Latest news with #Z1
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
BMW E1: The unlikely 1991 concept that quietly shaped the future of EVs
Looking at the pictures of this dumpy, rust-coloured city car, you're no doubt wondering how such a creation could find its way onto our Cool Concepts page, but BMW's E1 was more cutting-edge and influential than its pedestrian appearance would suggest. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Unveiled at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show in response to tightening emissions laws coming out of the United States (remember, in the 80s, between 70 and 80% of cars there were V8-engined), the E1 was a product of BMW Technik GmbH: the same engineering division that brought us such novelties as the Z1 and the zany Z18, which placed a Z3 roadster-style body on a high-riding SUV chassis. BMW was all too aware of the limitations of battery technology at the time, especially with regard to operating range and charging, so it chose to develop E1 as an urban mobility solution. Related: All-New Honda Amaze Lands in SA – Pricing and Spec Unlike many concepts, which are little more than an eye-catching shell on a chassis, powered by a golf cart motor, the E1 was built as a fully roadworthy prototype. This meant that in addition to accommodating the practical considerations and high-quality cabin materials typical of BMWs, the E1 also had to conform to the crash-safety standards of the day. To achieve this, the car was not only fitted with dual front airbags, but also utilised an innovative construction comprising an aluminium frame clad with plastic panels that was both tough and lightweight. A rear axle-mounted electric motor fed by sodium-sulphur batteries mounted under the rear seat (another nod to production-viable crash safety) developed a modest 37kW but was good for a top speed of 120km/h and a very respectable range of 200km. Charging was achieved via a standard electrical socket, using a plug stashed in one of the E1's kidney grille panels, and took six hours. Related: Toyota Celebrates 40 Years at Le Mans With Throwback Liveries These features may not seem that significant by current standards, but they were cutting-edge at a time when EVs were little more than an automotive pipe dream. Unfortunately, the E1 was perhaps a little too far ahead of its time in some regards. Deficiencies in the cooling systems needed for the sodium-sulphur batteries, which had the double-threat disadvantages of high optimal operating temperature and highly combustible innards, were revealed when the original prototype caught fire while charging, destroying the car and part of an adjacent building. Consequently, BMW utilised more stable sodium-nickel chloride batteries for its successor, the 1993 Z15 concept. The E1 may have looked bizarre and been limited by the battery technology of the time (not to mention sadly combustible) but its design and architecture would go on to form the blueprint for BMW's first production-series EV, the i3, as well as casting the die for the growing range of impressive i EV models to come. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Cool Concepts – BMW E1 Concept appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Tom's Guide
28-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Dreame's Z1 Pro robot pool cleaner is bigger, better and perfectly hands-free
As the summer months arrive, owning your own pool comes with some serious perks. Having to clean it though is certainly not one of them. In fact, it's a pretty arduous task that takes dedicated time that you'd much rather spend relaxing on an inflatable with a cold drink in hand. Unfortunately, it's a task that can't be avoided. Without proper maintenance, your pool will suffer from a build-up of bacteria and algae that'll cause damage and can also cause health issues for you. If you've found yourself at this crossroad between needing to clean your pool but not wanting to clean it yourself, then you're in luck. This is where the Dreame Z1 Pro steps (or, should we say, rolls) in. With powerful suction that'll clean every surface, this robotic pool cleaner is not only seriously impressive, but you can control its movements perfectly hands-free — with a smart app and even smarter remote. It's time to say goodbye to tangled cords and poor cleaning coverage and say hello to AI-powered navigation and 8,000 GPH of suction power. While the Dreame Z1 Series includes two models, if you're channelling the ethos 'go big or go home' then the Dreame Z1 Pro is the one for you. Why? Well, it's quite literally bigger, working on a larger cleaning coverage area than the Z1 – up to 2160 ft² for the Z1 Pro, compared to up to 1950 ft² for the Z1. It's also hands-free, controllable with the accompanying Dreamehome app and steerable with the LiFi remote, in both freshwater and saltwater pools. And right now, it's also pretty affordable at just $1099 for a limited time, compared to $999 for the Z1. Having a pool cleaner that's hands-free is a game changer. While some robotic cleaners will force you into the pool to reset their position, having a remote means you won't have to. And thanks to the Dreame Z1 Pro's intelligent mapping of your pool, it's pretty well equipped at covering all the angles. Using PoolSense multi-sensor technology, the Z1 Pro can achieve efficient, full-coverage cleaning that includes walls and waterline. So, when you catch it climbing the walls and your first instinct is to jump in and save it, be safe in the knowledge it's actually giving you an even better clean. And it'll tackle every surface, too, including concrete, fiberglass, vinyl and tiles that make up your pool design. Any dirt and debris it finds, it'll clean it up with an impressive 8,000 GPH suction, as well as its dual active brushing system. When you think of your pool, you don't want to think about what a chore it is. And fortunately, the Dreame Z1 Pro is programmed specifically to take away that stress for you — and handle it like a pro. It'll run for over 180 minutes, performing a thorough clean as it goes, and when it's done, it'll automatically