Hotel on Wheels: Vision Pullman Express redefines luxury travel honed by Level 5 Autonomy

Traveling luxuriously in modern times is synonymous with names like the Maybach S Class, Rolls Royce Ghost, Porsche Panamera and Bentley Continental GT. Such is the lure of luxury that once you get a taste of it, you never want to go back. The same holds for the future where clean energy vehicles will overtake their gasoline-powered counterparts.

Even at that time luxury will be at the forefront for those who can afford to own. The Hotel on Wheels: Vision Pullman Express culminates from that inner desire for comfortable mobility for a premium experience. The concept vehicle designed by Arya Kani holds merit for short-term travelers as well as those who prefer more adventurous escapades wrapped in the best luxury available.

Designer: Arya Kani

The car is equipped with level 5 autonomy, dripping with utmost comfort and flexible options for traveling while working or resting. There are swappable seats, dedicated sections for rest and work for professional travelers. The buck doesn’t stop at that as there are options for flexible drop-offs, mobile bot room service and even the option to hop on one of the integrated micro-mobility scooters and bikes. Yes, these micro vehicles are housed within the huge Hotel on Wheels which justifies its name threefold.

Since we are more levied towards the design aspect let’s throw some light on the semi-flat front cabin contrasted by the elegant rear section. The front grille bears the Mercedes-Benz influence with the apparent logo muting any inquisitiveness. The daylight opening with the semi-flat glass and a front seat row seems out of place but has a valid purpose. The wavey exterior is inspired by the West Coast of the United States for that cool overall vibe.

On the inside, the car has an airy large glass roof for maximum natural light to seep in. Comfort and functionality are given precedence here with dual zones for seating and dining. There are adjustable rising seats to enjoy the panoramic view outside, whether parked or traveling. For the more flamboyant type, there is the lookout bar with the perfect ambiance for weekend fun. The interior can be turned into a private oasis with the push of a button to reduce the natural light coming in which comes in handy for the summers too.

This concept sees Mercedes-Benz and Belmond Group join forces to plug this huge gap in the futuristic vehicle market that concentrates solely on clean energy and minimalism. The designers envision a future where people will be able to rent out such vehicles for a quality-of-life experience amidst the choking strains of going minimalistic. The premium urban travel-themed aura of the vehicle will be 100 percent tailored to the needs of discerning travelers.

The choice of the two brands to develop this EV concept seems logical since Mercedes-Benz and Belmond Group have evolving businesses in travel and mobility. Take, for example, the Mercedes Sprinter and Orient Express trains by Belmond.

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Ultra luxurious superyacht doubles as a submersible capable of 820 feet deep underwater exploration for four weeks

Discerning Billionaires who want to own the best super vessel to navigate the seas in style brace up for the Migaloo M5 superyacht. Labeled as the future of yachting, this $2 billion high-end vessel by the Austrian-based Migaloo is twice more expensive than the current costliest superyacht, the Lürssen Dilbar at $800 million.

The hyper-luxurious seacraft would still be out of the reach of many billionaires even and that’s what makes it special. Measuring 544 feet long and 75 feet wide, the M5 is a heaven on water for the 20 guests and 40 crew members. But that’s not where the surprises stop, it is also capable of diving to a depth of 820 feet and making an underwater stay for four weeks!

Designer: Migaloo

There’ll be more than anyone can bargain for to do on their extended holiday trips thanks to the two custom Midget submarines, two submersibles, a helicopter, jet skis, kite surfing and paddle boarding activities. This will be possible with the plethora of water toys that the superyacht will carry along including five Sea-Doo Jet-Skis, Seabobs, ROVs. UUVs, Zapata Racing flyboards, hoverboards, and everything else you need for paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and kayaking. Land expeditions when docked on shore are also not out of the question with the two expedition vehicles and pickup trucks.

According to Migaloo, they are ready to deliver the kind of amenities and interiors depending on the client’s requirements and personal taste. To scratch the surface these include a jaw-dropping dining room that can accommodate a party of 36 people, a tech-savvy cinema hall, swimming pools, a jacuzzi, a curated wine cellar, panoramic glass walls for stunning views en route the journey, and the most eye-popping expandable beach club you’ll ever see.

M5 fitted with a hybrid propulsion engine (diesel and AIP) will have a range exceeding 9,300 miles with a surface speed of 20 knots and 12 knots underwater exploration. According to Migaloo CEO Christian Gumpold, safety is their major concern after the Titan submersible’s unfortunate tragedy. To this end, finding prospective buyers was a challenge and they are looking for visionary billionaires who have “extraordinary demands for exclusivity, safety, adventure.”

