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We’re Live at Electronics Home Mexico: Latin America’s Newest B2B Electronics Expo

Mexico City hosts the inaugural Electronics Home Mexico today through June 19, 2025, at Centro Banamex. The three-day trade fair marks Grupo Eletrolar’s expansion into North America after 17 years of organizing successful electronics events across Brazil and Argentina.

The event spans 10,000 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing over 300 exhibitors and drawing major buyers from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Carlos Clur, CEO of Grupo Eletrolar, presents this launch as the third component of Latin America’s “business triathlon,” joining the established Eletrolar Show in Brazil and Electronics Home Argentina.

Strategic Market Position and Organizational Excellence

Mexico consolidates itself as the new regional center for the consumer electronics industry amid international uncertainty marked by tariff tensions and commercial disputes with the United States. The timing proves crucial as Mexico’s import market reaches approximately $467 billion annually, creating substantial opportunities for electronics manufacturers and distributors optimizing supply chains and ensuring timely product delivery across Latin America.

“Mexico is a challenge, but it’s something in our strategy that we need to do, because we want to integrate Latin America total market,” explains Carlos Clur. “We are in the three biggest markets. Mexico was the second, at least the second economy. So we needed to put the feet here.” The CEO acknowledges the complexity of entering Mexico’s concentrated retail landscape while emphasizing the strategic importance of creating a unified Latin American electronics ecosystem.

The fair features consumer electronics, large and small home appliances, telecommunications equipment, and technology products. Exhibitors display smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, audio devices, gaming consoles, washing machines, refrigerators, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, and IoT solutions. The event showcases more than 600 exhibitors and high-level executives , with over 1,000 international brands participating. The fair operates daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hours throughout the three-day period.

Grupo Eletrolar brings extensive experience from managing two major regional events. The Eletrolar Show in São Paulo occupies 50,000 square meters at Distrito Anhembi, attracting over 40,000 visitors and featuring more than 600 exhibitors showcasing 12,000 products from 1,500 brands. Electronics Home Argentina, running at Centro Costa Salguero from June 30 to July 2, 2025, serves as the country’s most important business fair for household goods and consumer electronics.

The organization implements proven programs including the VIP Buyer Program, which sponsors airfare and accommodation for qualified buyers from South and Central American countries attending all three fairs in the business triathlon. The Matchmaking Program facilitates pre-scheduled meetings between distributors and retailers, ensuring direct contact with potential buyers.

Walking Through the Ultimate Electronics Treasure Hunt

The exhibition floor delivers exactly what you’d expect from a hybrid of Amazon’s endless variety, Best Buy’s tech showcase energy, and TJ Maxx’s treasure-hunting excitement. Within minutes of entering, unexpected discoveries emerge around every corner.

At one booth, a cold bourbon dispenser catches attention not for its electronics, but for solving a problem whiskey enthusiasts know well. “If you add ice, that means you reduce the taste of the whiskey,” explains the exhibitor, demonstrating how their $250 USD unit maintains optimal temperature without dilution. The compressor-based system preserves the pure taste that ice traditionally compromises.

Here’s where trade fairs get interesting. Despite being neither a bourbon enthusiast nor someone who typically drinks whiskey at 11 AM on a Tuesday morning, the sample proved impossible to refuse. The cold bourbon hit differently than expected: smooth, clean, and surprisingly palatable even to someone who usually avoids brown liquor. The exhibitor’s point about ice dilution became clear immediately. This wasn’t the harsh bite associated with room-temperature whiskey, nor the watered-down taste from melted ice. The controlled temperature created an entirely different drinking experience.

For bars and restaurants, this represents the kind of specialized solution that makes B2B trade fairs valuable. The minimum order quantity (MOQ) conversation reveals the fair’s true nature. At 100-200 units minimum, this isn’t consumer retail. The unexpected morning bourbon tasting also highlights how these events blur professional boundaries: where else would trying whiskey at 11 AM count as market research?

A few aisles over, CJ Tech from Guangzhou displays 100-inch televisions that reveal the complex economics behind consumer electronics. The company operates as a pure ODM/OEM manufacturer, producing displays for European markets, Middle East, Africa, and select US clients. Their booth showcases the invisible supply chain powering familiar brands.

