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Manila gets its own Palm Jumeirah-style Artificial Islands With Luxury Housing

Manila has always had a complicated relationship with water. The city sprawls across a delta, floods seasonally, and yet somehow keeps expanding outward rather than dealing with its fundamental infrastructure problems. So naturally, instead of fixing the drainage systems or improving the existing urban fabric, someone decided the solution was to build artificial islands and stack them with luxury towers. Enter City of Pearl, a massive mixed-use project that just picked up a Golden A’ Design Award in Urban Planning and Urban Design back in 2018, which puts it in some genuinely elite company globally.

HPA Architects Engineers and Development Consultants designed this beast, and from what I can gather, they’re going full Dubai playbook here. Think integrated commercial zones, high-end hospitality venues, and residential towers all crammed onto reclaimed land in Manila Bay. The project aims to create what the design community loves calling a “live-work-play” environment, which usually means expensive apartments near expensive restaurants where expensive people can avoid interacting with the rest of the city. But credit where it’s due, the design execution looks genuinely thoughtful, at least on paper.

Designer: Hpa Architects Engineers and Development Consultants

The project focuses on the live-work-play integration that everyone talks about but few actually execute well. HPA’s design prioritizes walkability and 24/7 activation, which sounds obvious until you visit most mixed-use developments that turn into ghost towns after 6pm. The residential towers aren’t cordoned off from the commercial zones. Green spaces thread through the entire development instead of being relegated to sad corner plazas. The hospitality components, which include upscale hotels and dining, sit at strategic points to keep foot traffic flowing throughout the day. This creates natural collision points where residents, workers, and tourists intersect, which is exactly what makes urban environments feel alive rather than sterile.

HPA integrated pedestrian-focused infrastructure and public transit connectivity from the ground up, reducing car dependency in a region where traffic congestion rivals Los Angeles on a bad day. The green space allocation exceeds typical Manila developments by a significant margin, though exact percentages weren’t disclosed in the award documentation. These aren’t token gestures. Dense urban environments need breathing room, and the architects understood that luxury buyers in 2018 and beyond expect environmental consideration baked into the design philosophy, not bolted on as an afterthought.

Mixed-use waterfront developments are everywhere now, from Singapore’s Marina Bay to Mumbai’s reclamation projects. What separates the memorable from the forgettable is whether architects can create genuine public space, real connectivity with existing urban fabric, and buildings that age gracefully instead of looking dated in fifteen years. The A’ Design Award recognition suggests HPA understood the assignment, but awards measure potential while reality measures delivery. Manila will get the City of Pearl it builds, not the one that won the prize. The renderings look spectacular, naturally. They always do.

The post Manila gets its own Palm Jumeirah-style Artificial Islands With Luxury Housing first appeared on Yanko Design.

Huawei MatePad 12X Review: PaperMatte Innovation for Creatives and Professionals

My MatePad 12X sits on my wooden desk, catching afternoon sunlight through its PaperMatte Display, and the naturalness of this experience continues to impress me. Three weeks of intensive testing across creative workflows, note-taking marathons, and productivity demands have confirmed that Huawei’s latest professional tablet delivers on most of its ambitious promises. But there are some critical limitations that potential buyers absolutely need to understand before making the jump.

Designer: Huawei

The MatePad 12X arrives with bold claims about transcending traditional tablet boundaries. This isn’t just another Android tablet wearing premium materials. It’s Huawei’s deliberate attempt to capture professionals who’ve grown frustrated with current ecosystem limitations while demanding paper-like writing experiences.

Design and Ergonomics

The build quality immediately impresses. Weighing 555 grams, it occupies that sweet spot between the iPad Pro’s 466-gram portability and the Galaxy Tab S9+’s 586-gram substance. The aluminum unibody construction with its 3D vapor chamber cooling system maintains comfortable temperatures during intensive creative sessions. I’ve pushed this device through hours of 4K video editing and digital illustration work without experiencing the uncomfortable heat buildup that plagues many premium tablets under sustained workloads.