park poolside for easy retrieval. Plus, since it's cordless and impressively smart, it won't get caught up on obstacles, including itself, when its cleaning. If you're investing in a robotic pool cleaner, you want to sit back and relax and the Z1 Pro wants you to as well. As mentioned previously, the Z1 Pro comes with its very own handheld remote that uses LiFi technology. So, without getting up from your sun lounger, you can assign tasks like focusing on a dedicated cleaning spot, steer it around your pool and prompt poolside parking to retrieve it from the pool whenever you want. And if you're worried it won't be able to navigate your uniquely-shaped pool, it's smarter than you think. The advanced PoolSense technology recognizes if your pool has different edges, working them into specific zones and carrying out S-shaped routes that work for a wide variety of pool shapes and sizes. While you can't put a price on time and hassle, the Dreame Z1 Pro is convincingly affordable. And with a feature set like this tied together with the opportunity to move only to press a button on your remote or app, it may well be the answer you were looking for. Enjoy your pool this summer, don't dread it. Right now, you can save $400 off the price of the Dreame Z1 Pro until May 31 via Dreame's website. Dreame Z1 Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner: $1,099 (was $1,499)
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Company places $50 million order to build aircraft like nothing we've seen before: 'The sky is no longer the limit'
Since the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, commercial airship travel has slowed to the point that it almost does not exist anymore. A select few companies use airships for advertising purposes, but recent years have not been favorable to bringing airships back for commercial use — until now. Straightline Aviation, a hybrid airship company, has partnered with another aviation company, AT² Aerospace, an offshoot of Lockheed Martin, to build the world's first cargo airship, which will usher in a new era of cargo shipping. The Z1 hybrid airship, as Sustainable Times reported, gets about 80% of its lift from helium, a non-flammable gas, while the other 20% is derived from its aerodynamic design and four engines. It also is able to carry cargo up to 20 tons while holding 19 passengers. (The Hindenburg likely ignited when an electrostatic discharge met leaking hydrogen.) "Lockheed Martin believes in the potential for hybrid airships to transform global transport," the company said in a brief public statement. "The AT² team is developing airship solutions to support commercial and humanitarian applications around the world." Compared to current air-travel technology, the environmental impact of the Z1 hybrid airship is shockingly low. Using just one-fifth of the fuel of a heavy-lift helicopter and producing only one-10th of the carbon emissions, the airship will be one of the most low-impact options for air travel that has ever been recorded. It is essential to cut reliance on dirty energy sources, as they release heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere when burned. Lessening such pollution means that health problems, such as heart and lung disease, will be reduced, while air quality will improve. While AT² hopes to deploy these new hybrid airships by 2028, excitement is already forming about the possibilities of the technology — and what it can do for the world of transport and the environment. "The partnership with Straightline Aviation represents a transformative moment in sustainable aviation," said Bob Boyd, president and CEO. "Our hybrid airships will transform cargo transport by providing an environmentally responsible solution while maintaining operational efficiency." Hammaad Saghir of Sustainable Times wrote: "As the aviation industry pivots towards sustainability, the Z1 hybrid airship represents a bold step into the future — where innovation meets necessity. And the sky is no longer the limit." Which of these factors would most effectively convince you to support nuclear energy projects in your area? Lower energy bills Safety and reliability More local jobs Environmental benefits Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
British airship pioneer plots flights to the Amazon and Arctic
A British airship business plans to launch flights to remote parts of the Amazon and Arctic using a blimp that can land on lakes, snowfields and forest clearings. Shropshire-based Straightline Aviation said the Z1 airship will be able to transport more than 20 tonnes of cargo to far-flung sites, hundreds of miles from the nearest road or runway. This could include carrying heavy mining and oil industry equipment to northern Canada or undertaking medical missions to isolated parts of Africa and South America. The versatility of the Z1, which is being developed by California-based manufacturer AT2 Aerospace, stems from an air-cushioned underside which makes any clear patch of ground a potential landing zone. Straightline, which last week placed a $50m (£39m) order for the first Z1 for delivery in 2028, is betting the vehicle will usher in a new era of airships, which for decades have merely been used as floating advertising devices. The Z1, technically a blimp since it lacks a rigid internal structure, will also generate up to 30pc of its own lift through a three-lobed design that acts like a plane wing. That means the airship can be heavier than air – something which will also help it land. Mark Dorey, chief executive of Straightline, said: 'The landing system is a game-changer because it means that no ground infrastructure is required. 