Prototype

Home VR is going to hit the mainstream big time this decade, and it'll be devices like this that get it over the line. Panasonic has demonstrated a set of lightweight, compact, ultra high-def VR goggles that actually look good.

Germany's BigRep has unveiled a design prototype of a sporty little number called Loci made up of 14 3D-printed parts, plus an electric powertrain and self-driving tech. Two more concept variants have also been revealed.

Jetskis are a bit like motorbikes for the water. Hydrofoil boards and boats allow users to cut through and rise above the waves. The WaveFlyer merges the two, and throws in electric propulsion for a cleaner and quieter ride.

​Last year, Bye Aerospace's Sun Flyer 2 took to the skies for the first time, and now the renamed eFlyer 2 has flown past another milestone towards FAA certification. A high power motor has now been installed, and a new phase of testing commenced.​

Development engineers at Daimler Trucks are driving a specially kitted out Mercedes V-Class to motorway rest stops along major traffic routes around Stuttgart, Germany, to gauge driver opinions about systems Daimler is currently working on.

​Details were scant when Lightyear first revealed plans for a solar-powered EV back in 2017, apart from a claimed 800 km range per charge. Last night the company took the wraps of the pre-production prototype, with 725 km of WLTP range, a high price tag and plans to deliver the vehicle in 2021.​

Soma Laboratory has built a new instrument called Dvina that's inspired by the sounds of classical Hindu music. Vibrations from the strings are picked up by a powerful magnet buried inside the wooden neck, the signal boosted and modulated and then output through an amplifier.

Sharp had a surprise for CES 2019 visitors in the shape of an upcoming prosumer 8K MFT camera. The prototype on show was just a reference exhibit, and we only have one official photo of the device but there has been plenty of buzz so here's what we've gleaned from the chatter.

Following years of research and development, an accidental fire and rebuild, and around a month in the Dubai desert, Virginia Tech students have won the 2018 Solar Decathlon Middle East with the FutureHaus. The prefabricated modular home runs from solar power and was assembled in under two days.

Germany's large-scale 3D printing firm, BigRep, has debuted a number of automotive and e-mobility prototypes at this year's formnext additive manufacturing exhibition, including the world's first 3D-printed working electric motorcycle.​​

Aston Martin is well into the fun stages of testing with its upcoming DBX SUV, and has released photos and video of the heavily disguised prototype getting nicely sideways on a Welsh rally stage with Chief Engineer Matt Becker behind the wheel.

During a recent Beijing event focused on the future of housing, OPEN Architecture and Xiaomi unveiled a tiny shelter for Mars. It's all very conceptual and there's no suggestion the dwelling will actually be installed on the Red Planet, but it's interesting to see architects tackle the idea.