The pricing structure tells the real story. A standard 100-inch 4K TV costs $900 USD at factory level, while the Mini LED version jumps to $1,800 USD. The MOQ requires a minimum order, but their standard container capacity holds 46 units, meaning a single container of Mini LED displays represents an $82,800 investment at factory pricing. “American market certification cost is very high,” explains the representative, revealing why US electronics carry premium pricing. Certification alone costs 100,000 Chinese yuan (approximately $14,000 USD), making small orders economically unfeasible.

The mathematics become clearer when considering volume. While the factory price seems reasonable, certification costs must be distributed across units sold. For a single container of 46 Mini LED TVs, the $14,000 certification adds roughly $300 per unit. For smaller orders of one or two containers, this burden becomes prohibitive. The representative explains why “American customers want one container, two containers, but the certification cost is very high.”

This conversation illuminates why certain markets dominate global electronics. The certification barrier explains why CJ Tech focuses on European and African markets, where regulatory costs prove more manageable. The $1,800 factory price becomes significantly higher after logistics, certification, and regulatory compliance, explaining why a comparable 100-inch Hisense TV retails for $5,000 USD in American markets.

The company also produces speakers for Hisense and displays for Harman, demonstrating how major brands rely on specialized ODM partners. Their booth features products destined for Amazon’s private label program, revealing the interconnected nature of global electronics distribution. The Mini LED technology costs “between double and triple” the standard 4K version due to enhanced local dimming capabilities that improve color reproduction.

CEO Vision: Building Latin America’s Connected Electronics Ecosystem

Carlos Clur’s strategy extends beyond individual trade fairs to create an integrated regional marketplace. “We want to create these meetings with the C-level executives. They can create joint ventures, ideas to produce in Mexico, ideas to create alliances with the retail, with the suppliers, with the industry, with the components market,” he explains. “We want to have this industry more connected. This connection makes the economy stronger.”

The challenge lies in Mexico’s retail concentration. “The retail is very concentrated in some points, the industry also,” Clur acknowledges. “What we are doing for our challenge is bring the small retail, medium retail, and the big ones, but also the most strategic is bring the neighboring countries.” This international approach distinguishes Electronics Home Mexico from domestic trade shows.

Clur emphasizes the fair’s role in democratizing business opportunities. “Maybe this small retail in the future will be a big retail, and this is something that for us is important. Also bring professionals to the show, create strong relations for long term.” He describes how a single connection can transform businesses: “One company in a show can change the life, the economic life, because they said, ‘Okay, Walmart, make an order.’”

The CEO recognizes technology’s role in market education. “Journalists and influencers, they connect with the consumers, show the new technology, the new prototypes, the new trends, and they promote the industry,” he explains. In Brazil, Grupo Eletrolar works with influencers commanding 50 million followers, while Mexico features Shark Tank personalities discussing artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

Even Clur participates in the discovery process, purchasing a recording device from a Mexican company during the fair. “This is our work,” he concludes, emphasizing that successful B2B events require continuous investment in matchmaking programs, buyer initiatives, and marketing campaigns to “bring the right people to the right place.”

Understanding the Hidden Value Chain

These conversations provide invaluable insight into electronics pricing that consumers never see. Walking through Electronics Home Mexico offers education worth thousands of dollars in business consulting fees. The direct access to ODM manufacturers, MOQ discussions, and certification cost breakdowns reveal why electronics cost what they do in different markets.

The bourbon dispenser conversation alone demonstrates how specialized B2B products find their markets. Understanding that 100-unit minimums separate consumer purchases from commercial distribution explains why certain products remain invisible to regular shoppers. These aren’t products you find on Amazon or Best Buy shelves, yet they represent significant business opportunities for the right buyers.

The CJ Tech discussion provides even deeper value. Learning that a $5,000 consumer TV starts at $1,800 factory pricing, then understanding how certification costs, logistics, retailer margins, and brand premiums build the final price, offers insights typically reserved for industry insiders. The revelation that certification costs can add $300 per unit for small orders explains why electronics companies focus on high-volume markets.

This knowledge transforms how you view electronics retail. Every smartphone, television, or appliance carries similar hidden costs and supply chain complexities. The fair provides direct access to manufacturers who typically remain invisible behind brand names, offering education about global trade mechanics that business schools struggle to teach.

