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Lymow One Review: The Tank-Track Robot Mower That Actually Cuts Like a Real Mower

I can’t believe I’ve finally found the perfect mower that cuts my yard exactly like I would. After years of dealing with robot mowers that get confused, stuck, or just give up when things get challenging, the Lymow One has completely changed my lawn care game. If I had to pick three words to describe the Lymow One, it would be nimble, powerful, and reliable.

Designer: Lymow

Click Here to Buy Now: $2399 $2499 ($100 off, use coupon code “Yanko Design Code”). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

My property is a nightmare for most mowers – I’ve got 32 massive oak trees scattered across the yard that create GPS dead zones and physical obstacles that would make any traditional robot mower throw in the towel. These aren’t just decorative saplings either; we’re talking about mature oaks with sprawling root systems, low-hanging branches, and canopies so thick they block satellite signals for half the yard. Most robot mowers would spend more time lost and confused than actually cutting grass.

The Lymow One handles this chaos like it was designed specifically for my property. The tank treads and real mower blades power through areas where other mowers would get stuck or damaged. It navigates around each tree with the kind of precision I’d use if I were pushing a mower myself, and somehow manages to maintain its position even when GPS signals get sketchy under the canopy.

This machine is like having a professional lawn crew that never takes a day off. It’s got the power to handle thick grass, the intelligence to navigate complex obstacles, and the durability to keep working in conditions that would sideline lesser mowers. The cutting quality rivals what I can achieve with my walk-behind, but without me having to spend three hours every weekend wrestling with slopes and dodging tree roots.

What really impressed me was how it navigates efficiently around each tree using its RTK-VSLAM system. The obstacle avoidance sensors work together to create smooth paths that make sense for the terrain, avoiding unnecessary back-and-forth movements that other mowers might make.

Design & Ergonomics: Built Like a Tank (Because It Basically Is)

The first thing that hits you about the Lymow One is its size and build quality. Measuring 29.4 x 22.0 x 12.6 inches (747 x 558 x 320 mm) and weighing 77.6 lbs (35.2 kg) without the battery, this machine commands attention in ways most robot mowers simply don’t. The aluminum alloy frame feels substantial and purposeful, a far cry from the plastic construction you’ll find on many competitors.

Those tank treads aren’t just for show. The Savage Traverse System employs actual tank-style tracks that let this beast climb 45-degree slopes, providing superior traction and stability compared to traditional wheels. I can confirm that it can navigate uneven terrain that would leave other robot mowers stuck or flipped over. The treads also distribute weight more evenly, reducing turf damage on soft ground.

The integrated handles make moving this substantial machine manageable, though you definitely feel the weight. This isn’t something you’ll casually carry around like a traditional robot mower. The substantial build quality extends to every component, from the robust bumper system to the IPX6-rated weather resistance that lets you leave it outside year-round.

What impressed me most was the thoughtful design of the cutting deck. Unlike most robot mowers with their tiny spinning discs, the Lymow One features a proper 16-inch cutting deck with dual rotary blades that flip up 90 degrees for easy cleaning. This is the kind of maintenance access you’d expect on a commercial mower, not a consumer robot.

The design philosophy here is clearly different. Where other robot mowers prioritize being small and unobtrusive, the Lymow One embraces its substantial presence and uses that mass to deliver superior performance.

Setup & Installation: Surprisingly Straightforward

Getting the Lymow One up and running turned out to be much simpler than I expected, especially considering the advanced technology packed into this machine. The whole process took me about an hour from unboxing to first mow, which is impressive for a system this sophisticated.

The RTK antenna installation is where most people get nervous, but it’s honestly not that complicated. You need to find a clear spot with good sky visibility and power access, then mount the antenna either on a pole or directly to your house. For me, this was a no-brainer since I have a perfect clear line of sight along my back fence where I already have other antennas installed. I knew the location would work great because those other antennas get solid signals, so I just mounted the Lymow RTK station right there with easy power access.

The app-based mapping process is where the Lymow One really shines compared to traditional boundary wire systems. Instead of spending a weekend digging trenches and burying cables, you just drive the mower around your property using the smartphone app to define the cutting areas. The interface is intuitive, and the mower responds immediately to your commands as you trace the boundaries.

Setting up the cutting areas with all those oak trees scattered around my property was straightforward through the app interface. You simply trace around the areas where you want the mower to work, creating the boundaries digitally instead of physically burying wires. The mapping process gives you complete control over where the mower goes and where it stays away from.

The initial calibration took about 20 minutes as the system established its GPS baseline and synchronized with the RTK station. Once that finished, the Lymow One was ready for its first autonomous run. No wire burial, no complex programming, just point and click mapping that actually makes sense.

Performance: Nimble, Powerful, and Reliable in Action

The performance story starts with the Lymow One’s nimble navigation technology that sets it apart from every other robot mower I’ve tested. The RTK-VSLAM Integrated Localization combines RTK satellite positioning with VSLAM visual navigation to create a wire-free system that’s designed to handle challenging GPS environments. With 32 massive oak trees creating potential GPS interference across my property, this dual-system approach is exactly what I needed.

