Tag Archives: cybertruck

Cybertruck On Steroids? YouTuber Builds An All-Terrain ‘Rhino Tank’ With Hemispherical Wheels

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The attitude of an ATV with the body of a tank, Colin Furze’s Rhino Tank is an obnoxiously beautiful hunk of metal that really makes the Cybertruck look like a bit of a simp… Don’t quote me. However, Furze’s build isn’t really the success he hoped it would be, as he documents in the video. While the Rhino Tank looks like an absolute beast, its unique design does give up under demanding conditions, like driving down a swamp. I doubt if the Cybertruck could pull that weight on wet swampy grounds too…

Designer: Colin Furze

The British-based YouTuber got the idea for building this beast out to test its viability, following a few experimentations by people in the past. The Rhino Tank’s most defining feature remains its uniquely hemispherical wheels, which are designed to help give the tank traction even on uneven surfaces or when the tank’s at a slight tilt… especially in mud.

The truck’s design, and its name too, come from a wild 1950s concept called the Rhino, designed and built by Elie Aghnides – an inventor also credited with designing the aerator that fits on standard taps to help conserve water. It’s said that Aghnides was inspired to create his original concept while looking at a waterfall, and had originally built out his prototype as a one-off schematic to sell to the military. It didn’t work for a variety of reasons, some of which Furze also found himself facing with his current build.

To build out his 2023 redesign, Furze started off with a hydraulic dump truck, which he stripped and re-clad with a Cybertruck-like sheet-metal body. The axles were tilted to 15°, and the massive semi-circular wheels were mounted in place. The wheels featured longitudinal ridges that would serve as additional traction, along with rubber treads on the rim to help it actually grip roads and tarmacs with ease.

Experimentation showed that the Rhino Tank did, indeed, work rather well on land, but had problems with inclines. The hemispherical wheels weren’t particularly great on sharp turns, giving you the feeling that you would tilt and roll over with enough centrifugal force. The wheels also struggled with mud, as Furze found himself cruising through the water rather easily (thanks to the massive wheels and their ground clearance), but getting stuck in bushes. Ultimately, it took a JCB to pull the tank out of its literal quagmire.

While the build and the experimental runs were a lot of fun, Furze also pointed out the real reason why the tank was rejected by the military. Even though the hemispherical wheels were the tank’s most unique detail, they were their Achilles heel too, because if the tank was ever under fire, the hollow wheels would get pierced, allowing things like water, mud, and dirt to seep in. This would make the tank incredibly heavy and sluggish, defeating its true purpose, and also causing it to begin rusting from the inside. Maybe if we used the Cybertruck’s bulletproof steel instead…

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This Tesla Cyberbike concept was designed entirely by Artificial Intelligence

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Tesla Cyberbike

While the Cybertruck is still a conceptual vehicle, we thought we’d up the stakes and imagine what a Tesla Cyberbike would look like!

Looking sort of like the Tesla Cyberquad’s meaner older sibling, the Cyberbike comes with the same edgy, angular metal fairing that houses Tesla’s game-changing electric powertrain underneath. However, this isn’t an official Tesla concept, heck it isn’t even a fan-made one. These conceptual images (there are a bunch of them below) were designed primarily using Midjourney’s Text-to-Image AI. I simply described the Tesla Cyberbike to the AI bot and was greeted by some rather phenomenal-looking images of an edgy, low-poly e-bike with a broad, aggressive body made primarily of sheet metal. The AI experimented with other aspects of the e-bike too – no two headlights look the same, and some of the tires seem rather angular as well, but the results make two things abundantly clear… that A. Artificial Intelligence is an incredibly powerful creative tool, and B. Someone should really build these out because they look absolutely BONKERS.

Designer: Midjourney (Prompts by Sarang Sheth)

Tesla Cyberbike

These images are courtesy Midjourney’s latest V4 upgrade, which now allows users to use images in their text prompts. I simply selected a few minimalist bike designs and told the AI to expand on it by creating an ‘electric motorcycle inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck’. For the most part, the AI did a pretty remarkable job of understanding how angular the Cybertruck’s design is and superimposing that on the ‘Cyberbike’, but the one thing the AI currently lacks is consistency. Each image is of a ‘new’ bike that doesn’t look quite like the other concept. If anything, this article is more of a moodboard for what a Tesla Cyberbike should look like. If Franz von Holzhausen (Tesla’s lead designer) is reading this, here you go! You’re welcome!