Huawei’s PaperMatte Display technology represents the most significant advancement in tablet screen technology since the original iPad Pro launched. The 12.1-inch OLED panel with its innovative anti-glare coating eliminates up to 99% of light interference while reducing surface reflectivity by 60% compared to traditional tablet displays. This isn’t marketing hyperbole. The benefits become clear when working under harsh office lights or near windows during afternoon meetings. Color accuracy supports creative work, and the matte texture of the display improves the comfort of digital writing substantially.

The 2800 x 1840 resolution paired with 600 nits peak brightness creates a writing surface that replicates premium paper textures. During extended note-taking sessions spanning multiple hours, eye strain virtually disappears. The tactile feedback when using the M-Pencil Pro feels remarkably natural, eliminating that glass-on-glass sensation that makes other stylus experiences feel artificial.

Occasional stylus calibration issues may occur when using the official keyboard attachment. During my testing, I noticed minor tracking irregularities that interrupted some intensive writing sessions, though this wasn’t a consistent problem across all usage scenarios.

The magnetic attachment system for both keyboard and stylus creates satisfying tactile feedback without the wobbling issues that plague many tablet accessories. Port selection remains minimal with USB-C handling all connectivity duties, though the six-speaker HUAWEI SOUND system provides exceptional audio quality for video calls and media consumption.

Performance

This tablet performs like a legitimate professional tool rather than a consumption-focused entertainment device. The MatePad 12X delivers noticeably improved performance compared to previous models, with benchmarks placing it on par with premium tablets like the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S9+. Video editing in 4K resolution remains consistently smooth, complex digital illustrations render without stuttering interruptions, and multitasking between resource-intensive applications feels fluid rather than constrained.

HarmonyOS 5.0 delivers desktop-class multitasking capabilities that matches iPadOS in several crucial areas. The multi-window support enables authentic parallel processing across applications rather than the simplified app switching that characterizes most tablet experiences. I can run four active windows simultaneously while maintaining responsive performance across all applications. Desktop-class file management with proper folder structures and external drive support eliminates the file system frustrations that have historically limited tablet productivity workflows. Cross-device continuity with Huawei phones and laptops creates seamless clipboard and file sharing that rivals Apple’s ecosystem integration.

M-Pencil Pro: Advanced Stylus Capabilities

The M-Pencil Pro transforms this device from capable tablet into legitimate creative instrument. With up to 10,000+ pressure sensitivity levels and sophisticated haptic feedback, it delivers the most nuanced stylus experience outside Wacom’s professional ecosystem. The 2-millisecond latency creates natural writing flow with zero perceptible lag. Haptic feedback provides subtle tactile confirmation for brush strokes and interface interactions that traditional capacitive styluses cannot match. Tilt sensitivity enables natural shading techniques in digital art applications, while the three interchangeable pen tips provide different tactile experiences for matching preferred writing implements.

Presentation and Annotation

Beyond basic writing and drawing capabilities, the M-Pencil Pro unlocks professional workflows that extend far beyond traditional stylus applications. One standout feature is the ability to use the M-Pencil Pro as a virtual pointer or annotation pen during screen sharing. This tool allows presenters and teachers to highlight key points in real-time, making the tablet an asset for meetings and remote instruction.

Smart Snippet and Color Capture

With its advanced Snippet tool, the M-Pencil Pro lets users draw a circle around any on-screen content to instantly extract images or capture text. The stylus’s color capture ability even allows users to sample and transfer hues across devices, which proved invaluable during my design work when matching brand colors across multiple projects. These capabilities accelerate research workflows and creative processes in ways that traditional capacitive styluses simply cannot match.

Gesture Controls

The stylus supports intuitive gesture controls, such as double tapping to toggle between brush and eraser, which streamlines workflow for artists and note-takers. These gestures can be customized in select apps to further personalize the experience. During intensive illustration sessions, these shortcuts eliminated the constant need to access tool palettes, maintaining creative flow without interruption.

Stock Trading and Financial Applications

The MatePad 12X also excels for stock trading and portfolio management. For users tracking markets or trading stocks, the split-screen mode enables simultaneous market research and app activity. The M-Pencil Pro’s precision makes technical chart annotation intuitive, whether highlighting price levels, marking trends, or logging trade notes directly on the tablet. I’ve been using this setup with Trading 212 for analyzing harmonic patterns and EMA crossovers, and the ability to annotate charts while monitoring multiple timeframes transforms the tablet into a complete trading workstation.

