Category Archives: Technology

Truck Tech: “2020 Nikola Badger” Electric Pickup Will Have 600 Mile Range

Nikola Badger LogoThe Badger was designed to handle 0-100 mph launches with minimal loss of performance and to operate on grades up to 40% through advanced software blending of batteries and fuel-cell. With a fully loaded trailer and combined vehicle weight of 18,000 lbs., the Badger will be able to launch from a standstill on a 30% grade without motor stall.

PHOENIX, AZ (February 10, 2020) — Nikola Corporation is excited to announce the product launch of the Nikola Badger electric pickup truck with an estimated range of 600 miles.

Unlike anything on the market, the advanced electric pickup is designed to target and exceed every electric or petrol pickup in its class. The Badger is engineered to deliver 980 ft. lbs. of torque, 906 peak HP and 455 continuous HP. The Badger will be built in conjunction with another OEM utilizing their certified parts and manufacturing facilities.

Nikola Badger Electric Hydrogen Truck Specifications February 10 2020

The electric pickup is designed to handle what a construction company could throw at it and is engineered to outperform all electric pickup trucks on the market in both continuous towing, HP and range. The Badger will be outfitted with a 15-kilowatt power outlet for tools, lights and compressors, which is enough power to assist a construction site for approximately 12 hours without a generator.

“Nikola has billions worth of technology in our semi-truck program, so why not build it into a pickup truck?” said Trevor Milton, CEO, Nikola Corporation. “I have been working on this pickup program for years and believe the market is now ready for something that can handle a full day’s worth of work without running out of energy. This electric truck can be used for work, weekend getaways, towing, off-roading or to hit the ski slopes without performance loss. No other electric pickup can operate in these temperatures and conditions.”

Nikola Badger Hydrogen and Electric Truck Interior February 10 2020

Heavy D, a reality TV star from the “Diesel Brothers,” has partnered with Nikola to design, build and test the Badger in real world environments, which is anticipated to attract millions of viewers and followers through the process. The partnership will follow the Badger build from concept through production.

“My audience, hard-core truck enthusiasts, has expected me to push the limits of truck power and capabilities since my beginnings,” said Heavy D, AKA Dave Sparks. “Being able to pull back the curtain of a production truck build is a rare opportunity where we can include the everyday truck owner to participate in the final outcome of design, exterior choices and performance specs. I wanted to be part of that story and now I have the opportunity with Nikola.”

“The Nikola Badger is a game changer. The program will help drive down the cost of the fuel-cell components on our semi-truck while accelerating the hydrogen station rollout. Giving customers the option to order a fuel-cell or battery electric version will ensure we drive the cost down for everyone across our lineup,” said Mark Russell, president of Nikola Corporation.

The Nikola Badger will make its first appearance at Nikola World 2020 in Phoenix. Prototypes will be available for select customers and media to ride in at Nikola World.

You can see more details at www.nikolamotor.com/badger.

Society: “How To Do The Most Good Possible” (The Economist Video)

Doing good is increasingly about more than giving away money. Living kidney donations are rising and a new movement is pushing altruistically minded people to choose careers in fields, such as AI, that will shape the world’s future.

Technology Podcasts: “CES 2020” Highlights With Samsung And Sony Execs

 

CES 2020 featured remarkable innovations from both long-time exhibitors and companies you might not typically think of as tech companies. We also unveiled our Global Tech Challenge, calling on innovators to use their tech for good. There was so much to see and do over just a few short days. Join us as we look back on highlights from this year’s show with leaders from Samsung and Sony, two of the most talked-about brands at CES 2020.

Fusion Of Design & Film: The “Making Of Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR” (Video)

Mercedes-Benz and the upcoming “Avatar” films – what at first seemed to be an unexpected global partnership, turned into a unique interdisciplinary experience.

Jon Landau Producer Lightstorm Entertainment Making Of Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept Car February 10 2020 video

Inspired by the world of “Avatar”, the two partners created the astonishing VISION AVTR. In this exclusive behind-the-scenes feature, key team members from both parties share their thoughts on the cooperation process and provide fascinating insights into the concept vehicle itself.

