Technology Review

Poputar Smart Guitar Xiaomi, which produces almost all types of gadgets today, entered the music market as well, having released a smart learning guitar Poputar. Its neck is provided with 120 LEDs which illuminate the necessary string and fret while playing. In sync with your smartphone, this instrument becomes a great tool for learning and practicing your guitar skills.

Audi x Airbus Modular Flying Taxi Audi and Airbus have jointly started a project for a modular flying taxi of the future, capable of moving both on the ground and in the air. The vehicle consists of a separate cabin, a wheeled platform and a propeller drone. Switching from the platform to the drone module will be performed automatically at designated sites.

Mantle - 3D metal printing Mantle works in the industry of 3D metal printing. But what sets it apart from its competitors is its own developed and produced equipment. For example, Mantle's machine has no more than two workstations. At the same time, it provides 3D-printing using metal, finishing of the part and final heat treatment for sintering the material. The result is a high-precision detail in a few hours or days, not months.

iStruct - a monkey bot DFKI specialists, working on the latest support structures for robots, have created a monkey-bot capable of becoming upright. The developers equipped the robot with a mechanical spine with six degrees of freedom. As a result, iStruct takes an upright position when needed, without losing balance. However, it still moves using all four limbs.

Knocker - all it takes is a tap to identify an object This is not a separate device, but a well-designed software application that is installed on a regular smartphone. All you have to do is tap on an object with your phone for the software to identify it. Knocker uses a microphone, a gyroscope and an accelerometer to do this. The detection accuracy in a quiet room reaches 98%. However, you will have to learn this application beforehand, as there are only 32 objects stored in its database.

C Seed's M1 Folding TV Australian company C Seed introduced a 165-inch M1 foldable TV with 4K resolution. The TV consists of five panels, which allows it to accordion fold. And the Adaptive Gap Calibration system is responsible for creating a clear picture without tearing. It provides a viewing angle of up to 140 degrees. As for the price for such a TV, it is $400,000.

The Pavlok smart wristband breaks bad habits with an electric shock Pavlok is a tiny device that hits its owner with a small electric shock. To be worn on the wrist, the Pavlok needs to be placed into a special bracelet that adjusts to fit any size. According to the developers, Pavlok is the world's first gadget that will help form good habits, get rid of unhealthy ones and keep all your promises. Pavlok is equipped with an accelerometer and other sensors that monitor the user's physical activity and behavior.

HuggieBot 2.0 hugging robot Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have created a soft hugging robot. The HuggieBot 2.0 has an inflatable body with built-in feedback sensors providing the torque-thresholded grasping and a head with a screen for broadcasting animated facial expressions. Thanks to a system of sensors and dedicated software, the robot manages to hold a hug just like a human.

VA-X4 electric air taxi The British company Vertical Aerospace together with Rolls-Royce are working on a project of their own eVTOL aircraft for passenger transportation. They are developing the model VA-X4 that will be equipped with 100 kW electric units and will be able to cover distances up to 195 km at a speed of 320 km/h. The air taxi's commercial launch is scheduled for 2024.

Auron - a bottle that disinfects water This is a bottle that allows to get water free of microorganisms. It uses a UV-C ultraviolet light system as a purifying agent, making the water completely drinkable after 60 seconds. Pre-order bottles start at $64. It is scheduled for release in May 2021.