Light Start: Audi hums, Rocket Lab whooshes, Razer breathes, Microsoft sees

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Audi’s hybrid RS Q E-Tron completes test run ahead of Dakar 2022

Audi is looking to push its E-Tron tech even further this year with its all-new, purpose-built prototype, the RS Q E-Tron. Judging by how the latest endurance test drive has gone, things are looking good for the German automaker. Audi conducted the test outside of the Spanish city of Zaragoza which was the first time the vehicle was subjected to actual conditions expected during the Dakar Rally.

The test was conducted over eight days and a gruelling 1,700 km by three teams with two drivers each. The RS Q E-Tron managed to reach a speed of 180 km/h on the long stretching gravel roads, some up to 18 km long. The electric drive train and dual-modified Formula E engines impressed the drivers, although they admitted there is still some work to be done. Audi is looking to make this the first hybrid winner of the infamous rally event. The next test in September will see it take on some real dunes.

Source: Engadget[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Rocket Lab’s CAPSTONE mission will launch from New Zealand

If you thought you’d heard the last about space news for a while, Rocket Lab had other ideas. The company is looking to finalise details for its upcoming lunar mission. The CAPSTONE mission, or if we’re being precise, the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment — a mouthful, we know, hence the acronym — will launch from the companies New Zealand facility towards the end of this year.

A successful mission would be a technical breakthrough for Rocket Lab. While it isn’t the Electron rocket’s first rodeo, it will mark the first time the company uses its Photon platform to set a satellite on a lunar trajectory. It will also make for a redemption story following the failed May launch. At the very least, it’ll be nice to report on a different aerospace company for a change.

Source: Engadget[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Razer’s new face mask gets a name and a beta test

Razor really wasn’t kidding when it said it was going ahead with its Project Hazel, now it’s finally settled on a name, Razer Zephyr. This new product has had quite the publicised development cycle, even as far as Razer products go. 

Razer has essentially taken an N95 mask and overclocked it with RGB lighting, active disc-type ventilators that can be detached and recharged, a microphone and amplifiers to boost the user’s voice through speakers on the ventilators. And it’s made out of waterproof, recycled scratch-resistant plastic with a little window in the front so people can see your wonderful food receptacle. If you absolutely must be the first to get your hands on one, you can sign up for the community beta test here.

Source: Engadget[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Xbox after dark

 

Xbox is getting a night mode to make those gaming sessions that go on into the early morning easier on your eyes. This will include dimming of the screen, power button and controller, as well as a blue light filter and disabling HDR to avoid those retina-burning bright images. You’ll be able to toggle it manually or schedule it to coincide with your local sunset and sunrise times.

At the moment the feature is being tested in the very early Alpha Skip-Ahead ring, so it could still be a while before it receives a full release. When it does come, we’re sure most Xbox users will be grateful. Even if you don’t use it, it’s still nice to have the option.

Source: Engadget[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]