These discoveries encapsulate the fair’s treasure-hunt atmosphere. Buyers arrive expecting smartphones and appliances, but leave with deep understanding of supply chain economics, MOQ requirements, and certification barriers that reshape pricing strategies. Each conversation reveals the complex calculations behind consumer electronics pricing, from factory floor to retail shelf.

Current Impact and Business Integration

Electronics Home Mexico strengthens Latin America’s position in global electronics trade while addressing international trade tensions. The event targets Chinese companies seeking strategic partnerships in Mexico, capitalizing on shifting supply chain dynamics amid global uncertainty.

For exhibitors, participating in Electronics Home Mexico represents the opportunity to position themselves as innovation leaders in the sector. Direct contact with highly specialized audiences allows companies to understand market needs and adjust commercial strategies with valuable information about consumption trends and behaviors. The event positions itself as a platform designed for real retail, where inspiration, innovation, and action converge , rather than simply an exhibition space. This approach mirrors the successful format established at Eletrolar Show, facilitating in-person meetings between industry and retail partners to eliminate trade barriers and enhance networking opportunities.

Mexico City serves as an economic hub for the entire region, with the country recognized as a regional center with modern infrastructure enabling efficient logistics throughout the continent. The location proves strategic given Mexico’s increasing role in global supply chains and manufacturing, especially as companies seek alternatives amid international trade disputes.

The Mexico-Brazil Chamber provides institutional support, reflecting the event’s role in strengthening bilateral trade relationships. Media coverage includes partnerships with outlets like Infobea, Energía Hoy, and Canton Fair Net, ensuring broad industry awareness across Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets.

The opening day draws thousands of qualified visitors and hundreds of confirmed exhibitors across consumer electronics, home appliances, and related technology sectors. The event attracts decision-makers from retail chains, specialty stores, e-commerce platforms, and distribution networks throughout Mexico and neighboring regions. Attendees engage in business rounds, networking sessions, innovation forums, and conferences covering market opportunities in Mexico. These components mirror successful formats from the Brazilian and Argentine events, adapted for the Mexican market’s specific characteristics.

“This is the only show that Mexico has for consumer electronics,” Clur notes, emphasizing the event’s unique position in the market. “We believe that we will arrive with a very strong network in Latin America. This is our differential, but we think we have very long work for the next years.”

The inaugural Electronics Home Mexico establishes Grupo Eletrolar’s presence in North America’s largest Spanish-speaking market, completing their regional coverage across Latin America’s three major economic centers while addressing the current global trade environment’s challenges and opportunities. Early activity indicates strong interest from both exhibitors and buyers, with business meetings already underway across the exhibition floor. The event demonstrates Mexico’s growing importance as a strategic hub for electronics trade in the Americas.

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NYC’s Floating, Self-Filtering Pool Brings Clean Swimming To The East River

After more than a decade of anticipation, New York’s East River will soon host one of the city’s most intriguing public amenities: +POOL. This 9,000-square-foot floating pool isn’t just about fun; it’s a thoughtful blend of design, technology, and city life. The concept is simple yet ambitious—a plus-shaped pool that filters river water and creates four distinct swimming zones, each tailored for different experiences. Construction has finally begun, and New Yorkers are watching closely as the project prepares for its maiden season at Pier 35.

The +POOL design doesn’t camouflage its purpose—a crisp, geometric outline floats just off the Lower East Side, accessible by a slim walkway. Inside, the water isn’t chlorinated or piped in from somewhere else. Instead, a multi-layered filtration system draws in water from the river, purifies it, and returns it to the flow when swimming is done. This makes the pool both a functional recreation spot and a public demonstration of clean water technology. For a city built on its waterways but often disconnected from them, the pool is a quietly radical choice.

Designers: Dong-Ping Wong, Oana Stanescu, Archie Lee Coates IV & Jeffrey Franklin

The +POOL includes four sections—a lap pool, lounge pool, kids’ pool, and sports pool – which invite all types of swimmers. The structure’s modularity means it can be configured for lessons, workouts, or just a cool dip on a humid summer day. The 9,000-square-foot footprint is generous but not overwhelming, and the pool’s floating nature allows it to navigate changing tides and city rhythms. Placed in the East River, it offers city dwellers a safe, inviting space to swim—something that’s been missing from Manhattan for generations.