These advanced features position the Huawei MatePad 12X and M-Pencil Pro as more than a tablet. They form a versatile workspace and creative studio that adapts to professionals, artists, educators, and active investors alike.

Battery Life

Battery performance exceeded my expectations across multiple demanding scenarios. Fourteen hours of continuous video playback during long work sessions, ten to twelve hours of intensive creative work with maximum stylus usage and brightness settings.

The 66W SuperCharge capability delivers 70% capacity in 45 minutes using Huawei’s proprietary charger. The 10,100mAh capacity provides legitimate all-day professional usage without the anxiety-inducing battery monitoring that characterizes many premium tablets.

Ecosystem Limitations

The critical limitation remains ecosystem constraints rather than hardware capabilities. Core Google services like Gmail, Drive, and the Play Store can only be accessed through third-party workaround tools like GBox or Gspace, which introduce reliability concerns and feature limitations.

Many professional applications lack native HarmonyOS versions. For users embedded in Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft 365 ecosystems, this creates workflow friction that’s difficult to ignore despite the hardware excellence. Professional software support includes full-featured WPS Office and the GoPaint creative suite, but the app selection remains limited compared to iPad Pro’s comprehensive ecosystem.

Sustainability

Huawei applies practical environmental measures through material choices and product lifecycle planning. The aluminum unibody construction utilizes recycled materials without compromising structural integrity. The packaging eliminates unnecessary plastics in favor of recyclable cardboard alternatives, though the overall package size could be more compact.

The device’s repairability scores reasonably well compared to sealed competitors. Modular components allow skilled technicians to service individual parts rather than requiring complete unit replacement. The 3D vapor chamber cooling system extends component longevity by preventing thermal stress damage that frequently necessitates premature replacement in other premium tablets.

Software support commitments extend five years from release date. This ensures security updates and feature enhancements that maintain device relevance longer than typical Android tablet lifecycles. Extended support reduces electronic waste by delaying replacement cycles while maintaining contemporary functionality standards. Huawei’s trade-in programs provide responsible disposal pathways for older devices, though availability varies significantly by region.

Value and Wrap-Up

The MatePad 12X represents Huawei’s most compelling challenge to iPad Pro dominance in recent memory. It succeeds precisely where it matters most while acknowledging ecosystem realities that potential buyers must carefully consider. At its current pricing positioning, it delivers exceptional value for users prioritizing paper-like writing experiences and sophisticated multitasking capabilities over comprehensive app ecosystem access.

For digital note-takers, this device provides substantial advantages over traditional tablets. Students managing complex academic workflows will appreciate the natural writing feel and desktop-class multitasking. Artists working within supported creative applications get professional-grade capabilities that exceed current iPad limitations in meaningful ways. The PaperMatte Display technology alone justifies consideration for users frustrated with traditional tablet glare and artificial stylus experiences.

Professionals requiring specific Adobe applications, seamless Google services integration, or comprehensive third-party app support should evaluate workflow compatibility carefully before committing. The MatePad 12X excels within its designed parameters while acknowledging that those parameters may not encompass every professional requirement. This creates a purchasing decision that depends entirely on individual workflow priorities and acceptable compromise levels.

The device succeeds in its fundamental mission of providing paper-like digital productivity while advancing tablet multitasking beyond current industry standards. Whether those considerable advantages outweigh ecosystem constraints comes down to how you actually use your tablet daily. If you’re primarily writing, sketching, and managing documents within HarmonyOS-supported applications, this tablet offers capabilities you simply cannot get elsewhere. If you need the full breadth of professional applications and services, iPad Pro remains the safer choice despite its limitations.

The post Huawei MatePad 12X Review: PaperMatte Innovation for Creatives and Professionals first appeared on Yanko Design.

