odd look at news on the web
Rooftop tent makes simple but brilliant improvement over all others
14 April 2026 @ 11:03 pm
When we first caught wind of Thule's all-new Widesky rooftop tent (RTT), we took the model name to imply a large, clear stargazing skylight on par with Inspired Overland's fully transparent roof. We had the idea of open views correct, but instead of a skylight, Thule's latest RTT encourages panoramic viewing in a different way, one we haven't seen on other rooftop tents. In doing so, it creates a high-riding space in which you'll want to spend both waking and sleeping hours.Continue ReadingCategory: TentsSmall-but-mighty flashlight packs a beam and a side panel for extra functions
14 April 2026 @ 7:58 pm
Some people want a flashlight to do more than just emit a forward-facing cone of light. If you're one of those folks, you might like what the multi-functional Endorol has to offer.Continue ReadingCategory: Gear, OutdoorsTags: Flashlights, 'Sweater for houses' could reduce heating bills by at least 15%
14 April 2026 @ 4:52 pm
Keeping homes warm in winter is becoming extremely expensive, and many existing methods aren't always efficient. In the US alone, tens of millions of people struggle with energy costs and often have to cut back on basic expenses, including food, just to be able to afford heating. With ongoing fossil fuel dependency and climate change, traditional heating methods are not only costly but also environmentally harmful.Continue ReadingCategory: Ene24-ft tiny house designed for comfortable full-time life on wheels
14 April 2026 @ 2:07 pm
Designed to maximize comfort in a compact footprint, the Currumbin combines a smart layout with some well-thought-out features to create a home that's suitable for full-time life on wheels. There are lots of optional upgrades available too, including an off-grid setup and an outdoor terrace area.Continue ReadingCategory: Tiny Houses, OutdoorsTags:A swivel display disguises this gaming handheld as a media player
14 April 2026 @ 12:04 pm
Anbernic makes a wide range of portable gaming consoles whose designs leave nothing to the imagination, with the usual arrays of controller buttons alongside or below a display. With its upcoming device, it's taking a more discreet design direction, which should also make for an easier fit in your pocket.Continue ReadingCategory: Cheeky caterpillars trick ants into treating them as queens
14 April 2026 @ 7:02 am
Baby caterpillars have figured out how to get themselves the royal treatment in certain ant colonies – getting carried around like precious cargo, fed on demand, guarded and being rescued from danger. But why would ants give this celebrity status to a caterpillar? The secret lies in perfect mimicry: the caterpillar copies not just the queen ant’s chemical scent, but the exact rhythm of her vibrations.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, Autonomous wing-in-ground effect aircraft has US military in its sights
14 April 2026 @ 5:04 am
Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport (REGENT) has completed the maiden flight of Squire, an autonomous variant of the company's Wing-in-Ground Effect Seaglider aircraft that's being pitched to the US military for logistical duty.Continue ReadingCategory: Military, EngineeringTags: Aircraft, "Spin-flip" system pushes solar cell energy conversion efficiency past 100%
14 April 2026 @ 1:27 am
Energy can never be created or destroyed. That's basic Physics 101. You simply cannot create energy out of thin air. Yet researchers at Kyushu University in Japan say they have developed a technology that pushes the energy conversion efficiency of solar cells to 130%!Continue ReadingCategory: Energy, Hand-carry camper pod supersizes into sub-$5K squaredrop lounge
13 April 2026 @ 8:05 pm
The market for versatile, vehicle-agnostic camper pods seems to be growing. A year after the original Tusca HitchHiker emerged, it morphed into the Freedom Camper lineup from Redneck Blinds in 2025. And we've noticed an uptick in similar drop-and-drive truck/trailer pods showing up from other builders.Continue ReadingCategory: RVs and Motorhomes, Adventure Vehicles, Versatile robot uses tracked flippers to traverse varying terrain
13 April 2026 @ 4:30 pm
Disaster sites vary as widely as rescue missions. Using robotics to help often requires multiple robots to survey, climb, lift, or manipulate objects. Athena unites all these capabilities in a single, rugged, autonomous platform built for search and rescue.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, EngineeringTags: