Meet the 1985 Pulse Autocycle, a towable and jet-like vehicle with a sliding canopy and a set of tandem seats in the cabin. Produced in the US between 1985 and 1990, there were only around 326 built examples of the model by the Owosso Motor Car Company in Michigan. The car design was conceived by Jim Bede, an aircraft designer known for building small experimental planes, and his influence is clear in the streamlined body and sliding canopy, which make the Pulse resemble an aircraft more than a car or motorcycle.

The first version of the vehicle was called the Litestar, produced by Scranton Manufacturing in Iowa from 1983 to 1984, but in 1985, production shifted to Owosso, and the name was changed to Pulse. The company described the vehicle as a Ground Cruising Recreational Vehicle, or GCRV, to highlight its unusual combination of car-like and motorcycle-like features. The Pulse has a fiberglass body mounted on a steel tube frame to keep the body light and allow it to be molded into aerodynamic shapes. The steel frame also makes the overall structure robust.

all images courtesy of the user Medman8866 via Bring a Trailer

Three-wheeled automobile with sliding canopy

The jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle includes an enclosed cockpit with an acrylic sliding canopy and a glass windscreen, giving the driver and their passenger a biplane-like atmosphere rather than a road vehicle. The drivable automobile is configured with four wheels: two are the main wheels placed along the centerline, and two smaller outrigger wheels are mounted at the sides. At any moment, only three wheels touch the ground, and the outriggers stabilize the vehicle when turning or when stopped. These are connected to the main chassis with adjustable tie rods, allowing them to adapt to the movement of the vehicle.

The exterior of jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle displays elements that reflect its aircraft-inspired design. It has NACA-style side ducts for airflow, dual side mirrors for visibility, recessed turn signals at the rear, and an integrated taillight. The nose cone on this particular listed model was damaged, repaired, and repainted in 1987 before the vehicle went into long-term storage. In 2023, LED headlights were added during refurbishment to update the lighting system. The suspension system was also upgraded during the 2023 refurbishment, with Progressive Suspension 412-series front shocks and 429-series rear shocks being installed to replace the original units. 

the rear has a triangular shape

Tandem seats trimmed in brown vinyl with contrasting stripes

Inside, the jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle features a cockpit with two seats arranged in tandem, meaning the passenger sits directly behind the driver. The seats are trimmed in brown vinyl with contrasting stripes, and this trim extends to the side panels. The interior includes lap belts for safety, a rear parcel shelf for storage, a map pocket, and a Pioneer cassette stereo with speakers. The instrument cluster comes from the Yamaha XS400 motorcycle. It includes an 85 mph speedometer, a 12,000 rpm tachometer, fuel and voltage gauges, rocker switches, warning lamps, and a keyed ignition switch. The cluster is placed in front of a three-spoke steering wheel, giving the driver access to all the main controls in a compact arrangement.

Specs-wise, the engine is a Yamaha 399cc four-stroke parallel-twin, the same type used in the XS400 motorcycle. This particular unit was a replacement engine installed in 2023, equipped with Yamaha’s Induction Control System, known as YICS, and two Mikuni 32mm carburetors. Exhaust gases exit through dual chrome megaphone mufflers mounted on the sides, and the refurbishment process also includes cleaning the carburetors and fuel tank, installing a new battery and stator, and replacing the fuel pump, cylinder head gasket, and cam plug seals. The jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle can be notable because of how it combines the design features of cars, motorcycles, and aircraft in one. With only about 326 examples produced, it is considered a rare collector’s item today.

when driven, only three wheels touch the road

the exterior draws designs from aircraft

detailed view of the vehicle’s nose

the Pulse has a fiberglass body mounted on a steel tube frame

the automobile is also towable

there are tandem seats in the cabin of the automobile

the cluster is placed in front of a three-spoke steering wheel

the first version of the vehicle was called the Litestar before it was named Pulse

project info:

name: 1985 Pulse Autocycle

design: Jim Bede

auction: Bring a Trailer | @bringatrailer

listing: here

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Designer Brian Brocken recreates the DeLorean car from the Back to the Future movies in foam and makes it hover in the air with rotating wheels. The full-scale model lifts off the ground using drone technology, and it is able to because the chassis is made of EPS foam, which is lightweight. To make it robust enough, the designer covers the foam with fiberglass sheets, which weigh around 25 grams per square meter. It protects the foam and makes it possible to paint the surface (because the paint dissolves plain EPS foam), allowing the user to also recreate the styling of the DeLorean car from the movies. 