Tesla Cyberbike

The bike concepts have a few things in common, they’re all rather broad, with an imposing silhouette that makes them feel more like a superbike than your average e-bike. Those thicc-AF tires reinforce that idea too, although some concepts make the tires just as edgy and sharp as the Cyberbike’s fairing itself. Giving the AI a cyberpunk theme resulted in a few interesting variants with some beautiful headlights (all LED strips) and some concepts like the one below even put lights in the tires, making the e-bike look like something out of Tron.

Tesla Cyberbike

Tesla Cyberbike

The AI obviously doesn’t grasp technicalities, which is why a lot of the concepts may not seem entirely feasible but are more of a general visual direction. Some concepts forget to render footrests, some of them play rather loosely with internal components – almost none of the concepts have an exhaust pipe, but there are a few that look like they’ve got a fuel-powered engine. I like that they’ve all skipped the rear view mirrors too, almost like an internal joke about how the Cybertruck didn’t have rear view mirrors during its debut! There are no cracked glass panels on these concepts, thankfully.

Tesla Cyberbike

Tesla Cyberbike

This Tesla Cyberbike exploration eventually turned into a headlamp exploration, with the AI going all in on new headlight styles. They’re all undoubtedly sporty, and LED-strip lighting seems to be a recurring theme, but unlike the Cybertruck that just has a single strip running from left to right, these concepts experiment with new shapes and a split-headlight design that gives the motorbike MUCH more character.

Tesla Cyberbike

The glowing shock absorbers are a nice touch, no?! The image below even goes as far as adding strips to the base and rear for a rather interesting overall aesthetic.

Tesla Cyberbike

Even with close-ups, the AI did a phenomenal job of rendering out the details of the Cyberbike’s headlight, the glass cover, and even cutouts for air intakes around it, and doing so while keeping things bilaterally symmetrical. Peep in further and you can see what looks like additional lights with reflectors and textured glass, but then again, these images are to be taken strictly at face value.

Tesla Cyberbike

My final experiments were to also design a dashboard for the motorcycle, and it seems like the AI preferred something more traditional and circular, although a massive touchscreen display seems to be more of a standard in Tesla cars. This dashboard is entirely digital too, although the numbers and letters are gibberish because the AI isn’t capable of generating meaningful text yet (it’s something Nvidia seems to have cracked with their latest AI tool eDiff-I, although that isn’t open for public use yet).

Earlier this year we also covered what an AI-designed Apple Car would look like, created by another AI art bot by the name of DALL·E 2. AI art is definitely making waves this year, and while a lot of talented artists (rightfully so) are afraid this may be the end of human-made art, the tool should also be viewed for what it is, and incredible ideation software that designers and artists can use to create rapid concepts that take mere minutes instead of hours or days.

Tesla Cyberbike

The post This Tesla Cyberbike concept was designed entirely by Artificial Intelligence first appeared on Yanko Design.

Here’s the Tesla CyberBike nobody ever asked for but everyone secretly wanted

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Equal parts edgy, cyberpunkish, cold, and dominating, the NUPO e-sports bike is clearly the two-wheeled spiritual successor to the Cybertruck. The conceptual two-wheeler is remarkably lithe yet not traditionally aerodynamic. It plays with volumes rather wonderfully, just the way the Cybertruck did, and always opts for simpler surfaces rather than complicated ones. Couple this with that rather cold and calculating light-strip headlight, and the silver paint job and the NUPO looks like the electric motorcycle we wish Tesla would make already.

Designer: HCY

The e-sports motorbike comes with a superbike’s design framework, albeit with an electric heart instead of a gasoline one. The rather large-ish mass on the front acts as the housing for the battery, which occupies the most space in any e-bike over other components, and even gives the motorbike its central weight to create the kind of balance needed while riding. Although details are scant considering this is just a concept, it’s safe to say that the NUPO has a rear-wheel motor (visible in the first image), and charges electrically via a port located right where you’d expect a traditional motor cycle’s fuel-tank inlet to be. The e-bike boasts of a metallic design that’s wonderfully proportioned and balanced by split surfacing and the use of black accents on the motorbike’s predominantly silver design. The Cybertruck’s windows and windshield helped cut the EV’s mass, and given that motorbikes don’t have that luxury, NUBO uses the seat and parts of its fairing to help split surfaces and cut the bulk.

