Standing between the Semis wrapped in Pepsi and FritoLay branding, Musk spoke about the need to reduce carbon emissions before pivoting to talking up the selling points of the trucks. “It looks sick,” Musk said, gesturing at one of the vehicles. “You want to drive that. I mean, that thing looks like it came from the future.”

The first delivery of Tesla Semis went to PepsiCo, which placed an order for 100 trucks back in December 2017. Other customers waiting for deliveries include companies like Walmart, UPS, FedEx, and Anheuser-Busch, most of which placed orders numbering in the dozens. PepsiCo plans to use at least 15 of the Semis to achieve zero-emissions status at its Modesto, California Frito-Lay facility.

Some Promises Kept, Others in Question

Musk originally unveiled the Tesla Semi electric Class 8 truck prototype in 2017, with plans to start production in 2019. Then came delay after delay. After a couple years of prototyping, finalizing the design, and road testing the truck, Tesla faced pandemic-related supply chain challenges and a shortage of battery cells.

In 2017, Musk said the Tesla Semi would run on Autopilot, the automaker’s advanced driver assistance system, but made no mention of it at the recent delivery event. It appears that prices will also rise sharply from Musk’s 2017 estimates of $150,000 for the 300-mile range version and $180,000 for the 500-mile version.

But many of the other specs have remained the same, including a tri-motor system that allows the truck to easily cruise by conventional gas-powered trucks pulling the same load. The Semis will still be charged with a “megawatt class charger” and consume less than 2 kWh per mile. The trucks also deliver three times the power of any diesel truck currently available and feature regenerative braking, meaning the brakes deliver power to the battery when drivers stop pressing the accelerator.

The Gigafactory reveal event came after Tesla completed a 500-mile test trip of one of its Semi trucks fully loaded with 81,000 pounds of cargo. The trip began at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California and ended in San Diego without needing to recharge the battery.

Will the Tesla Semi Ever Actually Take Off?

Tesla’s all-electric Semi trucks could dramatically change long-haul trucking. Current diesel-powered trucks in the same category represent one percent of U.S. vehicle sales, but 20 percent of overall vehicle emissions. If they are, in fact, equipped with Tesla’s semi-autonomous Autopilot system, they could reduce demand for drivers and help prevent accidents that occur when drivers are tired or distracted. The system uses sensors and cameras to provide data on the surroundings to the truck’s onboard computer, alerting the driver to potential collisions and applying the brakes automatically in emergencies.

Self-driving functionality is still probably quite a few years from becoming reality, with potential job losses yet to be determined. In the meantime, drivers will have to get used to a very different user experience than what they’re used to, especially inside the cab. Polish truck driver Tomasz Orynski went viral on Twitter after pointing out impractical design choices that make the Semi “a completely stupid vehicle,” including a central seating position that makes it hard to see oncoming traffic or access the window without getting up.

Among other things, the doors are positioned in the rear of the cab, so there’s no longer room for a mattress. The position of the touchscreens replacing physical buttons and levers also makes them hard to reach while keeping eyes on the road.

Musk Drama Could Make Tesla Less Desirable

Meanwhile, it’s hard not to wonder whether Musk’s misadventures at Twitter will affect Tesla. Recent media coverage suggests that all of Musk’s conspiracy theories, transphobic jokes, erratic behavior, and right-wing political comments could harm Tesla by association. Company stocks continue to nosedive, and investors are increasingly furious with Musk over his preoccupation with the social media platform, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“The market voted today that the $TSLA brand has been negatively impacted by the Twitter drama,” tweeted Gary Black, a hedge fund manager who owns about $50 million in Tesla stock. “Where before EV buyers were proud to drive their Teslas to their friends or show off Teslas in their driveways, now the Twitter controversy is hurting Tesla’s brand equity.”

The post Tesla Finally Delivers Semi Trucks to Customers Amid Musk Twitter Drama first appeared on Dornob.

The F-150 Lightning is so in demand, dealers can barely keep up with requests for orders. We already know it’s a lot more rugged than your average EV designed for city driving, but how does the F-150 Lightning stack up to other electric trucks, including the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Rivian R1T?

