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Just weeks after Lotus confirmed the 2022 Emira ‘First Edition’, the company has unveiled to the world its new electric chassis technology, codenamed Project LEVA.

LEVA takes its name from the Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture platforms that were first announced by Lotus back in October, 2020, when the company announced its intention to create an all-new platform for electric-powered sports cars.

Lotus says that this project has culminated in a new platform that is 37 per cent lighter than the equivalent Emira V6, offering a “chest” layout that allows modules to be stacked vertically behind a two-seat cabin, or “slab” layout horizontally under the cabin. This flexible approach allows Lotus to get creative.

The company says this also allows single or twin electric motors to be installed, with a new cylindrical battery cell design for higher energy density.

The blueprints also give us a good idea of what we can expect to see in terms of battery capacity, as well as power output from Lotus’s electric motors. Lotus looks set to offer its electric-powered sports cars with either a 66.4kWh or a 99.6kWh battery pack, paired with a single 350kW electric motor or a twin configuration pushing out 650kW.

Lotus says that its flexible, modular approach means the LEVA platform can be used in a wide variety of electric vehicles in the future, either in-house at Lotus or for third-party clients through Lotus Engineering.

The company says that its highly-anticipated electric sports car will debut in 2026, riding on the all-new platform and utilising the battery packs and electric motors outlined in the blueprints. Richard Rackham, head of vehicle concepts at Lotus, said:

“Project LEVA is as revolutionary as the Elise architecture was in 1996… In true Lotus spirit, significant weight savings have been achieved throughout, with a focus on ultimate performance, efficiency and safety being engineered into the structure from the outset.”

See below for the key specs:

Alexi Falson

Alexi is a contributing news journalist and junior road tester at PerformanceDrive. He has a passion and appreciation for the engineering in cars, as well as new technologies that lessen the impact on the environment. His dream cars are an M3 to drive to work, and a LaFerrari for the weekend.

• Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan announced the Lake Michigan Electric Vehicle Circuit this week. The plan is to get enough EV charging stations into the ground to give drivers the opportunity to visit the state’s west coast in zero-emission vehicles and not worry about where they’ll be able to charge the battery.

• It will take time to get the chargers installed, as the big plan for 2021 is a feasibility study.

• Last year, the Department of Energy announced it would build up alternative fuel stations along I-94 from Michigan’s border with Canada all the way to Montana.

For a decade, most maps showing electric-vehicle-friendly highways and regions of the country have highlighted the East and West Coasts. But a new proposal announced by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week will help turn Michigan into another EV charging hotspot.

It’s called the Lake Michigan Electric Vehicle Circuit, and the idea is to build enough EV charging stations on Michigan’s western coast that electric-vehicle owners will be able to drive up the shore as well as reach “attractions, lighthouses, parks and local businesses” without worry about where they will recharge. Whitmer called the Circuit “the best new road trip for electric vehicle owners in America” when she made the announcement at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference, according to the Detroit News.

“The circuit is going to entice residents and travelers to explore our incredible coastal communities and amenities while using clean energy, cutting pollution, and helping to protect our air and water,” Whitmer said, according to the News.

It will take time for the Circuit to become a reality, though. The announcement may have happened this week, but the next step is to conduct a feasibility study this year and then, in the coming years, to determine how best to spend money installing the chargers in the right places. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy program will provide $1.25 million in initial funds to build out the network. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity will also invest up to $5 million as it works with outside organizations on training workers who are prepared for a growing number of electric vehicles on Michigan roads.

Story continues

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s alternative fueling station locator, there are 608 EV Level 2 charging station locations in Michigan, with 1227 total ports. There are also 148 DC fast-charge stations, with 388 ports, in Michigan. Twenty-six of those stations, with 224 ports, belong to the Tesla Supercharger network. Most of the public fast chargers are located in or near Michigan’s cities, including Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing, with around a dozen near the Lake Michigan coast.