The electric motorcycle market is yet to see the kind of explosion the EV industry is having. Sure, companies like BMW Motorrad and Ducati are playing their small roles, but for the most part, a majority of motorcycles are still gas-powered. The conditions are perfect for Tesla to disrupt this space too (one could argue that their tech is already pretty capable and two-wheelers are easier to manufacture than cars), but it doesn’t quite seem like Elon is much of a biker!

The post Here’s the Tesla CyberBike nobody ever asked for but everyone secretly wanted first appeared on Yanko Design.

Space Camper reimagines Cybertruck for a couple’s camping in extreme blimey

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We are yet to have a real-life Cybertruck in spite of hearing about it since 2019. Years have passed through the pandemic, and Elon Musk’s dream project is only getting a deferred launch date. That said, there is no dearth of imaginers who spends hours and days on their digital art software to render the most lucrative camper design to make the Cybertruck – when launched – a substantial travel camper for couples.

Space Camper is the latest name to enter the domain of Cybecamper idealizers. This space has gone incredibly buzzing since the Elon Musk detailed at the Cybertruck announcement that it would be accompanied by a trailer and a pop-up tent of its own, giving rise to a host of designs imagining the camping version of the Cybertruck.

Designer: Space Camper

Amid all the fandom, the Cybertruck was expected to launch in 2021. It didn’t happen as planned, partly because of the supply chain hiccups during the pandemic and partly because of Musk’s Twitter misadventure. But for the fans, there is no Cybertruck yet, and perhaps no certainty of when it will happen for real. Before Tesla rolls out the space-age model or someone beats Musk to the ground, we have only eyes to feed with the Space Camper style designs of a camping-enabled Cybertruck for the modern nomads preferring to live and work on the road.

Equipped to take a couple anywhere on tar, gravel, and boulders – the Space Camper is designed from aerospace-grade materials for durability. The wedge-style unit tethers to the back of the Cybertruck without much fuss. It is positioned close to the road and can be pulled up to camp anywhere instantly. Onboard air-powered actuators are used to retract the camper to a halt in under a minute. For the concerned, the wedge-style opening allows 8-foot headroom, while the built-in awing offers additional open space.

So, load your gear, and hop into the Cybertuck with the Space Camper attached to the rear. Take the untravelled roads on the journey and stop over by the remotest lake to retract the Murphy bed in the attached camper and sleep over staring at the stars in the open sky. The camper is packed with extensions tucked away under the bed which can double as table and seating. For the more serious adventurists, the camper is topped with a modular racking system on the roof that can hold the gear, carry your raft or bike, or even be fastened with solar panels for near off-grid camping. To enhance the abilities of the electric truck for camping, the 470lbs camper has a battery pack capable of delivering about of week of backup in the wilderness.

While this may sound almost apt for some, there would be a section that would complain about the lack of a kitchen or bathroom. Reportedly, add-ons like a kitchen, and outdoor bathroom are possible, if the customer requires them.

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Tesla-inspired automotives that are paving the path of modern innovation

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There’s something about Tesla that instantly inspires designers! Or maybe it’s Elon Musk. He’s the kind of innovator who works towards resolving current issues while keeping his eyes wholly focused on the future. He possesses an uninhibited curiosity that he lets run unfettered, and one of the results is Tesla –  a forerunner in the electric automotive industry, especially when it comes to innovation and invention. Their designs are groundbreaking, as well as consistent breakers of conventions in the automotive industry, making them a major inspiration for designers all over the world! The result is unique and breathtaking Tesla-inspired automotive designs that honestly seem like the real deal. And, we’ve curated some of the best of the lot for you! From an autonomous Tesla HGV to Cybertruck-inspired bossy café racer – these innovative automotives will surely blow your minds!

