Toggle light / dark theme

Let’s take a leap into the future, shall we? In 2,123, envision a world where technology is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our lives. Flying cars might not be the norm, but sustainable modes of transportation dominate the scene, with eco-friendly solutions at the forefront. Advanced medical breakthroughs have extended human life expectancy, and perhaps we’ve even cracked the code on combating climate change. Social structures may have evolved, embracing inclusivity and diversity. It’s a realm where innovation and a collective global effort have paved the way for a balanced and interconnected planet. 🌐🚀🔮

Credit:
IKAROS: Andrzej Mirecki, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: IKAROS_solar_sail.jpg.
Press Conference: ESO, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Press_Conference_at_ESO_HQ2.tif.

Animation is created by Bright Side.

Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/

Remember back before smartphones existed, when you had to buy a separate cell phone, camera, music player, calculator and calendar? Well, the Utility Personal Transporter may one day do for electric vehicles what smartphones did for gadgets.

Currently in functional prototype form, the Utility Personal Transporter (UPT) is being developed by Canadian electric mobility company Envo Drive Systems. In a nutshell, it’s a four-wheel-drive electric platform that can be adapted to serve multiple purposes.

Envo unveiled the vehicle to the media last Friday, at an event that also showcased the new Veemo velomobile. That said, the UPT more closely resembles one of the company’s longer-established products, the e-ATV.

In recent years, engineers and material scientists have been trying to create increasingly advanced battery technologies that are charged faster, last longer, and can store more energy. These batteries will ultimately play a crucial role in the advancement of the electronics and energy sector, powering the wide range of portable devices on the market, as well as electric vehicles.

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are currently the most widespread batteries worldwide, powering most electronics we use every day. Identifying scalable methods to increase the speed at which these batteries charge is thus one of the primary goals in the energy field, as it would not require switching to entirely new battery compositions.

Researchers at Huazhong University of Technology in China recently introduced a new strategy to develop fast-charging LiBs containing a graphite-based material. Their proposed battery design, outlined in a paper published in Nature Energy, was found to successfully speed up the charging time of LiBs, while also allowing them to retain much of their capacity even after they are charged thousands of times.

Last year, Tesla submitted plans to the city of Los Angeles for a charging station equipped with a 24-hour diner and drive-in theater. The electric-car maker plans to build the luxury supercharger station at 7,001 West Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, according to Bloomberg.

Tesla began construction on the project in September, Forbes reported. Musk also provided more details on the project in August after the company’s plans were reportedly approved by the city.

“Our Tesla futuristic diner (Grease meets The Jetsons with Supercharging) in LA should be ready later this year,” Musk wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Leaks from General Motors’ Cruise robotaxi unit reveal some of their plan to rebuild after their failure in San Francisco may involve working in another state like Texas or Arizona, and to continue the pause on deploying their custom-designed robotaxi known as the Origin.


Scaling back and avoiding California and a custom vehicle are, at least for now, the right strategy for Cruise.