AirTag 2 Could Get 90-Meter Range and a Tamper-Proof Speaker This October

Apple’s been sitting on the original AirTag since April 2021, and frankly, it’s about time we saw a refresh. The first-gen tracker has been solid, sure, but four years without an update feels like an eternity in the Apple hardware cycle. Now we’re hearing credible whispers that AirTag 2 could drop this October alongside a surprisingly stacked lineup of accessories and mid-tier hardware refreshes. If the rumors hold up, we’re looking at the M5 iPad Pro, a redesigned Apple TV, and potentially a beefier HomePod mini that could actually compete with Amazon’s newly announced Echo lineup instead of sitting in isolation while the other smart speakers forge ahead.

The timing makes sense when you consider Apple’s recent pattern of holding October events for non-flagship releases. The AirTag 2 isn’t going to headline a September iPhone showcase, but bundling it with iPad Pro updates and smart home gear? That’s a coherent story about Apple’s ecosystem expansion, and it gives Tim Cook’s team a chance to own the holiday shopping narrative beyond just phones and watches.

Designer: Sarang Sheth

Let’s talk about what’s actually changing with the AirTag 2, because the upgrades sound incremental but consequential. The big one is the new Ultra Wideband chip, which supposedly pushes the precision finding range from roughly 30-40 meters up to 90 meters. That’s a 125% increase in effective range, and it fundamentally changes how useful these things are in sprawling parking lots or multi-story buildings. The current AirTag’s range works fine if you’re searching your apartment, but it starts to fall apart in larger spaces where you need that extra distance to get a directional ping. Pair that with improved Bluetooth connectivity between the tracker and your iPhone, and you’re looking at a device that should feel noticeably more reliable in real-world scenarios where walls, interference, and crowd density mess with signal strength.

A personal gripe I’ve had with the AirTag has been its ridiculous thickness. At 8mm thick, it’s now fatter than the iPad lineup and even the iPhone Air. For a tracking device, this feels sort of embarrassing considering this is the one product that benefits from slimness (as opposed to smartphones). Although this is probably wishful thinking, a slimmer AirTag 2 is also probably in the works. Will it retain the CR2032 battery or move onto something more fixed that charges wirelessly? Honestly, the CR2032 replaceable battery is a solid choice, although imagine just leaving your AirTag on a charging mat (or on a wireless power bank) and having it topped off in just mere minutes. Here’s to hoping that the AirTag does justice to the ‘Air’ in its name, with a slimmer, sleeker, more pocket-friendly design.

The anti-stalking improvements are where Apple’s clearly trying to get ahead of the bad press that’s plagued the original AirTag. We’re hearing about a tamper-resistant speaker that’s harder to disable, which addresses one of the most legitimate criticisms of the first model. Bad actors figured out pretty quickly that they could pop open an AirTag and yank the speaker, turning it into a silent tracker. Apple’s solution sounds like it involves better internal securing or possibly adhesive that makes disassembly destructive. They’re also adding a “very low” battery warning on top of the existing low battery alert, which is a small quality-of-life thing but saves you from that moment when your AirTag dies mid-trip because you ignored the first warning.

The cynic in me wonders if the AirTag 2’s improvements are enough to justify upgrading if you already own the original. Probably not, unless you’re constantly losing things in large spaces or you’re paranoid about the stalking vulnerabilities. But for anyone who skipped the first generation (or just wants to add new AirTags to their existing portfolio), this looks like the tracker to get. October can’t come soon enough.

The post AirTag 2 Could Get 90-Meter Range and a Tamper-Proof Speaker This October first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lapso Bacteria Cellulose Lamp is a Translucent Lighting Revolution

Lighting can transform a space, but when a lamp is made from living materials, it becomes more than just a source of illumination. It becomes a conversation starter. The Lapso bacteria cellulose translucent lamp, designed by Natural Urbano in collaboration with Polybion, is exactly that kind of lighting piece. This innovative lamp is not only visually striking with its ruffled, organic contours, but also represents a groundbreaking step toward sustainable design using cutting-edge biomaterials.