The technology driving +POOL sets it apart from typical urban pools. Its filtration system is chemical-free and engineered to meet rigorous health standards. The vessel, constructed at a Mississippi shipyard, will soon make its way north, ready for installation and testing. Once it’s docked and operational, the pool will process thousands of gallons of river water daily, ensuring swimmers experience clean, clear conditions.

Public benefit is woven throughout the project’s DNA. For years, Friends of +POOL—the nonprofit force behind the idea—has hosted educational programs, floating art installations, and water quality workshops. The pool’s eventual opening represents more than a new place to swim. It’s a culmination of activism, design thinking, and civic collaboration. It also signals a shift in how New Yorkers might interact with their waterfront, reframing the city’s rivers as sites of possibility rather than barriers.

Looking ahead, +POOL is poised to become a new urban icon. Its presence will be immediate and unmistakable, a visual reminder that design can bridge utility and delight. By inviting the public into the river, safely and beautifully, +POOL offers a new model for urban swimming and city engagement. As the project moves closer to opening day, it stands as proof to what’s possible when vision, engineering, and community meet at the water’s edge.

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Electric Kia Elan concept shows wedge shaped future Roadster

The Kia Elan was never a chart-topping icon, but for those who remember it, it carried a certain charm. A compact roadster borrowed from Lotus DNA, it was Kia’s unlikely flirtation with sportiness in the mid-’90s. Fast forward to today, and designer JinTae Tak is revisiting that lineage, not by replicating the original, but by extracting its essence and reshaping it for the electric era.

The Kia Elan EV concept doesn’t just hint at a new design language, it commits to one. You won’t find soft curves or classic sports car proportions here. Instead, the Elan EV cuts through convention with brutal, origami-like surfaces and a stance that hugs the ground like it’s part of the architecture. There’s no pretense of retro styling, just deliberate, sculpted form driven by the freedoms afforded by EV platforms.

Designer: JinTae Tak

JinTae Tak’s main objective was to use electrification as a design opportunity, not just an engineering shift. With no bulky combustion engine to accommodate, the Elan EV lowers its nose dramatically, resulting in a pronounced wedge silhouette. It’s sharp and aggressive, but not impractical. The side profile is where this decision is most apparent. The car hunkers forward, creating a visual tension that draws your eye from the subtle peak of the roofline down into the low-slung nose. This isn’t just for drama. It’s a studied way of reinterpreting the low center of gravity look of the original Elan, now translated into a closed-top GT form.

Look closely and you’ll notice how many times the same narrow, angular motif repeats across the body. From the pinch at the A-pillar to the fender transitions and the flush door seams, it’s a consistent language of compression and expansion. There’s a kind of visual rhythm in how these angles play with the light, almost architectural.

From the front, the EV’s lighting treatment makes an immediate statement. A series of segmented LEDs span the nose, mirroring the rear lighting in layout and attitude. It gives the car a clear identity, especially in low light. The hood, with its severe wedge, risks looking overly narrow, but JinTae solves this with a visual trick. The wide fender volumes spill out toward the ground, offsetting the narrowness of the centerline and pulling the car visually wider.

Swing around to the rear and the fenders become the main event. Unlike the original Elan’s simple surfacing, the Elan EV revels in volume here. The horizontal gesture is emphasized with precision, letting the taillights slice across cleanly. It’s one of the more direct nods to the roadster roots of the original car, though executed with today’s taste for muscular silhouettes and precise geometry.

Even the wheels are worth a second look. They’re huge, visually enclosed, and likely designed to aid aerodynamics, typical EV priorities. But their styling doubles down on the overall theme, angular, directional, and aggressive.

Given the conceptual nature, there’s no spec sheet, no drivetrain details, and no promises of production. That’s not really the point. The Kia Elan EV is a design study that explores how brands can revisit the past without repeating it. It’s not a tribute to the old Elan. It’s a conversation with it.

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mystery at the grooms’: hermès brings interactive installation to new york

an immersive mystery lands in new york

 

At Pier 36 in downtown Manhattan, Hermès is set to open Mystery at the Grooms’, a sprawling interactive installation that invites visitors into a fictional French estate teeming with theatrical intrigue. The event runs from June 19th through June 29th and transforms a former warehouse into a series of immersive rooms populated by equestrian staff, luxurious objects, and a puzzle waiting to be solved.

