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BICYCLES Bike motor keeps things small and simple A lot of people want an electric boost while they're cycling. That's why several types of add-on motors exist. One of the latest, the bimoz, is not only a lot less obtrusive than most, but at 1.97 kg (4.3 lb) including battery, it's also claimed to be one of the lightest.   read more AUTOMOTIVE Aston Martin to team with Red Bull Racing to create "ground-breaking" hypercar Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing have announced they will be working together on a new hypercar project. Gizmag was at the launch of the partnership in Melbourne to chat with Red Bull's legendary Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey, as well as Aston Martin design chief Marek Reichman.   read more ARCHITECTURE Lean but still green: Scaled-down Google HQ design revealed Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Heatherwick Studio have submitted the revised plans for Google's Mountain View headquarters, giving us a good idea of what form the tech giant's completed digs will take. read more ENVIRONMENT Eggs to help bring bioplastics out of their shell Researchers have found that adding broken eggshells to a bioplastic mix results in a biodegradable material with the strength and flexibility required for packaging purposes.  read more VR HTC Vive's magic now includes a lightsaber battle and a Lab full of stunning demos (hands-on) At this point you might be sick of visiting Gizmag only to see pictures of writers wearing VR headsets all over the front page. But we couldn't live with ourselves if we left out the HTC Vive, which may be the most mesmerizing of the bunch. We met with Valve today for another impressive demo.  read more SPORTS Nike gets up and running with power-lacing sneakers Nike today unveiled its first consumer-focused self-lacing sneakers. The HyperAdapt 1.0 trainers are aimed at those who have grown tired of double knots and bunny ears. ​​  read more SCIENCE Nanopillared surface inspired by insect wings counteracts bacteria Scientists have developed a germ-repelling synthetic polymer inspired by the antibacterial powers of insect wings, which they say could form the basis of resilient new types of eye implants.   read more OUTDOORS Folding helmet inspired by the pangolin and honeybees An unlikely pairing of a pangolin and honeybees inspired Golem Innovation to create the Alpha helmet, an articulating noggin protector that retracts around your neck when not in use.  read more ROBOTICS Light used to steer muscle-powered bio-bots It was just a couple of years ago that we heard about how scientists were using electrical fields to activate tiny muscle-powered "walking" biological robots – or "bio-bots." Recently, however, the researchers made an improvement: the bio-bots can now be steered using light.​  read more ROBOTICS Sweep sensor adds affordable autonomy and laser mapping to drones and robots A new startup is looking to create a consumer-affordable scanning LiDAR, ideal for makers, enthusiasts, and students. The Scanse Sweep is designed to provide 360 degree sensing capabilities to drones, robots, and more.  read more ARCHITECTURE Light art meets renewable energy The prolific Studio Roosegaarde has followed its Smog Free Tower and Waterlicht projects with a work that combines their respective environmental and light installation elements. Windlicht seeks to show the beauty of green energy by linking the blades of neighboring wind turbines with LED beams.  read more GOOD THINKING Insect communications device is kinda buggy Fireflies are certainly fascinating to watch, but have you ever wanted to join in the conversation? Well, you apparently should soon be able to do so, with a little help from the Firefly Communicator.  read more ROBOTICS Unmanned Warrior to demonstrate latest in autonomous maritime warfare To examine to feasibility for using greater numbers of unmanned and autonomous systems in maritime environments, in the last quarter of 2016 the Royal Navy will conduct Unmanned Warrior, a large-scale technology demonstration off the west coast of Scotland.  read more SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR GIZMAG READERS Pay what you want for 5 Years of 500GB cloud backup from Zoolz Get the reliability of one of the top data backup companies around by choosing Zoolz. And now you can pay what you want for 100GB of storage for next 5 years--or beat the average for a whopping 500GB. The choice is yours--but either way Zoolz is committed to your data for the next 5 years.  