Stacked Against the Original F-150

First, check out how the F-150 Lightning improves upon the regular F-150. Its two electric motors and battery pack give it an incredible 426 horsepower compared to the 290 horsepower produced by the 3.3-liter V6 engine of the base model. Getting 76 miles per gallon in the city and 61 on the highway, it blows the regular F-150 out of the water. Gas power gets the beefy pickup just 20 MPG city and 24 on the highway.

Visually, it’s very similar, but the Lightning features an LED light ribbon running across the front. If there’s one downside, it’s towing capacity. The maximum is 14,000 pounds on the original F-150 and just 10,000 on the electric, but that’s still pretty good. The F-150 is also incredibly quiet, comes with a FordPass app to provide seamless access to charging stations and remote vehicle controls, and transforms into an electric generator to power tools, electronics, and appliances on the go or during a power outage at home. Other bonuses include a massive storage area under the hood, lots of electrical outlets, a fold-out work surface, and excellent off-road performance, the latter of which is often missing from other EVs.

F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Cybertruck

Let’s cut to the chase here. If you’re a Tesla stan, you’re probably already biased toward the Cybertruck and its sci-fi appearance. But a lot of average car buyers are going to prefer the more standard aesthetic of the F-150 Lightning, which doesn’t stand out as electric at first glance. They’re priced about the same for the base models at $39,900 for the Tesla and $39,974 for the Ford, and both come in all-wheel drive. The Cybertruck has four motors to the Lightning’s two, and a range of up to 500 miles vs. the Lightning’s 320 miles.

The Tesla charges at 250 kW DC, and the Lighting at 150 kW DC. Hit the gas pedal on the Cybertruck and it takes just 2.9 seconds to hit 60 mph, while the Lightning is in the 4-second range. The F-150 has more storage space though, and it uses physical buttons and dials instead of the Cybertruck’s almost exclusively touchscreen-based controls. The mid and higher-range models of both trucks offer more on almost every count, particularly when it comes to range and payload capacity, so if you prefer one or the other, you can always pay a little more to get exactly what you want.

The hardest part about comparing these two vehicles is the fact that the Tesla Cybertruck still hasn’t been released, with its most recent target date sometime in 2023 after multiple delays. Is the Cybertruck really more durable or comfortable than the F-150 Lightning? We won’t know for sure for a while longer.

F-150 Lightning vs. Chevrolet Silverado EV

The Chevrolet Silverado is America’s other best-selling pickup truck, which makes these two a little easier to compare. Right off the bat, the Silverado EV reportedly gets up to 400 miles of range from its available 200-kWh Ultium battery pack, considerably better than the F-150 Lightning’s 230 mile range on its standard pack (but you can upgrade to the Extended Range battery and get 300 miles). The Silverado also offers 10.2 kilowatts of energy to power your tools versus the Lightning’s 9.6 kilowatts. Both trucks can tow up to 10,000 pounds, but Chevrolet says a future Silverado EV variant will hit 20,000 pounds, putting it in the heavy-duty category.

Both trucks come with dual-motor standard setups and all-wheel drive. The base Silverado EV motor will offer 510 horsepower to the base F-150’s 290. Both electric pickup trucks feature crew-cab configurations and 5.9-foot beds. The Silverado EV’s a little more tech-oriented inside, with a 17-inch touchscreen and 11-inch digital gauge cluster. It also looks a lot different on the outside than the standard gas Silverado, though it’s still pretty close to most pickups you see on the roads today. Like the Tesla Cybertruck, this one’s also set to arrive sometime in 2023.

