Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
Compact rugged phone aims to capture action adventures in 4K
May 17, 2026
| Paul Ridden
Rugged phones are not for everyone. They're generally huge and heavy, though most come with a long-life battery and all can withstand a beating. A relatively new name in the space has gone mini for a tough cookie that's also an actioncam.
World’s first native color LiDAR gives machines human-like vision
May 14, 2026
| Omar Kardoudi
For the first time, a LiDAR sensor sees the world in color natively – no camera required. Ouster's Rev8 technology gives machines richer, faster 3D vision for the next wave of autonomous robots and vehicles.
Renault’s retro-inspired EV gets a giant folding fabric roof for summer
May 16, 2026
| Utkarsh Sood
Just when modern EVs are starting to feel like interchangeable tech pods, Renault has decided to bring romance back into the equation. It's newly revealed open-top trim of the Renault 4 E-Tech takes the electric hatch and gives it some personality.
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With its modest length of 20 ft, the Tulsi doesn't have a whole lot of room for life's luxuries. Still, the tiny house manages to fit the essentials for downsizing into its compact towable frame – and does so at an affordable price.
EDC Monster has introduced the latest version of its compact key-shaped multitool, designed to pack more than 20 functions into a pocket-friendly form. It is currently available for backing on Kickstarter.
Swap Arcade is a full-sized arcade machine with hundreds of games that can fold into a classic wooden cabinet when not in use. This nostalgic product may appeal to those who grew up playing arcades, and it is now available on Kickstarter.
Built for fast, remote motorized adventure that can go wrong in a hurry, the Dragan Pocket Winch aims to be the lightest come-along out there. It fractionalizes weight while still multiplying muscle enough to move up to 2,000 lb of stuck bike.
The US space agency's latest breakthrough in experimental drives passed a major test in February, with experiments showing it was 25 times more powerful than the current king of ion drive technology, Psyche.
The Black Butte tiny house uses some clever interior design ideas to create an open and storage-packed layout that still makes room for some nice touches, including a bathroom with a freestanding bathtub.
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May 16, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodThe Manx R is a proper supersport, one that doesn’t feel like a retro cash-grab. Rather, a statement that the company wants to be taken seriously again – not just as a historic badge, but as a modern performance bikemaker with something left to prove. -
May 16, 2026 | Malcolm AzaniaPenn State researchers record spikes in pressure during automated tape-peeling. Understanding how such processes record information points to developing memory materials for zero-electricity computers without typical vulnerabilities. -
May 16, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalUnitree has just gone and made many a kid-at-heart's wildest dream come true. The Chinese robotics firm has created the GD01, a functional mecha suit that you can hop into and walk about on two legs or four.
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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
Few of us enjoy the dentist – but think about how lucky you are that you don't have to visit a Neanderthal tooth doctor. A molar found in a cave has revealed the oldest known example of dental work, with stone tools being used as rudimentary drills.
One of the world’s most dangerous birds may carry signals invisible to the human eye. Scientists have found that the helmet-like casque atop a cassowary’s head fluoresces under UV light, revealing striking patterns that differ between species.
Sleep loss is one of the most challenging symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s. New research has now likened poor sleep to a canary in a coal mine, an early symptom of neurodegeneration that could serve as a biomarker to identify the disease.
We’ve all heard the advice: eat your fruit and vegetables, get your vitamins, and stay healthy. For the most part, that guidance holds up. But some nutrients have a more complicated story, and vitamin B12 is a fascinating example.
Mexico City is trapped in a dangerous feedback loop. As groundwater is pumped from beneath the city, the ground subsides, with some entire regions sinking far faster than others, a problem NASA is tracking from above.
Less fat, animal-sourced protein and more complex carbs each day, for less than a month, can potentially take years off the biological clock in older adults. It suggests our health is more sensitive to short-term lifestyle changes than we think.
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May 16, 2026 | Aaron TurpenIf you think that the Rivian R1S is just the SUV version of the R1T pickup, you’re right. That doesn’t change how great it is. Mostly. -
May 15, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodIt's been two years since Red Bull revealed the RB17, a low-slung aerodynamic hypercar that was teased to make nearly twice its own weight in downforce. Now, in 2026, the hypercar has entered its final build phase, with final assembly now underway. -
May 15, 2026 | C.C. WeissAirstream trailers boast a lot of positives, but "cheap" and "lightweight" are not really among them. The new World Traveler trailer, however, is in fact a lighter, cheaper trailer that demonstrates Airstream's continued adaptation. -
May 15, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodJuiced Bikes has just launched its first electric dirt bike, called Nomadix, through its powersports arm. And all for US$2,500. It ticks most boxes: impressive performance, affordability, light weight, and what looks like good after-sales support. -
May 15, 2026 | Ben CoxworthBicycle tail lights have a way of playing second fiddle to their brighter, more interesting headlight siblings. We're sure you'll agree, however, that the Hi-Tail is one tall, telescoping safety beacon that definitely won't be "outshined." -
May 15, 2026 | Adam WilliamsThe Cabarita tiny house strikes a nice balance between spaciousness and portability. Designed for small families or full-time downsizers wanting a little extra space, the home features a light-filled and open interior with two bedrooms. -
May 15, 2026 | Monica J. WhiteHuawei's XPixel million-pixel smart headlights debuted at the Beijing Auto Show with full-color projection, capable of beaming movies, games, and navigation cues onto walls and roads – while also boosting safety in bad weather.
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Editor's Picks
If you've ever found yourself in a dead zone, maybe you find solace in the quiet. Or maybe you've found yourself in an emergency and help is not coming. Either way, the ability to connect if and when you need to has its merits.
Ford has debuted a new long-wheelbase variant of its small, efficient Nugget camper van, and this one packs a fully installed toilet ... as well as the kitchen sink. This highly coveted feature makes the new Nugget family better than ever before.
A subtle yet significant phenomenon is occurring beneath the North American continent; its ancient bedrock is slowly dripping into the Earth’s mantle, creating a funnel-like structure concentrated over the Midwest of the United States.
While there are many uses for soft-bodied robots, the things are still only built in small batches. Scientists are out to change that, with a mass-production-capable soft bot that is 3D-printed in a single piece which walks off of the print bed.
For the last couple of years, Cixi has been working on a three-wheeled vehicle called Vigoz that's based on its chainless pedaling system. A skeletal prototype has been tested to 100 km/h, and now the company has revealed the latest production design.
Bürstner has teased some impressive new vehicle debuts ahead of the world's largest RV show. Among them, the Signature series subtly deletes the division between camper van and motorhome with a sleek, semi-integrated body and transformable interior.
Looking forward to a future where laser beams replace power lines, DAPRA's Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program has set new records for transmitting more power wirelessly over longer distances.
Despite its critics and moves toward electrification, the internal combustion engine is not yet dead. Though its design for passenger vehicles may have begun to reach its apex with Mazda’s Skyactiv designs.