1. Tesla Model M

Model M is designed keeping in mind the tight urban spaces, hence, the detachable handlebars make complete sense. The electronic kickstand makes the ride easy to park without any hassles. When it comes to adventure escapades, Tesla Model M has your needs covered. Right where the fuel tank of traditional bikes is, there is a detachable bag with its own battery that powers the lights and the multimedia system. The bag comes with its own start/stop system that acts as an anti-theft mechanism.

2. The Tesla Autonomous E-Rig semi

Industrial and transport designer Jeremy Dodd take the vision of the Tesla heavy goods vehicle to the next level with the Tesla Autonomous E-Rig semi. This ultra-futuristic Tesla concept identifies the basic problem with HGVs that have an average speed of 50 mph, and have to drive for virtually 9 hours of the day, 5 days a week. This creates an environmental impact, and a pure, purposeful, and functional method of hauling heavy goods is the need of the hour. This Autonomous trailer in a way is destined to solve this with even more to make it highly useful. The HGV has an extendable extension to adapt to the needs of the client, the geographic location, and the nature of the cargo to be hauled. The driving cockpit’s top and the bay of the trailer are solar powered to charge the battery reserve on the go.

3. The Jeep Pickup

The Jeep Pickup sports the same low-poly edgy design as the Cybertruck, although it isn’t shy to explore curves, complex 3D surfaces, and an overall aesthetic that’s more expressive than Cybertruck’s bare-basics minimal design. The concept makes use of both sheet metal as well as carbon-fiber, creating a dual-color effect around the front, sides, and back that’s definitely interesting to look at. The mammoth of a vehicle floats majestically off the floor with ground clearance that’s enough to let you drive over boulders without worrying about them hitting the underside of your car. This concept may look like it was designed to have an electric powertrain under the hood, although grilles on the front of the car make me wonder otherwise.

4. The Fresco XL

The suffix XL in Fresco XL comes from the fact that even though the car looks like a compact minivan, it is, in fact, an 8-seater sedan, designed to perform as an all-weather, off-roader too. Is it trying to disrupt the sedan category the way the Tesla Cybertruck disrupted the pickup-truck category? Well, probably. The car looks more like an abstraction of a Daft Punk helmet than an automobile, and sports absolutely no branding on it aside from the minimal Fresco logo embossed on the front and back. In fact, the logo isn’t even visible until you see it against angled light. The purpose, one could assume, is to ensure the design of the car does the talking.

5. The Dust Tesla

Draped in a completely metallic finish, the bike is destined to have time-traveled from the dystopian future. The clear geometric lines and the definitive aerodynamic build will put most of the other Tesla bike concepts to shame. It is that sexy! The long wheelbase of the Dust Tesla defies the structural stability, but hey, it has arrived from the future, where technologies are definitely beyond our comprehension. Those hubless wheels and the swingarm on the electric bike evoke a sense of dynamism that is hard to give a miss. The sharp lines flowing from the front of the bike to the rear bring a profound sense of the superhero’s favored accomplice-like feel at first glance.

6. Cybercat

Cybercat is a hydrofoil-boosted set of amphibious mechanics designed to attach to Tesla’s yet-to-be-released Cybertruck and transform it into an all-electric catamaran. Announced in 2019, Tesla’s Cybertruck has yet to reach production. With no hint of the new vehicle hitting the streets anytime soon, our impatience for Elon Musk is making space for our imaginations to run wild. Designing a set of seafaring add-ons for Tesla’s yet-to-be-released pickup model, Seattle-based designer Anthony Diamond conceptualized Cybercat, a set of amphibious mechanics that transforms Cybertruck into an all-electric catamaran.

7. The Tesla Muskrat Hypercar Concept

The Tesla Muskrat Hypercar Concept makes the Roadster look like a dune buggy. From the mind of automotive virtuoso Khyzyl Saleem, the Tesla Muskrat (a name unanimously chosen by Saleem’s IG followers) puts a little meat on the Roadster, making it stand its own against other hypercars like the ones from Czinger, Rimac, Polestar & Evija. The Muskrat builds on the Roadster’s base but with a few key modifications that really bring out the car’s wild side. After all, for a car that’s literally touted to be equipped with rocket thrusters, it should absolutely look the part, no?

