APOCALYPSE BRAWLER
Image © DROOG MOTO
It started life as one of the most respected nameplates on two wheels – now it looks ready to take the battle to the apocalypse.This Kawasaki Ninja 650 has been rechristened as the Droog Moto 12 – a name that we’ll admit doesn’t exactly strike terror in the heart of any intrepid two-wheel racer. It is, however, on the aesthetic front where this reborn Kawa looks ready to tackle anything.
The craftsmen at Droog have seemingly ripped off all Ninja features and replaced them with custom-made components like solid aluminium wheel inserts wrapped in TKC80 off-road tyres, and tailored frame and fender replacements.
It also features an electronic speedometer and an upgraded radiator that adds a dollop of cool to an otherwise icy equation.
ELECTRIC AVENUE
Image © SONO MOTORS
This, dear reader, is not your average mommy-mobile. Nor has it passed through the hands of any Pimp my MPV type of television programmes.
Instead, the Sono Motors Sion, as it is officially known, combines two sustainable kinds of technologies from the future.
For starters, it is electric, and while that might sound reasonably conventional, its plug-and-go compatibility is just one side of this futuristic coin. See, it is the other format for electrical conversion, namely solar power, which caught our attention.
The Sion has 330 solar cells integrated into its bodywork, ensuring it captures the optimum amount of UV rays, and when neither solar nor electric recharging is available, the biSono feature allows for a recharge from a friend – much like a jumpstart.
The Sion will be available for around R250,000 and will charge out with a standard battery range of 250 kilometres. For an additional R60,000, though, an extra battery can be specified.
NEED A TECH LIFT?
Image © FORD
“Imagine lifting a watermelon over your head, up to 4,600 times per day.” That, says Ford, is similar to an ordinary day for many of its employees who work in its manufacturing plants.
The tech solution to this arduous scenario? Well, Ford has employed the services of Ekso Bionics, a company that specialises in exoskeletal solutions that ‘amplifies human potential’.
Known as the EksoVest, it can provide lift assistance between two and seven kilogrammes on each arm.
This is also not just an HR fantasy, though, since it has already been tested at two facilities and is ready to provide assistance at 15 Ford Motor Company plants globally.
MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE
Image © AUDI AG
Audi became one of the first car manufacturers to join the 5G revolution of limitless data possibilities when they teamed up with Ericson to pioneer the use of this technology in future manufacturing processes.
While the German marque is looking to capitalise on the low-latency characteristics of this future tech, it will surely also look into the immense data streaming capabilities that it promises, to streamline its assembly processes.
“Ericsson is already running 5G industry programs all over the world to help manufacturers boost productivity,” says Erik Ekudden, Group Chief Technology Officer at Ericsson.
“This project is a great opportunity to see what is possible when we bring 5G into an automotive production environment to truly enable smart wireless manufacturing.”
The first application for this technology in Audi’s manufacturing process will be to enable wirelessly connected robots to glue components together using the streaming capabilities of the 5G tech.
FERRARI FOR THE FUTURE
Image © FERRARI
Being the first at something is nothing new for the brand with the prancing horse. Be it over the line, or by spearheading such game-changing innovation as the gearshift paddles that we know, and love, today.
Now, the Italian marque is once again at the helm of innovation with its low-bake paint technology.
The new ‘specially formulated’ clear coat only requires 100-degree Celsius heat (formerly 150 degrees) at which it is baked onto the car. This results in not only a 33% temperature reduction, but also significant savings in the financial and environmental departments for the supercar maker.According to Ferrari, this new process also allows more design freedom as its styling department is now able to integrate carbon fibre inserts into the body of the car, ultimately resulting in ‘better colour uniformity.’
Report by DEON VAN DER WALT
