Category Archives: Futurism

Tesla in 2016

Tesla has been redefining what it means to be an advocate of sustainability since 2003. Through their innovation and technology, they have built some of the most impressive electric vehicles (EVs) ever to be on the market, carving out a new niche in the transportation industry while ensuring that they maintained a significant lead against competitors, and setting new records for quality and performance.

In 2016, they continued improving their vehicles, expanded further than car manufacturing, made significant strides in renewable energy, and moved even closer to the truly sustainable future that Elon Musk envisions for the world.

This year, Tesla announced a subtle name change that speaks volumes about where Elon Musk plans to take the company. Big pictureits not just about cars anymore; in fact, it hasnt been for a while. Elon Musk has shown that there is a lot to look forward to from Tesla.

For starters, this is the year that we will see a fully autonomous Tesla drive across the countryfrom LA to New York. After thisfeat is conquered, hopefully without incident, and once the company achieves a significant level of autonomy for their vehicles, they will be launching their own ride-hailing network.

Adding to their sedan range, the company is expected to come out with an electric semi truck, the Tesla Semi, which, according to previous reports, is already in the works. Most of their resources are still focused on bringing the Model 3to market, but assures the public that the Tesla Semi is already in early development work. However, speaking of the Model 3, it will be Teslas most affordable car to date, and the company has set production of the vehicle in mid-2017 to meet delivery targets for the end of the year.

Another recent development is the announced partnership between Tesla and Panasonic. This collaboration will have the company ramping up production of battery cells for the companys Powerwall 2 and Powerpack 2.

2017 should also be the year that Tesla makes good on its Supercharger network expansion, through which they plan to double the number of Superchargers in 2017.

On the energy front, the production of solar cells by SolarCity is underway and is on track to meet their target timeline. Also, Teslas Solar Roof Tiles, developed in collaboration with SolarCity, are expected to be completed in 2017.

A new Gigafactory is being planned for construction in Europe that will contain the production of both vehicles and batteries, and confirmation of this new site could be as soon as within the year. Tesla is also looking to reach the Indian market, which he hopes will happen towards the second half of 2017. There is even buzz of Tesla securing a manufacturing partner in China, following changes in policy, that will provide incentives for the production of new energy vehicles.

With such a lengthy list of achievements and goals, it might seem that Elon Musk has bittenoff more than he can chew. But, based on the past successes of Tesla, and the incredible progress already being made by the company, few could doubt that Musk and his colleagues will create a lot of positive change within the coming months and years.From the ever-increasing repercussions of climate change to the possibilities of privatizedspace travel, the ambitions of Tesla promise to do a lot more than just build great cars.

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Tesla Has Big Plans for 2017 - Futurism

Record-Breaking Speeds

What are called the5G or fifth-generation mobile networks are set to become available by 2020, with promises of improved connections and faster data transfer rates. But, what if we could get speeds faster than 5G before 2020? Thats the subject of a paper that was delivered this week at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) held in San Francisco, California.

The paper talks about a terahertz (THz) transmitter developed by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Panasonic Corporation, and Hiroshima University. This transmitter operates using a frequency range from 290 GHz to 315 GHz and is capable of transmitting digital data at a rate of 105 gigabits per second which is a communication speed thats at least 10 times as fast as 5G networks. The transmitter uses a frequency that falls within a currently unallocated range of 275 GHz to 450 GHz. Its use will be covered in the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) under the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Section (ITU-R).

The researchers were able to reach the speed levels described in the paper by using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), which enhances the speed of a wireless link in the 300GHz band. These researchers managed to, for the first time, reach speeds exceeding 100 gigabits per second with an integrated circuit-based transmitter.

Most modern data transfer technologies, especially the fast ones, rely on fiber optics. This is where this new research differs. This development explores the potentials of truly wireless technology that pushes past current sluggish speeds.

Minoru Fujishima from the Department of Semiconductor Electronics and Integration Science at Hiroshima University explained:

Today, we usually talk about wireless data-rates in megabits per second or gigabits per second. But I foresee well soon be talking about terabits per second. Thats what THz wireless technology offers. Such extreme speeds are currently confined in optical fibers. I want to bring fibre optic speeds out into the air, and we have taken an important step towards that goal. We plan to develop receiver circuits for the 300GHz band, as well as modulation and demodulation circuits that are suitable for ultra high-speed communications.

However, as much as this study shows promising speeds, the researchers did not cover just how much distance the technology could reach. It wasnt also mentioned at what distance they were able to transmit at 105 gigabits per second. Speed matters, of course, but distance is equally important.

Either way, this development is still an incredible achievement and a notable stepping stone to future technologies. Perhaps, while achievingspeeds faster than existing fiber optics is a monumental challenge, the future of network communications is in wireless transmission.