F-150 Lightning vs. Rivian R1T

The Rivian R1T was the first all-electric pickup truck in production, and it’s now being delivered to customers. It comes with a higher price tag, starting at $67,500. The Rivian can tow about 1,000 pounds more than the F-150 Lightning, but it has a lower payload capacity of 1,760 pounds. It also boasts a 314 mile range and takes about the same amount of time to charge at 40 to 45 minutes. When it comes to interior controls, the two trucks are about even, both featuring infotainment screens, ventilated seats, driver assistance, and wireless phone chargers. The Rivian’s power output is higher and it gets to 60 mph in 3 seconds. While the F-150 Lightning’s onboard charger nets 19.2 kW, the Rivian’s is 11.5 kW.

Where the Rivian really starts to beat the Lightning is in all of its little details, like its unique gear tunnel passing through the body just in front of the rear wheels. It also has more ground clearance, a gear guard system, and a built-in camp kitchen. Overall, the Rivian is probably a better choice for someone who wants to travel and go on adventures with their electric pickup, while the Ford F-150 Lightning is a practical choice for everyday driving and as a work truck. Either way, it sure beats paying today’s crazy gas prices, huh?

The post How Does Ford’s F-150 Lightning Measure Up to Other EVs? first appeared on Dornob.

“The only company I can think of that could do that is my company,” King told Business Insider. “We’ve got the software developers; we’ve got the AI; and we’re really creative. We wanted it to be a Tesla-like experience even when you were in an RV.”

That means the CyberLandr is more than just a hunk of metal and plastic that fits into the back of Tesla’s controversial pickup. It’s a piece of high-tech machinery that aims to level up the whole camping experience using Stream It’s AI sensors, solar power, and the ability to connect to Elon Musk’s StarLink satellite internet service. In other words, anyone toting this camper around in their Cybertruck definitely won’t be roughing it.

The uniqueness of the CyberLandr’s design starts with its form factor. Since it fits so snugly into the truck bed, it’s only revealed when the tailgate is opened, offering a fold-out set of stairs and a pop top that rises surprisingly high for comfortable standing height inside. This compactness when closed means the pickup’s center of gravity is maintained during travel, its aerodynamic drag is unaffected, and the driver’s rear visibility is unimpaired. The 1,200-pound weight of the camper is estimated to reduce the range of the electric truck by just five percent, and the whole thing can be lifted in and out of the truck using a special dolly.

Capable of holding 40 gallons of fresh water and 20 gallons of gray water, the CyberLandr camper manages to pack a functional bathroom into its tiny footprint, featuring a spa-style shower head, heated one-piece porcelain floor, and a self-cleaning dry flush toilet that eliminates the need for a black water tank. The shower and sink water can be continuously recirculated thanks to an onboard four-stage water filtration system with UV sterilization, which also allows you to safely refill the fresh water tank from a source like a river or stream.

Inside, you’ll also find a built-in kitchen with an intelligent faucet featuring touchless voice control, a built-in colander, wash bin, drying rack, and cutting board, along with a five-square-foot porcelain countertop, an invisible induction cooktop, and a compressor fridge. A set of freestanding chairs and pivoting tables slide out of the walls to offer seating inside the camper or outside, if you want to dine al fresco, and they transform into a queen bed when it’s time to hit the hay. A 32-inch smart TV, dual pane windows with electrochromic dimming, a built-in surround sound system, and voice-activated home automation with a 360-degree-view surveillance system add to the sense of a luxury home on-the-go.

All 20 initial CyberLandr offerings at a discounted price of $39,995 have sold out, but you can still place a preorder at the $43,995 tier for a deposit of just $100. If you prefer to wait until this thing is actually built and on the market, you’ll pay $49,995, which is higher than the base price of the Cybertruck itself. Let’s be real, though – the kind of people who would drop the cash on this high-end, Tesla-specific camper aren’t sweating the price. Production is supposed to start later this year with development and testing beginning after the Cybertruck is available sometime in 2022.

What does Elon Musk think of the CyberLandr camper? One word: “cool.”

The post High Tech CyberLandr Camper Slots into the Back of Tesla’s Cybertruck first appeared on Dornob.

Part of what’s so satisfying about the Canoo is the fact that it finally nudges vehicular design into the future after decades of minimal aesthetic changes. The electric Ford F-150 looks more or less the same as it always has, and Tesla’s Cybertruck goes so far in the other direction, it’s been the butt of countless online jokes. Like its self-driving van, Canoo’s truck falls somewhere in the middle, which is right where most people want it to be.