The Lapso lamp is crafted from bacterial cellulose, a material produced through the fermentation of specific bacteria. Unlike traditional plastics or even paper, bacterial cellulose is both biodegradable and highly versatile. The lamp’s unique translucent quality comes from the thin, layered sheets of this material, which naturally diffuse light in a soft and soothing way. When illuminated, the lamp takes on an ethereal glow that enhances any room with a sense of warmth and natural beauty.

Designers: Natural Urbano x Polybion

Natural Urbano, known for their focus on bringing nature into urban spaces, partnered with Polybion, a company pioneering in the field of biofabrication. Together, they explored how living organisms can be harnessed to create functional and beautiful products. The Lapso lamp is a direct result of this collaboration, blending advanced biotechnology with thoughtful design. Each lamp is handmade, with the cellulose grown in controlled conditions to achieve the desired texture and transparency. The ruffled shape is not only aesthetically pleasing but also references natural forms like sea creatures, petals, or fungi, reminding us that beauty and innovation often come from the world around us.

As sustainability becomes a central concern for both consumers and designers, the Lapso lamp stands out for its minimal environmental impact. Bacterial cellulose is produced from renewable resources, and the production process generates very little waste. Once the lamp reaches the end of its life, it can decompose naturally, returning to the earth without harming the planet. This is a stark contrast to conventional lighting that often relies on energy-intensive manufacturing and non-biodegradable materials.

Another remarkable aspect of the Lapso lamp is its versatility in interior design. Its organic shape and gentle translucency fit seamlessly into a variety of settings, from modern minimalist homes to eclectic artistic spaces. Whether suspended as a centerpiece or grouped in clusters for dramatic effect, the Lapso lamp brings a sense of calm and curiosity. The Lapso bacteria cellulose translucent lamp by Natural Urbano and Polybion is more than just a pretty fixture. It is a symbol of what is possible when design meets science and sustainability. By choosing such innovative lighting, homeowners and designers not only brighten their spaces but also illuminate a path toward a greener future.

The post Lapso Bacteria Cellulose Lamp is a Translucent Lighting Revolution first appeared on Yanko Design.

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N: Korea’s Performance Statement That Actually Delivers

The 2025 Elantra N arrived at my driveway on a Monday morning, and within the first five minutes behind the wheel, I understood why Hyundai’s N division has earned its reputation. This is not a compromised daily driver with sporty aspirations. This is a legitimate performance machine that happens to be practical enough for grocery runs.

Designer: Hyundai

At around $33,000, the Elantra N undercuts the Honda Civic Type R by roughly $11,000 while delivering 276 horsepower through a chassis that feels purpose-built for enthusiast driving. That price gap matters, especially when you consider what you’re getting for the money.

Design and Ergonomics: Cohesive Performance Inside and Out

Hyundai’s “circuit sophistication” shows up everywhere: from the functional front intakes and aero management outside to the way your hands, eyes, and torso interface with the car inside. The Elantra N looks planted because it is, and the cockpit is arranged to help you drive it that way.

Air is managed with purpose outside; inputs are managed with equal intent inside. The N-mode buttons live exactly where your thumbs fall, the paddles are immediate, and the thick-rim wheel keeps your hands quiet and steady. Grippy suede on key touch zones favors control over flash. The heavily bolstered seats don’t just photograph sporty. They hold you when lateral loads build, without punishing you in the commute. Seat bolstering and hip-point height align with the car’s low roll attitude, so you feel the chassis working rather than bracing against it.

Information carries the same restraint. The N-specific cluster surfaces telemetry you want when you’re pushing, yet it never overwhelms during a coffee run. Compared to the GR Corolla’s rally bravado or the Type R’s anime aggression, Hyundai’s drama feels purposeful rather than performative. The Volkswagen GTI offers restrained elegance, the Golf R delivers understated menace, but Hyundai targets buyers who want their performance intentions visible from three lanes away.

If you want your performance car to advertise its intent from three lanes over, the Elantra N obliges. If you want the cockpit to back that up with clean ergonomics and low noise-to-signal while you’re actually driving, it does that, too. The N-specific blue accents and geometric wheel design create visual cohesion that feels intentional rather than applied by committee.