read more Four hours with PlayStation VR: Good headset, potentially great games – horrible motion controls If Sony can get its PlayStation VR headset so it's in the same ballpark of user-friendliness as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, it could do big things. We aren't counting out Sony's headset, but it also isn't there yet. read more VR Sony's PlayStation VR: The price is right, with caveats Sony's PlayStation VR has some big advantages on its side in this burgeoning VR space. You can add another huge advantage to that list, as PSVR costs "only" $399.  read more INVENTORS & REMARKABLE PEOPLE Dezso Molnar interview: On the road with a serial inventor and flying car advocate Dezso Molnar is living his childhood dream, travelling America and the world as a wandering inventor. He’s in the process of starting up a flying car racing league, into which he’ll enter his own flying motorcycle.  read more VR The Oculus Rift's launch window lineup looks incredible: Hands-on with 12 of the best Rift games We already knew Oculus had some impressive – dare we say "magical" – games in the pipeline for the Rift. That belief was only reinforced after spending six full hours inside the VR headset earlier this week. These are our impressions of the 12 Oculus Rift games we went in-depth with.  read more AUTOMOTIVE McLaren takes the Sport Series racing with 570S GT4 Formula One might still be top of the world motorsport tree, but GT racing is fast emerging as a battleground for incredible winged supercars. The latest to be shod in slicks and fitted with a full aerodynamics kit is the McLaren 570S, which has made the jump from baby supercar to full on GT4 racer.  read more VR Five things we learned from spending six hours inside the Oculus Rift After spending six hours "inside" 12 Oculus Rift games earlier this week, we have a few observations on what we saw, what you can expect from the consumer Rift and making a decision between it and the Vive.  read more MEDICAL Cyborg cardiac patch offers alternative to heart transplants Using electroactive polymers and a combination of biological and engineered parts, researchers at the University of Tel Aviv have created a bionic patch for the heart that replaces damaged heart tissue, provides electrical stimulation, and releases medication on demand.  read more ARCHITECTURE NZ architects transform retro caravan into a mobile office With the help from local business Retro Events, Studio106's director Dion Gosling and interior designer Kerri Cunliffe converted a retro caravan into a mobile office space, complete with cardboard desks and portable furniture.  read more MEDICAL New molecule has stem cells primed for harvesting within the hour Preparing a donor's stem cells for harvesting involves a lot of time and injections of growth factor to boost stem cell populations ahead of the procedure. But Australian scientists have now unearthed a molecule that yields results in an hour.  read more ROBOTICS iRobot's Braava jet Mopping Robot doesn't mind getting its feet wet Designed for cleaning hard floors in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, iRobot's new Braava jet Mopping Robot boasts a number of automatic cleaning modes, including wet mopping, damp sweeping, and simple dusting.​  read more MEDICAL Smart diabetes patch gets smarter Scientists have discovered a way of delivering insulin to diabetics in a way that overcomes some of the previous complications, through a painless patch that automatically releases doses of insulin in response to rising blood sugar levels.  read more OUTDOORS Portable Hotaru shower applies pressure on the road A new eco-friendly take-with-you shower is being developed by Japanese company Hotaru. Relying on the company's water purification system, it delivers great pressure and can run on 5 gal (20 L) of water for two weeks.  read more SCIENCE Nosy fish inspires help for the eyes ​Presbyopia is a common visual condition, in which the eye's lens stiffens to the point that it can't focus on close objects. Glasses, surgery and regular contact lenses do help, but they have drawbacks. That's why scientists are developing self-focusing contacts, inspired by a fish.​  read more ARCHITECTURE "World's largest" underwater restaurant will give diners a taste of the ocean Diners at one of the Maldives' luxury resorts will soon be able to take in not just views across the crystal clear Indian Ocean, but views out under it too. It is claimed that the restaurant at the Hurawalhi resort will be the world's largest underwater restaurant.  