‘Land Aircraft Carrier‘ concept transforms between drive and fly modes

Plus: Robotic guide dog with intelligent disobedience, desk-sized CO₂ turbines transform generation, verifying nukes with mirrors. Picture an electric “land aircraft carrier” morphing from van to aircraft before your eyes. That’s the vision behind XPENG AEROHT’s new modular flying vehicle concept unveiled at the 2023 XPENG Tech Day. With the push of a button, this transformer-like craft switches between a ground mode suited for road driving and an air mode designed for vertical takeoff and flight. In ground mode, the vehicle resembles a futuristic lunar rover, with room to carry 4 to 5 passengers. In flight mode, the detachable air module spins up its six rotors for vertical takeoff. While still an early-stage prototype, the concept previews a future where vehicles fluidly combine terrestrial roving and flying to transport us door-to-door through both ground and sky, making personal flight more accessible. Take a look at what XPENG have on the drawing board in today's [Must Read](. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Cleared for takeoff! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( The Collector: A vacuum cleaner to sweep the ocean floor This 90-ton behemoth, operating from its mother ship, the Hidden Gem, is on a mission to transform the way we access the minerals that have become essential for electric car batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels. SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest in science and engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [SUBSCRIBE]( HOT TOPICS - ☣️ [China warns a ‘certain country’ is making ethnic bioweapons]( Allegedly designed to target human beings of a specific ethnicity, China has warned that “certain countries” are making ethnic bioweapons. - ⬟ [Russian hackers penetrate Pentagon, DOJ, breach 632,000 email accounts]( Despite the US Department's categorization of the attack in May as a “major incident,” it believes the exposed material is not classified and is “generally of low sensitivity.” - 🛰 [NASA’s Lucy to make its first encounter with small asteroid Dinkinesh]( The mission's flyby has been bolstered by the utilization of 13-year-old infrared data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). - 🏁 [US startup beats IBM to reach 1,000 qubit milestone]( IBM's announcement of a 1,000+ qubit computer is expected in the next few weeks, but the startup might be a few leaps ahead. - 🐄 [Scientists engineer climate-smart cows with 10 to 20 times more milk]( Scientists have genetically engineered cows that can produce up to 20 times more milk reducing their impact on the environment. Must Read [🚐 Chinese eVTOL firm unveils ‘Land Aircraft Carrier’ modular flying van]( Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) firm XPENG AeroHT unveiled an innovative modular flying van that transforms between ground and air modes. The ground module resembles a lunar rover with room for 4-5 passengers. It recharges the detachable air module which has a 270° cockpit and can take off vertically. The capability to swap between driving and flying modes should expand access to air mobility. The air module uses six rotors and two ducted fans for safety in case of rotor failure. It also demonstrated a new low-altitude parachute rescue system. While only a prototype, the vehicle highlights China's ambitions to lead in eVTOLs through creative integration of automotive and flight technologies. Click below to discover more about this transformer-inspired model, and how it aims to deliver both land and air transport capabilities in one eye-catching package.. [[Read More]( [Energy]( [⚡️ Texas plant to generate 10 MW of power with desk-sized turbines]( An engineering team aims to revolutionize power plant efficiency with desk-sized turbines that use compressed carbon dioxide instead of steam. Their pilot 10 megawatt plant proves the potential of these compact turbines. Supercritical CO₂ allows higher energy conversion and synergy with concentrated solar thermal. Modular sCO₂ turbines could enable cleaner, more flexible energy generation. Find out how this overlooked technology is being revived to transform our energy infrastructure. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🦮 This obedient robotic dog will aid the visually impaired]( Researchers created a robotic guide dog that aids the visually impaired by responding to leash tugs. The quadruped robot dog can confidently lead users, avoiding obstacles and turn at intersections when pulled. A natural language interface is next so users can verbally command it. Intelligent disobedience will also be added so it can resist unsafe commands. Though at an early-stage, the aim is to increase accessibility and mobility for the blind at a fraction of the cost of actual service dogs. Learn more about how robotics can provide greater independence to those with visual disabilities. [[Read More]( [Science]( [☢️ Radio waves and mirrors could help build trust between nuclear powers]( An international team of scientists has proposed using radio waves and rotating mirrors to remotely monitor nuclear stockpiles, and enabe rivals to verify disarmament treaties. The technique records unique radio fingerprints based on objects in a room. Installed mirrors randomly alter fingerprints, requiring real-time data. Changes imply stockpile modifications. While complex to implement between potential adversaries, the concept could build confidence and transparency. Explore how science can help build and maintain trust in an age of geopolitical uncertainty. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Principal Data Platform Engineer]( at CarGurus Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States(US) [Corrosion Engineer]( at Southern Company Naperville(US) [Engineering Manager - Databases]( at Fivetran Ontario, Toronto, Canada(CA) [Accounting Software Engineer]( at FundGuard Boston(US) [Mid Level Program Analyst (Risk Manager/Engineer) (SP15)]( at CRL Technologies Lexington Park(US) [Senior Manufacturing Engineer]( at Walmart Advanced Systems & Robotics Andover(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY Do you think electric cars and vans will become commonplace in your lifetime? [Yes, I hope to own one]( [Maybe in a few cities]( [Not in my lifetime]( [No, they will not catch on]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you which large scale devices you would like to see miniaturized. Half of you voted for nuclear fusion reactors, with portable MRI scanners the runner up. 50% Nuclear fusion reactors 43% MRI machines for portable medical imaging 5% AI data centers 2% Bitcoin mining facilities “The automated system streamlines the separation and combination of the air and ground modules just like the Transformers, making flying more accessible and extending the user's travel experience from the ground to the sky.” XPENG statement THINGS WE LOVE [Hot Tools Power Dryer]( [$59.00]( [Ecovacs Deebot Robot Vacuum]( [$349.99]( [Keurig Coffee Maker]( [$69.99]( [Comgrow 3D Printer]( [$192.59]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Google CEO Sundar Pichai stands firm in defense of company amid lawsuit]( - [The J.Laverack Aston Martin .1R redefines cycling excellence]( - [Engineers create cool water patches to protect fish from climate change]( - [7 ancient objects we still don't fully understand today]( - [How science is helping cows produce less methane]( [premium] - [NASA’s X-ray telescopes expose the “bones” of a haunting cosmic hand]( - [Siemens and Microsoft reveal new era of human-machine collaboration]( - [Ancient Book of the Dead found in a 3,500-year-old Egyptian cemetery]( - [Amazon deforestation causes increased warming up to 62 miles away]( - [New species of ancient aquatic lizard unearthed in North Dakota]( Need help with advertising? Reach 150,000 engineering and tech professionals. [Contact us](mailto:sales@interestingengineering.com?subject=Newsletter Sponsorship) what else? ⚙️ To explore the wonders of mechanical engineering, get your [Gears in Motion]( 🔷 For all the week’s top engineering stories, subscribe to the [Vital Component]( 🧑🏻‍🔧 For expert advice on engineering careers, subscribe to [Engineer Pros]( 🧠New: To get the latest AI news every Monday, subscribe to [AI Logs]( 🎬 For a weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos, subscribe to [IE Originals]( For our weekly premium newsletter and an ad-free experience, [sign up for IE+]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Give Feedback](mailto:tim.snaith@interestingengineering.com?subject=User feedback for the Blueprint) --------------------------------------------------------------- © Copyright 2023 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 530 Fifth Ave, 9th floor New York, NY 10036, USA All Rights Reserved You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your e-mail preferences [here.]( Unsubscribe from our emails [here.]( See our full [privacy policy]( or [terms of conditions](. You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here.](