If you have an interest in every thing associated to house, the NASA App is without doubt one of the greatest iOS and Android apps for astronomy. It supplies entry to varied NASA sources, equivalent to information, photos, movies, podcasts, stay TV, mission data, and extra. It additionally has interactive options like 3D and AR fashions, a SkyView software, and an ISS tracker.
The app has a easy and easy-to-navigate design, with a menu bar on the backside that permits you to change between totally different sections. You have the choice to learn informative content material associated to Earth, local weather, house, the universe, associated know-how, and many others. If you favor visible studying, the Watch part has tons of content material for each age group. The Explore tab allows you to discover a simulated view of our Solar System with 3D and AR fashions of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft.
Next, the View part allows you to browse and think about 1000’s of photos and movies from NASA’s missions, services, and applications. You can even save your favourite photos and movies for offline viewing or share them with others through social media or e mail. The subsequent part, Listen, lets you hearken to the most recent NASA podcasts that includes astronauts and specialists. You can even entry NASA’s stay radio streams, equivalent to NASA Public Radio and Third Rock Radio.
These days, just about every thing is accessible with only a faucet of your finger. From on-line procuring to meals deliveries, it appears that evidently we are able to have the whole world come to our doorstep by way of our smartphones. However, behind the scenes is a posh logistics community that makes all this occur.
Take Uber Eats, for instance, a corporation that fulfills hundreds of thousands of meals deliveries all around the world, each single day. Considered by many as a trailblazer within the last-mile supply phase, Uber Eats lets you binge in your favourite meals with out leaving the consolation of your own home. Depending on the place you’re from, the meals you’ve ordered through the app will probably be delivered to the doorstep both by automotive, bike, or bicycle. Naturally, like many firms with a watch on the long run, Uber Eats needs to undertake a extra sustainable workflow, and has struck a partnership with none aside from Gogoro in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s bustling metropolis is the right place for a partnership of this sort, because the nation’s tech-driven infrastructure has innovation at its core. The partnership between Gogoro and Uber Eats, valued at almost $30 million, started earlier in 2023, and gives Uber Eats couriers incentives and reductions for adopting clear and sustainable supply practices. At current, the partnership has a timeframe of two years, and is funded by each firms. Uber Eats supply riders are entitled to reductions on Gogoro Smartscooters, in addition to precedence entry to battery swapping stations.
The objective of each Gogoro and Uber Eats is to finally double EV deliveries within the nation from 20 % to 40 % by 2025. In the corporate’s official press launch, Horace Luke, Gogoro’s CEO, highlighted the significance of introducing extra sustainable city mobility options. “One of the greatest challenges of our time is transforming urban transportation to cleaner sustainable energy. Through this partnership in Taiwan, Gogoro and Uber are reducing the barriers for Uber Eats riders to embrace and adopt smart mobility in all of their deliveries.”
Meanwhile, Chai Lee, the General Manager of Uber Eats Taiwan, sees potential for the corporate’s couriers to modify to electrical, because it’s extra handy, user-friendly, and cost-effective. On prime of that, he additionally highlights the long-term results of adopting a extra sustainable supply system. “We have already seen how Uber Eats delivery partners have embraced Gogoro’s EV scooters and smart battery-swapping technology. Today’s agreement stands to supercharge this, bringing cleaner air to cities across Taiwan and helping us toward our goal of eliminating emissions on all global deliveries by 2040.”
While there are tons of different electric scooters which have the potential to reshape the supply trade, Gogoro has an ace up its sleeve, and it’s none aside from its revolutionary battery swapping expertise. Thanks to the fast and quick access to the batteries, they are often swapped out in a matter of seconds – even quicker than refueling an ordinary internal-combustion automobile. At current, there are over 600,000 Gogoro Smartscooter riders and 1.3 million batteries in Taiwan, and it’s reported that these have saved over 785,000 tons of CO2 since 2015.
It’s no shock then, {that a} partnership with the most important meals supply platform has the potential to have main advantages for the atmosphere. Uber Eats is partnered with greater than 900,000 eating places all around the world, and has just lately shifted its concentrate on adapting extra sustainable city power and mobility options. With hundreds of thousands of deliveries carried out each day, simply think about if all of those could possibly be performed on EVs.