 

The project centers on the Grooms’ House, a domestic world created for the caretakers of the Hermès horses. From the outset, the setting affirms the brand’s equestrian heritage, which dates to 1837 when Hermès was established as a harness and saddle maker. Here, that legacy is restaged with a twist — the horses have gone missing, and it’s up to guests to locate them using a mobile phone-based game that links digital interactivity with physical exploration.

 

Six rooms — the Head Grooms’ Office, Dormitory, Pantry, Refectory, Laundry, and Stock Room — have been outfitted as richly atmospheric spaces, with subtle shifts in lighting, sound, and scent setting the tone for each interior. Visitors begin their journey in a stylized garden filled with flower arrangements, horse-shaped topiaries, and luminous Hermès motifs tucked into floral displays.

Mystery at the Grooms’ by Hermès can be discovered at Pier 36 in New York City | image © designboom

 

 

horses are hidden among hermès objects

 

Each unique space throughout Mystery at the Grooms’ functions as both a stage set and a showcase of Hermès design. Items from the fashion house‘s sixteen metiers —  including ready-to-wear, ceramics, equestrian gear, and leather goods — are integrated into the narrative, acting as a camouflage for the herd of missing horses.

 

The Laundry is lined with a rack of monochrome shirts on a conveyor belt, among which a horse-shaped patch peeks out from a sweatshirt. In another, guests lift a silver dome to reveal a mare hiding beneath. The attention to material detail is acute, with polished oak cabinets, custom textiles, and hand-painted tiles reinforcing the spirit of the brand.

 

Clues might be either visual or tactile. A hidden safe in the office opens only after the correct code is deciphered. In the dormitory, a peephole concealed behind a painting reveals another member of the missing herd. Throughout, the game is timed — visitors are allotted seven minutes per room, and progress is tracked digitally.

the Head Groom’s Office | image © designboom

 

 

exploring the world of the grooms

 

Performers dressed as grooms guide participants through the Hermès-designed house, offering in-character hints to the mystery. One of the recurring voices belongs to ‘Mr. Honore,’ a fictional detective who takes his name from the street where the original Hermès store still stands in Paris. His narration, heard through mobile speakers, adds a theatrical backdrop to the search and turns each design vignette into a moment of investigation.

 

Beyond the installation’s fictional premise, Mystery at the Grooms’ maintains a steady focus on the tactile and material world. Carrots stand in for knives in the refectory, and sculpted leather saddle bags hang beside handbags and handwoven blankets.

 

Those who succeed in finding the entire herd are offered a parting gift — a notebook and a coloring book, both designed by Hermès. Originally debuted in Shanghai in late 2023, the installation will soon travel on to Tokyo, Singapore, and Paris.

the Dormitory | image © designboom

the Pantry | image © designboom

the Refectory | image © designboom

the Laundry | image © designboom

the Stock Room | image © designboom

a groom stands in the Head Groom’s office | image © designboom

 

project info:

 

name: Mystery at the Grooms’

brand: Hermès | @hermes

location: Pier 36, New York, NY

on view: June 18th — 29th, 2025

photography: © designboom

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Aesthetic Cat Litter Box concept is something you won’t want to hide away

I have a friend who has more than two cats and she always tells me that the most stressful part about being a cat parent is the constant cleaning of the litter box. She sometimes can’t stay out too long because if she doesn’t clean up the box, it will smell bad obviously. Of course, cats poop several times so this is pretty normal. And more often than not, these litter boxes are eyesores that you have to hide when you have visitors (or hide from your own eyes as well).

The Cat Litter Box Enclosure is a concept for a creative solution for that particular problem that is as functional as it is aesthetic. Instead of settling for the standard plastic trays we’re all used to hiding away in corners, designer Gia Han Pham has reimagined the traditional litter box with a fresh, sophisticated perspective that seamlessly fits into contemporary homes. Drawing inspiration from minimalist aesthetics, she has focused on clean lines, gentle curves, and a subtle color palette that quietly elevates any room. This isn’t just about hiding the litter box; it’s about making it an intentional part of your décor. Her thoughtful approach addresses the needs of both pets and their owners, providing a discreet, stylish shelter that you’ll actually want to show off.