But nimble means nothing without the power to back it up, and this is where the Lymow One truly separates itself from the pack. The single brushless motor with 1200W peak output can spin those real mower blades up to 6000 RPM , though I’ve found the sweet spot for my St. Augustine grass is around 3000-4000 RPM. This isn’t the gentle tickling you get from typical robot mower razor discs. This is legitimate cutting power that can handle thick, overgrown grass without slowing down.

During my extensive testing period, I really put the GPS and VSLAM reliability to the test by creating multiple zones across my 6,777 square foot yard. I started with separate zones for the front yard, side sections around different tree clusters, and even narrow channels connecting different areas. What impressed me most was watching the handoff between RTK and VSLAM technologies when the mower moved from open areas with clear GPS signals into dense tree coverage, and the transition was seamless. I notice that it gets lost or confused, even when moving between zones that have drastically different GPS reception quality.

The customization options are what really set this machine apart for complex properties like mine. I run mine in what I call “slow and steady” mode. My settings include cutting speed at 3000 RPM, moving speed at just 1.0-2.2 ft/s, and cutting height between 3.55 and 3.75 inches.

This might sound slow, but it produces the cleanest cut quality I’ve ever seen from a robot mower. The results rival what I achieve with my walk-behind mower. Pro tip: if you run the blades slower at 3000 RPM like I do, be sure to keep them sharp or they’ll tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly.

But here’s where that Porsche analogy really kicks in. If you just want a fast mow in a small area, you can crank the cutting speed up to 6000 RPM and push the moving speed to 3.4 ft/s. The performance is there when you need it, giving you that sports car responsiveness for quick touch-ups or time-sensitive situations.

Pro tip: for a big yard like mine, I like splitting up the yard and selecting sections to mow as needed versus mowing the entire yard at once. This gives you more control over which areas get attention when they need it, and you can run different settings for different zones based on grass conditions or time constraints.

Another pro tip: that top speed of 3.3 ft/s is silly fast, and if you have trees like I do, be careful. Should it lose GPS or something goes wrong at that speed, this thing will literally climb the tree. I learned that lesson the hard way during testing, so save the maximum speed for open areas only.

The 16-inch cutting width delivers serious coverage even at slower speeds. While other robot mowers creep along with their narrow 7-8 inch decks, the Lymow One covers meaningful ground with each deliberate pass. My path spacing is set tight at 11.8 inches to ensure no grass gets missed, especially important with all those tree roots and uneven terrain.

Eventually, I simplified my setup from multiple zones down to one large zone covering both front and back yards. The zone management became unnecessary once I realized the Lymow One’s navigation was reliable enough to handle the entire property as one continuous area. The app shows my total map area as 6,777.79 sq ft, and the mower navigates between front and back seamlessly through the narrow side channels I created.

Here’s where those 32 oak trees become a real test of reliability and intelligence. I use the chessboard cutting pattern with a 90-degree relative angle and zigzag-first path order, which creates a professional striped look while ensuring complete coverage around each tree. The binocular vision sensors and five ultrasonic sensors work together in Smart obstacle detection mode, adjusting the cutting path around everything from low branches to surface roots.

The obstacle avoidance system shows real intelligence in how it handles temporary blockages. When my kids leave toys scattered around the yard or I’m working on a landscaping project, the Lymow One marks those areas and returns to cut them once the obstacles are moved. The “riding edge” line follow mode means it hugs the property boundaries perfectly, getting right up to fence lines and garden beds without missing spots.

I tested the obstacle detection response time by sticking my foot out in front of the mower, and it literally stopped in its tracks within split-seconds. The reaction time rivals what you’d expect from an F1 driver pulling 5 Gs during emergency braking. That kind of instantaneous response gives me complete confidence letting it run around my kids and pets without worry.

What really showcases the nimbleness of this machine is how it handles the ground-level challenges that would stop other robot mowers dead in their tracks. Those tank treads aren’t just for show when it comes to navigating around and over tree stumps scattered across my property. The Lymow One can actually climb over small stumps and thick surface roots that would trap wheeled mowers, thanks to its 2-inch ground clearance and aggressive tread design. I’ve watched it navigate tight spaces between closely spaced oak trees where there’s barely enough room for the 16-inch cutting deck, adjusting its path in real-time as it encounters root systems and uneven terrain. The way it handles the transition from flat ground to climbing over a 6-inch diameter stump is impressive – it just powers right over without losing its cutting pattern or getting stuck.

Based on my actual usage, the mowing time for my 6,770 square foot property works out to about 185 minutes including one perimeter lap. With my slow and steady settings of 1.5 ft/s average speed and 11.8-inch path spacing, the Lymow One covers roughly 6,630 feet of cutting distance across approximately 102 passes through my L-shaped yard. This might sound like a long time, but it’s still faster than I could manually mow around all those oak trees and stumps, plus the cut quality is consistently professional throughout the entire session.

Battery performance has been rock solid throughout my testing period, even with these precision-focused settings that extend mowing time. The LiFePO4 technology provides consistent power output, and the charging cycles are perfectly timed to handle my 0.16-acre front and side yard without leaving sections unfinished. The slower, more deliberate approach actually helps battery efficiency since the motor isn’t constantly ramping up and down.