8. The Model 2

Inspired by the tall-boy styling of Model Y, Model 2 has a pair of scissor doors, four seats, and a full glass canopy. The way the doors open is rather unusual, but for a car that’s designed around tight dimensions, the way the doors open is all about tightness too, allowing you to practically park the car anywhere without worrying about being able to open or close the doors. The car’s doors slide out before opening upwards in the scissor-door fashion, while the inside of the car, staying true to Elon’s tweet, barely squeezes 4 adults with sliding seats to facilitate ingress and egress.

9. The Volvo XC

The bold Scandinavian design of the Volvo concept pictured here is apparent in the clean surfaces with a fused geometry of the simple shape. This dominating design language brings a timeless sophisticated look to Volvo XC. Automotive designer Chris Lah likes to express his digital creation’s visual domineer as comparable to the solid mass of Thor’s hammer and shield. It’s fluid yet rugged according to him. The front section of the electric Volvo SUV has a bullet profile for the nose – lending it an intimidating form. Since the SUV is electric powered, the front grill section is covered off. Bold Fender design is oriented and contrasted with a simple boxy geometric volume for a modern yet robust persona.

10. The Navetta Volante

 The Navetta Volante, which translates to Flying Shuttle, comes with a 2+2 design (hence the term Shuttle) and feels like a cross between the Urus, and what Jamil cites as his true inspiration for the car, a lesser-known Lamborghini concept from 2008 – the Estoque. Jamil clearly sees the Estoque as Lamborghini’s missed opportunity to build a street-friendly car for the average joe (with the right amounts of money to spend). “I believe at the time of the Estoque, 4 door super saloons were quite interesting and I guess it would have fit very well along with the Rapide, Panamera, and Quattroporte”, Jamil casually mentions. The Navetta Volante, however, represents what the Estoque would evolve into in today’s day and age

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There’s something weirdly appealing about this e-bike’s design… and it’s thanks to the Cybertruck

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[The designers of this product is of Ukrainian origin. YD is sharing work from Ukrainian designers/students in the hopes of amplifying their talent and giving them a global platform.]

Meet Reverso, an e-bike that reverses every single automotive design instinct ever. I guess we could attribute its design direction to the Cybertruck, which sort to challenge the norms too with a design that was strikingly different from anything that came before it. The Reverso sits firmly in that class too, with an aesthetic that I’m struggling to put together in words, only because I can’t really find a frame of reference.

Designers: Miller Shapes Design & Denys Silich

Analyzing the Reverso’s strange design turned out to be much more fun and insightful than I expected. It started with asking myself exactly what I found ‘wrong’ with the motorcycle’s design… then asking if those attributes were actually important in making something a ‘motorcycle’. After all, a motorcycle is exactly that – a motor attached to a cycle.

My first response to the analysis on what I found odd about Reverso was its rejection of standard proportions. Motorcycles are shaped almost like animals. They have a torso, a head, a spine, and when viewed from the side, they have an almost feline or greyhound-like appearance. Reverso, on the other hand, doesn’t. That’s also due to the fact that Reverso shatters the second weird myth I had about motorcycles and automobiles in general – that curved bodies made for greater aesthetics and aerodynamics. The Cybertruck, at least if its performance specs are accurate, is nothing short of a fast beast – and I assume that the same stands for Reverso. Its chunky body with cuboidal forms definitely doesn’t epitomize elegance and speed – if nothing it looks robotic and has an impression of an almost mechanical agility to it.

None of Reverso’s details or parts look ‘standard’ and that’s what makes the e-bike look so alluring. Aside from its wheels (which thankfully look like wheels and not hex-bolts), Reverso’s entire design looks odd. It has weirdly recessed headlights, a strange pair of perfectly rectangular side mirrors, a seat that definitely doesn’t look like your average ergonomic butt-rest, and a chunky torso that makes you really wonder what’s under the hood. Is there a fuel tank underneath there? Well, there jolly well could be, although the lack of a tailpipe makes me think otherwise. Where’s the battery located? Is it detachable? Is there extra storage? It’s normal to have these doubts – but that doesn’t necessarily make an e-bike’s design ‘bad’, does it?

