Transportation startup Lucid Motors is working on an electric car to rival the Tesla Model S, and it just announced plans to build a $700 million manufacturing facility to bring it to fruition. Meanwhile, Lexus unveiled amind-blowing car covered with 41,999 LEDs that can change colors at a whim. Could the solution to congested streets lie in subterranean tunnels? That's the idea behind these crazy CarTubes, which could move city traffic underground. Four major cities around the world pledged to ban diesel carsby the year 2025, and UPS just rolled out its very first e-bike delivery vehicle in Portland, Oregon.
Germany's massive Wendelstein 7-X stellarator is attempting to harvest energy from the incredibly intense reaction that powers the stars, and according to recent reports it's actually working. In other energy news, researchers at the University of Surrey are working on super batteries that could charge cell phones in seconds and electric cars in minutes. Google is driving a hard green line: It says it will run on 100-percent renewable energy by the end of next year. Myanmar launched a new program to provide all of its citizens with solar power by the year 2030, and Leonardo DiCaprio schooled Donald Trump on the benefits of renewable energy.
Architecture is incorporating technology in exciting new ways, and the buildings of the future are out of this world. Architect Saul Ajuria Fernandez has developed a solar-powered Droneport that could serve as a hub for flying delivery vehicles. Singapore's latest skyscraper is a latticed tower that will one day be completely covered with living plants. China-based People's Architecture Office developed a $10,000 tiny house that can be assembled in a day with a single hex key. And America's first urban "agrihood" is feeding 2,000 households in Detroit for free.
Here’s a car you probably won’t ever be able to buy: a 2017 Lexus IS covered in 41,999 programmable LED lights that changes color on a whim and, if it is ever allowed on the road, would probably be the world’s most distracting vehicle. The car, dubbed the LIT IS, was created as part of a collaboration between Lexus and video streaming service Vevo to promote UK singer Dua Lipa’s new video, “Be The One,” according to Gizmodo. Oh, and did we mention this thing changes colors in response to human gestures and music? Because yeah, it does that, too.
“This unique collaboration between Lexus and Vevo showcases the Lexus IS as an incredible work of art, technology and design through the lens of a music video” is a statement cooked up by Lexus’ PR team to describe this insanely indulgent but undoubtably cool little project. No word on whether this car was the result of some Lexus executive overhearing a teenager calling something “lit” and then running with it.
To create this colorful chameleon of a car, Lexus engineers applied all 41,999 LED lights by hand. If placed end-to-end, the LED stripes would stretch half a mile in length. According to Lexus, the car features three different modes:
Attract mode features a loop of colorful graphics that highlight the strong lines of the IS and play into its bold styling. Music Viz mode is designed to respond to music, as the LEDs will create custom, responsive displays that perfectly sync to any song. Gesture mode allows the motion of the LED animations to be controlled by users’ hand movements with the help of a gaming console. This mode directly connects the car and the driver, allowing the person to send a signal and see the car respond.
All of which sounds super fun, but we should reiterate, you will likely never be able to purchase this car. There is no way the government will allow Lexus to sell this hallucination on wheels because it would create accidents and chaos everywhere it went. This thing is a four-door, candy-colored distraction of epic proportions.
But just because it’s a product placement dressed up as an art project doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy its whimsical display. Or Lipa’s kaleidoscopic video, for that matter. You might want to grab some UV-blockers first.
Mavin Records, a leading Nigerian and African music label, is reportedly exploring investment opportunities or the possibility of an outright sale. According to a recent article published by Billboard on October 6, 2023, Mavin Records is currently in discussions to secure external investment, which could involve the acquisition of a portion of the label or an outright sale. The report indicates that several investment firms and major record labels, including Universal Music Group (UMG) and HYBE, have expressed interest in this potential deal. Billboard's report suggests that the investment or sale could be valued at approximately $125 million initially, with the potential to increase to as much as $150 million or even $200 million. Notably, Mavin Records has previously entered into collaborative agreements with international entities. For instance, Rema's music in the United States is distributed by Virgin Music, an independent distribution company under UMG. Founded by Niger...
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