'Traditional cigar-shaped airships were lighter than air and had to dock at a mast or tower, so you could never operate in a remote area. But with the Z1 we'll be able to go in and land on unprepared ground.' Directional fans will help hold the airship in place once it has landed. Typical missions will span up to 500 miles, Mr Dorey said, a distance that would take around 7 hours to cover at the Z1's cruising speed of 60 knots. While powered by traditional kerosene, the craft's ultra-light construction and leisurely pace means fuel consumption would be only about 80pc that of an equivalent aircraft journey. The chief executive said Straightline had explored buying a rival airship being developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), potentially at a site in Doncaster, However, the business concluded that the Z1 can carry more and was at a more advanced stage after HAV's Airlander model suffered a crash in 2017. He said: 'It will be like a flying truck, which is what we want. We've got a huge amount of end-user customer demand in a number of markets.' Mr Dorey said Straightline has already held talks with more than 100 potential clients, including oil companies interested in the Z1's potential for transporting large equipment in the Arctic. The airship could serve as an alternative to slow-moving trucks reliant on temporary 'ice roads' across frozen lakes and rivers, the viability of which is threatened by global warming. The chief executive said: 'The ice road season is getting less reliable and in some areas lasts only a month a year. The airship can access the same areas pretty much year-round.' Straightline has also held discussions with Canadian provinces, the state of Alaska and indigenous corporations about its potential for improving links to far-flung communities. The firm has an outline commercial agreement with US charity Rad-Aid International to transport X-ray, CT, ultrasound and MRI equipment to remote or impoverished areas where it will help diagnose and treat cancers, heart disease and complications in pregnancy. Straightline's founder, Mike Kendrick, said his own cancer diagnosis led him towards the collaboration to transport scanners which are too delicate and heavy to carry by light Kendrick previously helped found an airship-based advertising business for Virgin Group and worked with Sir Richard Branson on his various ballooning record ultimately plans to order as many as a dozen of Z1s from AT2, which was spun off from defence giant Lockheed Martin in 2023. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
09-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
British airship pioneer plots flights to the Amazon and Arctic
A British airship business plans to launch flights to remote parts of the Amazon and Arctic using a blimp that can land on lakes, snowfields and forest clearings. Shropshire-based Straightline Aviation said the Z1 airship will be able to transport more than 20 tonnes of cargo to far-flung sites, hundreds of miles from the nearest road or runway. This could include carrying heavy mining and oil industry equipment to northern Canada or undertaking medical missions to isolated parts of Africa and South America. The versatility of the Z1, which is being developed by California-based manufacturer AT 2 Aerospace, stems from an air-cushioned underside which makes any clear patch of ground a potential landing zone. Straightline, which last week placed a $50m (£39m) order for the first Z1 for delivery in 2028, is betting the vehicle will usher in a new era of airships, which for decades have merely been used as floating advertising devices. The Z1, technically a blimp since it lacks a rigid internal structure, will also generate up to 30pc of its own lift through a three-lobed design that acts like a plane wing. That means the airship can be heavier than air – something which will also help it land. Mark Dorey, chief executive of Straightline, said: 'The landing system is a game-changer because it means that no ground infrastructure is required. 'Traditional cigar-shaped airships were lighter than air and had to dock at a mast or tower, so you could never operate in a remote area. But with the Z1 we'll be able to go in and land on unprepared ground.' Directional fans will help hold the airship in place once it has landed. Typical missions will span up to 500 miles, Mr Dorey said, a distance that would take around 7 hours to cover at the Z1's cruising speed of 60 knots. While powered by traditional kerosene, the craft's ultra-light construction and leisurely pace means fuel consumption would be only about 80pc that of an equivalent aircraft journey. The chief executive said Straightline had explored buying a rival airship being developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), potentially at a site in Doncaster, However, the business concluded that the Z1 can carry more and was at a more advanced stage after HAV's Airlander model suffered a crash in 2017. He said: 'It will be like a flying truck, which is what we want. We've got a huge amount of end-user customer demand in a number of markets.' Mr Dorey said Straightline has already held talks with more than 100 potential clients, including oil companies interested in the Z1's potential for transporting large equipment in the Arctic. The airship could serve as an alternative to slow-moving trucks reliant on temporary 'ice roads' across frozen lakes and rivers, the viability of which is threatened by global warming. The chief executive said: 'The ice road season is getting less reliable and in some areas lasts only a month a year. The airship can access the same areas pretty much year-round.' Straightline has also held discussions with Canadian provinces, the state of Alaska and indigenous corporations about its potential for improving links to far-flung communities. The firm has an outline commercial agreement with US charity Rad-Aid International to transport X-ray, CT, ultrasound and MRI equipment to remote or impoverished areas where it will help diagnose and treat cancers, heart disease and complications in pregnancy. Straightline's founder, Mike Kendrick, said his own cancer diagnosis led him towards the collaboration to transport scanners which are too delicate and heavy to carry by light aircraft. Mr Kendrick previously helped found an airship-based advertising business for Virgin Group and worked with Sir Richard Branson on his various ballooning record attempts. Straightline ultimately plans to order as many as a dozen of Z1s from AT 2, which was spun off from defence giant Lockheed Martin in 2023.