America loves horsepower. That goes for all the pieces from top-fuel dragsters to SpaceX rockets. The infatuation has been a staple of U.S. tradition from the beginning, however it has resulted in casualties alongside the way in which. The small-displacement path bike involves thoughts. Over the years our Penton and Hodaka 100s have given approach to 450s and 500s. The Husqvarna TE150 is a critical try at bringing again a complete class of off-road bikes that we by no means ought to have left behind.
The Husky TE150 is the most recent dust bike to interrupt the $10,000 barrier. The MSRP is $10,199.
GENESIS OF A LIGHTWEIGHT
The Husqvarna TE150 is all new this yr. It has a brand new chassis, a brand new motor, a brand new digital energy valve and a brand new throttle-body fuel-injection system. If you look again on the historical past of this bike, it’s clear that Husqvarna has been adjusting its goal considerably. The first Husky 150 in 2017 was a carbureted two-stroke with a kickstarter and an electrical starter that arrived proper on the finish of the 200cc two-stroke period within the U.S. The Kawasaki KDX200 had been gone for a very long time, and the KTM 200XC-W had solely just lately been discontinued. The 150 wasn’t essentially a superb substitute for a 200; it was quicker, however didn’t have the low finish or the graceful energy supply. It had a reasonably good motor for racing. With slightly suspension work, it was even at dwelling on a motocross course. The subsequent model had switch port injection in 2020. That was tamed down slightly on prime, however it nonetheless didn’t have the low-end energy that these previous 200 followers have been in search of. Now, with the brand new TBI motor, it’s a extra professional providing for these guys.
This motor is predicated loosely on the Husky TC125 motocross bike that arrived final yr. It is perhaps essentially the most computerized dust bike available on the market. By that, we imply that the ability valve, the spark advance and the gas supply are all tied to rpm and throttle opening in a fancy matrix of programming. When you add in enter from sensors for temperature, gear positions and air density, it most likely has extra megabytes of programming than something on Apollo 11. The cylinder, head and displacement are completely different from the TC125 to provide it an off-road powerband, and the 6-speed gearbox has completely different gear ratios.
The chassis is new, too, and the massive information is the brand new WP Xact coil-spring fork, changing the open-cartridge Xplor fork on final yr’s TE150. Obviously, the brand new fork is structurally completely different from the Xact air fork, not solely as a result of it has a spring, however due to its off-road valving; nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a closed-cartridge design. In the rear, the bike has linkage related to an Xplor shock, which is barely much less refined than the one on the TC125. The spring charges are the identical on each bikes. For brakes and hydraulics, the TX makes use of Braktec elements. Of course, the TE additionally has a bigger gas tank, a headlight, a kickstand and an 18-inch rear wheel. All that makes it a bit heavier than the everyday 125 two-stroke. It’s 220 kilos with out gas.
TRAIL GOAT
On the path, it’s obvious that this bike is not any 125. It has wonderful pulling energy down low. You can drag it all the way down to idle and open the throttle with none hesitation in anyway. Even on rocky uphill trails you be taught to belief it. You don’t must cowl the clutch and It gained’t stall. In that respect it really is a miniature 300 two-stroke. It doesn’t have the sheer pulling energy of an even bigger bike, however the mannerisms are just about the identical. The meat of the ability hits pretty onerous, roughly like a 125, however when it’s performed, it’s performed. The new TBI 150 may rev slightly larger than the transfer-port injection model, however it’s nonetheless no screamer. That’s a bummer if you happen to suppose you’re going to take the bike on a motocross course just like the previous carbureted model. It doesn’t have the height energy or the revs to make {that a} good match. The Husky does have a map change like the opposite new-generation Husky two-strokes, however it serves a distinct goal. On the TX300 and the TC250, the inexperienced map has a a lot tougher hit and extra energy. The inexperienced map on this bike simply makes the motor barely richer, which is helpful in sand and any circumstances the place the motor is below an enormous load.