Designer: Gia Han Pham

The enclosure features clean lines, neutral tones, and a subtle wood finish, making it easy to blend with any decor style, whether it’s a cozy farmhouse look or sleek Scandinavian. It’s clear that every element, from the choice of materials to the gentle curves, was chosen with both pets and people in mind. But the design also prioritizes the cat’ comfort and the owner’s convenience. Your pet has plenty of room to move around the enclosure so they still feel comfortable and unconfined. There’s a cleverly designed entrance where they can slip in and out with ease while still keeping the litter scatter contained. More importantly, it has discreet vents so the air can keep flowing and minimize those unpleasant odors that can sometimes linger in regular litter boxes.

So, if you’re like my friend or most of cat parents who are tired of sacrificing style for the sake of your pets, this concept offers a breath of fresh air. Instead of feeling embarrassed when guests drop by or constantly worrying about lingering smells, you’ll have peace of mind. Your space stays beautiful, your cats stay comfortable, and the dreaded clean-up routine feels just a little bit easier.

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Luxurious & Sustainable Floating Homes Bring Modern Scandinavian Design To Dorset’s Lakes

Floating quietly on the lakes of Dorset, a new breed of houseboat is redefining waterside living. Called Silverlake, these architect-designed residences are the result of a collaboration between design studio Koto and Waterpod, bringing together Scandinavian restraint and a deep respect for nature. The vision is simple: to offer a home that feels both rooted and free, where modern comforts coexist with the gentle rhythms of water and wildlife.

The exterior lines are clean and minimal, echoing the best of Nordic modular architecture. Large windows and natural timber finishes anchor each houseboat in its surroundings, blurring the boundary between inside and out. Every angle is considered, every space intentional. From the deck, the ever-changing play of light on the water becomes part of daily life, offering a sense of calm that’s rare in traditional homes.

Designer: Koto & Waterpod

The layout of the home balances openness and privacy. Living rooms spill out onto terraces, kitchens are compact yet fully equipped, and bedrooms are designed for restful quiet. Thoughtfully built-in maximizes storage without intruding on the aesthetic. Soft, neutral palettes and tactile materials create a welcoming backdrop, inviting residents to shape the space to their rhythms. It’s a home that adapts easily—ideal for full-time living or restful weekends away.

What makes these floating homes unique is their commitment to sustainability. Constructed with responsibly sourced materials, the houseboats rely on energy-efficient systems and low-impact building methods. The floating foundation itself disturbs little of the natural ecosystem, while the design encourages a lighter environmental footprint. Living here is as much about stewardship as it is about comfort, with every detail supporting a harmonious relationship with the water and land.

Flexibility is another key strength. Each residence offers a customizable interior, with options for layout and finishes to suit individual preferences. The moorings at Silverlake provide both privacy and access to a vibrant community, where woodland walks and water sports are steps away. It’s a setting that fosters both solitude and connection, making it an appealing choice for families, couples, or solo dwellers seeking something out of the ordinary.

This collection of houseboats introduces a new standard to the UK market—a rare blend of design, sustainability, and lifestyle. By bringing together modern architectural thinking and a commitment to ecological responsibility, the project creates more than just a place to stay; it offers a way of living that’s attuned to both contemporary needs and the timeless appeal of the water’s edge. For those drawn to the idea of a home that’s as adaptable and inspiring as its surroundings, these floating residences deliver on every front.

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BMW DE-02 x Deus electric bike drops beats on the go with integrated turntable and Marshall speakers

Continuing BMW Motorrad’s tradition of pushing the envelope in motorcycle innovation, the DE-02 electric concept is a compelling evolution in the brand’s forward-looking portfolio. Having previously explored BMW’s design-driven approach to mobility, often marked by a fusion of bold aesthetics and engineering excellence, the DE-02 further solidifies this trajectory. Developed in collaboration with the iconic custom workshop Deus Ex Machina, the DE-02 isn’t just another electric bike.