Well, to be frank, I’m still processing Reverso’s design and learning to stop myself when I find my brain hating something it doesn’t understand. It comes a lot easier knowing that Reverso is just a concept and not an actual e-bike. The Cybertruck, on the other hand, well, I’m still on the fence there.

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This Cybertruck-shaped hardshell backpack is the latest weird must-have accessory for Tesla fanboys

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If you’ve already pre-ordered the Tesla Cyberquad, built the LEGO Cybertruck, and placed your bid for the Cyberwhistle, here’s the next piece of merch you probably should throw unquestioningly your money on. Designed to look quite like the Cybertruck’s angular form, the Cyberbackpack is an unofficial, fan-made backpack big enough to store laptops up to 17.3 inches in size, with a silvery hardshell outer cover that looks unmistakably like the highly anticipated (and overdue) electric pickup truck.

Designer: Cyberbackpack

Strangely enough, the Cybertruck’s design translates rather seamlessly to that of a backpack – and prior to the launch of the Cybertruck in the year 2019, the Cyberbackpack would have still been a pretty cool little bag to carry your laptop and belongings in. Now, it’s an icon in its own right and is recognizable to almost anyone.

The bag features a large interior cavity that can be accessed through a single zip (with a TSA-approved lock for security), as well as expanded by another 5 centimeters. The hard-shell design protects your bag’s contents from any impact, while also preventing your bag from sagging downwards (this way, it appears lighter by clinging closer to your body instead of weighing you down).

The backpack’s design comes from Riz, an EV enthusiast cum Cybertruck evangelist who’s been patiently waiting for it to finally release. “Like many, I have been waiting anxiously for my Cybertruck to arrive”, Riz mentions. “After missing out on the Cyberquad and the Cyberwhistle, I decided to take matters into my own hands and build something within my competence that was also inspired by the Cybertruck.”

While the Cyberbackpack isn’t bullet or metal-orb-proof, it’s a nifty little accessory that’s perfect for your everyday carry. The backpack is rugged to a fault, has an air-circulation pattern on its back, features a strap to secure it to your luggage, and even sports a hidden pocket under the aforementioned strap. It even sports USB charging ports to let you connect your gadgets to a power bank inside the bag – sort of fulfilling at least the illusion that just like the Cybertruck, this backpack has its own internal battery too!

The Cyberbackpack is up for grabs on its website for $199, although that price is limited just to the first 300 buyers, after which it gets bumped up to $349 so Riz can actually end up making some money off the bag. His ultimate dream, however, is to have the Cyberbackpack listed on Tesla’s website as official merch, while splitting the profits with Tesla’s Technoking Elon himself!

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Tesla Cybertruck-inspired innovations continue with extensions that transform it into an all-electric catamaran

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Cybercat is a hydrofoil-boosted set of amphibious mechanics designed to attach to Tesla’s yet-to-be-released Cybertruck and transform it into an all-electric catamaran.

Announced in 2019, Tesla’s Cybertruck has yet to reach production. With no hint of the new vehicle hitting the streets anytime soon, our impatience for Elon Musk is making space for our imaginations to run wild. Designing a set of seafaring add-ons for Tesla’s yet-to-be-released pickup model, Seattle-based designer Anthony Diamond conceptualized Cybercat, a set of amphibious mechanics that transforms Cybertruck into an all-electric catamaran.

Once production starts, Cybertruck will come loaded with a large battery, tough construction, and adaptive air suspension, only a few components away, as Diamond suggests, “transforming into a capable all-electric amphibious watercraft.”

Turning the dial up a notch, Diamond hopes to incorporate hydrofoils into Cybercat’s mechanics, maximizing its efficiency on the water and releasing industry-leading performance for all-electric watercraft. Diamond boasts 335 maximum horsepower, top speeds of 25mph and up, as well as a range of ​​115+ miles at 6 mph (100+ NM at 5 knots) or 50+ miles at 15 mph (44+ NM at 13 knots).

Diamond also advertises that Cybercat will be portable and easy to install once physical models of Cybertruck become available. Describing Cybercat’s assembly process, Diamond suggests, “Installation or breakdown can be completed by a single person in less time than it takes to launch a boat. All components fold or collapse into parts that can be easily stowed in the Cybertruck vault, preserving EV range during transport.” While the assembly process sounds efficient and dependable, Diamond has yet to integrate the various features of Cybercat with Tesla’s road electric vehicles.