One operational advantage I discovered during testing is that nighttime mowing is definitely an option with the Lymow One. The RTK and VSLAM navigation systems work just as reliably in the dark as they do during daylight hours, and the bright front lights help illuminate the cutting path so there’s no performance drop when the sun goes down. I’ve run several full nighttime sessions without any navigation issues or performance problems.

The trade-off for all this capability is noise level. It is somewhat louder than other robot mowers, which is expected given its sheer power and real mower blades spinning at 3000-6000 RPM versus the whisper-quiet razor discs on typical models. If your neighbors don’t mind the noise level, night mowing can be a game changer for busy schedules or hot climates where you want to avoid peak sun hours.

The tank treads prove their worth on the slopes and uneven terrain that make up most of my yard. Where wheeled mowers would lose traction or tip over, the Lymow One maintains stability and continues cutting at that steady 1 ft/s pace. The weight distribution and low center of gravity mean it can handle sideways angles that would be dangerous for traditional mowers, all while maintaining that consistent cut quality that makes the difference between amateur and professional results.

One concern I had initially was whether the tank treads would damage the grass during turns or when wheel spin occurs. After extensive testing and daily mowing sessions, I can honestly say these treads don’t appear to do any harm to the grass that I can tell. The tread design and weight distribution seem optimized to avoid tearing or gouging the turf, even during aggressive maneuvers or when the mower needs to power through challenging spots.

What impressed me most is how this machine has found the perfect balance of weight. It’s heavy enough to stay stable and maintain traction, but lightweight enough to get itself out of stuck situations when things go wrong. The Lymow One also knows how to throttle that massive 1200W of torque intelligently. I witnessed this firsthand when the right track fell off a 6-inch curb during a mowing session. Instead of panicking or getting permanently stuck like other mowers would, it corrected itself and pulled right up and out of the jam using controlled bursts of power. That kind of self-recovery ability is what separates a truly intelligent machine from a basic robot that just follows programming.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to the cut quality, and this is where the Lymow One truly delivers. At my preferred 3.55-inch cutting height, I must admit the yard looks fabulous. My family noticed the difference immediately and even complimented that it looks as good as when I mow manually, and much better looking than other robot mowers I’ve tested. That’s the ultimate validation when your own family notices the improvement without being prompted.

Sustainability: Smart Energy Management and Weather Considerations

The Lymow One’s approach to battery management reflects thoughtful sustainability engineering. After completing its mowing session, the mower automatically returns to the charging dock using one of two methods: Follow Perimeter or Direct Route. I’ve found that Follow Perimeter works better for nighttime mowing since it uses the established boundary path rather than cutting across potentially challenging terrain in the dark. The 15,000mAh (15Ah) LiFePO4 battery delivers 528Wh of capacity with a maximum runtime of 3 hours, providing consistent power throughout the cutting session while offering longer lifespan compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, reducing long-term waste and replacement frequency. The fast charging capability means you can get back to 90% capacity in just 90 minutes with the 10A adapter, though the standard 2.5A adapter takes about 6 hours for a full charge.

While the Lymow One is capable of mowing in rain or wet conditions, I don’t recommend it from both a sustainability and performance perspective. Wet grass mowing creates more debris that gets caked underneath the deck, requiring more frequent cleaning and potentially shortening component life. More importantly, cutting wet grass isn’t healthy for your lawn as it can lead to disease and uneven cuts that stress the grass. The app includes a “Rainy Mowing” setting that I keep disabled, letting the built-in rain sensor send the mower back to dock when conditions aren’t optimal. This smart approach protects both your investment and your lawn’s health while reducing unnecessary energy consumption during poor mowing conditions.

Value and Purchase Decision: The Right Tool for the Right Yard

If you ask me if you should buy the Lymow One, the answer is an emphatic yes! But if you ask me if you should buy the Lymow One over other robot mowers, that’s a more complex question that depends entirely on your specific yard conditions and grass type.

Understanding your lawn’s unique challenges is crucial to making the right choice. My property has St. Augustine grass, which is a thick, dense summer grass that demands real cutting power. Those tiny razor-thin disc blades found on most robot mowers simply don’t do justice to this type of grass. Instead of clean cuts, you end up with the mower essentially plowing over the grass, creating ragged edges that stress the lawn and leave an unprofessional appearance. The Lymow One’s real mower blades spinning at 3000-6000 RPM deliver the cutting power that thick grass varieties actually need.

Initially, I thought that since my yard is larger and filled with 32 oak trees, I would need something bigger and more powerful. I was wrong about the “bigger” part. What I actually needed was both power and maneuverability to navigate around those trees effectively. A larger, heavier unit simply isn’t nimble enough or properly sized to fit between closely spaced trees, especially when making tight on-the-spot turns that my property demands.

The massive trees and dense canopy create another significant challenge that most robot mowers simply can’t handle. GPS signals become unreliable or completely absent under thick tree coverage, which is where the Lymow One’s dual RTK-VSLAM navigation system becomes essential. The technology must work seamlessly when GPS signal is absent, and that’s exactly what sets this mower apart from GPS-only competitors that would get lost or stuck in similar conditions.