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LV Nanogram Speaker has travel-friendly design, decorative allure, and exceptional acoustic to match

Louis Vuitton has a habit of redefining the wheel with luxury. Case in point the LV Nanogram Speaker that refines opulence and quality for the seekers on the horizon of portable music and fashion accessory. Designed to take “beauty and sound to destinations unknown” the compact and lightweight LV speaker is a portable successor to the LV Horizon model.

As a premium tech offering, Masion’s creation embodies craftsmanship and quality in an on-the-go fashion accessory that resembles a tiny UFO measuring 13.5 cm across and tipping the scale at 520g. The hefty speaker is made from aluminum but with the embedded leather loop with a removable hook, the LV Nanogram Speaker, becomes a portable and travel-friendly option.

Designer: Louis Vuitton

The first thing you would notice on the speaker will either be the perforated grille or the debossed Monogram, depending on what your perception is. For me, the LV Nanogram Speaker with emblematic codes all over, is a premium speaker and so I see the grille before the logo, but you could have a different opinion.

The impressive design of the LV Nanogram is inspired by the LV’s circular Toupie bag. And in a similar theme, the leather loop and hook can allow the speaker to hang from the backpack, handbag, or just from the belt, if you don’t mind an additional pound on it. If you don’t mind the weight, then the LV speaker can give you a 2.3-inch loudspeaker with a frequency range of 170 Hz to 20 kHz anywhere, anytime.

While the speaker looks all decked up and sublime for indoor usage, it assures it won’t leave you wanting in the outdoors either, for this it boasts a long 17 hours of battery life. The speaker comes with a USB-C charger in the box which can juice up the battery in under two hours. The charging port is the on back of the speaker, hidden away from the plush façade.

Portability demands ruggedness we all know. LV is not known essentially for delivering heirloom speakers in the outdoor division; but adding substance to the design, LV Nanogram Speaker is provided with IP67 rated for protection against dust and water. Priced at $2,230 LV Nanogram comes in three colors: copper, silver, and a “Damoflage” edition. Irrespective of the color, each speaker is available with monogramming all over. The speaker can (courtesy of its built-in LEDs) create a light show that synchronizes with the music you are playing. And when you’re done, you can safely pack the speaker in its travel pouch and get going.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2BwkJuHa68

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Huge transparent horn speakers deliver an odd yet beautiful way to enjoy music

We’re long past the days when speakers, especially those at home, would simply be literal black boxes that belted out sound in whatever direction they were pointed at. While those still exist, many of the audio equipment marketed for home use have taken on more interesting designs that marry aesthetics and function without sacrificing either. Bang & Olufsen might be one of the most popular brands in this growing market of art-inspired speakers, but it is hardly the only one with curious and eye-catching designs. This loudspeaker set, for example, is just as much a work of art as it is a piece of high-end audio equipment, promising to elevate the listening experience to a whole new level that involves not just the ears but also the eyes.

Designer: Timothy Hill

In an iconic form, the speaker has always been represented by one of its oldest designs, a conical structure that curves from one end to another, creating what is commonly known as a horn shape. The Jetstream loudspeaker takes that shape and transforms it into an art piece by using transparent acrylic for the horn and blowing it up to human-sized proportions. The result is a distinctive, one-of-a-kind speaker that makes the drive unit look like it’s floating in mid-air. Viewed from the side, the speaker also looks like the sonic boom traces left by a high-speed jet, which given the background of the designer, seems almost fitting.

The horn shape chosen for the Jetstream might look ornamental, but it is actually based on a solid foundation of physics. Just like with horn speakers of old, the shape helps to propagate sound waves more freely and evenly, and given its size, it also multiplies that effect to reach all corners of a room. The loudspeaker system promises clear and dynamic sound, regardless of what you’re listening to, whether it’s classical masterpieces or modern movie sound effects.

Although the horn loudspeaker is definitely the center of attraction, it isn’t the only member of the Ferguson Hill Jetstream loudspeaker system. There’s also the bass speaker which takes the form of a transparent sphere with a large drive unit, held up by three metal cone feet. This gives the speaker a certain retro-futuristic aesthetic that perfectly complements the gigantic horn loudspeaker.

Although it functions primarily as a sound system, the Jetstream is also a statement piece that transforms any space into a unique audiovisual experience. It’s the kind of fusion of art and technology that truly redefines what it means to be a home speaker these days, offering value that goes beyond blasting sound but also touches the emotions and mind by appealing to more than one of our five senses. That said, it’s also a design that, at least in this case, carries a rather hefty price tag, though that could soon change as more audio equipment manufacturers embrace a more design-conscious approach to making speakers.