Governor Whitmer’s announcement isn’t the only way Michigan is getting more EV chargers and alternative fuel stations. Last year, the Department of Energy and partners announced the Michigan to Montana I-94 Alternative Fuel Corridor, known as M2M, which will stretch 1500 miles along Interstate 94 starting at the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and continuing all the way to Billings, Montana. The M2M will include EV charging stations as well as stations offering CNG, biofuel, and propane autogas. Adding hydrogen stations in the future is also part of the discussion.

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?Belkin, a global consumer electronics leader, today introduces two screen protector offerings engineered and designed for iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini. The UltraGlass Screen Protector and Anti-Glare Screen Protector join Belkin’s vast screen protection portfolio designed for iPhone.

As part of Belkin’s recent commitment to reduce 25% single-use plastic by the end of 2025, the UltraGlass Screen Protector and Anti-Glare Screen Protector will debut brand-new retail packaging made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles and forest certified (FSC) paper. In addition to its retail packaging, Belkin is also updating its in-store Screen Protection Applicator process, updating all screen protection envelopes to utilize kraft paper, plant-based plastic liners, and soy-based ink.’

UltraGlass Screen Protector

iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro feature a flat-edge design, that when coupled with the Ceramic Shield front cover, is tougher than any smartphone glass, offers amazing durability and drop performance. The Belkin UltraGlass Screen Protector delivers German-engineered lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) glass for even more strength, flexibility, and scratch resistance to protect iPhone 13 models. Chemically strengthened through a double-ion exchange process, UltraGlass is 2x stronger than tempered glass and provides best-in-class performance for added impact and scratch protection while maintaining a flawless touchscreen experience.

Anti-Glare Screen Protector

Belkin Anti-Glare Screen Protector delivers protection along with maximum visibility for iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. By reducing harsh reflections from both sunlight and artificial lighting, it lets users view the bright and immersive Super Retina XDR display even in bright conditions. The Anti-Glare Screen Protector is engineered with enhanced protection, anti-scratch coating, and ultra-thin design for a native touchscreen experience.

Pricing and Availability

• UltraGlass Screen Protector is available to order today for $39.95 (US) at select Apple store locations worldwide and apple.com
• Anti-Glare Screen Protector is available to order today for $19.95 (US) at select Apple store locations worldwide and apple.com

MagFlött is a minimalist magnetic iPad stand designed for the iPad Pro and iPad Air 4 tablets allowing you to position your iPad for improved productivity, viewing and focus. The premium stand has been in development for the last 18 months and provides an easy way to extend your iMac or MacBook Pro screen directly to your iPad or simply provide a more ergonomic working environment when using a keyboard with your iPad at your desk.

Magnetic iPad desk stand

Early bird pledges are now available for the unique project from roughly $109 or £80 (depending on current exchange rates), offering a considerable discount of approximately 26% off the recommended retail price, while the Indiegogo crowd funding is under way.

“Made for iPad Pro & iPad Air 4. Minimalist Modern Design. Magnetically attach. Rotate & tilt. 6 FEET curved-end USB C Cable included! We are happy to ship worldwide. The shipping rate to your country will be indicated after completing the survey that will be sent out after the campaign has ended. Please note that the price of the item does not include additional duty and taxes that may apply as per local laws of importation. “

If the MagFlott campaign successfully raises its required pledge goal and production progresses smoothly, worldwide shipping is expected to take place sometime around December 2021. To learn more about the MagFlott magnetic iPad stand project view the promotional video below.

“We are very confident that we will produce MagFlött on time, but things happen. Such as shipping delays, manufacturing delays, and misc things. But, after doing 4 crowdfunding campaigns, we have a good handle and on the timeline and will always do our best to make sure you get a High-Quality product from us.”

For a complete list of all available special pledges, stretch goals, extra media and engineering specifications for the magnetic iPad stand, jump over to the official MagFlott crowd funding campaign page by checking out the link below.