At the current sale price of $2399 (regularly $2,499), the Lymow One sits in premium territory alongside other high-end robot mowers. However, when you consider the unique combination of tank treads for terrain handling, real mower blades for superior cut quality, wire-free RTK-VSLAM navigation, and the ability to handle complex properties with dense obstacles, the value proposition becomes clear. Most robot mowers in this price range still use boundary wires and struggle with the kind of challenging terrain and navigation requirements that the Lymow One handles effortlessly.

The 178-minute runtime perfectly matches my 6,777 square foot property, but the real value comes from the peace of mind. I can set it to run at night with complete confidence in its navigation and obstacle avoidance systems. The professional-quality results rival what I achieve manually, but without the 2+ hours of weekend labor navigating around trees and uneven terrain.

For properties with thick grass, challenging terrain, multiple obstacles, or owners who want true “set it and forget it” operation without boundary wires, the Lymow One justifies its premium price. If you have a simple, flat yard with fine grass and minimal obstacles, there are less expensive options that might meet your needs. But if your property presents the kind of real-world challenges that make traditional robot mowers struggle, the Lymow One’s combination of power, intelligence, and maneuverability makes it worth every penny.

Click Here to Buy Now: $2399 $2499 ($100 off, use coupon code “Yanko Design Code”). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post Lymow One Review: The Tank-Track Robot Mower That Actually Cuts Like a Real Mower first appeared on Yanko Design.

NASA’s Artemis Spacesuit Gets Oakley’s Gold-Plated Visor Technology for Moon Missions

The next time humans walk on the Moon, they’ll be seeing through some seriously impressive eyewear. Oakley just landed one of the coolest contracts in space exploration history, partnering with Axiom Space to develop the NASA Artemis spacesuit visor system for the upcoming lunar missions. This isn’t your typical sunglasses collaboration though. We’re talking about legitimate space-grade optical technology that has to protect astronauts from conditions that would literally blind them in seconds. The timing couldn’t be more perfect either, with this announcement coinciding with Oakley’s 50th anniversary. After five decades of pushing the boundaries of optical innovation here on Earth, they’re finally taking their expertise to the Moon. What makes this partnership particularly fascinating is how it bridges the gap between extreme sports gear and literal rocket science. The same company that protects athletes’ eyes during intense competitions is now tasked with protecting astronauts exploring the lunar south pole.

Designer: Oakley +AXIOM SPACE + NASA

Why Gold Coating Makes Perfect Scientific Sense

The most striking feature of these space-bound visors is their 24-karat gold coating, but this isn’t about making astronauts look fancy. Gold has some seriously unique properties that make it perfect for space applications. It reflects infrared radiation better than almost any other material, which is crucial when you’re dealing with unfiltered sunlight in the vacuum of space. The lunar environment presents lighting challenges that are basically impossible to replicate on Earth, where light bends differently beyond our atmosphere and creates harsher highlights alongside deeper shadows.

Koichi Wakata, an Axiom Space astronaut and their Chief Technology Officer, explained the challenge perfectly when he said the sun in space “feels as if it’s piercing through your eyes.” That’s not hyperbole either. Without Earth’s atmosphere to filter and diffuse sunlight, solar radiation hits with an intensity that can cause permanent eye damage in moments. The gold coating acts as a sophisticated mirror, bouncing back the most dangerous wavelengths while still allowing astronauts to see clearly.

The physics behind this choice go back decades to the Apollo program, where gold visors were first used for lunar missions. However, modern metallurgy and coating techniques mean today’s gold-plated visors offer far superior performance. The coating is precisely engineered to reflect specific wavelengths while maintaining optical clarity that meets Oakley’s exacting standards. This represents a perfect marriage of proven space technology with cutting-edge consumer optics innovation.

What’s particularly clever about this approach is how the gold coating works in tandem with other protective layers. Rather than just slapping gold on a piece of glass, Oakley has created a multi-layered system where each component serves a specific purpose in protecting astronauts’ vision.

Prizm Cosmos: Optics Engineered for Lunar Environments

Here’s where things get really interesting. Oakley has developed what they’re calling Prizm Cosmos technology specifically for these lunar applications. This isn’t just a fancy name either – we’re looking at genuinely sophisticated optical engineering designed to handle the unique challenges of working on the Moon’s surface.

The system features a stowable two-part deployable visor with multiple specialized coatings. The external surfaces get an anti-scratch coating that has to withstand lunar dust and micrometeorites – basically tiny space rocks traveling at incredible speeds. Meanwhile, the deployable visor reflects harsh near-infrared light, which is perfect for intense brightness like direct sunlight in the vacuum of space.

The internal components are equally impressive. There’s a multilayer coating applied to the internal surface of the visor, plus an internal shield with high transmittance in the visible region. This means astronauts get crystal-clear vision when they need it most. The system also includes filtration of UV radiation in the 180-395 nm range, which covers the most dangerous wavelengths that could cause immediate eye damage.

Perhaps most importantly, the entire system reduces haze to optimize visual quality and clarity according to ASTM D1003 standards. That’s the same rigorous testing standard used for high-performance automotive and aerospace applications. When you’re operating complex equipment on the lunar surface, optical clarity isn’t just nice to have – it’s absolutely critical for mission success and astronaut safety.

The precision engineering behind Prizm Cosmos represents decades of Oakley’s research into how light interacts with different materials and coatings. They’ve essentially created a custom optical solution for an environment that doesn’t exist anywhere on Earth.