read more ENVIRONMENT Backpack-wearing pigeons tweet London air quality readings Wondering what the air quality is like in London? Well, over the next three days, you can ask one of 10 pigeons located throughout the city, each one of which is equipped with a lightweight backpack that monitors ozone, nitrogen dioxide and volatile compounds.   read more AUTOMOTIVE Elio Motors to roll out fleeting run of 84-mpg three-wheeler After pushing back the launch of its hotly anticipated P5 three-wheeler a number of times, Elio Motors has finally announced that a limited run of pre-production vehicles will be made available to buy. It really will be limited, though, with only 100 to be sold, and all to fleet customers.  read more AIRCRAFT Qatar Airways destined for longest non-stop flight record Earlier this month, Emirates commenced flights on what is currently the longest non-stop commercial route in the world between Dubai and Auckland, New Zealand. That claim looks set to last only until December, though, when Qatar Airways will start flying between Auckland and Qatar's capital Doha.  read more AUTOMOTIVE Express Drive gives would-be ride-sharers Lyft hire Back at the start of the year, General Motors (GM) and ride-sharing service Lyft announced a partnership to develop a network of on-demand autonomous vehicles. The first fruit of that partnership is not focused on autonomy, but allows Lyft drivers to hire GM cars at affordable rates.  read more ARCHITECTURE Tiny cabin on skis offers unbeatable Alpine view High in northern Italy's rugged Dolomite mountain range, mountain lodge Rifugio Col Gallina has installed a novel tiny cabin. Dubbed Starlight Room, it boasts few amenities, but this is mitigated by the promise of an unbeatable Alpine view.  read more AROUND THE HOME Smartphone-controlled bedside lamp expands your color palette With 16 million possible colors, sleep and wake timers, and Bluetooth plus onboard controls, the Yeelight bedside lamp is designed to add some high-tech ambience to your home.  read more SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR GIZMAG READERS SKEYE Nano Camera Drone Fits in the Palm of Your Hand, Now 27% off "You don’t need years of drone-piloting experience to have a ridiculously fun time with SKEYE Nano. This bright orange quadcopter automatically calibrates each time it hits the sky, so you’re promised an enjoyable ride whether you choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced mode. Use the remote to hover and move through even the smallest of spaces, thanks to SKEYE Nano’s small and nimble design.  read more MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
Phone-charging hydroelectric plant fits in your backpack
	About two years ago, Seoul-based company Enomad made news when it put mobile phone charging stations along the manmade Cheonggyecheon River. This year at Austin's SXSW festival, the company has demonstrated that it's been able to shrink the concept down.  read more
VR
Hover Junkers for HTC Vive: One of VR's first killer games is like being in a real gunfight
	With the consumer HTC Vive set to ship in a few weeks, we're now getting a clearer picture of the marquee games that will be launching alongside the VR headset on SteamVR. Hover Junkers reminds us that gunplay in VR goes far beyond your typical Halo or Call of Duty.  read more
HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Review: Miyo DAC/amp turns up the heat on handy hi-res music listening
	Originally launched on Kickstarter, the Miyo DAC/amp has started shipping to consumers. The audio nerds behind the device promised listeners the same kind of audio quality and sonic detail found in a professional recording studio. Gizmag got one to review.  read more
SPACE
ExoMars 2016 is on its way to the Red Planet
	The latest mission to Mars began its long journey today as the ExoMars 2016 lifted off at 09:31 GMT atop a Russian Proton-M/Breeze-M rocket at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.  read more
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
New face-reading apps determine your preferences for presidents and partners
	Software developer Krush's is using SXSW to call attention to two new face-reading apps: Emotit For President and Heystax.  read more
MUSIC
Review: Nyne Rock portable Bluetooth boombox
	There are plenty of portable audio devices to choose from these days, many of which conveniently fit in bags or backpacks for carrying. But sometimes a bigger beast is called for. We got the chance to kick back and crank up one of the latest wireless speakers from Nyne, the Rock.  read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Mercedes' new E-Class gets the AMG treatment