With the intent to collaborate with OEMs, Diamond hopes to alleviate the public’s skepticism over Cybercat by bringing this watercraft to the market. Costing upwards of $20,000, Diamond also promises hopeful customers that Cybercat will host an integrated suite of interconnected sensors, power/data connections, and pontoon pressure transducers that all work together to digitally verify every aspect of Cybercat’s assembly process was implemented correctly. Diamond goes on to ensure that, “built-in actuated jacks make contact with the vehicle lift points and automatically pre-tension the frame to the correct specification every time.”

Designer: Anthony Diamond

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Tesla’s Kid-Size Cyberquad ATV: For Your Mini Musk

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Released just in time for Christmas (but not guaranteed for Christmas delivery), Tesla is selling a child-sized version of the Cyberquad it introduced alongside the Cybertruck’s November 2019 unveiling. You know, because why should adults get to have all the fun? Wait – I’m supposed to be having fun? Something has gone horribly wrong.

Built by Radio Flyer for Tesla, the pint-sized ATV costs $1,900 and features a full steel frame, cushioned seat, adjustable suspension with rear disk brakes, and LED light bars. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Cyberquad has a 15-mile range at speeds up to 10 MPH or restricted to 5 MPH if you don’t trust your kids like me. I swear, I can’t turn my back for one second without another fire getting started.

Unfortunately for anybody hoping to catch a ride on their kid’s new Cyberquad, the max weight capacity is 150 lbs., meaning my kids won’t be getting one, just like I never got the Power Wheels Jeep I always wanted growing up. Which, just for the record, wasn’t the character-building exercise my dad led me to believe it would be.

[via Engadget]

The best tech toys and gifts for kids in 2022

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Last year’s holiday season was plagued by supply chain issues, while this coming season is looking a little brighter. We’re getting out, seeing friends and family and enjoying all the new hobbies we’ve picked up over the past two years – and that includes your kids, who’ve probably gained a few new interests. If those interests tend toward science and tech (and we don’t just mean video games), we’ve got some great ideas for you, sure to put a smile on the faces of kids of all ages, from the littles to those who are grown in body but still young at heart.

Laugh & Learn Game Controller

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Game Controller
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

New gamer parents probably can’t wait to get a controller in their kid’s hands, though maybe not a $70 DualShock 5 when the child is more likely to stick it in their mouth. Train the little one with this friendly Fisher Price model instead. It won’t control a video game, but it still has everything a baby wants, with bright colors and lights, buttons to push and fun sounds. There’s even a little Easter egg for grownups who plug in the Konami code.

Buy Laugh & Learn game controller at Amazon - $11

LeapFrog Chat & Count Emoji Phone

LeapFrog Chat & Count Emoji Phone
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Kids love phones, but parents don’t need to hand them the latest iPhone or Pixel to keep them satisfied. This model from LeapFrog has a small selection of minigames to teach basic counting skills and can be played by children as young as 18 months. It’s a great way to keep babies occupied on long car rides or even a short diaper change, and looks enough like a real phone to keep them from grabbing at your expensive device.

Buy Chat & Count Emoji Phone at Amazon - $16

Air Hogs Gravitor

Air Hogs Gravitor
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Drones are still a pretty hot toy, but you’re probably feeling less hot about all the drama that comes with giving one to a kid, like hitting their siblings with it, or losing it in a neighbor’s yard. The Air Hogs Gravitor is a different kind of drone, one they can control with a wave of their hand. It’ll keep your kid busy learning tricks with it, and its soft edges mean less potential injuries from rough play.

Buy Air Hogs Gravitor at Amazon - $24

Hello Kitty Purse Pet

Hello Kitty Purse Pet
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Teens can be real weirdos sometimes, and things that might creep you out will absolutely fascinate them. That includes Spin Master’s interactive Purse Pets, which are basically little handbags that blink and make noise. At least these new models have some familiar faces on them, namely Japan’s kawaii superstar Hello Kitty and her friend Chococat. Gift one to the anime-loving kid in your life and make yourself just a little bit cooler in their eyes.