Technology That Stays Out Of The Way

The 10.25-inch touchscreen runs Hyundai’s latest infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface is responsive and logical. I never fumbled through menus trying to find basic functions. The navigation system worked reliably, though I primarily used CarPlay during my test week.

Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite is standard, including forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The systems work unobtrusively in Normal mode. They’re more intrusive in Sport modes, which makes sense because the car is more aggressive in those settings. You can disable most features if they annoy you.

The sound system is good but not exceptional. It’s clear and reasonably powerful, adequate for daily use but not audiophile-grade. The active exhaust provides most of the soundtrack anyway, especially in Sport mode where it pops and crackles on overrun like a proper performance car should.

Daily Driving Reality Check

I drove the Elantra N for seven days as my only vehicle. I ran errands, sat in traffic, made highway trips, and attacked back roads whenever the opportunity presented itself. The car excelled in all those scenarios without demanding unreasonable compromises.

Fuel economy averaged 25 mpg in my mixed driving, which included plenty of enthusiastic acceleration and some sustained highway cruising. The EPA rates it at 22 city and 31 highway. Those numbers are realistic if you can resist the urge to use all that power constantly.

The ride quality is firm but never harsh. The engine note at highway speeds is present but not intrusive. The wind noise is well-controlled. This is a car you can live with every day without feeling like you’re making sacrifices for performance capability.

The Competition Context

The Honda Civic Type R costs around $44,000 and offers 315 horsepower with more aggressive styling. It’s the benchmark for front-wheel-drive performance, and it holds that crown for good reason. But that $11,000 price gap is significant, especially when the Elantra N delivers 90% of the Type R’s capability at 75% of the cost.

The Volkswagen GTI offers hot hatch refinement at a similar price point but with less power and a softer character. It’s the mature choice where the Elantra N is the enthusiast’s choice.

What Works And What Doesn’t

The Elantra N succeeds because Hyundai committed fully to the performance mission without half-measures. The chassis is properly sorted. The engine delivers usable power across the rev range. The DCT transmission offers performance and convenience in equal measure. The brakes inspire confidence. These fundamentals matter more than any individual feature or specification.

The styling won’t appeal to everyone. It’s aggressive with large intakes, a prominent rear wing, and N-branded blue accents throughout. You’ll either love the look or find it too much. There’s no middle ground, and Hyundai clearly doesn’t care about attracting buyers who want subtle performance.

The ride quality might be too firm for some buyers, particularly in Sport modes. If you prioritize comfort over handling precision, this probably isn’t your car. But if you value dynamic capability and driving engagement, the firm suspension makes sense.

The Bottom Line

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N with the 8-speed DCT delivers legitimate performance sedan capability at a price that undercuts its primary competition by thousands of dollars. It’s quick, engaging, practical enough for daily use, and genuinely fun to drive hard. Hyundai’s N division has proven it can build cars that satisfy enthusiast drivers without requiring premium pricing.

This is the performance sedan for buyers who want the driving experience without the luxury brand markup. It’s honest, capable, and more enjoyable than its price tag suggests it has any right to be. After a week of driving it in every scenario from rush hour traffic to empty back roads, I came away impressed by how well Hyundai balanced performance and practicality.

The automatic transmission adds a layer of accessibility without compromising the car’s enthusiast credentials. Whether you’re navigating downtown traffic or attacking a favorite back road, the DCT adapts seamlessly to deliver exactly the experience you want.

If you’re shopping for a performance sedan under $35,000, the Elantra N deserves serious consideration. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone. It’s focused on delivering driving enjoyment, and it succeeds without apology.

The Subaru WRX starts around $32,000 with all-wheel drive and 271 horsepower. It’s a different character entirely, built for rally-inspired traction rather than front-wheel-drive dynamics. The WRX feels more utilitarian where the Elantra N feels more refined.

The post The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N: Korea’s Performance Statement That Actually Delivers first appeared on Yanko Design.

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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How the Kirigami Parachute Concept Could Change Drone Deliveries

Drone delivery technology is advancing quickly, and one of the most intriguing new concepts comes from the Mechanical Engineering department at Polytechnique Montreal. Their design, known as the kirigami parachute, offers a fresh take on how packages might be safely delivered from the sky in the future. Inspired by the Japanese art of kirigami, which involves folding and cutting paper to create patterns and structures, this innovative idea could help solve some familiar challenges in aerial deliveries.