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New Tech Can Send Data 10 Times Faster Than 5G - Futurism

In Brief

Usually, any news fromElon Musk regarding Tesla is good news. However, some may be disappointed by the CEOs latest round of tweeting. In response to a question on battery capacity, Musk hinted that the currently unannounced capacity of the companys next model, the Model 3, will not exceed 100 kWh.

This particular wording led some to wonderif the top battery pack option would be 100 kWh. Unfortunately, Musk was quick to dash those hopes as well, tweeting that the size of the new model is a limiting factor.

No specifics have been released on just how far below 100 kWh the capacity of the highest end Model 3 will be. Last year, a Tesla executive did mention that the base option would have a capacity of under 60 kWh, and Musk has said that the base model would have a range of at least 346 kilometers (215 miles). The higher-end versions are expected to achieve a range of more than 482 kilometers (300 miles). Given that the Model 3 is smaller and lighter than other Tesla models, it will likely be able to achievethose ranges even with smaller capacity batteries.

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Elon Musk: The Model 3 Battery Will Be Below 100 kWh - Futurism

Accidentally Rediscovered Be careful what you tweet. Credit: Netflix

In the final episode of NetflixsBlack Mirror, the government claims to be using Autonomous Drone Insects to counteract the collapse of the bee population. Spoiler alert: theyre lying.

Its soon discovered that these bee drones are actually being used for mass public surveillance. Worse, the drones areprogrammedto kill. The deaths are linked to awebsite promoting a Game of Consequence where Twitter users can vote to kill one hated public figure using the hashtag#DeathTo.

Now, similar drones are coming to Japan, without all the government secrets and Twitter deaths (we assume). Japans insect-sized drones were turned into artificial pollinators with the help of a coating of horse hair and an ionic sticky gel. The drones work like bees and use their hairs to pick up pollen from one flower and deposit it into another.

Researchers from Japan actually discovered this ionic gel accidentally, and then published their work in the journal Chem. Back in 2007, one of the researchers, chemist Eijiro Miyako, was working on possible liquid electrical conductors. One attempt to do so produced a wax-like sticky gel. The gel was shelved after Miyako considered it a failure. It was rediscovered after a decade during a lab cleanup and, to Miyakos surprise, the gel remained unchanged.

This project is the result of serendipity, Miyako said. We were surprised that after 8 years, the ionic gel didnt degrade and was still so viscous. Conventional gels are mainly made of water and cant be used for a long time, so we decided to use this material for research.

Miyako tested the pollen-grasping abilities of the gel by coating ants with it, which he then left to roam free in a box of tulips. Researchers observed that ants coated with the gel were able to collect more pollen than those that werent. In addition, a separate test applying the gel to houseflies revealed that it changes color when exposed to different sources of light potentially giving it a camouflage effect that can help artificial pollinators avoid predators.

With the gel tested and proven to be sticky enough, the next thing to do was to look for the artificial pollinator. Miyako found a $100-four propeller droneand gave it a fuzzy, bee-like exterior. It was the teams AIST colleagues Masayoshi Tange and Yue Yu who decided to use horse hair on the drones surface. These bristles gave more surface area for pollen to attach to, and at the same time, provided electric charge that kept the pollens in place.

The drones were tested on Japanese lilies, with the team flying them by remote control. The drones would pick up pollen from one flower, and then flewto another flower todeposit the pollen.

The findings, which will have applications for agriculture and robotics, among others, could lead to the development of artificial pollinators and help counter the problems caused by declining honeybee populations, Miyako said. We believe that robotic pollinators could be trained to learn pollination paths using global positioning systems and artificial intelligence.

As bees enter the endangered species list in the United States, these natural pollinators will need all the help they can get. Artificial pollinators can lessen the burden of modern agricultural demand, giving the bees breathing space to recover their numbers. Hopefully, these drones wont turn out to the way their Black Mirror counterparts did, but we can worry about that later. For now, getting these drones out there to see just how much they could help will keep the world pollinated.

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Japan Has Created Black Mirror-Inspired Bee Drones - Futurism

In Brief

This year on May 27th, you will be able to step into Pandora, Avatars fictional alien world, at Disneys Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.

Disney first announced plans to create a park based offof the James Cameron sci-fi epic back 2011. The expansion is meant to fully extend an afternoon at the Animal Kingdom park into a full-day experience.

The World of Avatar will feature a family-friendly river journey that will take Navi fans through the famed bioluminescent rainforest featured in the film and amotion flight simulator ride which will recreate the experience of flying on a Mountain Banshee. Visitors will also be able to enjoy more leisurely pursuits at Satuli Canteen where they could enjoy a drink at Pongu Pongu, or shop for souvenir Navi items at Windtraders.

Meanwhile, construction is already underway for a galaxy far, far away, with Disney aiming fora 2019 opening for two Star Wars-themed parks.