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Rimowa Chess Attache offers a luxurious way to carry your luxurious game pieces

Chess is a game that spans centuries and while the basic mechanics haven’t changed much, it has taken various forms over the course of its very long history. Chess sets today come in a variety of styles, from cheap plastic to fragile class, from classic designs to abstract geometric shapes. Some sets, usually the expensive ones, are kept safely at home, while others go wherever their owners go, ready to challenge a fellow enthusiast at a moment’s notice. Rimowa, best known for making premium luggage and bags, is trying its hand at striking a middle ground with a high-quality aluminum chess set housed in a signature Rimowa case, ready to travel and make you the envy of all your chess colleagues.

Designer: Rimowa

Portable chess sets do exist, but the most common design you might see is a thick wooden board that folds in the middle to transform into a miniature suitcase for the wooden pieces. It’s practical and, to be fair, a bit sustainable, but also terribly uninspiring. Nothing lights a chess enthusiast’s fire better than a captivating and elegant chess set, one that embodies the long-lasting legacy of a game that had enchanted and beguiled even monarchs.

The new Rimowa Chess Attache is both a homage to the classic chess design but also a rejuvenation with a more modern aesthetic. Each chess piece is crafted from black and silver (for white) anodized aluminum, emblazoned with a laser-engraved Rimowa monogram. The board, though made of wood, is wrapped in leather materials and has magnets that keep the pieces steadily in place until you or your opponent is ready to make the next move. That board’s aluminum frame also bares Rimowa’s logo, signifying its place in the brand’s selection of premium products.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Rimowa product if there is no travel container involved, and indeed, a major part of the Chess Attache’s appeal is exactly that attache case. The small suitcase’s rounded edges and ribbed faces carry the hallmarks of Rimowa’s iconic design language. Inside, the chess pieces like in compartments cut out from foam and a suede-like microfiber, securing them in place until the time comes for them to be taken out and played. A delicate protective leather layer then sits in between the pieces and the magnetic wooden board that’s secured to the attache with premium leather straps.

Of course, there’s also plenty of Rimowa branding to be found inside, from the black leather lining down to the monogram-engraved snaps of the leather straps. Every inch of the design screams luxury product, and it’s probably good that a metallic lock system is integrated directly into the case’s shell. Whether it’s the chess set itself or the case that carries them, this Rimowa Chess Attache elevates not just your game but also your traveling experience.

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Devialet Phantom I Yang Bao Wa Liu is a golden take on the renowned speaker for Chinese Year of the Dragon

French audio brand Devialet’s Phantom I is already a celebrated wireless speaker with side-firing bass reflex ports and subtle color variants. Fittingly, two eminent artists have been summoned to give this iconic speaker a stunning new vibe for the Chinese Year of the Dragon, a festivity that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Dubbed the Phantom I 108 dB by Yang Bao & Wa Liu, after the designers behind the new gold and red colored speaker, this lustrous take on the Devialet flagship creates a nice, visible amalgamation of physical and analog connections. To be available in limited edition between 23 January 2024 and 23 April 2024 (or until the stock lasts) this speaker also dubbed ANIMAL impresses with its “colors and textures reference the dragon of our cultural imagination” designer Wa Liu says.

Designer: Devialet

On the back of the hand-crafted speaker come the 22.5-carat gold leaf accents complemented by the red strokes. This artistic element replicates the rippling motion of the dragon’s movement. It’s more of a musical instrument that seems to have a personality of its own. According to Bao the play of light and shadows helps it cryptically blend into the surroundings. Another good reason it has a deliberate sculptural design to evoke a subtle presence.

The limited-edition Phantom I, justifies the symbol of the dragon with its intimidating presence as opposed to the Western counterpart. In a way, it mixes nature and music, power and serenity all in one go. Creating this version takes around two weeks which explains the attention to detail put in the making. As the artists explain, ‘We obviously work on a number of units at the same time.’ To this end, two gilders showcase their craft, brushing hammered gold leaf onto the surface of the Phantom, juxtaposing it with the thin lines of red lacquer. The intricate design is not only a visual combination of gold leaf and red lacquer, but the lacquer itself requires three painstaking layers of application!

No wonder the  Phantom I 108 dB by Yang Bao & Wa Liu will set you back a mind-numbing $6,700 a piece.