Built on a platform derived from BMW’s previous electric motocross prototype dubbed E-Parkour, the DE-02 is reimagined with Deus’s distinct aesthetic sensibility. Its minimalistic frame, stripped of unnecessary bulk, keeps the structure lightweight while maintaining rugged functionality. The frame is crafted from chromoly steel, chosen for its balance of strength and weight, while the carbon fiber body elements contribute further to reducing mass without sacrificing durability.

Designer: BMW Motorrad and Deus Ex Machina

A bold reinterpretation of the original CE 02, the DE-02 also draws inspiration from the creative universe of Deus Records, blending lifestyle culture with electric mobility. Departing from the usual utility-focused configurations, this version transforms the “eParkourer” concept into a fully functional DJ booth on two wheels. In place of a surf rack, the bike features a bespoke sound system equipped with four Marshall Middleton speakers and a centrally mounted turntable, inviting riders to mix music anywhere, right from urban alleys to remote mountainscapes. The design is elevated with a hand-stitched leather saddle embroidered with the Deus Records logo, seamlessly integrated with the speaker system and turntable setup.

Additional custom touches, such as a tailored license plate holder, modern LED lighting, shortened indicators, and streamlined mirrors, enhance its distinct character, making the DE-02 not just a motorcycle, but a mobile artistic statement. Powering the DE-02 is a 5.5-kWh battery connected to an air-cooled electric motor delivering 11 kW of continuous power, with peak performance reaching up to 20 kW. This output positions it in the 125cc category for licensing in many regions, making it accessible while offering enough torque for spirited off-road performance. Its chain-driven rear wheel and slim, motocross-style design suggest a focus on agility and maneuverability, ideal for both trail riding and urban environments.

The design places strong emphasis on minimalist, utilitarian styling. A narrow profile, slim tank, and integrated seat give it a purposeful silhouette. Elements like the custom CNC-machined triple clamps and a bespoke swingarm speak to the level of detail and craftsmanship applied. The visual design is further enhanced by a simple monochromatic palette and a high-mounted LED headlight that offers a nod to classic enduro aesthetics. Suspension duties are handled by high-performance components: a WP XACT USD fork up front and a WP shock at the rear. The DE-02 rolls on 19-inch Excel Takasago wheels paired with Pirelli Scorpion Rally tires, underscoring its off-road intentions. Braking is managed by a Beringer system that includes disc brakes at both ends, offering precise stopping power.

While the DE-02 is not intended for commercial production, its creation represents a fusion of engineering and artistry. For BMW Motorrad, it’s part of a broader strategy to explore electric propulsion in motorcycling, beyond commuter-focused scooters. It also highlights how the future of motorcycles may not just lie in performance specifications but also in the emotional and cultural identity that design can offer.

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DIA Free Admission ends June 20th

Whether you’ve won awards, or not, you can enter the DIA show for free until June 20th. There is a cash award pool of $700,000 up for grabs—so if you prepped an application for any of the award shows – use it now to enter this one.

Not familiar with the DIA awards?

The Design Intelligence Award is a global platform celebrating the power of intelligent design to drive innovation and shape a better future. Bridging cultures and disciplines, it brings together a worldwide community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs, creatives, and problem-solvers.

DIA honors groundbreaking ideas and sustainable solutions that harness design intelligence to address society’s most pressing challenges and elevate everyday life.

Cash Prizes

The total prize pool is nearly $700,000, with a top prize of almost $140,000. In addition, DIA has launched a new Innovation Incubation Group has a special prize of over $80,000.

Entry Fee is Free until June 20th

Entry to the competition is free until June 20, 2025. After that, rates increase to $200 through July 21, 2025. From July 21-September 20, 2025 the rate to enter is $400.

What are you waiting for? Enter today. Use this code for fast tracking to second round: US2025-PMPC1KK.

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teenage engineering designs first customizable electric moped epa-1 with vässla

teenage engineering’s first electric moped, epa-1

 

For the first time, Teenage Engineering designs a customizable electric moped with the Swedish brand Vässla. Named epa-1, the acronym stands for ‘En Passar Alla,’ or ‘one fits all.’ The design teams say that the name refers to the electric moped being customizable and easy to update depending on the preference of the rider. They can choose to add different accessories onto the base of the ride, including a front rack, a passenger seat, a helmet box, some floor decals, and even a cargo basket. Around Teenage Engineering’s first-ever electric moped is a series of small screw holes, all of which are for custom mounts, accessories, upgrades, and decal kits.