The parks, which will be built in the Disneyland (California) and Disneyworld (Florida) locations, will each span 14 acres, making it the largest, single-themed expansion for both sites. Once open, it will transport visitors to a remote trading port on a fictional planet with droids, aliens, and humanoids.

The iconic Millennium Falcon is expected to be prominently featured, and park guests will be able to step aboard and control Han Solos ship.

With Star Wars: Episode IX expected to hit theaters in 2019, the timing of the park openings couldnt be more perfect. Both Star Wars lands should open within the same year.

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Enter Another Universe: Avatar and Star Wars Parks Are Coming - Futurism

It is particularly appropriate to re-examine the relationship between the rise of Fascism and the literary and artistic movement called Futurism, because in the last decade Futurism has once again been in the news. In 1986 the Italian car manufacturing giant FIAT together with an American high-tech conglomerate sponsored the largest and most comprehensive exhibition on Futurism ever mounted.

The renovated Palazzo Grassi in Venice groaned under the weight of 300 paintings and 1,200 other works, including a magnificent Bugatti automobile, all purportedly related to Futurism and its 'influence'.

So massive was this exhibition that the catalogue was said to weigh as much as a bomb. Henry Kissinger, the Aga Khan, Mme. Pompidou and other assorted luminaries came to see the show, as well as to lunch on such Futurist recipes as orange rice and lobster with green zabaglione sauce. Avoided were the more radical dishes to be found in Filippo Marinetti's 1931 Futurist cookbook, such as salami immersed in a bath hot black coffee flavoured with eau-de-Cologne or, for dessert, fresh pineapple with sardines.

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Futurism and Fascism | History Today

In Brief

Tesla has just beaten another record. This time, the companys new Model S P100D has shattered the Motor Trend all-time world record for acceleration with its ability to go from 0 to 97 km/h(0 to 60 mph) in 2.28 seconds. A tweet from Tesla CEO Elon Musk cites the time at 2.27 seconds after rounding down from 2.275507139 seconds.

This will certainly be welcome news for those who enjoy the power of traditional muscle cars but also valuethe various environmental advantagesof electric vehicles. The speed comes as a benefit of a user-activated upgrade called Ludicrous mode, which greatly increases the vehicles performance, but not without extra wear and tear on the motor, gearbox, and battery.

Tesla is showing through its various innovations that it is, in many ways, the future. From theirself-driving cars to Powerpack stations that ease dependence on fossil fuels, the companys strength is clearly its eye toward the future. However, its nice to see them flex some musclewith regards to the standards of the past as well.

This announcement comes on the heels of another, less record-breaking announcement that the company ischanging its name from Tesla Motors Inc. to simply Tesla Inc.

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Tesla Just Shattered a World Record - Futurism

In Brief

Right now, birth control options for men are limited to physical prophylactics (condoms) or surgery (a vasectomy), and there hasnt been a major update in male contraception in more than 100 years. Last year, trials for a hormonal optionbegan, but they had to be stopped early due to some unforeseen adverse side effects. Now, a new option is making its way through the required steps toward approval for widespread use, and it is reported to be completely reversible and much less invasive than a vasectomy.

Vasalgel is a one-time injection that has been shown to control sperm counts in monkeys. In fact, several of the treated monkeys were unable to get female monkeys pregnant for up to two years after the injection. The injection places a polymer gel in the tube through which sperm travels, the vas deferens, blocking sperm from joining the other bodily fluids that make up a mans ejaculate. No adverse reactions were reported in either the testing done on rabbits or the monkeys.

The cost and potential complications of male or female surgicalmethods of birth control limit their availability worldwide. Condoms can be expensive given that they are only designed for a single use. Thats not even considering their relatively high rate of failure, from 15 to 20 percent.The not-for-profit company behind Vasalgel plans on marketing the product with an international pricing structure to maximize the potential of universal affordability for all men. This means it could play a huge part in the lives of people all around the globe.

Giving people more choices when it comes to birth control actually benefits us all. According to an article in The Atlantic, couples who experience unintended pregnancy and unplanned childbirth are more likely to have depression and anxiety while adults who plan their children tend to be happier. These findings come from a group of studies compiled by the Guttmacher Institute. And the benefits dont stop at better mental health.

There are also clear economic benefits to greater control over reproduction. According toMartha Bailey, a University of Michigan professor of economics, Cheaper and more reliable contraception allows parents to delay childbearing, to invest in their own human capital, and have children when their incomes are higher. This kind of choice also allows for healthier individuals and families as poverty can be tied to higher rates of illness.

The product still has a few more regulatoryhoops to jump through even before it can be submitted for approval to bodies such as the FDA. Still, any news regarding male-centered methods of birth control are worth noting, especially when they seem as promising as this one. The Parsemus Foundations original estimates of availability by 2018 may have been a lofty goal, but Vasagel is well on its way.