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Galaxy S24 Ultra by Caviar is a luxurious way to mark the Year of the Dragon

Smartphones are quite expensive these days, especially the fully-featured, high-end premium models, but that might still be enough for a few “well-funded” people. Limited Editions are not uncommon in this industry, but nothing says “limited edition” more than an extremely limited number of devices being made with extremely extravagant materials and designs. Luxury brand Caviar has for years been making these kinds of exquisite variations of already pricey smartphones, and Samsung’s latest flagship is unsurprisingly getting the same treatment. With the launch of the Galaxy S24 series so close to the Chinese New Year, the marque took the opportunity to welcome the Year of the Dragon with a special edition that’s laden not just with gold and jewels but with references to the union of East and West that Samsung’s smartphones embody.

Designer: Samsung x Caviar

Just one look at this Caviar interpretation of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and you can already tell it’s far from being ordinary. That golden Korean dragon is no mere painting or sticker but is a highly-detailed bas-relief covered with 24-karat gold. That dragon is seen descending from the top of the phone, in other words, the heavens, and wraps around the analog watch that is at the center of this design.

Yes, there is an honest-to-goodness mechanical watch on this phone’s back, one that boasts a CVR ELT3350A Tourbillon with a manual winding mechanism and 19 stones. This element does add quite a bit of thickness to the phone’s otherwise slim profile, but its novelty and beauty could very well be worth that price. Curiously, the watch is encircled by the 12 signs of the “Western” Zodiac, not the Chinese roster you would expect from a phone that commemorates the Chinese New Year. These symbols, made of enamel on PVD-coated titanium, represent that mix of European and Eastern culture that is representative of Samsung’s own business.

Every inch of this rather elaborate design was made with meticulous attention to detail and symbolism. The three diamonds in the corner not only mimic a constellation but is actually a homage to Samsung’s original logo, the “three stars” from which the company takes its name. The green color of the watch dial might seem like an odd mix to the prevalent gold and black motif, but it symbolizes rebirth and prosperity, which also happens to be the color and theme of the Year of the Wood Dragon.

If the $15,070 price tag isn’t enough to mark this design as something only the elite can afford, the fact that there will only be 24 such devices made will definitely cement that image. The chances of meeting another VIP holding the same phone would be as low as meeting a mythical Korean dragon, but the prestige of owning a rare and enchanting piece of craftsmanship is all that matters to those who will be scrambling to fall in that very short queue.

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This gorgeous concrete sculpture of the New York Flatiron Building is actually a high-end Speaker

It isn’t often that you see brutalism as a design style being used outside architecture… but this sculptural speaker is a different beast entirely.

Designed to look like it was chiseled out of actual concrete, “TheSoloist. Sounds.” from Takahiro Miyashita was crafted with the vision of being the absolute centerpiece of your living room. Outwardly, it’s an homage to New York’s Flatiron building, standing at an impressive 43 inches tall with a dizzying amount of detail. Behind that exterior, however, is a 7-speaker setup designed to output a whopping 2000W of audio power, loud enough that its engineers promise “spectacular sound pressure that can be felt directly on the skin.”

Designer: Takahiro Miyashita

Before your ears experience TheSoloist. Sounds.’s audio, your eyes are treated to one of the most beautiful speakers they’ll ever see. Now in the realm of speaker design, TheSoloist. Sounds. is far from traditional. It doesn’t boast your standard acoustic chamber, audio grill, or showcase the drivers. It looks entirely like an artistic representation of New York’s architecture emerging from a block of concrete, but under that facade hides all of the audio magic. The sculpture can be split into two halves, the upper chiseled section and the lower, which arguably house the mid/high, and the woofer drivers respectively.

The lower section sports two 6.5″ woofers, while the upper part of the speaker houses two 3″ mid-range and three 1″ tweeters, covering a frequency range of 20Hz ~ 25KHz. The speaker pulls 2000W of power, and outputs an impressive 110dB of audio. The entire unit comes crafted from faux concrete, weighing 55lb (24.9 kilograms)… which does feel deceptively light for its nearly 4-foot stature.

Recreated for a second edition after the first one sold out, TheSoloist. Sounds. sports an eye-watering $$6,345.32 price tag… but that makes sense just given the amount of effort and intricate detail that went into the exterior as well as its inner hardware. That being said, TheSoloist. Sounds. isn’t for the discerning audiophile. It’s made for people who want an expressive statement piece to dominate their interior spaces – something this brutalist speaker does exceedingly well!

