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This solar powered motorcycle never needs charging for true energy independence

For years, electric mobility has been shaped by predictable patterns: bigger batteries, denser charging networks, and efficiency improvements that feel more evolutionary than revolutionary. Yet the dependency remains the same: riders still need plugs, stations, and the infrastructure that powers their daily movement. In the middle of this familiar landscape arrives a concept that doesn’t try to optimize the system but instead questions why the system needs to exist at all. The SOLARIS Self-Charging Solar Motorcycle by MASK Architects challenges the core assumptions of electric mobility with a vehicle that produces its own energy and redefines the relationship between rider, machine, and environment.

Developed by Öznur Pınar Cer and Danilo Petta, the SOLARIS approaches mobility as something closer to a self-sustaining organism than a machine waiting to be recharged. It operates entirely on power it generates itself, eliminating reliance on fuel stations, external charging points, or electrical grids. This shift reframes freedom for riders, offering movement that isn’t conditioned by access to infrastructure or energy markets. It introduces a future where independence is built into the vehicle, pushing the concept of autonomy far beyond driving modes or connected features.

Designer: MASK Architects

The technology that enables this transformation begins with next-generation photovoltaic cells integrated into the motorcycle’s structure. These high-efficiency solar elements convert light into energy throughout the day, ensuring the system remains active under varying conditions. A defining feature of the SOLARIS is its deployable charging mechanism, which expands into a protective wing when the motorcycle is parked. This design increases the solar capture area by up to 150 percent, allowing the battery to be replenished whether the vehicle is in motion or stationary. The result is a power source that continuously supports itself, removing the downtime associated with conventional charging and allowing the vehicle to remain ready for use without external input.

Visual identity plays an equally important role in its appeal. The deployable wing draws inspiration from the structure of a dragonfly’s wing, merging natural efficiency with a mechanical aesthetic. This biomimetic approach gives the motorcycle a distinctive presence while reinforcing its connection to the environment it relies on for power. The blend of organic influence and engineered precision creates a form that communicates both purpose and innovation, capturing the attention of users who value sustainability and future-focused design.

The potential impact of a self-charging motorcycle extends beyond individual riders. Without dependence on fuel or electricity networks, the concept becomes a practical solution for remote regions, developing communities, and delicate natural environments where infrastructure is limited or intentionally preserved. For logistics operators, tour providers, and municipal programs, the removal of energy costs and reduced mechanical complexity offers clear economic advantages and faster returns compared to traditional electric models.

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Formula E Gen4 is a 800-horsepower evolution driving electric racing’s future

Electric racing has always been about progress—each generation of Formula E machinery redefining what’s possible for battery-powered performance. From the original Gen1 car that barely completed a race on a single battery to the sleek, aerodynamically advanced Gen3 that pushed 200 mph, every leap has mirrored the rapid evolution of EV technology itself. Now, the newly unveiled Gen4 signals another turning point; one that blends raw speed, cutting-edge control systems, and true sustainability into a single statement of intent for the sport’s future.

Set to debut in the 2026–27 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Gen4 car represents a substantial step forward in both engineering and purpose. It delivers 450 kW (around 603 hp) in race trim and up to 600 kW (over 800 hp) in Attack Mode, nearly 200 hp more than the outgoing Gen3 machine. The boost is complemented by a new permanent all-wheel-drive system, which, unlike the Gen3’s limited use of front-axle regeneration, remains active throughout the race. This not only improves acceleration and grip but also introduces an unlimited traction control system and anti-lock braking for sharper, more consistent handling.

Designer: Formula E

Energy recovery has also been significantly enhanced. The Gen4’s regenerative braking now peaks at 700 kW compared to Gen3’s 600 kW, allowing for faster recharge during races and fewer compromises on pace. Its usable battery capacity rises to 55 kWh from 51 kWh, enabling teams to adopt more flexible strategies while sustaining higher outputs for longer durations. Combined with new aero options, high-downforce for qualifying and low-downforce for race conditions, the car offers tunable performance that better suits diverse circuits and race formats.

Visually and structurally, the Gen4 is sleeker yet more responsible. Built from 100 percent recyclable composites and containing at least 20 %percent recycled material, it reinforces Formula E’s environmental focus. The design is a collaboration between the FIA and Spark Racing Technology, refined with input from manufacturers such as Porsche, Nissan, Jaguar, Stellantis, and Lola, all of whom are integrating lessons from the track into road-going EV programs.