So, is it the modern-day 200? Let’s not get too misty eyed concerning the 200s of the previous days. They have been nice of their day, however they wouldn’t be a lot of successful measured towards fashionable requirements. The Kawasaki KDX200 of the ’90s was heavier and far, a lot slower. So was the KTM 200 that got here later. In each metric, the TE150 outperforms these bikes. It has a way more troublesome time coping with fashionable 200s—sure, there are just a few. The Beta 200RR is the one we have now within the store proper now, and it’s a really completely different motorbike. That bike has virtually the identical weight (223 kilos) and related peak horsepower. But, the Beta makes all of its energy down low; it’s even much less of a screamer than the TE150. The Beta is actually a path bike, whereas the Husky is sort of a race/path hybrid.
On our scale, the TE150 is 220 kilos with out gas. Between electrical begin, oil injection and throttle-body gas injection, there’s lots of tech in slightly package deal.Braktec brakes and hydraulics are used on Husqvarna’s offroad bikes.The expertise used within the TE150 is just like all the brand new Austrian two-strokes. The digital energy valve is tied into the gas supply and spark advance in a fancy mapping matrix.
TRAIL TRICKS
One space the place the Husky excels is within the suspension division. The fork is an enormous improve over the earlier model, and we would even prefer it higher than the Xact air fork. The new TE150 isn’t almost as mushy because the previous model, and it’s additionally effectively balanced for aggressive off-road driving with an intermediate or knowledgeable rider who weighs over 150 kilos. If you’re a youthful rider simply transitioning to an even bigger bike, it is perhaps slightly stiff. That brings up the query: who is that this bike for? The backside line is that it’s an excellent, general-purpose off-road bike for everybody. Older riders are likely to go for giant bikes, whereas this might be a significantly better alternative for 90 % of the paths they experience. It’s agile and simple to experience, and also you at all times really feel prefer it’s serving to you develop into a greater rider. The locations it doesn’t like are wide-open areas and steep hills. The 300s and 450s are onerous to beat in these conditions.
In phrases of path expertise, the TE is vastly superior to these light-weight two-strokes of previous. First of all, it has oil injection. We know that expertise is as previous as two-strokes themselves, however for some purpose, we preferred mixing oil in gasoline again then. The Husky additionally has a way more highly effective LED headlight, wonderful handguards, a ProTaper handlebar and gas vary of effectively over 50 miles with only a capability of two.25 gallons. Carbureted two-strokes have been rather more grasping with gas.
The one key issue that Husqvarna missed in its try at recapturing the light-weight path bike legacy is worth. The TE150 has a recommended retail value of $10,199. Something went severely askew in Husqvarna’s head workplace; the TC125 motocross bike has the identical expertise and a lot of the elements, however sells for $8,199. If you need to get actually depressed, the Kawasaki KDX200 offered for $2,000 in 1990. Even right now’s inflation can’t account for that.
Still, it’s not our job to handle your cash. All we will say is that the TE150 is a wonderful bike with expertise that exhibits the trail to the long run. It isn’t a modern-day 200, however it’s its personal entity that in the future may create a legacy of its personal.
If you are seeking to get a primary software that comes with all the things you might want to get began and wish to avoid wasting cash on the best way, look no additional than the S-Long 12V Cordless ⅜-inch Ratchet Set. This cordless ratchet is presently promoting for less than $59.99 and comes with an entire host of additional goodies. The ratchet has a max velocity of 400 RPM and a 60-minute fast-charge, 2000mAh lithium-ion battery. It has a variable-speed set off, a Forward/Reserve swap on the again of the pinnacle, a lock swap beside the paddle, and a built-in LED gentle on the entrance so you possibly can see the fasteners even when they’re hidden away in the dead of night recesses of your car.
In addition to the software, battery, and charger, you additionally get an eight-piece socket equipment, a ¼-inch socket adapter, an extension bar, a guide ratchet (simply in case you want slightly further leverage), and a carrying case.
Tool Report gave the ratchet a 4.5 out of 5 in its overview, saying the facility was nice and the throttle was exact. “The Ratchet Wrench is small enough to fit in tight spots. It has plenty of power, and it is super quiet.” Just a few evaluations for this ratchet on Amazon point out that it’s not as sturdy because the costlier choices from bigger-name manufacturers. Some of them have had points with the batteries not lasting so long as they might have preferred, however most of them state that it’s much more highly effective than its price ticket suggests. That, coupled with the opposite add-ons included within the equipment, makes the S-Long one of many higher value-oriented choices available on the market.