Advanced Optical Technology Meets Space Engineering

The Oakley space technology behind these visors goes far beyond simple gold plating. We’re looking at a sophisticated system that incorporates Oakley’s next-generation High-Definition Optics (HDO) technology. This is the same optical innovation found in their premium terrestrial eyewear, but adapted for the unique challenges of lunar exploration.

Astronauts can deploy and stow different components based on lighting conditions, which is essential when you consider that spacecraft experience a new sunrise roughly every 45 minutes in orbit. The modular design means they can adapt their protection in real-time as conditions change. Working in permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole requires different optical solutions than operating in direct sunlight.

The engineering challenge of creating a system that functions flawlessly across extreme temperature variations is genuinely remarkable. The Moon’s south pole experiences temperature swings from around 250 degrees Fahrenheit in direct sunlight to minus 400 degrees in permanently shadowed regions. Every component of the visor system needs to maintain its optical properties and mechanical function across this entire range.

Ryan Saylor, Oakley’s Senior Vice President of Advanced Product Development, emphasized the responsibility involved, noting that “the next person to walk on the Moon will be wearing Oakley’s next-gen High-Definition Optics.” That’s not marketing speak – it’s a genuine acknowledgment of how critical vision protection is for mission success.

The deployable design also addresses practical considerations that might not be obvious to those of us who’ve never worked in spacesuits. Astronauts need to be able to adjust their vision protection while wearing bulky gloves and dealing with the limitations of pressurized suits. The mechanism has to be simple, reliable, and foolproof even under stress.

From Extreme Sports to Extreme Environments

What makes this collaboration particularly compelling is how naturally Oakley’s expertise translates to space applications. The company has spent decades creating eyewear for extreme athletes who push their bodies and equipment to absolute limits. Professional cyclists, mountain climbers, and winter sports athletes all rely on Oakley gear in environments that share surprising similarities with space exploration.

Consider the challenges faced by high-altitude mountaineers. They deal with intense UV radiation, extreme temperature variations, and the need for crystal-clear vision in life-threatening situations. Snow blindness at high altitudes can be just as dangerous as losing vision on the lunar surface. The optical clarity required for navigating technical terrain at speed mirrors what astronauts need when operating complex equipment in challenging conditions.

However, the lunar mission gear requirements take these challenges to another level entirely. Russell Ralston, Executive Vice President of Extravehicular Activity at Axiom Space, pointed out that no new spacesuit has been designed in over 40 years. The technological advances available today allow for capabilities that simply weren’t possible during the Apollo era.

The partnership also reflects a broader trend of commercial innovation driving space exploration forward. Just as SpaceX brought automotive and software industry practices to rocket design, Oakley is bringing consumer product innovation to space gear. This cross-pollination of expertise often leads to breakthrough solutions that wouldn’t emerge from traditional aerospace approaches.

Axiom Space specifically selected Oakley for their expertise in extreme sports environments, recognizing that astronauts are essentially athletes operating at an entirely different level. The physical demands of spacewalks, the precision required for technical tasks, and the mental focus needed for mission success all parallel what elite athletes experience during competition.

Looking Beyond the Moon

While civilian versions of this gold-plated space visor technology aren’t coming to market anytime soon, Oakley’s involvement will likely influence their terrestrial eyewear development for years to come. The Prizm Cosmos technology developed for lunar applications could eventually find its way into high-end sports and professional applications here on Earth.

We’ve seen similar technology transfer effects with other space partnerships. Omega’s involvement in space missions has informed their watchmaking, while materials developed for spacecraft have found their way into consumer products across industries. The optical innovations and coating technologies developed for the Artemis program could benefit everything from aviation to extreme sports eyewear.

The AxEMU spacesuit system, complete with Oakley’s visor technology, represents something bigger than just protective equipment. It’s a symbol of how commercial innovation is driving the next chapter of space exploration forward. Companies like Prada are contributing fashion and materials expertise, while Nikon is providing camera technology that replaces the Hasselblads used in previous missions.

This collaborative approach to space technology development could accelerate innovation in ways that traditional government-only programs haven’t achieved. When consumer-focused companies bring their expertise to space applications, they often identify solutions that pure aerospace companies might overlook. The result is gear that’s not just functional, but genuinely advanced in ways that benefit both space exploration and eventual consumer applications.

The timeline for the Artemis III mission currently targets mid-2027, which means we’re just a few years away from seeing these visors in action on the lunar surface. When those first images come back of astronauts exploring the Moon’s south pole, they’ll be seeing through five decades of Oakley’s optical innovation, protected by Prizm Cosmos technology that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in protective eyewear.

The post NASA’s Artemis Spacesuit Gets Oakley’s Gold-Plated Visor Technology for Moon Missions first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Ultimate Compact Home Offers Smart Design, Big Living, & A Rustic Balcony In A Small Space

The Spruce by Backcountry Tiny Homes gets straight to the point. This 20-foot home doesn’t waste time with unnecessary frills, instead focusing on what matters: smart design that works. Built on a double-axle trailer, it stretches to 24 feet thanks to a covered balcony that turns outdoor space into a genuine extension of your living area. At 8.5 feet wide, it stays road-legal while feeling surprisingly roomy inside.