When compared to its predecessor, the Gen4 is more than just a performance upgrade; it’s a philosophical evolution. The Gen3 prioritized efficiency and lightweight engineering, but the Gen4 couples that efficiency with unprecedented power delivery and stability. It bridges the gap between electric precision and traditional motorsport spectacle, pushing top speeds beyond 209 mph while maintaining a smaller carbon footprint than ever before.

As Formula E enters this new era, the Gen4 car embodies the championship’s original promise – to make electric racing not only sustainable but thrilling. The sport is no longer proving that EVs can perform; it’s demonstrating how they can outperform. For fans and engineers alike, the Gen4 marks the moment electric racing stops chasing its combustion past and starts shaping motorsport’s electric future!

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Wheelhome turns Tesla Model 3 into ultimate electric rooftop camper with Dashaway eRC

You don’t necessarily need a van or a pickup truck to have a camping rig capable of going off-grid for weeks on end. Wheelhome believes Tesla’s popular Model 3 is an ideal candidate to transform into a camping legend with a roof camper that fits seamlessly against its curving roofline.

The British manufacturer has been building compact camper cars and tiny caravans for more than three decades, but this latest conversion (or installation, rather) gives EV campers something entirely new to think about. With no modifications required to the car per se, Wheelhome has been able to turn the Tesla Model 3 into an electric rooftop camper complete with a sofa cum bed, an equipped kitchen, a sink, and a portable toilet, all within the camper’s full standing room and naturally lighted interior.

Designer: Wheelhome

The entire setup is made possible by mounting the Wheelhome Dashaway eRC (electric roof camper) onto the roof of the Model 3. Designed to sit on an additionally purchased Tesla roof rack and towbar, the Dashaway pop-up camping rig starts at about £23,400. It is a rooftop camper with a fast set-up time and an elevating roof, which adds roughly 150 kg of dead weight and turns the Tesla into a campervan-like facility for up to two people to share.

Dashaway eRC is a practical solution for the top of a Model 3 because, unlike the hard-sided rooftop tents, it has a nice standing height inside. The pod with a window and a mesh door offers ample natural light inside, while its fiberglass pop-up top keeps the construction lightweight and durable. The spacious interior cabin is good to sleep a couple and also cater to their daytime requirements with a two-seat rear-facing bench (that converts into a bed), plenty of storage just ahead.

The series of cabinetry is topped with a sink and a hideaway porta-potty (portable toilet). The folding counter and cabinets make space for a full-fledged kitchen, which can be packed with an induction cooktop, oven, microwave, and air fryer. Interestingly, the camper’s Water supply, compressor fridge, and the power bank reside behind the driver’s seat (converting the back into a two-seater bench). Behind the folding seats is Model 3’s boot, which is provided with storage containers (two of them a meter long each) for storing and transporting supplies.

You don’t need to be hooked up to a campsite for power; the camper’s battery can be powered by the car’s own low-voltage system, and the campsite electric grid can be used to charge the car battery, when required. The Wheelhome Dashaway eRC on the roof of the Model 3 is completely dismountable. According to the makers, it’s effortless, even a one-person can easily set up and remove the rooftop camper. Of course, you could wonder about the drag and range limitation with the Dashaway on the roof. Early tests suggest there are very few performance issues; yes, the speed takes a dip, but the camping solution doesn’t add more than 10 percent loss of the car’s range.

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Ferrari’s F76 exists only in the metaverse yet feels more real than any hypercar

When Ferrari marks its milestones, it doesn’t merely look back; the Italian marque sketches the future. In honor of its 76-year legacy since the 1949 win at 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 166 MM Barchetta, the company has introduced the Ferrari F76: a purely digital hypercar existing solely as an NFT, ushering in a new era of automotive design and ownership.

Ferrari describes the F76 as the first-ever “digital hypercar,” built not for asphalt but for the blockchain. The project was conceived by Ferrari’s Styling Center under Flavio Manzoni as a legitimate design exercise, rather than a mere digital novelty. The choice of the number 76 commemorates Ferrari’s endurance racing heritage while signaling a bold digital pivot.

Designer: Ferrari

The F76 breaks conventional design constraints by embracing the possibilities of digital space. Its double-fuselage layout separates driver and passenger into two distinct cells, flanking a central channel that transforms the entire body into a giant wing, something entirely unfeasible under road-car regulations. The front features retractable headlights tucked beneath a floating band, vertical side cuts echoing the forthcoming F80 hypercar, and a rear section where four characteristic Ferrari taillights are integrated into a wing-bridge structure.

Ferrari employed generative algorithms and parametric design to optimize the F76’s bodywork for aerodynamics, cooling and ground-effect performance, an approach that Chevrolet might call “physics by code”. Inside the two cockpits, drive-by-wire technology synchronizes steering and pedals so driver and passenger receive feedback in unison, even though in the digital realm “feedback” is to the senses rather than the seat of the pants.