Buy Hello Kitty Purse Pet at Amazon - $35

Star Wars Lola Interactive Electronic Figure

Star Wars L0-LA59 (Lola) Interactive Electronic Figure
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Ewan McGregor was fantastic in this year’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+, but for droid fans the real star of the show was Little Leia’s friend Lola. This diminutive personal sidekick was absolutely charming, making everyone – including adults – want one of their own. Hasbro’s $39 interactive figure isn’t quite as skilled as the one in the show, but it’s still cute as a button and adorable to boot. (If you’re looking for something more fully featured, Hasbro also sells a $90 version.)

Buy Lola Droid Toy at Amazon - $39

VTech Level Up Gaming Chair

VTech Level Up Gaming Chair
VTech

Kids love to imitate adults, and now you get to find out if that includes your gaming habits as well by giving them their own chair! It’s sculpted to look like a custom gaming throne, but with a sturdy base instead of wheels so they don’t tip over while they’re pretending to blast n00bs. There’s a mini keyboard and headset so they can look like a real Twitch streamer, and the little tray means they can also scarf down snacks while enjoying some real play videos or the latest episode of Bluey.

Buy gaming chair at Amazon - $45

Barbie Eco-Leadership Team

Barbie Eco-Leadership Team
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Barbie’s had a ton of jobs over the years, but perhaps none as important as saving the Earth. But instead of just doing it by herself she’s going to need a whole team, and this package includes the whole environmental crew: a conservation scientist, a renewable energy engineer, a chief sustainability officer and an environmental advocate. Your child can act out the pressing issue of our time with this set and maybe even teach you a thing or two about caring for our planet.

Buy Barbie Eco-Leadership Team at Amazon - $55

Yoto Mini

Yoto Mini
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

When we were kids we had toys like the Fisher Price record player; children today are going to need something a little more high tech. A Yoto player is a speaker that can play kid-appropriate audiobooks, songs and other great content, like a free podcast full of fun trivia and games that airs a new episode every day. The Yoto Mini is a smaller version that you can take on planes, trains and cars to keep the kids entertained without resorting to a screen.

Buy Yoto Mini at Amazon - $70

BRIO Smart Tech Sound Record & Play Engine

BRIO Smart Tech Sound Record & Play Engine
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

This isn’t the BRIO you remember from your own youth; it’s actually an upgrade. The Record & Play Engine is a battery-operated train that can run on the wooden tracks you may already have, but adds a fun twist by playing sounds your child can record themselves. There’s also a free app with even more play options, and the engine is compatible with other BRIO Smart Tech so you can expand your child’s railway collection.

Buy BRIO Record & Play Engine at Amazon - $65

LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V

LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V
LEGO

Maybe you loved model rockets as a kid, but you’re not entirely on board with getting your own children into them because of the mess. That’s what makes this LEGO kit so brilliant: it looks realistic but requires absolutely no glue to assemble. Just snap it together like any other LEGO kit. This is a fun activity for parent and child to do as a team, or maybe just a way for grownup fans to keep busy during the chilly winter months.

Buy LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V at Amazon - $120

Tonies Playtime Puppy Starter Set

Tonies Playtime Puppy Starter Set
Engadget

The Yoto Player is fantastic, but smaller children might find the content cards hard to insert into the top slot. Instead, get them a Toniebox. Tonies are small RFID-enabled figurines that are easy for little hands to place on top of the speaker, and the controls are simple enough for toddlers to master. The cushioned exterior also means it takes being dropped or thrown like a champ.

Buy Tonies starter set at Amazon - $130

LEGO Motorized Lighthouse

LEGO Motorized Lighthouse
Engadget

This LEGO set is truly the kind of thing that sparks the imagination, with a small cottage for the lighthouse keeper to enjoy a warm cup of tea, a winding staircase up to the light room, and even a hidden cache of treasure in its base. But for science nerds the best part has to be the working fresnel lens at the very top of the lighthouse, just like the real thing but smaller — it can rotate thanks to the motor (which you’ll also put together). It’s a great centerpiece for your home, even if you don’t have any ships to guide across the sea of your living room.

Buy Motorized Lighthouse at LEGO - $300