Walking through the front door, you’re greeted by a living room that punches above its weight. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in serious natural light, making the space feel twice its actual size. The sleeper sofa pulls double duty as both comfortable seating and a guest bed when friends visit. Smart built-ins keep clutter at bay, while a drop-leaf table expands for dinner parties or folds down when you need floor space for yoga.

Designer: Backcountry Tiny Homes

The kitchen keeps things real. The base version covers all the essentials without getting fancy, though you can upgrade components to match your cooking style. Everything sits within easy reach, which anyone who’s cooked in a cramped apartment will appreciate. Upper cabinets stretch to the ceiling, squeezing storage from every available inch. It’s the kind of kitchen that proves you don’t need a mansion to make great meals.

Upstairs, the loft bedroom shows why Backcountry knows what they’re doing. The lowered platform gives you actual headroom for getting dressed, solving one of tiny living’s biggest annoyances. Under-bed storage swallows seasonal clothes and extra bedding without creating visual chaos. Two people sleep comfortably here, with enough room for nightstands and personal touches that make it feel like home rather than a hotel room.

The interior finishes nail that sweet spot between rustic charm and modern practicality. Painted board and batten walls pair with stained tongue and groove ceilings, creating warmth without feeling overdone. The trim work adds character without cluttering the space. These materials age well and clean easily, which matters more than you might think in a compact home. The composting toilet keeps things environmentally friendly while staying odor-free and low-maintenance. That covered balcony sets the Spruce apart. It’s not just decorative outdoor space; it’s a functional living area that works in most weather. Morning coffee tastes better out there.

Evening conversations flow naturally. Friends want to come over because there’s room to spread out. The balcony effectively doubles your usable space when conditions are right, making the home feel less like a tiny house and more like a clever use of indoor-outdoor living. The Spruce is an excellent choice because it focuses on livability over novelty. Every design decision serves a purpose, from the strategic window placement to the thoughtful storage solutions. It proves that good tiny house design isn’t about cramming everything into a small box; it’s about creating a home that genuinely works for real life.

FAQs

1. What are the key features of the Spruce tiny home by Backcountry Tiny Homes?

The Spruce packs a lot of thoughtful design into a small footprint. It’s built on a sturdy 20-foot trailer, but the real highlight is the covered balcony that gives you a genuine outdoor hangout spot—perfect for morning coffee or evening chats. Inside, the living room feels open and bright thanks to big windows, and there’s a sleeper sofa that doubles as guest space. Storage is cleverly tucked away everywhere, and the drop-leaf table is great for meals or working from home. The kitchen is compact but practical, with options to upgrade if you love to cook. Upstairs, the loft bedroom has extra headroom so you’re not crouching to get dressed, plus under-bed storage for all the stuff you don’t want lying around. The finishes are warm and inviting, and there’s even a composting toilet to keep things eco-friendly. Every detail is about making small-space living comfortable and easy.

2. Can I customize the Spruce tiny home floor plan?

Definitely. Backcountry Tiny Homes gives you a lot of freedom to make the Spruce your own. You can pick different finishes, upgrade the kitchen, or add more storage if you need it. Want a different bathroom setup or a more accessible loft? They’ll work with you on that. Whether you’re after a super minimalist look or want all the bells and whistles, there’s plenty of room to tweak the layout and features so your home fits your lifestyle.

3. How many people can comfortably live in the Spruce tiny home?

The Spruce is really designed for two people to live comfortably, with a loft bedroom that fits a couple nicely. The main living area has a sleeper sofa, so you can have a friend or family member crash for a night or two without feeling cramped. For couples or solo living, it’s just the right amount of space—cozy without being claustrophobic, and flexible enough for the occasional guest.

The post The Ultimate Compact Home Offers Smart Design, Big Living, & A Rustic Balcony In A Small Space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nothing Power (1) battery bank brings back the Glyph interface

Nothing brought to the gadget world what others shirked to do. Carl Pei was very clear with his vision for the fresh brand, and that vision met fruition with the tech community appreciating what they brought to the stale gadget arena. It all started with the Ear (1) before venturing into the highly competitive smartphone world with the Phone (1). Three years hence, Nothing Phone (3) stands as a strong challenge for established players and other brands looking to bite the maximum chunk of market share.

During all this time, Nothing was also working on a battery bank, which they scrapped for developmental reasons. The primary reason being the susceptibility to cracking in case of accidental falls. The concept design world held onto this idea, and we saw a Nothing-themed battery bank a couple of years ago, proposing what a different approach the brand can try out for this lucrative product segment. Now, yet another concept design tries to reiterate the need for a Nothing power bank.

Designer: Sri Nikesh and Kali Hitesh

Glyph interface of the Nothing Phone (1) made all the headlines when it was launched, but seeing the recent Phone (3) indicates the brand’s pedigree towards more conventional smartphone designs. This concept wants to maintain the status quo of the glyph interface with a design language reminiscent of the first two products. The design ethos revolves around the belief that good design isn’t just about “how something looks, it’s about how it makes you feel.” The design process of the Nothing Power (1) began with the concept of bringing a cleaner silhouette to the product with enough space real estate to revive the Glyph interface. The goal of the product is to explore the transparent layers, bold light paths, and interaction through illumination.