Availability is strictly limited to invitation-only membership in Ferrari’s “Hyperclub.” Each owner selects livery, wheels and interior trim during a three-year drop schedule, then receives a locked-down digital file: a unique NFT that can be held, sold, or displayed in a virtual garage. Pricing remains undisclosed and no real-world counterpart is being built. This is creation at the speed of light, not rubber on tarmac.

With the F76, Ferrari isn’t just tapping into the NFT trend; it’s staking its claim on digital metamorphosis. The project serves as a concept vehicle for design ideas that could eventually filter into road-going models, even though today the F76 is confined to the virtual realm. For enthusiasts of car culture and digital innovation alike, it raises the question: if a hypercar only exists in code, how real is the experience, and how far will that novelty travel into the physical world?

If you’re intrigued by the intersection of hypercar design, blockchain and digital exclusivity, keep an eye on how the F76 evolves—and whether its design DNA migrates into tangible Ferrari models. Consider this your invitation to explore what the future of automotive expression might look like. We also cannot count out the appearance of this beautiful hypercar in game franchises like Forza Horizon or Gran Turismo.

 

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Axiom RV Vendetta is 47-foot fifth-wheeler that sleeps 12 people in a homely environment

You can be forgiven for not knowing who Axiom RV is. They’re relatively new to the towable RV industry, but their presence is already being felt. Especially with the introduction of the Vendetta, a model designed to set a new standard in fifth wheels and toy haulers through its distinctive design and conceptualization.

The toy hauler market is typically dominated by rugged rigs built for adventurous couples seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences. The Vendetta, however, targets the other end of the spectrum. It’s designed to accommodate larger groups in comfort and style. If you’re a football team planning a camping trip together, this is exactly the kind of experience Axiom RV—founded by three industry veterans—had in mind with their latest offering.

Designer: Axiom RV

What sets the Vendetta apart is not essentially its insignificant clearance from the ground to make it a toy hauler for the days on the unpaved roads, but ideally its mammoth 47-foot real estate that can accommodate up to 12 people without feeling cramped. Based on a triple-axel trailer, the fifth wheeler has a dead weight of roughly 22,000 pounds and is easily the most extravagant camping trailer you can get your eyes on.

This distinction, of course, for most other rigs would start at the exterior or the luxurious interior. For the Vendetta, if I may, it starts at the roof, which has been essentially cleared out of any vents or holes; it’s a clean, new style of roof canvas for the user to explore. The body is made from marine-grade fiberglass with gelcoat, which Axiom proudly highlights, making no use of the unattractive wood or metal. The smooth and interesting finish is also durable. If you have been reading about the trailers and RVs we feature here on the website, you wouldn’t be surprised; most of the new adventure rigs are now employing fiberglass and composite materials in their construction, as Axiom RV boasts.

Once you enter the Vendetta, things really blow up in front of your eyes. The interior is nicely spaced and laid out to feel spacious and capable. And interestingly, the space inside is highlighted by the tall ceiling, which, according to the company, measures 9’10” high. The living area (in the middle) is outfitted with a U-shaped couch with 12 recliners, while the primary bedroom sits in the front of the trailer, and the garage goes into the rear side.  The trailer has four slides to create additional space, along with the convertible living space to sleep up to 12 individuals.

While the solitary bathroom may be a letdown for such a large occupancy, the open spaces, courtesy of a patio and the additional open garage door ramp, provide ample breathing room. Most fascinating still is the Vendetta’s huge rear kitchen. It is packed with extensive storage and large countertop space for homelike cooking on the road. The heating and cooling are catered to by the Mini Split HVAC system and rear-mount generator system, which allows for true pass-through storage. Available in two models: base model V4250 and a higher model V4250SP, priced roughly around $200,000, are provided with an entertainment system with a 65-inch TV, a 170-gallon fresh water tank, a 110-gallon gray water tank, and 200 watts of solar power. There is a range of add-ons that you can look for on the official Axiom website.

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AVG Batmobile Tribute is a Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG turned into Gotham’s Ultimate Street Machine

In a move that would make Bruce Wayne proud, the AVG Batmobile Tribute roars out of the shadows as a street-legal blend of Gotham grit and German precision. Built upon a Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, this one-off creation channels the brooding spirit of Batman’s iconic ride while preserving the mechanical soul of a high-performance AMG coupe. It’s less of a movie prop and more of a real-world vigilante’s dream; honed by equal parts muscle, mystery, and meticulous craftsmanship.

