Loz Blain
New Atlas
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Past articles by Loz:
Microsoft casually drops news that ChatGPT 4.0 will go live this week
ChatGPT's underlying language model, GPT-3.5, is about to be superceded. The CTO of Microsoft Germany has told the audience at the company's "AI in Focus" event that GPT-4 is set for imminent release, unlocking new capabilities, including video. → Read More
Indian is now selling souped-up race cruisers for the ... Closed road?
Whatever they're smoking at Indian Motorcycle, we want some! The company's doing a limited production run of race-spec Challenger R cruisers, complete with carbon fiber saddlebags, celebrating one of the flat-out wackiest races on two wheels. → Read More
Amogy plans world's first ammonia-powered ship for 2023
Having already rolled out the world's first ammonia-fueled tractor and the world's first ammonia-fueled semi truck, Brooklyn company Amogy has now got hold of a 1957 tugboat, and plans to have the world's first ammonia-powered ship sailing this year. → Read More
Polaris decides to get very serious about UTV racing
Polaris believes performance side-by-side UTV racing is ready to step up a level. So it's launching the "first full-fledged UTV class factory racing program," complete with a purpose-built race vehicle, a full-time crew and a dedicated workshop. → Read More
Electro Nautic opens pre-orders on a wave-skimming hydrofoil for two
If you want decent range out of an electric watercraft, you need to eliminate drag – and that's the thinking behind the WaveFlyer Volaré, launching in Sydney this weekend. Smaller than some jet skis, it hovers over the water for a smooth, quiet ride. → Read More
Water purification membrane generates electricity as it filters
In a highly unexpected approach to renewable energy, researchers in Korea have developed a low-cost, easily-manufactured advanced membrane that actually generates electricity as it turns wastewater, seawater or groundwater into drinking water. → Read More
Honda patents crotch-firing, torso-hugging detachable motorcycle airbag
Honda has patented a new type of airbag system for motorcycles, which would rapidly inflate in a crash or fall situation, wrap around the rider's torso in a great big hug, and detach from the bike to protect the rider when the two are separated. → Read More
The struggle is over in the World Nature Photography Awards
The winners have been announced in the third annual World Nature Photography Awards. A haunting glance from a mud-crusted crocodile lying in wait takes the top honors, but there's a visual feast to enjoy from the other winners and runners-up. → Read More
Tesla re-thinks 100-year-old automaking model, aiming to halve costs
Tesla told investors it can reduce costs by 50%, by expanding on the modular, parallel manufacturing innovations it developed for the Model Y. Tesla's next-gen vehicles will be built and tested in chunks that won't come together until the final line. → Read More
Autoflight breaks Joby's world record for the longest eVTOL flight
Autoflight has debuted its 4th-gen full-size eVTOL air taxi prototype with a bang, celebrating the longest-ever recorded flight of an electric VTOL aircraft. Prosperity flew 250.64 km on a single charge, relegating Joby Aviation to second place. → Read More
TAE makes world-first readings of magnetically-confined H-B fusion
Most current fusion power projects require tritium – an incredibly scarce and problematic fuel. TAE is targeting cheaper, safer hydrogen-boron (H-B) fusion, and it's just announced a world-first measurement of H-B fusion in magnetically confined plasma. → Read More
BAE unveils low-cost, high-volume precision guided missile kits
Along with its new X-winged VTOL military drone, BAE Systems has announced a new "Razer" system designed to take standard non-guided munitions and convert them into precision guided missiles, at low cost, and delivered through local manufacturing. → Read More
BAE unveils the Strix, a fascinating, tail-sitting X-wing VTOL UAV
BAE Systems has unveiled a fascinating new autonomous, hybrid, VTOL UAV for military use. The STRIX, developed in Australia, folds to fit inside a shipping container, and is capable of carrying 160 kg (353 lb) of payload over 800 km (500 miles). → Read More
Zero unveils future-sexy SR-X concept
Zero has collaborated with San Francisco's Huge Design to produce this super-futuristic take on the brand's SR/S electric sports tourer. Snub-nosed and snub-tailed with a wide slot of a headlight, the SR-X looks like it dropped out of Cyberpunk 2077. → Read More
Wilson debuts an airless 3D-printed basketball in the NBA dunk contest
A hole in your basketball is typically not a good thing, but Wilson's bizarre new Airless basketball prototype treats them as a feature. Indeed, it's probably more hole than ball, and yet it's said to bounce and respond like a regulation NBA rock. → Read More
Seabrick aims to give "seasteaders" a floating foundation to build on
Seasteading proponents envisage a floating society with a fluid geography, free from oppressive government in international waters. But they'll need something to build their watery utopia on top of, and these interlocking seaweed bricks might be it. → Read More
Project Mondo G: The G-Wagen hits the catwalk
Mercedes-Benz has bounced into a collaboration with Milan-based luxury fashion brand Moncler, to create a truly bizarre take on the G-Wagen. Inspired by Moncler's puffy ski jackets, Project Mondo G has oversized puffy wheels and a puffy zip-up canopy. → Read More
Long-range, box-wing eVTOL prototype begins flight testing down under
Australia's AMSL Aero has celebrated the first tethered test flight of its ultra-efficient Vertiia eVTOL aircraft. With its unique box wing formation, eight tilting propellers and five seats, it promises a 1,000 km range and speeds up to 300 km/h. → Read More
Researchers predict, then prove strange solid-state heat switches
Ohio State researchers have shown how a common ceramic material can change its thermal conductivity in response to an electrical field, opening the door to solid-state heat switches that could make thermoelectric generators much more efficient. → Read More
Multi-segment shapeshifter drones: The precursors to flying squid-bots
A remarkable group of drone prototypes from a team at the University of Tokyo takes multirotor complexity to the next level. These hypnotic flying robots are able to change their structural shape mid-air, creating some unprecedented capabilities. → Read More