Q: Mr. Lamp, we are here at the BCCC – close to the FIZ. Everything looks very much like a High-Tech Research Facility. Where does the BMW Group stand in terms of Battery Tech today? The BMW Group is in a strong position when it comes to battery technology. The company has established the BCCC (Battery Cell Competence Center) close to the FIZ and recently opened the CMCC (Cell Manufacturing Competence Center) in Parsdorf. These centers, along with the expertise of professionals from around the world, allow BMW to compete with the best battery cell producing companies globally. BMW’s journey in battery technology began in 2008 with the development of its first MINI Cooper BEV prototype, and the company has come a long way since then.
…and why do you think you were able to make it to this level of expertise? We believe that our strategy of developing in-house competence in battery cell technology and large-scale battery production has been key to our success. This strategy enables us to incorporate the best batteries into our electrified vehicles.
Q: Mr. Vandeputte, after more than 25 years at Umicore you just started at BMW Group – what is your perspective on the BMW Battery Strategy? At Umicore, we valued collaborating with BMW on battery technology due to the company’s clear focus on understanding and mastering cell technology and production. The challenges faced by the automotive industry today, combined with BMW’s commitment to delivering the Ultimate Driving Machine, make the BMW approach very convincing and clear.
Q3: And the step from a “material tech company” to a German Premium Car manufacturer – how does it feel? It feels invigorating to be part of the iconic BMW family. The welcoming attitude and the exciting yet challenging objectives ahead make the transition from a material tech company to a German Premium Car manufacturer a positive experience. The focus on battery performance, cost-competitiveness, and environmental impact align with my expertise in active materials.
Q: Mr. Lamp, talking about projects and challenges: what is the next big step customers can expect from BMW electrified powertrains? In 2025, our NEUE KLASSE models will introduce the Gen6 eDrive technology, featuring a new cylindrical cell with 20% more volumetric energy density, 30% faster charging, and 30% more range compared to Gen5 technology.
But changing from a prismatic cell in Gen5 to a cylindrical cell in Gen6 is a significant move: what triggered this decision? At the beginning of the process, we considered all cell formats and sizes. However, the ambitious performance and safety goals led us to conclude that the cylindrical cell is the best format for our next generation. It also aligns with our integration approach for the NEUE KLASSE: cell to pack and pack to open body.
Q: Mr. Vandeputte, ASSB is often considered “the next big thing”. Where does BMW stand? What is the potential of the technology? We are making significant progress with our partner Solid Power in establishing a new process development line in our CMCC in Parsdorf. This advanced battery technology offers higher energy densities combined with equal safety compared to current technologies. However, it will take several years to mature the technology and prepare it for industrialization, likely not before the end of the decade.
Q: Looking at the automotive battery landscape today – very often new trends or even innovations are discussed in the media. How do you keep up with all developments? This is where the close connection from the BMW battery team to the Start-Up scene and universities plays a crucial role. It ensures that BMW remains abreast of new trends, findings, and developments, while also helping the company attract top talents in the industry.
Gentlemen, thank you very much for this conversation.
In the event of enquiries please contact: BMW Group Corporate Communications
Bernhard Ederer Communication BMW Group Innovation, Powertrain Technologies Mobile: +49-176-601-28556 E-Mail: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com
Almut Stollberg Head of Communication BMW Group Innovation, Design, Technology, Digital Car Mobile: +49-151-601-96543 E-Mail: Almut.Stollberg@bmw.com
What kind of traveler are you? Do you meticulously plan every detail or do you prefer to be spontaneous and see where the journey takes you?
However, in some cases, you may not have a choice due to time constraints or fixed appointments.
Dealing with unexpected events like road closures or heavy traffic can be very stressful, and it’s important to find a balance between reaching your destination on time and staying calm.
Amanda Zito, known for her travel and motorcycle camping videos on YouTube as As the Magpie Flies, has mastered the art of adapting to unexpected challenges during her bike travels.
Having a positive attitude is crucial, especially during the hectic holiday season when things often don’t go as planned. Whether in life or on the road, maintaining a calm and adaptable mindset is key.
Wishing you a wonderful time with your loved ones, despite any unexpected changes. You may even consider sharing this video with others to introduce them to the concept of relaxed motocamping in nature.