The donor car already had serious credentials. Powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V8, the second-generation CL55 AMG was tuned by Danish specialist Kleemann to deliver around 600 horsepower. From there, the transformation became an international effort involving AVG Autos in Germany and Specautotuning in Ukraine, both contributing to the complete redesign of the body and systems. The result is a Batmobile that looks like it just rolled out of Wayne Manor’s underground garage.

Designer: Specautotuning and AVG Autos

Visually, the Batmobile Tribute is a pure theatrics saga. Its matte-black composite body features floating wheel arches, dual rear wings, and a network of animated LED lights that bring a futuristic glow to its dark aesthetic. The car sits on enormous wheels that are 400/55-22.5 at the front and 500/60-22.5 at the rear. Wrapped around custom hubs, these boots look ready for Gotham’s roughest backstreets. Details such as vented hoods, faux turrets, and angular armor-like panels give it a cinematic presence, while the underpinnings remain authentically Mercedes.

The Batmobile Tribute packs an array of standout details like floating wheel fenders, twin simulated machine-gun turrets, flip-up doors with integrated windshields, dual rear spoilers, a twin-exhaust setup, and a rear plate proudly emblazoned with “GOTHAM.”

Inside, the cabin mixes AMG luxury with comic-book audacity. Original leather elements are retained but reimagined with carbon-fiber bucket seats, racing harnesses, and digital display screens that add to its high-tech vibe. Analog gauges are recalibrated to a top speed of 320 km/h, hinting that the car’s performance matches its menacing appearance.

The project reportedly cost more than €250,000 ($2,90,500), excluding the base car, which had logged roughly 150,000 km before its reinvention. A third-party inspection was completed in late 2024, ensuring that the finished machine isn’t just for show. In December 2024, it went up for auction through SBX Cars, with bidding starting around $18,000 is a surprisingly modest opening for something so unique.

Whether seen as a tribute to Bruce Wayne’s legendary crime-fighting fleet or as a bold art piece on wheels, the AVG Batmobile Tribute embodies the crossover between fantasy and engineering. It proves that with enough imagination and horsepower, even an ordinary luxury coupe can be reborn as Gotham’s ultimate street machine.

 

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Storage-savvy Auriga Explorer transforms the Ford Ranger into a wild off-grid adventurer

In general, truck campers are built to be stout. It’s the same with the Auriga Explorer as well. What sets this German camper apart from the others, however, is its finesse, materials, and the ample storage onboard. The Auriga Explorer combines the “freedom of a compact four-wheel drive pickup truck” with the “comfort of a luxurious expedition vehicle,” Frank Haltermann, Design Engineer & Managing Director, informs.

Designed for an unforgettable adventure off the beaten track, the Auriga Explorer is manufactured and assembled in Germany. It’s built on either the back of a Ford Ranger or a Volkswagen Amarok, and features a GRP (glass-fiber-reinforced plastic) body. The high-quality composite combines fiberglass and plastic to offer lightweight construction, weather-resistance, and durability for overland travel in a wide range of climates.

Designer: Auriga Explorer

The Auriga Explorer measures 5.85 m long, 2.25 m high, and 2.10 m wide. The interior is 8 sqm, and features a pneumatic pop-top roof, transforming the otherwise compact interior into a spacious home with 2.05m headroom at the highest point. An electro-pneumatic actuation system lifts the two-panel roof while the three button-activated slide-outs in the camper body make room for storage. The pop-up roof fits in a cozy alcove bedroom comprising split beds, which fold upward individually so one person can continue sleeping, while the other gets down to start their day.

It’s not just the upward space creation; the camper can slide out on the sides and the rear as well. The rear slide-out, for instance, serves as the garage storage to carry your gear. Slide-outs on the left and right sides let you store clothes and everyday travel accessories. A tall wardrobe separating the kitchen from the dinette inside can be used for hanging jackets and other necessities. The seating area with benches and a pull-out table offers space for up to six people, which can be used for dining, playing, or chatting with friends/family during the day. When the night falls, the seating area can be transformed into a comfortable guest bed.

The compact kitchen within the Auriga Explorer is provided with a diesel-powered two-burner hob and oven. Just on the opposite side, the removable floor and fold-out walls make space for a shower cubicle, while a dry separation toilet integrated inside can be pulled out when required. This truck camper is only a prototype at the time of writing. The website notes that Auriga Explorer will be available by the end of 2025, though when and for how much remains a mystery. If you’re someone away from Germany, you can take heart from the fact that the camper is designed to fit into a standard overseas container. So, the company should be able to transport it to any navigable corner of the world.