Unveiled ahead of an Automobility LA event in March, Canoo’s truck is about the size of a Ford Ranger and features a rounded nose, an oversized bubble-shaped windshield, and far more cargo capacity that you might think. Though it has a small footprint, its cab is generously sized, placing the driver almost right over its front wheels, and its six-foot-long cargo bed offers a pull-out extension for eight feet in total available length. A second layer of tailgate doors swivel out to the edges of the extension to protect whatever you’re transporting.

The coolest parts of the design are a series of fold-out “secret compartments” that make the truck feel kind of like a Transformer. The first is a fold-down work table and storage compartment right between the headlights, which holds extra gear. The work surface has two sliding components that stretch it the full width of the truck, and electrical outlets on either side are available to power tools and gadgets.

Flip-down side tables on either side of the cargo area also become work benches with their own multi-functional power sources, and a hidden side step makes it easy to step into the truck bed. Beneath that step is yet another storage area for a first aid kit, a cooler, and lockable laptop storage. The bed itself is modular, too, with a space divider system that keeps items from sliding around while you’re in motion. Optional roof racks expand storage options, and the bed is designed to accommodate a variety of different camper shells.

The company explains that “the pickup truck is the third vehicle that will be based on the company’s proprietary multi-purpose platform architecture, enabling the accelerated development timeline. Canoo’s EV platform functionally integrates all the critical components of an electric powertrain to be as flat and efficient as possible. Traditional EV platforms have power units, shock towers, and mechanical steering columns that protrude into the vehicle and take up space.”

“By incorporating steer-by-wire and other space-saving technologies, Canoo’s thin platform, with no need for an engine compartment, allows the company to offer a flatbed size comparable to America’s best-selling pickup truck on a smaller footprint. This makes the vehicle easier to maneuver and more convenient to drive and park in any terrain.”

With more than 200 miles of battery range, 600 horsepower, and a payload capacity of 1800 pounds, Canoo’s truck is equipped to meet the needs of both workers and adventure seekers. GM, Tesla, Rivian, and Lordstown expect to introduce their electric pickups later in 2021, with Ford following in mid-2022 and the Canoo truck hitting the market the following year.

The post Canoo’s Electric Pickup Truck Makes the Future Look Both Cute and Practical first appeared on Dornob.

The U.S. Postal Service recently announced that it would be creating “a new generation of U.S.-built postal delivery vehicles” to replace its current delivery fleet by 2023. Wisconsin-based tactical vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Defense will assemble 50,000 to 165,000 “Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) as part of a 10-year $482 million contract. Among other things, the tall, boxy design gives drivers more visibility on the road, enhanced braking and traction control, a collision avoidance system with audio warnings, more overall comfort, and increased cargo capacity.

As usual, the steering wheel will be on the right so mail carriers can simply lean out the window to access curbside mailboxes. The drivers will also enjoy air conditioning, a sliding side cargo door, a walk-in cargo area with cab access, back-up cameras, a 360-degree camera, blind spot warnings, and bumper sensors. The lower chassis makes it easier for mail carriers to get in and out of the truck all day. Interior photos aren’t yet available, but it looks like drivers might be able to stand full-height inside, which would also be easier on their bodies. The larger cargo area will be more comfortable to navigate, making it easier to organize the many packages Americans order these days.

As Curbed notes, pedestrian fatalities have increased in the U.S. over the last decade even as overall traffic deaths have declined, and safety experts say that’s largely due to the growing popularity of SUVs and trucks. These tall, heavy vehicles have a larger “strike zone,” which leads to more serious injuries and big front-end blindspots that make it hard to see pedestrians.

Many new vehicles completely rely on features like sensors and backup cameras to get around these issues, but — as much as you might cringe at the idea of more cars on the road looking like this duck truck — the larger wraparound windshield is a simpler, more practical choice. Plus, the low height of the hood and bumper makes the strike zone smaller and more likely to hit you in the legs, throwing you up and then off toward the side instead of under the wheels.