Credits: ™ & © 20th Century Fox Film Corp.

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Future Of Mobility: “The Out” Phone App Delivers Luxury Cars To Your Door

The Entrepreneurs Monocle 24Alexander Walton Masters is the managing director of The Out, an on-demand luxury car-rental company that exists to help Londoners escape the city. 

The Out On Demand Car Rental App logoThe company was born out of Jaguar Land Rover’s venture-capital arm InMotion, which incubates and invests in companies in the mobility space. From delivery to pick-up of its Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, The Out aims to take away the usual pains of renting.

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Trends: “Nuro” Receives First Self-Driving Delivery Vehicle Exemption (USDOT)

From a Nuro online Blog news release (February 6, 2020):

Nuro.ai logoToday, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approved a regulatory exemption for R2, Nuro’s second-generation vehicle. As the first company to be granted approval for a self-driving vehicle exemption, it’s an important moment for Nuro and a milestone for the industry. Under Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao’s leadership, DOT is advancing a future of improved safety, mobility, and commerce.

Nuro Self-Driving Delivery Vehicle compartments open

This decision provides regulatory certainty for Nuro to operate our second-generation self-driving vehicle, built to carry packages instead of people. We custom-designed R2 to enrich local commerce with last-mile delivery of consumer products, groceries, and hot food from local stores and restaurants. With its specially designed size, weight, pedestrian-protecting front end, operating speed, electric propulsion, and cautious driving habits, R2 is ready to begin service as a socially responsible neighborhood vehicle that you can trust. In the coming weeks, R2 will begin public road testing to prepare for its first deliveries to customers’ homes with our partners in Houston, Texas. With this vehicle, we can also bring our service to new cities, so more Americans can benefit from safe, efficient, convenient on-demand deliveries.

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Housing: “Nestron” Is First Prefab, Fully Integrated Smart Home In The World

Nestron is the first fully prefabricated, integrated and equipped house in the world. Zero construction required.

  • Adaptive insulation – The house is suitable for living in all kinds of climates. The isolation system in walls, double-tempered glass, and fitted doors guarantee the highest possible comfort.

Nestron Tiny Homes Interior Singapore

  • Solid construction – The steel structure and top quality materials guarantee the highest level of safety. Every Nestron house meet fireproof and earthquake-resistant standards.
  • AI System – Your Nestron is a fully integrated smart house. Use your voice to control the most important functions and let the appliances learn your way of living.

Nestron Tiny Homes Singapore

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Future Of Boating: “2020 Serenity 64” Solar-Electric Catamaran

Serenity Yachts will make its U.S. debut at the 2020 Miami International Boat Show at the Miami Marine Stadium. 

Serenity Yachts Serenity 74 All Electric Catamaran 2020

We offer pure electric and hybrid yachts that use solar panels to give you a power catamaran with a virtually endless range. Not only do we strive to eliminate the dependency on fossil fuel, we are also committed to building yachts that cannot be outdated. Instead of relying on current technology that may quickly become obsolete, we have designed many of our systems in a way that makes them easy to upgrade as new and improved technologies become available.

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Future Of Driving: Behind The Scenes Look At “Rivian Electric Trucks” (Video)

A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a new kind of car company. Follow the Rivian team out of stealth mode and into the wild as we prepare to launch the world’s first electric adventure vehicles.

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Retro Tech: “Gearbox Automatic Turntable MkII”

GEARBOX AUTOMATIC TURNTABLE MKIIThe Gearbox Automatic has created quite a buzz in the audio world, a plug & play turntable that plugs a gap in the portable turntable sector. It features high-quality components, meaning the sound is astonishing for its price class. This you would expect from Gearbox of course, but it also does things no other turntable has ever done before.

What also sets this turntable apart is the high-fidelity built-in valve phono stage, (the first in the world to have one), which has been designed and tuned for moving magnet cartridges such as the pre-fitted Ortofon OM10. This means that you can plug the turntable straight into any line input and enjoy the warm and open acoustics, right from the box.

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