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Stylish over-ear headphones that turn into true wireless earbuds with quick transition

Whenever the hybrid element is highlighted in a gadget, it piques my interest. More so when it is an audio accessory, such as headphones or earphones. I fancied the Streamline hybrid earphones concept from earlier this year for the ingenious method of having wired and wireless earphones in one. Yet another concept design sparks my interest in audio gear, especially headphones and earbuds.

The O-Scene Ear concept is a pair of wireless headphones that can be used as wireless earbuds depending on the requirement and mood. This is a best-case scenario for music lovers who want to have both headphones and earbuds handy, whether they are traveling, at the workplace, or working on their home workstation. This hybrid design has many advantages, including adaptability to varied scenarios like sports regimes, daily commute to work, or simply entertainment at home. More than anything else, these hybrid headphones look way cooler than your regular pair of cans.

Designer: Inspire Curve

The concept has been thought of very mindfully with focus on functional features, storage design, and seamless switching between the two modes. The storage case of the headphones is designed in a way that it can be integrated into the behind-the-ear form. When noticed closely, the section that comes around the ear is made out of a bendable hose material that ensures a comfortable wearing experience for people with any ear shape or size. What excites me the most is the earbuds mode, in which the charging case transforms into a carrying case for the cans. This happens as the magnetic tips at the ear end, which are the loop hose of the charging case, fold back magnetically. Each of the charging cases magnetically attaches to the other to turn into a small hanging bag for ultra portability and to show off your style.

Although these over-the-ear headphones are not your typical headphones with a headband connecting the two individual cans, they adopt a modern evolutionary design that eliminates the need for the headband. They typically are behind-the-ear headphones with a larger driver unit that sits flush on the ear when in headphone mode. The inside of the charging case has auxiliary speakers and noise-filtering cotton, which help enrich the sound layering and boost the stereoscopic range of the pair. This results in immersive audio, which e-sports gamers and music lovers will appreciate. The cotton also doubles as a passive noise isolator to block out distracting external noises.

When you want to have the least intrusive form of earbuds, simply take them out of the main housing and you are ready to go. The designer hasn’t made it clear if the earbuds have ANC capabilities or not, but I presume that would be the feature they won’t want to miss out on. Sound quality in the earbuds mode is also not detailed in one, still, I think it will be on par with the headphones. Yet again, this concept has left me stumbling over the same question: why aren’t audio gear makers thinking on the same lines?

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Kikfin Shark Jetpack Wearable Underwater Propulsion System to Deep Dive and Swim at 6 Mph

Jetpacks have long been a dream for humanity, but we’re still far from seeing people regularly strapped into them, flying from home to work. However, an Israeli startup believes it’s much simpler to provide a harnessed jetpack that lets people fly underwater, rather than through the air, at speeds of up to 5.8 mph. It’s called the Shark Jet Pack and is designed to use water jets attached to the back, enabling wearers to dive deep into the sea and swim alongside sharks and other marine life.

The KikFin Shark Jetpack features two pectoral-inspired fins, which help the device mimic the movements of fast sea creatures like sharks, thus the name. Worn on the back, it gives the wearer hands-free freedom to move freely through the water as though they were part of the ocean’s natural ecosystem.

Designer: KiKFin

The KiKFin Shark is harnessed around the shoulder and meant to rest on your back like a jetpack designed for flying. It is lightweight, so you won’t feel its bulk on the shoulder and back. It tips the scale at 13 pounds (slightly over 6 kgs) with the battery onboard, and can thrust you through the water at blistering speeds that you can control from the glove in the hand.

The top speed we are talking about is 5.8 mph, which is made possible by two cylindrical thrusters on the back. Each of them contains a propeller to provide the propulsion. The cylinders are connected to the pectoral fins for stability. The jetpack can allow you to dive down to depths of 131 feet (40 m), so it’s not just for shallow swimming in any way.

The glove works as a speed controller, letting you select between three speed modes depending on what creature you are following, or what predator is chasing you. While speeds are fascinating, it’s how you maneuver the jetpack that will win you over. The wearer is required to simply tilt the head in the direction they’d like to go. The sensors on the Shark will pick that up and adjust the body position and the thrusters accordingly.

The entire rig is powered by batteries. These are embedded within the fins to remain cool during operation. Designed to last between 45 and 85 minutes, depending upon how it is being used. These are swappable, so you can instantly stack in a new one without having to leave the water. The KiKFin Shark jetpack was briefly available on the company website for pre-order at $500, we learn. Currently, the website resides behind a password wall and we cannot confirm if KiKFin is still taking preorders, what the retail price is going to be, or when we can expect to fly underwater with the Shark.

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