The trucks will also be more environmentally friendly, featuring either fuel-efficient internal combustion engines or battery electric powertrains that can be retrofitted to keep up with future advancements in electric vehicle technologies.

“As the American institution that binds our country together, the U.S. Postal Service can have a bright and modern future if we make investments today that position us for excellence tomorrow,” says Postmaster General and USPS Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy. “The NGDV program expands our capacity for handling more package volume and supports our carriers with cleaner and more efficient technologies, more amenities, and greater comfort and security as they deliver every day on behalf of the American people.”

So laugh all you want, but the new USPS mail truck is actually a pretty smart design, especially for slow-moving electric vehicles operating in both urban and suburban areas.

The post The New USPS Mail Truck Might Look Like a Duck, But it’s a Better Design first appeared on Dornob.

To suit all budgets and must-have checklists, the Cybertruck will be available in three distinct models. The base model is priced at $39,900 and can travel 250 miles on a full charge. The intermediate model offers a dual motor option that is all-wheel drive and is offered at a base price of $49,900. The top-end tri-engine model comes with a larger tow capacity and an impressive 500-mile travel distance between charges. It also comes with a higher price tag at $69,900. Full self-driving capabilities add an addition $7,000 to any model.

The exterior design of the prototype is most accurately described as angular and somewhat resembling a tank, which seems appropriate since the car’s cold-rolled stainless steel alloy body is basically bulletproof. The windows are described as “unbreakable,” although the windshield did splinter after being struck with a metal ball during the unveiling. Along with the undeniably striking aesthetic, the body also incorporates a couple necessary features, such as the light bar that runs along both the back and front of the truck.

Looking past the exterior, which Tesla labels the “exoskeleton,” the Cybertruck is built to work. Strong by any definition, Musk designed it with the goal of introducing a superior vehicle in every category from safety to function. With that in mind, the fully electric workhorse has a load capacity starting at 3,500 pounds, but it can tow up to a whopping 14,000 pounds.

That strength doesn’t undermine the truck’s performance though, with zero to 60 speeds ranging from 2.9 to around six seconds depending on the model. For added adaptability, the Cybertruck’s suspension can also be raised or lowered four inches in either direction to adapt for loads or clearance.

True to Tesla technology, a 17-inch touchscreen controls the advanced systems onboard. This control panel rests on a marble-like dashboard. Unlike other trucks (or any other vehicle, really), the steering wheel looks more like a fighter plane yoke. The truck accommodates six in geometric-shaped seats, with the option to lower the front center seat for use as an armrest. There’s also additional storage space beneath the bench-style backseat, which also flips down so extra long loads can overflow from the truck bed into the cab.

And speaking of the bed, we should probably point out that the Cybertruck has also reinvented that part of the truck. In fact, with a locking tonneau cover that’s strong enough to stand on, Tesla refers to this 100 cubic feet of storage as “the vault.” It also offers a built-in power inverter to provide both 120 and 240-volt electricity, supporting the use of power tools without a portable generator. To top it all off, the bed also houses onboard compressed air.

Musk acknowledges they still have work to do to get the Cybertruck to market, like fixing the windshield issue and probably tweaking the body style a little more. The prototype is exciting and engaging, of course, but it’s important to remember that it may not be a true example of the final product.

The base model is set to hit the production line in late 2021, with the top end all-wheel drive version being manufactured the following year. Deposits are already being accepted though, so you’ll have to decide soon if you want a Cybertruck of your very own!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Tesla’s New Cybertruck first appeared on Dornob.

Of course, industrious #vanlifers and people who convert other vehicles (like city buses) into campers also took note. The Class 8 heavy-duty semi-trailer truck boasts an impressive range of 300 to 500 miles, and it charges in less than 30 minutes using a solar-powered “Tesla Megacharger” charging station so drivers can “fuel” up virtually anywhere. That’s not just a big perk for truckers, either — it would also make road trips a lot more convenient.