Kids can have fun while learning with Raspberry Pi projects. One particularly fun project for kids is making their very own Raspberry Pi-powered Whoopi cushion, developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The instructions for this project are available for free on the organization’s website.
This project has a do-it-yourself feel to it, as it primarily uses commonly found household items. It requires a Raspberry Pi, SD card, crocodile clip cables, pin-to-socket jumper leads, a speaker, paper plates, cardboard, aluminum foil, glue, scissors, a sponge, paper clips, and tape. The setup involves Python coding, but the instructions are readily available through the Raspberry Pi Foundation site. The process is easy to understand and provides a clear walkthrough.
The project works by attaching foil squares onto the cardboard as contacts to complete a circuit and then using the leads to signal the Raspberry Pi to play pre-downloaded sounds to the speaker. One great aspect is the ability to program virtually any sound, offering a wide range of options beyond traditional Whoopi cushion noises.
Experience a week in the life of Dirt Bike Magazine as we put various bikes to the test. From the electric motocrosser Stark Varg, to the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, and the KTM 125SX two-stroke, we cover it all. Join Travis Fant as he takes us up north to Everett, Washington for the first round of the 2023 EnduroCross season. Travis provides exclusive interviews with Cody Webb, Colton Haaker, and other riders, capturing all the action with his video camera for us to enjoy.
The YouTube channel Restoration of Everything specializes in finding rundown bikes in need of some care. Although the channel’s name suggests a focus on sad projects, the process and end results are still satisfying.
One recent restoration project featured an extremely dirty Yamaha TownMate T90 that had clearly seen better days. Judging by the amount of debris surrounding the bike, it had likely been sitting outside for quite some time.
However, the RoE crew took on the challenge and started the restoration process. Despite the lightweight nature of the original TownMate T90, weighing around 222 pounds, this particular bike was missing its seat and likely even lighter. To ensure safety, the crew didn’t rely on just one person to lift it.
Once they brought the bike back to the garage, they began disassembling it to assess the condition. Inside the underbone frame, they found both the wiring harness and a colony of ants curiously emerging (although there could have been worse surprises in a tropical climate).
Unperturbed by the ants, the team calmly dismantled the bike and got to work. They drained the dirty engine oil, fortunately finding no major metal chunks or shavings. Some seized bolts required drilling, but eventually, everything was dismantled for thorough cleaning and examination.
While the engine wasn’t in terrible shape, the cylinder showed enough wear to necessitate a rebore. The team obtained the necessary replacement parts, including some OEM Honda components. After reassembling the engine with proper lubrication, they continued with the restoration process.
Working on the frame, they addressed some rusted metal parts that needed attention. By carefully removing the paint and identifying the areas requiring work, they cut out the damaged sections and skillfully welded in replacement pieces. The next steps included applying body filler, sanding, priming, and painting. Before adding a clear coat, they secured replacement Yamaha TownMate T90 decals.
Although they successfully repaired the steel frame, the plastic leg shield was beyond salvageable. The crew sourced replacement parts to properly rectify that issue and address any other irreparable components. Since the bike was missing a seat, they also acquired a brand new one.
At the end of the project, the once-neglected TownMate T90 had been transformed into a restored and refreshed bike that was ready for a trip to the shops or a ride around town. It now served as a simple and charming means of transportation, saved from becoming scrap thanks to the dedicated efforts of the restoration crew.
The interior of the Zeekr X follows the BYD philosophy of covering everything in synthetic leather to create a premium look. While it’s an improvement over hard plastic, it may lean towards kitsch and might not age well. However, there are some unique details such as vertical bars of mood lighting, rounded window switches, and an innovative multilevel center console with a fold-out cupholder and roller shutter.
As is often the case with Chinese cars, the Zeekr X prioritizes rear legroom over boot space. Nonetheless, the boot space is still adequate, measuring at 362 liters. Zeekr has also done away with physical buttons in favor of a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, heavily inspired by Tesla’s system. While the touchscreen is responsive, it can feel a bit overwhelming, with some menus not functioning intuitively.
Thankfully, the Zeekr X offers integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are well-integrated into the system. The driving position is crossover-appropriate, providing a tall-ish viewpoint. However, the seats, although generally comfortable, have aggressive lumbar support that can be uncomfortable, even when set to the lowest setting.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