	It's traditional that once Mercedes-Benz unveils a new vehicle, its factory tuning shop, AMG, will step in and create a beefed up, speed-centric version. Such is the case with the Mercedes-AMG E 43 4MATIC, which boosts the horsepower and top speed of the new E-Class.  read more
MILITARY
DARPA looks to head off threats from off-the-shelf tech
	Security threats are no longer the reserve of a hostile nation's military. With advanced technologies increasingly accessible, DARPA is initiating a program called "Improv" that's intended to identify and anticipate potential threats from commercially-available off-the-shelf technology.​  read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Apollo pulls the razor-sharp Arrow hypercar out of its quiver
	After some corporate reshuffling last year, Gumpert was rebranded as Apollo Automobil. The new brand is holding its coming out party at the Geneva Motor Show, revealing the all-new Arrow, a sharply styled supercar that combines (Gumpert) Apollo levels of performance with an all-new look.   read more
MUSIC
Review: u-Jays on-ear headphones offer easy repair and upgrade
	Swedish headphone developer Jays has swapped the bells-and-whistles approach for one of comfort and ruggedness for its latest u-Jays on-ear headphones. We plugged in a pair to see how they performed.​  read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Ford adds armor piercing round stopping power to pursuit-rated Police Interceptor
	Ford is offering optional ballistic panels for its Police Interceptor sedan for protection against so-called armor-piercing rifle rounds.  read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Touring Superleggera chops the top off its modern-day Disco Volante
	Italian coach builder and design house Touring Superleggera is celebrating its 90th anniversary at this year's Geneva Motor Show. With the introduction of the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spyder, it looks back on its history in moving forward into the future.  read more
OUTDOORS
Smart paddle coaches kayakers
	​Sea kayaking is like a lot of other activities, in that just because you enjoy doing it, doesn't mean you're doing it right. Well, that's where Motionize Paddle comes in. It's a system that uses your smartphone to assess and improve your paddling.​  read more
MARINE
Boeing unveils game-changing autonomous submarine
	​When you hear the name "Boeing," chances are you think of aircraft. The fact is, however, the company has also been developing underwater vehicles since the 1960s. Its latest such creation, the Echo Voyager, is designed to operate autonomously for months at a time.​  read more
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Could a pill prevent cavities?
	​You may have already heard about how the introduction of probiotic "beneficial bacteria" to the gut can aid in digestion. Now, scientists from the University of Florida are proposing doing something similar with peoples' mouths. The result could be a cavity-prevention pill.​  read more
BICYCLES
Simplified electronic shifting system bodes well for cyclists' wallets
	​Like many emerging technologies, electronic gear-shifting systems for bikes are currently at the point where they exist, but they're still quite expensive. That could be about to change, though, with the upcoming introduction of MicroSHIFT's simplified eXCD system for mountain bikes.​  read more
MEDICAL
​New cataracts treatment restores infants' vision using stem cells
	Researchers have tested a new approach to tackling congenital cataracts, turning to existing stem cells to repair the patient lenses post-surgery, restoring vision. read more
AROUND THE HOME
Philips promises more shades of white from newest Hue lights
	The Philips Hue range has been setting the smart lighting pace for several years, but the company just unveiled its first white bulbs with temperature control. Its new White Ambiance lights offer color temperatures that mimic natural light, so your bedroom can reflect the cycles of day and night.  read more
AROUND THE HOME
Keep your voice in a pot, pour it out when you're done
	In a quiet (relatively speaking, of course) corner of SXSW there are two graduate students from Japan showing off a sweet little piece of technology. Called Otopot, the device lets you store and then pour away your voice like water.  read more
ARCHITECTURE
Vancouver on track for Arbutus Greenway linear park
	Vancouver is following the lead of other world cities by repurposing a disused rail line to create a new walking and cycling route. The Arbutus Greenway project will provide a continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists from Milton Street to 1st Avenue.  read more
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