🌎 New Atlas stories of the week

by Ben Coxworth

We frequently hear about ebikes that are designed to replace cars, but they're still basically bicycles. The Elecy, however, is a pedal-electric vehicle that's much more car-like than most, offering full weather protection and seating for two.

by Aaron Turpen

Despite its critics and moves toward electrification, the internal combustion engine is not yet dead. Though its design for passenger vehicles may have begun to reach its apex with Mazda’s Skyactiv designs.

by Omar Kardoudi

The new Levo R squeezes an 850-W motor that adjusts power delivery in real time for maximum traction into a trail bike weighing under 19 kg. The result is an e-MTB designed, above all else, not to feel like an e-MTB at all.

by Aaron Turpen

A few years ago, I said the Dodge Durango SRT would cause parents at the school dropoff to question their life choices. Well, SRT drivers can now question their life choices as the 700+ HP (515+ kW) Hellcat model outsqueals them.

by Michael Franco

Researchers have shown they can achieve some control over what people are dreaming, bringing a theme that has been frequently explored in the sci-fi and horror genres off the screen and into the lab. Puzzle-solving was at the heart of the research.

by C.C. Weiss

The most egg-shaped of all the egg campers, the Barefoot Caravan has been wowing RVers with its shapely fiberglass for over a decade. Prices have risen quickly during that time, but now Barefoot offers the Bothy as a lighter, cheaper entry model.

by Adam Williams

With its corrugated metal exterior, the Zinc Studio Cabin looks almost like an agricultural shed at first glance. The home combines its durable design with an open interior that maximizes living space in a comfortable single-level layout.

by Ben Coxworth

Although whitewater stand-up paddle boards do indeed exist, they're designed to float high on the water's surface. The Riverskate is different in that its bow and stern can be intentionally sunk, making all sorts of marvelous maneuvers possible.

by Simon Heptinstall

BougeRV’s T1 Lantern combines latest battery tech with rugged and versatile design. It's flex light strips can illuminate camp, table, tent or trails for up to 102 hours on a single charge.

by Adam Williams

The Moon is a remarkably ambitious project that aims to recreate the experience of being on the Moon here on Earth. It will consist of the world's largest spherical building, offer an "authentic" Moon walk, and will be surrounded by skyscrapers.

by Abhimanyu Ghoshal

Microsoft has been perfecting a high-density storage technology that uses glass and ensures it stays intact for millennia. A breakthrough in how it writes data allows for the use of cheaply available borosilicate glass.

by David Szondy

Watch as a team of drones destroys their target in a demonstration of Fury. That is, the Fury Autonomous Vehicle Orchestrator by Scout AI that uses proprietary AI software to carry out autonomous combat based on simple verbal orders from a human.

by Abhimanyu Ghoshal

Scientists around the world have been one-upping each other in a bid to create the smallest QR code that can be reliably read. Now, researchers have set the bar real high with a QR code so tiny, you'll need an electron microscope to see it.

by Michael Franco

Oil spills in oceans can spell disaster for ecosystems, but options for mitigating them are limited and can come with their own environmental challenges. A new "fire tornado" from Texas A&M University might soon be able to come to the rescue.

by Abhimanyu Ghoshal

Among the many problems posed by the rapid proliferation of data centers is the strain on local water supplies. Google says it's building a better data center that won't require water to keep its servers and computing equipment cool.