The power bank is inspired by the circuit pathways and physical logic of the Phone (1), focusing on the visual language. Every light on the back of the gadget has to have a meaning, and therefore indicate the properties, such as the battery level. The glyph interface goes beyond the internal battery indication and connects with your smartphone to indicate notifications and charging status as well. Turning light into information, the power bank’s Glyph interface is precise and purposeful. The battery bank has a 20,000 mAh battery, which can charge your phone at least three times over, and fast charging of 65W, which goes to 50% in under 20 minutes.

Loaded with dual USB-C and USB-A ports, the power bank is ready for any device in your arsenal. The power bank comes in two color options – white and black – which go with most of your other gadgets. The compact gadget is truly a detour from the usual design of the battery banks that all look and feel the same.

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Colin McRae’s iconic Subaru Impreza WRC gets a detailed LEGO Revival

I remember sitting glued to the TV, watching grainy footage of rally cars sliding sideways through impossible turns. Nothing quite captured my imagination like the blue and gold Subaru Impreza WRC, especially when Colin McRae was behind the wheel, pushing it to its absolute limit. That car, with its distinctive thrumming engine and massive rear wing, became a legend, a digital extension of my own driving fantasies in games like Colin McRae DIRT. McRae’s audacious driving style and the Impreza’s raw power created a cultural phenomenon, cementing its place in motorsport history and the hearts of gearheads worldwide.

Now, that legendary machine has been meticulously recreated in LEGO form by a fan designer named TOMOELL, and it is currently making waves on the LEGO Ideas platform. This isn’t just another LEGO Technic car model you’d pick up off the shelves; it is a stunningly accurate tribute to the vehicle that defined an era of rally racing, complete with all the details that made rally racing so much fun to watch!

Designer: TOMOELL

TOMOELL’s design captures every iconic element that makes the Impreza WRC instantly recognizable to rally fans. The deep blue body, adorned with the classic “555” livery-inspired graphics, gold rally wheels, hood scoop, aggressive front bumper, and that unmistakable rear wing all channel the spirit of the 1990s championship-winning machine. The builder has clearly spent countless hours perfecting the contours and angles, ensuring that the brick model faithfully represents its high-octane inspiration.

The real Subaru Impreza WRC was a triumph of engineering and driving prowess. Prodrive’s original design philosophy centered on making the car 160mm shorter than its predecessor, with a 60mm shorter wheelbase for improved agility, and it debuted at the 1993 Rally Finland. Colin McRae’s 1995 World Rally Championship win, at the wheel of the Impreza 555, made him the youngest-ever WRC champion at that time. The car’s combination of turbocharged power, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and relentless durability made it a legend not only in motorsport but also in video games and pop culture.

The attention to detail extends far beyond the exterior aesthetics. The builder has engineered working features that mirror the real car’s functionality, a detail that truly elevates this MOC. The hood lifts to reveal a remarkably accurate brick-built boxer engine, complete with intercooler piping and turbocharger details. The trunk also opens, revealing a spare wheel, essential equipment for any rally car facing punctures on rough stages. Even the front wheels steer through a proper mechanism, adding a tactile element that brings the model to life for display or imaginative play.

The model sits at roughly 1:18 scale, large enough to showcase intricate details while remaining perfectly displayable on most shelves. The gold BBS-style wheels use custom printing that captures the distinctive five-spoke design, while the tire selection provides the right sidewall profile to match the original’s aggressive stance. The builder has even included rally-specific accessories like a service jack, spare lights, and a pit banner, creating a complete rally paddock scene.

Currently gathering support on LEGO Ideas, this Subaru Impreza WRC needs 10,000 votes to be considered for official production. With over 900 supporters already onboard, the project shows promising momentum, but needs rally fans and LEGO enthusiasts alike to push it across the finish line. If you’ve ever marveled at McRae’s driving prowess, appreciated the technical brilliance of the Impreza’s all-wheel-drive system, or simply love automotive icons, casting your vote could help bring this piece of motorsport history to shelves worldwide. To do so, visit the LEGO Ideas website!

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This $10 Car Gadget Turns Spotify and Apple Music Into Their Own FM Radio Stations

It’s rare, today, to find a car without a Bluetooth music system. It’s rare, but not impossible… and for people stuck with those old-timey automobiles, the only real way to connect to a diverse universe of music, is to switch on the radio. Now I’m not entirely familiar with how great the radio is these days, but here’s a question worth asking – what if you could have your OWN radio station? One with songs of your choice?

Well, that’s what the Nulaxy Bluetooth FM Transmitter does! It uses Bluetooth and radio waves to turn music apps on your phone into a bona fide FM radio station! Pair your phone with the device via Bluetooth, create a frequency for your car’s radio antenna to catch, and then tune your car’s radio to that frequency and voila, Spotify now becomes Spotify FM! The Nulaxy Bluetooth FM Transmitter plugs right into your car’s lighter port, and also works as a charger thanks to USB ports on it. Neat, huh?