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realme 12 Pro wraps a premium telephoto camera in a luxurious watch design

Almost all smartphone makers try to advertise their design-centric processes and products, but few actually live up to the expectations they set. Of those few, realme has had a track record of teaming up with big names in the industry to come out with a variety of designs that target different audiences, from youngsters to travelers to connoisseurs. This year, it seems that realme is aiming to tickle the fancy of watch lovers with a flagship that takes deep inspiration from these masterpieces of design and craftsmanship. Of, the realme 12 Pro isn’t just a pretty face and promises to also elevate your mobile photography with a new premium telephoto camera.

Designer: realme x Ollivier Savéo

In the past, smartphone telephoto cameras could only use digital tricks to get closer to a subject, but the development of periscope-style lenses finally enabled true optical zoom without bulking up the phone too much. With the realme 12 Pro, the brand is taking that to the next level with a combination of innovative elements and engineering to deliver a premium telephoto experience. In addition to a state-of-the-art periscope telephoto lens, the flagship phone utilizes the latest OmniVision OV64B, a 64MP 1/2-inch sensor that’s twice as large as your typical telephoto camera, including the one on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. These two pieces work together to provide not just 3x optical zoom but also 6x in-sensor (hybrid) zoom, getting you close and personal without the usual degradation associated with simple image cropping.

Of course, the realme 12 Pro’s main camera isn’t going to be left behind. With a 50MP Sony IMX890 1/1.56-inch sensor, the primary wide shooter promises rich details even at night. This is further enhanced by the MasterShot algorithm developed in collaboration with Qualcomm, enabling the phone to process RAW images directly, among other process-intensive capabilities. Along with the ultra-wide shooter, this camera system supports a wide range of lossless zoom levels, from 0.6x to 6x, similar to that of more expensive handsets.

Although the cameras are a focal point of the realme 12 Pro (pun intended, the phone’s design takes its cue from a different kind of luxury product. Teaming up with luxury watch designer Ollivier Savéo, the phone bears the aesthetic and tactile hallmarks of an elegant and premium timepiece. A fluted bezel wraps the circular camera island, giving the semblance of a classic watch face, while the vegan leather material that covers the phone’s back is akin to the leather straps of these luxurious accessories.

The realme 12 Pro takes this a step further with a 3D jubilee bracelet, similar to a metallic strap, that runs down the middle of the phone. With its three-dimensional rhomboid precision splicing, this minute detail adds a new texture and a touch of class to an already stylish phone. The realme 12 Pro is set to launch this month, with availability details and exact specs still to be disclosed.

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Pad & Quill leather accessories for Apple products live on in new brand

The design and especially the price of Apple’s devices easily mark these products as luxurious goods. Thus it’s not that unusual for owners to be overprotective of their expensive investments, covering them up with protective cases that sometimes trade style for protection. Fortunately, there is a class of accessories that actually add even more class to these devices, particularly through the use of luxurious materials like leather. For more than a decade, the name “Pad & Quill” became synonymous with these leather accessories, offering elegant protection for Apple’s premium products, but it, unfortunately, had to file for bankruptcy last year. The name might be gone, but its legacy now lives on in a new brand from the same founder, continuing the practice of delivering high-end leather products to match your equally high-end iPhone, iPad, or MacBook.

Designer: Brian Holmes

Nothing says stylish luxury better than leather. There will always be arguments regarding the way it’s sourced and produced, but there’s little debate that the material is immediately associated with premium products. Some smartphones even try to ride on that trend by slapping some vegan leather on their backs, but the real deal is harder to pull off unless it’s on an accessory.

Pad & Quill is a name that Apple fans have looked to when it comes to those leather accessories, but due to the recent pandemic, the business had to close down a few months ago. That’s not to say there’s no longer a market for premium leather Apple accessories, just that the brand folded due to circumstances. Thankfully, P&Q’s founder isn’t calling it quits and has started a new endeavor with a new name but with the same mission.

Burton Goods will continue the legacy of offering high-quality leather cases for Apple’s latest products. It isn’t just about using leather, though, and the brand is promoting its precision craftsmanship, attention to detail, and practical functionality alongside the material. Of course, these accessories also serve to protect your precious Apple devices while also being durable products themselves.

At the moment, Burton Goods’ selection of products is limited to Apple’s latest models, from the iPhone to the iPad Pro to the MacBook Pro to even the Apple Watch. There are also plans to include leather bags that will bring these all together, but the exact timeline for their appearance has yet to be revealed. The revival of Pad & Quill’s spirit does also resurrects the question of the sustainability of genuine leather, and it might be a good opportunity for this niche market to reassess that aspect of luxury for the sake of future generations.

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