 

‘The moped is meant to be used,’ the design teams say, and so they’ve considered a robust frame and set of covers, lights, and screws for epa-1, so the entire ride can weather tears and wear over time. ‘For example, the covers are colored through and not just painted, so you don’t have to worry about scratches,’ they add. The two-wheeler is also visibly bare of any vivid design elements, and even if there are models with bright colors, these shades only appear in some of the parts and not throughout the entire body, mainly around the front headlights and the sides.

all images courtesy of Vässla

 

 

All-black model to launch in the summer of 2025

 

Teenage Engineering and Vässla’s customizable electric moped epa-1 comes with an alarm for theft security, and it uses LED lights for the front and rear. It is also NFC-ready, and riders can use the two-wheeler as a power bank when they plug in their smartphone and use the USB mobile charging. The motorcycle is also keyless, and its range depends on the kind of battery it has: +100 km with the 50Ah battery and 60 km with the 30Ah one. Riders can cruise up to 45 km/h on the road and even 25 km/h on a bike path, depending on the class they’ll choose. 

 

Either way, the Swedish electronics and brand both have the options available and authority-approved. In front of the the rider, they find a small screen flashing the ride’s information. So far, there’s no news yet whether Teenage Engineering and Vässla’s customizable electric moped epa-1 has a dedicated app where the riders can monitor the battery percentage, cruising speed, and more. At the present time, the design teams are gearing up to launch a special edition, which comes in black, from the frame down to the screws, in the summer of 2025.

view of the front headlights

view of the front wheel

the passenger seat is an attachable accessory

the digital screen in front of the rider, flashing the riding information

all-black model of epa-1

epa-1 stands for ‘En Passar Alla,’ or ‘one fits all’

a robust frame and set of covers, lights, and screws for epa-1, so the entire ride can weather wear over time

Teenage Engineering and Vässla collaborate together for the modular epa-1

the all-black model launches in the summer of 2025

 

project info:

 

name: epa-1

brands: Teenage Engineering, Vässla | @teenageengineering, @officialvassla

The post teenage engineering designs first customizable electric moped epa-1 with vässla appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

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Entire Discworld series turned into a rotating book wheel

To say that the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett has a cult following is one of the biggest understatements in book world. It’s a pretty long series but for the fans, it isn’t just a fantasy series. It’s a universe, brimming with wit, wisdom, and unforgettable characters. The thought of having every Discworld book at your fingertips is a collector’s fantasy of course. For Martina of the Nerdforge YouTube channel, she went one step further in terms of treasuring this beloved book series.

The Nerdforge channel is a blackhole when it comes to nerdy and book-related projects. Martina has completed her most audacious build yet: transforming all 40 of Terry Pratchett’s beloved Discworld novels into a single, awe-inspiring, rotating book wheel. After collecting the entire series, she literally bound them together, creating a unique piece of bookish art that’s both a tribute and a conversation starter.

Designer: Nerdforge

Martina, who has a passion for bookbinding and DIY, decided to take on this mammoth project as her very first mechanical build. Her idea was both whimsical and practical in the most Nerdforge way: she would bind all 40 Discworld books and arrange them around a massive wooden wheel. With a hand crank, the entire collection could rotate, displaying each novel in turn like a carousel of literary delight. The final creation is almost comically large—boasting about 14,000 pages!

Each book is individually bound, then carefully attached to the wheel in a circle. The result is a functional, if not exactly “practical,” rotating book that is as much a sculptural object as it is a reading tool. Martina said that if she could do it all over again, she would have wanted to create something that you could actually use to read the massive collection. But for now, it’s a beautiful testament to what you can create if you just let your imagination run wild.

The video of the build is a treat for anyone curious about how such a wild idea comes together. Martina shares the entire process: selecting and preparing the books, crafting the wooden wheel, and meticulously binding each volume into place. There’s sanding, gluing, problem-solving, and plenty of moments where things could have gone awry but Martina’s joy and determination shine through. The final product? A rotating wheel, bristling with colorful Discworld spines, that you can turn by hand. It’s quirky, it’s massive, and it’s a true testament to loving what you do.

The post Entire Discworld series turned into a rotating book wheel first appeared on Yanko Design.