The airplane is arguably the biggest single revolution in travel ever. Voyages that used to entail weeks of dangerous, life-threatening navigation can now be done in the matter of hours. No single invention has connected physical space like the plane. Yet, there's still much room for improvement in terms of cost, efficiency and comfort. With this in mind a team of U.S. designers is developing what they believe is a better solution for flying: the Synergy aircraft. Read More

Traditionally, stand-up paddle boarders have had to choose between stable, versatile solid boards and easy to transport inflatables. The Origami Paddler is a new option: a foldable paddle board that transports easily while giving you a solid platform to ride on. Read More

These days, Flash memory is almost the defacto standard for data storage in consumer devices, being found in everything from PCs and digital cameras, to smartphones and USB thumb drives. But a team of researchers at University College of London (UCL) has developed a new type of memory chip that is much faster than Flash memory, while also offering greater storage densities and requiring much less power. Could the days of Flash memory's dominance be numbered? Read More

Although transport truck drivers routinely shift gears when going up or down hills, those hills can sometimes sneak up on them. Using Daimler’s GPS-enabled Predictive Power Control, however, the new Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor unit will now be able to see those hills coming. This will allow it to automatically change gears before the going gets tough, resulting in fuel savings of up to three percent over moderately difficult topography. Read More

Bicycle lights may not exactly be a problem that needs solving, but the following can admittedly be said about most of them – they’re easily stolen if left on an unattended bike, people who start riding at dusk can forget to turn them on, and those same people can forget to turn them off when they reach their destination. Well, the makers of the Blink/Steady Bike Light have set out to address all of those shortcomings. Read More

Professional DSLRs like the Nikon D4 and the Canon EOS-1D X are hard-as-nails devices which can take a battering and operate in the toughest of conditions. Users with more modest cameras however, have to be a little more considerate about where and when they shoot. In the middle of a torrential downpour for example, not a good idea … normally. The Pentax K-30 is a mid-level DSLR which packs weather-resistance and dustproofing into an entry-level sized camera. Read More

MINI just pumped new technology into its John Cooper Works options package. The new features promise ultra-sporty performance across the whole brand's line. Starting in July, new John Cooper Works options will be available for the Countryman, Clubman, convertible, Coupe and Roadster. Named after the company's founder and early racecar driver, John Cooper Works is the customization package for the MINI brand, which offers a range of upgrades from an enhanced engine to custom paint jobs. The BMW-owned automotive manufacturer is adding a new-generation engine, fuel efficiency options, and power train innovations to its John Cooper works line. Read More

Xavier Chevrin is no stranger to extended EV adventures. In 2008, he rode an electric scooter between Paris, France and Almaty in Kazakhstan, and two years later he set the record for the longest distance traveled in an electric vehicle by taking a Venturi-powered electric Citroën Berlingo van from Shanghai in China to Paris, notching up some 13,400 km (8,326 miles) in the process – but costing less than 200 dollars for the whole trip. Now he's set off on an African adventure that will take him from Nairobi to Johannesburg – a distance of around 4,800 km (just short of 3,000 miles) – in about six weeks, charging the vehicle as he stops to chat with locals along the way. Read More

If you've ever camped, you know how difficult it can be to stay organized. There's so much gear that you need just to eat, sleep and relax, and if you lose just one piece, it could ruin your whole trip. My Camp Kitchen is a kitchen storage solution that keeps all your cooking and eating gear in one neat package. Read More