“There can be 100 people in a room, and 99 don’t believe in you, and just one does. And that can change your whole life.”
– Lady Gaga
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1. The Drape
When Gordon Murray waxed poetic about designing the McLaren F1, he said the bodywork was the last consideration. Every other aspect of the car came first. He offered fine tailoring as an example of forcing style to conform to any shape as a means of function over form; if the engineering and function of something came first, he argued, then the beauty of its design would come naturally – and that’s why the F1 still doesn’t look like an outdated car at 25 years old (and growing older). Hard to argue with results.
2. The Cream Rises to the Top
On March 3, 2025, Rise Robotics’ Super Jammer Arm lifted 3,181.95 kilograms (7,015 pounds) – nearly 900 kilograms more than FANUC’s 2016 record. With its belt-driven, fully electric, emissions-free “Beltdraulic” system, the arm cuts power use by up to 90%, reduces maintenance, and eliminates hydraulic drift. It’s AI-ready and offers finer control, redefining strength and efficiency in robotic arms. No word yet on whether it can beat Sylvester Stallone in an arm wrestling match.
3. ML in Photovoltaics
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology used AI to improve perovskite solar cells – cheap, flexible panels made from a crystal-like material with super high efficiency. Their machine-learning model spots production flaws early, making scaling easier and boosting stability. It’s a big step in bringing next-gen solar tech from lab to market.
4. Toy Production Coming Back Stateside?
Spoiler alert: They’re not reshoring; they’re “friendshoring” to get out of China. Due to U.S.-China trade tensions and tariffs, toy prices at retailers like Walmart and Target may rise by 20% as early as this fall. MGA Entertainment plans to shift 40% of its toy production from China to India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, up from 10%-15%. Other toy makers like Mattel and Hasbro are also reducing reliance on China to offset tariff costs.
5. Dashboard Wine
AI is transforming vineyards through autonomous tractors and smart irrigation, helping farmers like Tom Gamble improve precision, cut waste, and boost sustainability without replacing jobs. AI also aids in monitoring crop health, predicting yields, and managing resources more efficiently. While large vineyards are excited to explore the benefits of implementing the technology, cost and scalability challenges remain for smaller farms.
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