Traditional parachutes have been a staple for many airborne tasks, but they can struggle to control descent in windy or unpredictable conditions. The kirigami parachute concept introduces a clever network of holes and slits, arranged in specific patterns, to regulate airflow and keep the parachute stable. These patterns are designed to help prevent packages from swinging or spinning as they descend, even when the wind picks up.

Designer Name: Mechanical Engineering department at Polytechnique Montreal

What makes the kirigami parachute concept stand out is its potential for highly accurate deliveries. In drone logistics, getting a package to land exactly where it’s supposed to is crucial. A missed drop can lead to damaged goods or safety issues. Early tests and simulations suggest that the kirigami design could help packages land closer to their intended targets compared to traditional round parachutes, thanks to its improved stability.

Another appealing aspect of this concept is how compact it can be. Kirigami parachutes are designed to fold flat, making them easy to store within the limited cargo space on drones. This could make them especially useful for commercial drone delivery systems, where every bit of space and weight matters. Plus, the design is flexible enough to be adapted for different sizes of packages, from small medical shipments to bigger consumer deliveries.

Environmental impact is a growing concern for all delivery systems, and the kirigami parachute concept addresses this as well. By using less material without sacrificing strength or functionality, it has the potential to be more eco-friendly than traditional parachutes. This could help make widespread drone delivery services more sustainable in the long run.

It’s important to note that the kirigami parachute is still a concept, not yet a commercial product. The team at Polytechnique Montreal is continuing to refine their design, and it has caught the eye of both researchers and industry leaders looking for improved solutions for drone deliveries. As interest in fast and contactless delivery services continues to grow, innovative ideas like this could play an important role in shaping the future of package transportation.

The post How the Kirigami Parachute Concept Could Change Drone Deliveries first appeared on Yanko Design.

SUSA is a visionary AI-powered companion device concept for ASUS

SUSA is a bold new concept in AI-powered companion devices, designed by Future Facility as a visionary project for ASUS. In a world where artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of our daily routines, SUSA emerges as a thoughtful reimagining of what it means to live with technology that truly understands and supports its users.

Unlike typical smart speakers or digital assistants, SUSA is designed to serve as an intelligent and emotionally responsive companion. Developed as a conceptual project for ASUS, the device leverages advanced AI to learn routines, preferences, and contexts, adapting its responses to suit the individual. With SUSA, the focus isn’t just on automating tasks or providing answers but on creating a meaningful and intuitive relationship between user and device.

Designer Name: Future Facility

One of SUSA’s most innovative features is its emphasis on emotional intelligence. The device is engineered to recognize subtle cues in voice and behavior, allowing it to respond empathetically. Whether it’s offering calming support during stressful moments or celebrating your achievements, SUSA’s goal is to provide a sense of understanding and companionship that goes beyond typical digital interactions.

The physical design of SUSA reflects the same commitment to user experience. Future Facility has crafted a device that blends seamlessly into any living space, with a minimalist and inviting aesthetic. The interface relies on voice, soft lighting cues, and gentle movements, making interactions feel natural and unobtrusive. This approach ensures that SUSA is not only easy to use but also enhances the atmosphere of the home rather than detracting from it.

SUSA’s conceptual platform is also designed for openness and adaptability. It can connect with a wide range of services, manage schedules, control smart home devices, and deliver reminders, all while learning and evolving to fit a user’s unique lifestyle. Accessibility is at the forefront, with features that ensure people with different needs can benefit from SUSA’s capabilities, making technology more inclusive for everyone.

Privacy and security are fundamental to SUSA’s design. The device incorporates strong data protection measures and gives users control over their information. With capabilities for local processing, sensitive conversations and interactions can remain private, building trust between the user and their AI companion. SUSA represents a new direction for ASUS and Future Facility, showing how AI can move beyond functionality to foster genuine emotional connections. It highlights a future where technology doesn’t just work for us. It works with us, enriching our well-being and supporting us both practically and emotionally.

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