When we first encountered REE’s ultra-modular EV chassis, we struggled to know what to make of it. Speaking to CEO Daniel Barel, we couldn’t seem to pin down any specifics. What is it? A flat, modular vehicle chassis in which all steering, suspension, motor, gearbox and braking functions are bundled up into removable, replaceable “corner units” in the wheels. These […]
Skateboard or Car?
Sony’s Smallest And Lightest Full Frame Camera
The benefits of full-frame mirrorless cameras are well known; chiefly, a big sensor tends to offer much better low-light performance than a small one, plus they allow you to use super-thin depth of field to define your subject and blur out the background. The drawbacks tend to be that they’re more expensive, they use big, heavy and pricey lenses, and […]
Googstick Allows Search Of Printed Text
One of the nice things about reading electronic text is the fact that if there’s a word you don’t understand, you can just highlight it to perform a Google search. Well, a device called the Googstick is designed to do the same thing for paper-printed text. The user starts by powering the Googstick up, opening its sliding cover, then placing […]
Canon Launches Handy Powershot Monocular Camera
Like it did with its carabiner-packing Ivy Rec outdoor camera, Canon has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund production of a quirky handheld point-and-shoot camera called the PowerShot Zoom, though this time it’s limited to Japan only. It’s shaped like a small monocular, with thumb-friendly controls above and below the eyepiece. Inside there’s a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and Digic 8 […]
Light-Up Helmets
We’ve seen a few different head- and tail-light-equipped bike helmets over the past several years, and some of the things have looked pretty … flashy. The Faro is a bit different, though, in that it has a classier, more refined appearance. Designed by American startup Unit 1, the Faro features a narrow strip of 15 white LEDs in front, a […]
Glove Based System
If you’ve ever tried controlling a drone with a traditional joystick unit, you’ll know that it’s difficult to get the hang of. An experimental new system, however, lets people actually write letters in the air with a drone, using a special glove. Developed in the Skoltech lab at Moscow’s Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, the prototype “DroneLight” system currently […]
Disney World McDonald’s To Be First Net Zero Fast Food Restaurant
Chicago-based Ross Barney Architects has given the iconic McDonald’s at Walt Disney World Resort a sustainable makeover. This revamp aims to make McDonald’s Disney flagship the first net-zero energy quick-service restaurant. Topped with a canopy clad in solar panels, the energy-efficient building takes on a new, contemporary form that strategically responds to Orlando’s hot and humid climate. In addition to generating renewable […]
Heatherwick Studio’s Horseshoe Park
Regular readers may recall Heatherwick Studio’s ongoing Little Island park on stilts on New York City’s Hudson River. The firm has now revealed plans to create something similar but even larger and more ambitious on San Francisco’s waterfront. Named The Cove, it would replace the remnants of a ruined pier and car park with an attractive public park on the […]
New Bioplastic Biodegrades In A Year
Two of the main problems with traditional plastics are the facts that they’re made from non-renewable petroleum, and they stick around for centuries once discarded. A new alternative, however, is made from existing waste, and should biodegrade within a year. In order to produce the “eco-friendly” plastic, scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology started with […]
Orchird Tree Inspired Skyscraper
Envisioned as an orchid tree about to blossom, the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed 2 Murray Road is under construction in Hong Kong’s Central Business District. The skyscraper will feature a distinctive overall form and sustainable design that prioritizes fresh air ventilation, as well as an AI-powered management system that enables workers to move from street to desk without touching any doors […]