They might not have their hands on an actual Tesla Semi just yet, but the folks at Vanlifer, who produce products and information for camper van owners, are already chomping at the bit to convert one. They’ve even produced “The Case for a Tesla Semi-Home,” which is really just an illustration of how it could be adapted for use as a tiny vacation home on wheels.

“So far this is a concept, but we are working on creating an accurate 3D model which will be used for quoting to see if this is a viable project,” says Vanlifer founder Jason Hablous. “Of course, we’ll only know for sure once the Tesla Semi is launched whether it’s something that could ever go ahead — but we’re hopeful.”

Hablous laid out the reasons why the Tesla Semi would be such a great base for a camper conversion in a recent blog post. Based on the mileage of a freight truck, the Tesla Semi promises a fuel savings of $200,000 over two years, and its range means you could get through long driving days without worrying about how much fuel you’re burning or whether you’ll be able to find gas stations in remote places.

The Tesla Semi is also capable of running on just two of its four motors, so if something goes wrong with one or even two, you won’t find yourself stuck on the side of the road. Indeed, the company guarantees “a million miles” of driving before it ever breaks down. The cab is also very spacious. Vanlifer notes that at $180,000, the Semi would come in at the low end of the price scale for luxury high-end motorhomes even after conversion, and especially when you take fuel savings into account.

When the concept was first announced, experts were quick to point out that converting trucks like the Tesla Semi wouldn’t be feasible until electrical grids around the world got a major upgrade, and that connecting to them to charge vehicles still uses significant amounts of fossil fuels. But if Tesla can really pull off the kind of powerful solar charger it says it’s producing for the Semi, they might not need to connect to the grid at all.

In July, a seemingly driverless Tesla Semi was spotted on a highway in California, prompting speculation that the energy and automotive company might actually be on track to get this thing on the market by next year. Be sure to check back with us for updates on this exciting new technology.

The post Van Enthusiasts Turn the Tesla Semi-Truck Into a Camper first appeared on Dornob.

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“It is a house with only 40 m2 (when the box is unfolded). It has been designed for living long times that overcomes its target of occasional stays and invites to be lived by a lot of time. A-cero has cared a lot the furniture details in the interior space and has gotten practical solutions to take the most of space.

“The furniture has been designed by A-cero. It is made in Corian: a light and hard material that supports the usual vibrations and movements of driving. The whole truck is decorated in white in order to create a bright, comfortable and modern space for living.”

The post Luxury RV for Design Snobs by A-Cero first appeared on Dornob.

The post Tesla Takes On the Ford F-150 first appeared on Dornob.

For those keeping track of numbers, that means this car can hit 100 miles per hour from a total standstill in a mere 4.2 seconds and traverse a quarter of a mile in just 8.9. These incredible speeds beat those of an average Formula 1 racing car, placing the new Roadster among the highest echelons of ultra-fast gasoline-powered luxury supercars, like the Bugatti Chiron and the Koenigsegg Agera (which reached a record speed of 277.87 mph in November). Of course, the difference is that the Roadster is electric, while the flashy gas-guzzling Chiron gets a mere 11 miles per gallon.

The new Roadster boasts three motors: one in the front to power the front wheels and two in the rear. It’s got a 200 kWh battery pack, torque steering, and four seats held snugly within its aerodynamic body. Oh, yeah — and it’s a convertible. No wonder it’s being billed as “the first supercar to set every performance record and still fit seating for four.” It’ll be available in 2020, along with a “Founder’s Series” model that’ll cost you $250,000.

Musk says the Roadster will be able to zoom straight from Los Angeles to San Francisco (about 380 miles) on a single charge. In fact, it’s able to travel up to 620 miles between charges, handily smashing the 40-200 mile range achieved by the electric cars currently on the market. Tesla’s original Roadster, which sold about 2,500 units between 2008 and 2012, had a range of 200 miles per charge. The automaker stopped producing it to focus on the Model S, the Model X, and the Model 3, so to see it return in such a supercharged new form is a bit of a surprise.