Source : Indiegogo

Filed Under: Apple iPad, Top News

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Automakers around the world are trying their hands on different concepts and ideas imagining the future electric vehicle designs, features, technology and mobility at large. Volkswagen, being one of the largest automobile groups is no different.

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The German auto giant’s Innovation and Engineering Centre California (IECC) and Volkswagen Group Innovation joined hands with the Academy of Art University to imagine the future of EVs and mobility.

The project was dubbed as Long Distance Mobility and Living Space. The idea was to explore mobility concepts for long-distance travelling. Around 30 students across Industrial Design, Interior Architecture Design, Graphic Design, Fashion, Advertising and Web New Media took part in the project.

Two of the unique projects are Orbis and Urban Cowboy. The Orbis is designed for business travellers who seek work-life balance. Another concept is Urban Cowboy that represents a blend of passion for adventure and admiration for the cowboy culture of the US. This concept has been designed for sustainable long-distance travelling. The X Hubs is another concept that demonstrates an eco-friendly family resting place for long-distance travellers.

As Volkswagen states, the project was divided into five teams. The aim of this project was to design a seamless mobility experience taking inspiration from the vast landscape of the US. Besides electric mobility, autonomous driving technology was another focus area of the project.

Not only exterior, but the concept vehicles also come demonstrating futuristic cabins as well. An interesting fact about these vehicles includes modular exterior design and cabin as well. Space, comfort and eco-friendliness are two other USPs of these concept electric and self-driving vehicles.

Volkswagen is not the only automaker working on such collaborations to imagine the future of mobility. Another automaker under the VW group, Skoda too periodically take such initiatives, where students take part to imagine and design the model concepts that define the future of vehicles and mobility.

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Bose announces a software upgrade that enhances the performance and features of its QuietComfort® Earbuds. It combines the power of Bose AWARE Mode with revolutionary ActiveSenseTM technology to allow the world to be heard clearly and naturally—reducing noisy distractions as they occur and return to full transparency once they have passed. It also includes new modes for specialized activities, fast gratification with Spotify Tap, audio preference tweaks, and easier multi-device connections—all while keeping the legendary noise canceling and sound quality of QC Earbuds. The 2.0.7 software update is now available in the Bose Music app, compatible with iOS and Android, and free for both existing and new users.

New ActiveSense, New Modes Keep You More in the Moment

The QC Earbuds now allow you to be more present at the moment. There are still noise-canceling levels ranging from 0 to 10, but with the software update, the highest and lowest are now automatic defaults, with the highest and lowest renamed for clarity: 10 is QUIET for maximum noise cancellation; 0 is AWARE to hear yourself, others, and everything else as if your ears were empty. This effect is amplified when combined with Bose ActiveSense technology, which combines digital signal processing and QC microphones to allow ambient noise to travel through the earbuds, only quieting the environment when unpleasant sounds occur and only for as long as they last. There are no manual modifications for hearing your music or podcast on a city bus or passing train or for hearing your surroundings after they’ve passed. It all happens in real-time, no matter where you are or where you go.

The Bose Music app now allows you to adjust noise cancellation levels to new modes for certain activities or places, such as Commute, Focus, Home, Music, Outdoor, Relax, Run, Walk, Work, and Workout enabling “always-on” noise cancellation. Two may be set as shortcuts, allowing you to access QUIET, AWARE, and your settings with double-taps on the left earbud, with audio cues confirming the mode you’re in as you toggle and switch.

Spotify Tap, New Audio Controls for Music Lovers

Spotify Tap, which gives Spotify users immediate access to their last session or tailored playlists with a simple tap and holds on the left earbud, has been integrated for music enthusiasts. Selectable EQ, which is also new in the app, may now be used to change bass, mid-, and treble frequencies.

Multiple Devices, Fewer Steps

The 2.0.7 software update increases the compatibility of QC Earbuds with a variety of devices. They remember the past seven connections and easily switch between them without having to disconnect manually first.