, capturing the intense speed, adrenaline, and reflexes of the race in real-time…
The engineering of Red Bull’s FPV drone could potentially revolutionize the landscape of F1 filming. Instead of static camera shots or quick drone shots that just pan across a track, Red Bull has potentially unlocked the ability to now follow cars as they race, creating an even more thrilling broadcast that could practically reinvent how people enjoy the sport. Heck, I could totally conceive the creation of a drone racing championship as a result too. The implications for Hollywood are just as exciting too, with cinematic drones getting a whole lot faster thanks to the Red Bull FPV Drone’s unique shape.
However, a drone hitting speeds of 350km/h has its own pitfalls too. Reconnaissance, surveillance, or potentially even weapon-based payload delivery could somehow become even easier and more accessible to anyone with the right tools. Sure, the Red Bull FPV drone isn’t a ballistic missile, but it’s dangerously close to being unstoppable. Try stopping a drone cutting through a military zone or an airport at 350km/h. This new world is exciting, but just as scary too.
That doesn’t take away from how incredibly impressive Red Bull and Dutch Drone Gods’ demonstration was. The Red Bull FPV Drone currently holds the record for defeating its predecessor by a factor of nearly 200km/h. The new FPV drone also gets the bragging rights of being able to keep up with Verstappen, a feat that not even other F1 racers can hold claim to!