Even Tesla’s 30,000 employees apparently didn’t know a new Roadster was being developed. The top-secret project was led by a small group of designers and engineers out of the company’s studio in Hawthorne, California. During Tesla’s presentation, jaws literally dropped as the back of the electric “Semi” dropped open and the Roadster came roaring out to the tune of the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.”

The Roadster may have crashed the party, but the Semi is pretty cool in its own right. This heavy-duty all-electric truck will have the same cargo capacity as diesel trucks but a dramatically smaller environmental footprint, lower operating costs, and the potential to make the air on the highways of the world smell a whole lot fresher. With a design inspired by the silhouette of a bullet train, the Semi provides a 360-degree view for the driver to eliminate blind spots and will even include advanced features like “Enhanced Autopilot.” The company is currently working to adapt its design to meet European trucking regulations.

The post Tesla’s New “Roadster” Set to be the World’s Fastest Production Supercar first appeared on Dornob.

The main material for the ZIPPELIN is a used tarp, often covered in oversized lettering, which is cut to size to create random patterns. This makes each bag entirely unique, so you never have to worry about mistaking your suitcase for someone else’s. The bag has a capacity of 85 liters (5200 square inches), but when you’re done with it, it rolls up and becomes as small as an article of clothing. Still, this is no shapeless, soft-sided travel bag destined to get beat up during transit, failing to protect whatever you’ve packed inside.

When Freitag first decided to make a suitcase, they experimented with more traditional frames but found that the resulting bags were always too heavy to get through baggage check, even when they were only half-full. Then, the designers had a brilliant realization: they could take inspiration from their favorite mode of transportation and replace the conventional heavy frame with the inner tube of a bicycle, which can be inflated quickly and easily using a standard pump.

“When you are ready to pack for your trip, unroll ZIPPELIN and inflate it with a standard bicycle pump to 30 PSI,” the company explains. “At check-in, remove ZIPPELIN’s wheels. Once you land, re-attach the wheels without tools. Use the lockable double zipper when you need to access the main compartment. To repair or replace the inner tube, just remove it from an easily accessible zipped-up compartment.”

The company employs five tarp buyers, who they call “truck spotters,” to scope out the truck stops of Europe and hunt down the coolest looking tarps. Once they’ve been acquired, Freitag cuts off all the eyelets, straps, and belts and gives the tarps a good washing. They use templates to cut sections out of the tarps, which are ultimately sewn into the ultra-durable and water-resistant ZIPPELIN bags. They’re secured with reclaimed seat belts, and can be rolled on their wheels or carried over the shoulder.

Freitag debuted the ZIPPELIN on Kickstarter, and it’s been such a successful project, they’ve run out of backer rewards before their campaign even ended. That means you can’t pre-order one anymore if you’ve already missed out, but the bag will be available at the Freitag online store eventually, where you’ll be able to choose from dozens of color and design options. Are you “pumped” about this space-saving, environmentally-friendly travel bag?

The post Zippelin: An Inflatable Travel Bag Made of Recycled Truck Tarps first appeared on Dornob.

Maven Machines is a front-runner in the field of driving safety, with a focus on commercial drivers rather than private ones. This makes a lot of sense, considering the fact that professional drivers are on the road for several hours every day, clocking up innumerable hours of driving time while dealing with all kinds of weather and road conditions. They also tend to drive bigger, more powerful vehicles: a Mack truck can no doubt do more damage in an accident than a Mini.

The Maven Co-Pilot is the world’s first smart headset. The hands-free device gives drivers real-time warnings when it detects the slightest signs of fatigue or distraction, giving them ample time to pull off the road and rest. The Co-Pilot connects to the Maven app and gives the driver instant access to key metrics such as their speeding and braking habits, helping them avoid penalties and improving their performance.

Reinforcing safe driving habits is an important part of Maven’s mission, and since the Co-Pilot gives feedback in real time, it lets drivers take charge of their own skills and helps them become more proficient, efficient, and safe when they drive. “Maven creates better drivers through mobile devices and full transparency,” the company says, “and is committed to promoting a culture of safety by helping drivers instantly understand behaviors.”

