Features of the week
ArchitectureEngineering
Rocket-shaped skyscraper soars to record-breaking height
by Adam Williams
Designed to resemble a rocket on a launchpad readying for takeoff, this extraordinary tower reportedly draws inspiration from a billionaire's trip to a NASA facility in the late 1960s. It reaches a height of 820 ft.
Urban TransportTransport
Solar-boosted pedal-electric velomobile is new and improved
by Ben Coxworth
Fourteen years ago we first heard about the Elf, a pedal/electric velomobile that could be charged via a rooftop solar panel. Well, there's a new version on the way that'll be cushier, more powerful, and able to seat a second passenger.
AircraftTransport
AltoVolo gets a prototype of its spicy high-performance eVTOL in the air
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
The last time we heard from the UK's AltoVolo, it only had renders of its grand vision for a sportscar equivalent of an eVTOL to show off. That was exactly a year ago – and it's now got a working prototype taking to the skies.
Pickup CampersAdventure VehiclesOutdoors
Triple-pop truck camper squeezes full base camp into short pickup bed
by C.C. Weiss
Like many pickup campers, the all-new Roam Rider SL pops up to increase headroom. But it also pops out ... twice. Its two sliding side wings add 20 cu ft of interior space, and slide-out appliances further add to the highly space-efficient design.
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New ice pop machine makes frozen treats in under 30 minutes
Homemade ice pops have always been simple in theory but slow in practice. Whether made from fresh juice, yogurt blends or smoothies, the process typically involves pouring ingredients into molds and leaving them in the freezer for hours. The result can be inconsistent, difficult to remove, and heavily dependent on available freezer space.
Top Stories: Transport
Wheel kit electrifies your bike – but keeps the weight way down
by Ben Coxworth
So, you've got a perfectly good road or gravel bike, but you don't want to get "left behind" in the ebike revolution? Well, the Cyplore kit turns analog bikes electric, and it's claimed to be the lightest system to do so.
VW takes aim at the uber-cool Renault 5 with the polite-faced ID.Polo
by Simon Heptinstall
Volkswagen new small electric hatchback takes on the cool Renault 5 with the traditional Polo name, an old-school ‘polite face’ and dashboard buttons. Competitive pricing, 280+ miles per charge, three motor configurations, and a GTI model on the way.
Wireless offshore chargers will allow electric ships to recharge at sea
by Etiido Uko
Poseidon is probably still getting used to our growth from wooden boats to enormous cruise ships. Imagine his shock when he sees electric boats casually pulling up to recharge right in the middle of the sea, thanks to a new offshore charging system.
Review: 2026 Nissan Frontier runs with an “if it ain’t broke” philosophy
by Aaron Turpen
The 2026 Nissan Frontier is a truck that’s equal parts stubborn old-school and new-face modernized. And honestly? That tension is exactly what makes the Frontier interesting. Come along for the ride as we take it for a spin.
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Top stories: Body & Mind
The naps that are red flags as we age, backed by two decades of data
by Bronwyn Thompson
Naps are one of life's pleasures, but as we age, they can also be an early sign of health issues we're unaware of. These findings are thanks to a groundbreaking study of more than 1,000 people who had their daytime naps tracked for up to 19 years.
Dopamine bends time in our brain, making novel moments memorable
by Mike McRae
A recent discovery suggests a hit of the brain’s "feel-good" chemical, dopamine, may have a rather surprising effect on our perception of past experiences, drawing out novel moments in our memories while letting more dull experiences become condensed.
World's first vaccine for Lyme disease could be available in 2027
by Bronwyn Thompson
Scientists are confident they've got the first effective Lyme disease vaccine, but the final hurdle will be FDA approval – which the drug-makers are seeking despite unexpected statistical issues. It remains to be seen if this will derail their goals.
Top Stories: Outdoor
Tiny bike camper expands via slide-out to sleep 2 people + toilet
by C.C. Weiss
The Alpencamper Eco Slide Out bicycle camper borrows a trick usually reserved for larger RVs, using a sidewall slide-out to expand its tiny interior enough to house a double bed comparable to what you'd find in a full-blown camper van.
Wildly slim dual-burner capsule stove brings more power to base camp
by C.C. Weiss
In 2021, Optimus debuted a sleek dual-burner stove called the Gemini that split the difference between backpacking and car camping. Now it's improved the design into a Gemini II that packs over a third more power while still dropping a couple ounces.
Two-person tiny house puts the affordable back into small living
by Adam Williams
The Shanti, by Simplify Further Tiny Homes, recalls the small living movement's humble roots. It combines a very compact footprint that sleeps up to two people with a surprisingly affordable price.
15-sec push-button tent airs out into big panorama
by C.C. Weiss
Last year, AlphaGo debuted the Cube Air Tent, a larger-than-life inflatable built for four to six people. Now it adds a smaller option – much smaller. The new Cube Solo smooths out the corners into a swag-like semicylinder that pitches in seconds.
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Top Stories: Technology
Ingenious unpowered sensor detects motion by generating ultrasound
by Etiido Uko
Imagine a sensor that never requires a battery change. Like, ever. You could forget them for decades, and they’ll continue to function just fine. Well, researchers have created just that: a sensor that doesn’t require electricity or batteries.
This mind-reading beanie could make keyboards obsolete
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Dictation tech has gotten way better over the last few years, thanks to sophisticated AI models. But an upcoming device can remove even more friction from the process of getting words onto your screen, by simply reading your thoughts.
Forget digital keystone, this tri-laser 4K projector puts optical first
by Paul Ridden
JMGO's latest lifestyle projector might look like just another boxy smart entertainment hub. But this model is reported to boast the world's first 3-in-1 optical system, and rests on a nifty gimbal stand that can adjust itself or play follow the user.
DJI announces entry-level but fully capable Lito Series drones
by Maryna Holovnova
DJI is one of the leading manufacturers of drones for aerial photography and videography. As social media continues to grow, beginners and content creators are seeking lightweight, easy-to-use devices for short-form video. DJI’s latest releases are designed to meet that demand.
Top Stories: Science
Antarctic telescope spies alien worlds with ever-shifting orbits
by Chris Young
A newly observed planetary system, dubbed TOI-201, has revealed orbits that change in real time observable in human timescales.
Potatoes may have given Indigenous Andeans digestive superpowers
by Mike McRae
Our taste for bread and pasta wouldn’t be the same if not for our ability to break down starch, a talent Peru’s Andean populations have taken to the extreme by evolving a unique profile of genes.
The most dangerous place in the solar system: Not where you think
by Dr. Jaroslav Boublik
If you had to name the most dangerous place in the Solar System, you’d probably start with the obvious suspects: the Sun, Venus, and a little moon of Jupiter's. In reality, you could get in real trouble far closer to home.
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