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A New Method of Reversible Male Birth Control Passed a Major Test - Futurism

Uber Elevate

Ubers ride sharing concept didnt just revolutionize the transportation industry it carved a totally new business model. Its no surprise then, that the company is consistently investing in technology that will once again prove to be game changing.

Last October, Uber announcedplans to develop vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft to provide a cost-effective and efficient ride sharing service that can shuttle passengers around cities. Now, former NASA engineer Mark Moore will be joining the team to bring these flying, on-demand vehicles into reality.

Moore, who originally lent his engineering expertise for Ubers white paper on the VTOL craft, will now serve as the companys Director of Engineering for their new concept, dubbed Uber Elevate.

I cant think of another company in a stronger position to be the leader for this new ecosystem and make the urban electric VTOL market real, the 30-year NASA veteran shared with Bloomberg.

While Moore is intent on taking Ubers vision to new heights (literally), hes pragmatic enough to recognize the technological and logistical challenges of this project.

On the technical side, the company has to contend with improving vehicle efficiency and limited battery life, while making sure to address potential issues, like noise pollution. On the logistical front, the company has to lobby regulators to reduce air-traffic restrictions, and certify aircrafts for use. But, given Ubers 55-million-strong market, its in a prime position to demonstrate the potential of this technology, and maybe even pave the way for other innovators who are working to bring vehicles to the skies.

AeroMobil has been working on a prototype that combines the characteristics of a traditional car with a small airplane. Airbus Project Vahana is working on a similar, helicopter-style autonomous vehicle that can ferry passengers in the air. And Jetpack Aviation, a company primarily focused on developing jetpacks, is dipping their toes in the flying car industry.

Uber, along with all these companies, will inevitably create a new frontier in transportation defined by convenience, sustainability, and innovation.

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Uber Taps NASA Expert to Make Flying Cars a Reality - Futurism

A Fitting Change

Teslas name has been tied to electric vehicles (EVs)ever since thecompany unveiled its pioneer product, the Tesla Roadster. But even with the title Tesla Motors Inc., the company has never been shy about their ambitious plans to reach far beyond electric cars. Since it was founded in 2003, Tesla has become so much more. Therefore, its fittingthat the company moved to officially change their name to Tesla Inc.

Ostensibly, all the company really did was drop a single word from their original name. However, its a move that signifies how a brand can stay true to its heritage, and continue to forge a new path towards what Elon Musk called the solar electric economy of the future, which he mentionedin the first half of his Master Planback in 2006.

When Musk was placed at the helm of the company, Tesla was already reeling from the effects of the financial crisis. But amid cutbacks, layoffs, and missed launch dates, the company was able to secure $40 million that helped Tesla avoid bankruptcy. By 2009, Tesla introduced the Model S, their first electric sedan. By mid 2010, Tesla went public for $17 per share.

Towards the end of 2011, Tesla unveiled the Model X prototype, simultaneous with deliveries of the Model S, which finally made it to the market. In 2014, Tesla open-sourced its patents for EVs. Beyond being an unprecedented move from a private, for-profit company, this demonstrated the companys commitment to their master plan to make sustainable transport accessible to all.

The construction of Teslas Gigafactory in 2014 marked Teslas steady path toward realizing its ultimate vision. Once the factory becomes fully operational (hopefully by 2020), this will allow the company to bring down the cost of their batteries by 30 percent, thus lowering the price of the Model 3. That same year, Tesla announced their semi-autonomous driving system, Autopilot.

2015 saw the arrival of the Model X and Autopilot in the market, but more notably, it was a milestone for the companys foray outside of car manufacturing. The introduction of the Powerwall and the Powerpack marked Teslas first big push into energy.

The following year, Teslas acquisition of SolarCity reignited talk of where exactly Tesla was headed but it wasnt long after that Musk revealed the second half of his masterplan, where he confirmed Teslas new objectives. Not only was Tesla set to introduce more affordable EVs, and make self-driving technology a reality, but the company was also going to start building solar roofs to seamlessly integrate with Teslas battery storage.

As Musk himself stated in the second half of his masterplan:

The point of all this was, and remains, accelerating the advent of sustainable energy, so that we can imagine far into the future and life is still good. Thats what sustainable means. Its not some silly, hippy thing it matters for everyone.

Quite simply, Tesla Motors Inc., was a means to an enda way to prompt an entire industry of gas-guzzling, carbon-emitting car manufacturers to recognize the need to follow the companys sustainable transportation model. And now, with Tesla, Inc., we can look forward to a truly sustainable future defined by Teslas core vision.

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Elon Musk Has Changed the Name of Tesla - Futurism