The headset is revolutionizing the way truck drivers communicate. It’s packed with sensors and connects to the cloud, so drivers can get updates on their routes and the weather down the road, as well as other company messages, without ever taking their hands off the wheel.

“The smart headset provides value to a driver all day,” Maven representatives explain. “A good example is the pre-trip inspection. Our Hearable device provides voice-guided instruction so a driver can use two hands or hold a flashlight. They can use gesture controls to nod their head and confirm a station passes inspection.”

The Maven Co-Pilot SE is another cool option for truck and bus drivers. The smart headset is discreet, boasting a high-tech earbud and sensors that monitor the position of the driver’s head in real time.

Besides actively monitoring driver fatigue and distraction, the Co-Pilot SE also makes sure the driver follows the industry’s safety guidelines and checks their mirrors every five to eight seconds. The SE is lightweight, too, which means it’s perfect for delivery drivers who’ll be jumping out of their cars at various stops.

Both versions of the headset pair with the Maven app, which was designed using input from professional drivers.

The post Maven: Cool New Headsets and Monitoring Software for Truckers first appeared on Dornob.

If you ever dream about giving up your mortgage, utilities, property taxes and fixed location in favor of a carefree life on the road, seeing truck conversion projects like this one might just prompt you to take action. The phenomenon of converting trucks into highly customized mobile living spaces flourished in the 1970s and lives on today, with designs that are often surprisingly spacious, stylish and filled with modern amenities.

Israeli animator Joseph Tayyar got his own inspiration from a TV program about homes on wheels, and decided to use his experience in carpentry and interior design to create one of his own. He spent years planning the details to ensure that everything fit together just right, and selecting high-quality materials.

Tayyar outfitted the interior with lots of warm wood surfaces including paneling, glorying and built-in furniture like the platform bed, dining nook and couch with hidden storage. Other than its narrow profile, it’s hard to even tell the difference between the inside of this mobile home and those of many more conventional small living spaces.

The truck has its own kitchen and bathroom, and gets its power from an array of rooftop solar panels. The whole thing ran the owner about $225,000 USD, but it’s not unusual to see creative and resourceful DIY mobile home builders come up with something similar for as little as $20,000.

More info via Decoist:

“The 11.5-meter long truck provides surprisingly spacious interiors and with all the individual elements being designed to perfection, the truck house never feels any different from a regular residence. Tayyar dreams of many more such mobile homes coming together to form a vast community of ‘village on wheels’ where denizens can break away from monotony. Avoiding the hustle and bustle of big cities along with an escape from air pollution, property tax and the electricity companies are some of the many major perks of this dynamic lifestyle.”

The post Converted Solar Truck Home with Warm Wooden Interior first appeared on Dornob.

Its shape gives it away, but cement panels conceal the hidden inner beauty of this outwardly-simple (and imminently portable) mobile home.

Studio Ábaton in Madrid designed this structure around the limitations of a standard road transport vehicle, forcing it to conform to limited dimensions and a solid exterior shell.

Once the outside cement panels start to slide and flip open, however, a remarkable modern dwelling with light wooden interior surfaces and large expanses of glass is slowly revealed.

Minimalist and bright detailing is reinforced with single-seam lines dividing interior panels and built-to-match storage and fixtures that blend in with the whole composition.

The main interior space is a combination living room and kitchen that can open wide with sliding doors. This zone is bracketed by a bedroom one one side and bathroom on the other.

The entire structure can be built in a matter of weeks and assembled in a single day. More on the technical specifications: “The outside is covered with grey cement wood board. Ventilated façade with ten-centimetre thermal insulation around the building. Solid timber structure manufactured through numerical control; inside timber panels made of Spanish Fir Tree dyed white. ÁPH80 has been designed and manufactured fully in Spain.”

The post Sized for Semis: Mobile Home Fits Neatly on Back of Truck first appeared on Dornob.

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