Dark Future Ahead 42 – News from the ‘Net of a Cyberpunk bent

The Dark Future moves ever closer, at least the future does, hopefully, we will keep the darkness from being too complete.  Remember the punk aspect of cyberpunk, do it yourself revolution.

Cars, ships, fashion and more for you today.  Let us see what the futures holds together.

Construction will be starting on a sail-powered container ship, a small one only 210 TEU containers, but it will have its own cranes making it ideal for smaller ports.  A very clever design.

Unlike the disastrous Jaguar redesign, the new Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre looks fantastic.  With two modes, including the Infinity Mode which boosts it to 659 horsepower, it exemplifies what a roller should be.

This seems like a challenge for a skilled team to interfere with . . . without causing an environmental disaster.

Fashion!  What does office wear look like in your dark future?  Here are some visions from our current return to office fashions.

How about a (slightly larger than a standard) shipping container-sized unit with two wind turbines, batteries, and everything you need to recharge vehicles and connect it to a power grid.  Add solar cells to the roof and you have a fairly reliable power source for out-of-the-way places.  The one in the article is made by the Swiss company FlowGen but I would expect to see similar systems by other companies soon.

“Atomic Batteries to power!”  Using depleted uranium as the core for new batteries, with the slight disadvantage that they are mildly radioactive.  If these provide reliable power and are highly rechargeable, expect to see them in nuclear plants.  (And other places too, if you do not mind that little extra radiation, it cannot be too bad, right?)

So, what if a major media company would come in and help revitalize your town?  What would you do to ensure your town was the one picked?  What if there were people who did not want your town “fixed”?  Who would you hire to keep your town safe?

What about using giant pouched rats as contraband-locating animals?  Especially (ironically?) for locating trafficked animals and animal products.  Yes, another tool in the hands of the authorities, potentially anyway.  A dry read but interesting information if you want to take the time.  Though I suppose they could be fun pets for a beastmaster-style character . . .

More airships!  These, however, are for cargo carrying, the company Flying Whales is working on its carbon fiber LCA60T airship designed to carry sixty tons of cargo.  These airships will be amazing if they work out.

Image from Rolls-Royce, is owned by them and used with respect but without permission (but should be Fair Use)

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