Designer: Nulaxy

Click Here to Buy Now

As complex as it may sound, the underlying tech is pretty simple. Think of the Nulaxy Bluetooth FM Transmitter as a wireless speaker – but instead of playing the music in audio waves, it plays it in radio waves. The radio waves can now be picked up by your car’s radio receiver, and now you’ve got your favorite music or pretty much any audio from your phone playing through your car’s radio. And this doesn’t work with just cars, it’ll work with those compact handheld radios too, like the ones your granddad or your father listened to the news on.

But you aren’t limited to music, and you aren’t limited to your phone either. A central knob on the transmitter lets you do things like answer calls, and two buttons on the side let you skip between tracks. But just in case you want to ditch your phone, the transmitter packs a USB port for plugging in drives with your favorite audio files. It has support for all popular formats like MP3, WAV, WMA, even FLAC… and as an alternative, there’s a MicroSD card slot too, for people who love options!

The transmitter works as a standard car charger too, with QC3.0  built into one of the two USB ports on the top. The other port (which works for reading thumb drives) charges devices too, via a standard 5V protocol. If you’re ever in a bind and you know your car from the 1990s doesn’t come with its own charging setup for your phone, this one helps do the job of two gadgets – a music transmitter, as well as a phone charger!

Bluetooth 5.0 ensures your device connection is seamless as well as lag-free. Music sounds pristine, voice clarity during calls is impressive, and the device also packs noise cancelling, thanks to a tiny mic built into the top of it. An RGB LED ring around the periphery of the transmitter glows to tell you the device is powered and running, and although not my most preferred feature, you can apparently change the RGB color too, thanks to the rotating knob on the top.

At $9.99 on Amazon, the thing is a no-brainer purchase. It costs less than your average Starbucks order – heck, even more so than the now dead Spotify Car Thing. Buy it, plug it into your car, and forget about it. Perfect for old-style cars without Bluetooth-based systems, and even for backseat deejays who want to play music on your car’s stereo system without leaning forward to mash icons on your dashboard!

Click Here to Buy Now

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This ASUS Travel Router’s Award-Winning Compact Design packs WiFi 7 Speeds

The WiFi 7 arms race just got a major jolt courtesy of ASUS and its RT-BE58U, a router that packs next-gen wireless muscle into a silhouette so compact you could mistake it for a glorified USB hub. This isn’t ASUS’s first rodeo in the travel and small-space networking game, but the RT-BE58U (and its sibling, the BE58 Go) feels like the company’s most confident swing at the future of portable, high-speed connectivity. It’s not just the numbers that impress – it’s the sense that someone at ASUS finally decided to make a router that’s as ready for a backpack as it is for a gaming den or a home office. If you’ve grown numb to the parade of boxy, antenna-bristling WiFi gear, the BE58U’s Red Dot Award-winning design is a fresh, almost playful, take on what a next-gen router should look and feel like.

A quick glance at the specs sheet, and it’s obvious ASUS is not playing around. The RT-BE58U is a dual-band WiFi 7 router (IEEE 802.11be) capable of pushing up to 3600 Mbps, which means you get all the goodies: Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for simultaneously leveraging both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, 4K-QAM for fatter data pipes, 160 MHz channel support for lower latency, and backward compatibility with every WiFi standard you might still have lurking in your gadget bag. ASUS claims the router is built for everything from 8K streaming to HDR gaming to AI-driven smart home shenanigans, but the real differentiator is how effortlessly it pivots between home and travel use. Collapsible antennas, a minimal but nerd-approved chassis, and a build that stuffs about a third of its bulk with recycled plastic—this is green tech that doesn’t signal virtue so much as it quietly gets on with the job.

Designer: ASUS

The RT-BE58U doesn’t hide its tech credentials behind overly minimalist design. This is clearly a device built for function, with adjustable antennas that provide better signal propagation while allowing for compact storage. The chassis houses more connectivity options than you might expect from its size, including a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port for multi-gigabit hotel Ethernet, a standard gigabit LAN port for wired devices, and USB connectivity for both storage sharing and mobile tethering. This port flexibility means you’re never without options, whether you’re in a high-tech conference center or a remote cabin with only cellular service. The physical design strikes that rare balance between portability and performance, avoiding the compromises that plague many travel-focused gadgets.

The router supports 4K-QAM modulation (a significant jump from WiFi 6’s 1024-QAM), allowing it to pack more data into each transmission. Multi-Link Operation means your devices can connect simultaneously across different bands for improved stability and throughput. The dual-band configuration delivers up to 3600 Mbps combined throughput. These aren’t just marketing numbers; they translate to real-world benefits like buffer-free 4K streaming, lag-free video calls, and quick file transfers even when sharing your connection with colleagues or family members.

ASUS has implemented their full router feature set rather than a watered-down “travel edition.” This means you get comprehensive QoS controls to prioritize work calls over streaming, guest network functionality to share connectivity without sharing your devices, and parental controls for family trips. The interface remains accessible through ASUS’s mobile app, which handles everything from initial setup to network management without requiring a computer. For power users, the web interface provides deeper customization options including VPN server configuration, firewall rules, and advanced routing options.

At $149.99, the RT-BE58U sits at an interesting price point. It costs more than basic travel routers but significantly less than full-sized WiFi 7 routers, which typically start around $300. This positioning makes sense given its capabilities and award-winning design. You’re getting WiFi 7 speeds and features in a travel-friendly package, with security and flexibility that cheaper travel routers can’t match.

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