External News

Tesla to allow MCU upgrade for older Model S and X for better gaming experience

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Elon Musk dropped several updates on Twitter over the weekend, covering several aspects of Tesla’s vehicles. Among these are the release date for firmware Version 10, the unveiling of the Tesla Pickup Truck, some games that are coming to the Tesla Arcade, and even a Media Control Unit (MCU) retrofit that will be made possible for older Model S and Model X vehicles. 

Musk’s comments come amidst interactions on Twitter about the Tesla Arcade’s new titles, which include exciting games such as Cuphead and Fallout Shelter. While responding to a Tesla owner who stated that he would be happy to pay for an MCU and LTE upgrade for his vehicle, Musk responded that it would indeed be possible to retrofit older Model S and X units with company’s newer MCUs. 

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Incredible video: ‘Replicator’ tech to revolutionize 3D-printers

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Scientists have developed the next generation in 3D-printing technology, dubbed “the replicator.” It shines rays of light onto a yellow resin and molds it into a smooth object based on the program. The technology promises to revolutionize the medical field, space exploration and more. It’s also more environmentally friendly than other kinds of 3D-printing. Natasha Sweatte reports for News.Views.Hughes.

KIST Engineers Design New Glove Allows Users to ‘Feel’ Objects in VR

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Engineers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed a new type of VR glove that enables users to ‘feel’ objects in the virtual world through tactile feedback. Most all VR gloves on the market let people touch VR objects via vibrations or haptic feedback, and while they are better than nothing, they kind of limit the experience, like using a PS4 controller over time and having that feeling fade after prolonged use.

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Revealing the Hidden Beauty of Common Components

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As we’ve remarked in these pages before, oftentimes some of the best engineering around is invisible, hidden inside black boxes of one sort or the other. If the black box is sufficiently important in some way, professional forensic and reverse engineers can be employed to crack it open and reveal its secrets. But what about more humble items, such as the apparently unremarkable components that make up everyday electronics? Who cares enough to take the trouble to look inside them?

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