Prototype

We've already seen attempts to realize a sci-fi vision of the future and put robot helpers in the home to make our lives easier. Startup Eeve is also developing a personal robot pal, but Willow X's job is to help you keep your garden tidy.

When Sono Motors introduced a prototype of its Sion solar-electric family car at CES 2021, the company also showed a huge semi-truck solar trailer. Now that idea is taking to the streets, but in the shape of a passenger-carrying trailer bus.

Last year, Lightyear took its One solar electric vehicle to the track and managed 710 km on a single charge. That milestone was achieved at 85 km/h, but more recently the company has undertaken some high-speed testing at a track near Rome.

Back in May, electric mobility company Arrival partnered with US mobility-as-a-service provider Uber to work on an electric vehicle built for ride-hailing drivers and passengers. Now the first working prototype of the Arrival Car has been revealed.

Chinese smartphone maker Oppo is always keen to share the technologies its working on, particularly when it comes to cameras. Now the company has teased a retractable lens module in a brief video teaser on Twitter.

As part of a month-long series of real-world and virtual events showcasing upcoming technology, Nissan has revealed a lunar rover prototype it's currently working on with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

Volta Trucks has reached another milestone in its plans to get purpose-built 16-tonne electric haulers onto city streets. Production of the first road-going Volta Zero prototypes has begun at a bespoke facility in Coventry, UK.

Last month, social media giant Facebook rebranded as Meta and revealed its vision for the future of online interaction. Much of the news so far has focused on what users will see, but the company is also working on bringing touch to the Metaverse.

Back in February, ULEMCo and industry partners announced plans to design an electric rapid response ambulance powered by batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. Now, the working prototype has driven into Glasgow for display at the COP26 climate summit.

Back at Display Week 2021 in May, Samsung Display offered a very brief look at a swanky multi-fold smartphone prototype it was working on. Just one photo in fact. Now the concept has made it out onto the show floor at iMiD 2021.

Last year, China's ZTE launched the Axon 20 5G, the first smartphone to feature a selfie camera hidden under the display. Oppo has also been working on under-screen cameras for a while, and has revealed its latest prototype.

The Lightyear One solar EV validation prototype has taken to the test track, where it was driven for almost nine hours at 85 km/h and clocked up 710 km on a single charge of the 60-kWh battery – with a little help from its solar panels.