Brian Brocken designs the foam-made car’s body using the program Fusion 360, where he uses the exact measurements from the original Delorean. The 3D model is then cut into slices that could fit on a CNC machine; each slice is cut with the help of an industrial robot, which is turned into a CNC machine for the project. The car body is hollow at the front, middle, and back, and this reduces weight and allows air to pass through to the propellers when the car is in flight. The wheels rotate during flight, faithfully following the original model’s design.

all images courtesy of Brian Brocken

Recreated vehicle with original model’s gullwing door design

The foam DeLorean car takes flight using motors and propellers, similar to the ones used by drones. Before that can happen, the body needs a strong airframe, so for the first test, the designer uses an aluminum frame with 3D printed plastic parts. It isn’t strong enough, Brian Brocken concludes, because the aluminum flexes during yaw movement. He’s now developing a carbon-fiber frame, hoping to reduce the weight to about two kilos and solve the twisting issue. For the flight system, he uses four large drone motors with a 30-inch propeller. Each motor can produce about 13.5 kilograms of thrust, and so with four motors, the total thrust is about 54 kilograms.

For the foam DeLorean car to fly, air should flow to the propellers, so the designer makes the front and back of the car hollow. The hood has slats that can open and close using a flap system. Then, a linear actuator with mechanical linkages controls the flaps. When closed, the flaps cover the holes, and when open, they let air move into the propellers. This system allows the car to keep its shape while still allowing airflow. Brian Brocken also replicated the gullwing doors of the original model, its signature design element, using automatic and 3D printed door hinges hidden inside the roof and doors. So far, the designer has tested the foam DeLorean car for its maiden flight, two years after he first introduced the project and built it one part at a time.

drone technology makes foam DeLorean car fly

the chassis is made of EPS foam, which is lightweight

the designer replicates the gullwing doors of the original model

to make it robust enough, the designer covers the foam with fiberglass sheets

the designer makes the front and back of the car hollow for airflow

the designer has tested the foam DeLorean car for its maiden flight

project info:

title: First flight of the full-scale flying DeLorean

design: Brian Brocken | @bribro_12

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Mansory introduces the transformed Ferrari 12Cilindri Equestre, the first complete conversion of the vehicle in coupe or spider version. Debuting at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, which runs between September 24 and 27, the modded vehicle follows the release of the Ferrari 12 Cilindri in late 2024, the same year that the car modification firm presented the MANSORY Pugnator, based on the Ferrari Purosangue SUV. The Equestre receives changes to almost all visible body parts as Mansory built new components in forged full carbon fiber. 

This material is used for the front apron, hood, wheel arch extensions, sills, and rear apron, and all attachments are dyed-through carbon, not painted after production. The front of the car has enlarged air intakes built into a redesigned apron, sending airflow directly to the radiators on the left and right sides, while the side flaps placed in front of and behind the front wheels guide air around the body to increase downforce on the front axle. The hood is also fully made of carbon fiber, and the wheel arch vents and extended front fenders continue the carbon structure.

all images courtesy of Mansory

painted stripe runs across the body in Italian flag colors

From the side of the Ferrari 12Cilindri-converted Mansory Equestre, new panels widen the arches and connect to new carbon sills. At the rear, the modification team designed a carbon apron with an integrated third brake light, and the rear does not have a spoiler, keeping the original Gran Turismo roofline of the car model. The vehicle also includes a painted stripe running across the full body in the colors of the Italian flag. 

As with all Mansory conversions, the interior is custom-built, and customers can choose materials, colors, stitching, and carbon trim designs. In the launch vehicle, the full interior is covered in grey Alcantara, combined with purple accents on the seats, dashboard, and doors. The roof lining is also covered in Alcantara and fitted with small LED lights. There’s an illuminated Mansory logo built into the roof section, and carbon fiber trim is used across the dashboard, console, and door elements. The steering wheel is made of carbon and leather, with a built-in shift indicator, while the seat belts include embroidered Mansory logos.

rear view of the vehicle

Vehicle unveiled during the Monaco Yacht Show 2025

Sports pedals are made of aluminum, and the floor mats are quilted and tailored with Mansory branding. The body panels on the exterior of the Ferrari 12Cilindri-converted Mansory Equestre are made of forged full carbon. The rims are produced by forging aluminum alloy under pressure to make them stronger and lighter compared with cast wheels. The exhaust system is built in stainless steel and coated for heat resistance.

Specs-wise, the 12-cylinder engine results in 755 horsepower and 730 Newton meters of torque. The exhaust system includes four pipes, two catalytic converters, and a valve control system. The Ferrari 12Cilindri-converted Mansory Equestre is the first vehicle to use Mansory’s new VF.5 forged, one-piece lightweight rims. The launch version shows the rims in glossy black, but other colors and sizes will be offered for future projects. So far, the modification firm has introduced the converted car during the Monaco Yacht Show 2025.

Mansory introduced the transformed Ferrari 12Cilindri Equestre

this is the first complete conversion of the Ferrari 12Cilindri by Mansory

a painted stripe runs across the body in Italian flag colors

the Equestre receives changes to almost all visible body parts as Mansory built new components in carbon fiber

the front of the car has enlarged air intakes built into a redesigned apron

purple elements and color for the launch edition

glimpse inside the vehicle

the full interior is covered in grey Alcantara, combined with purple accents on the seats

even the steering wheel is made of carbon and leather

project info:

name: Mansory Equestre

companies: Mansory, Ferrari | @mansory, @ferrari

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The Sea Lion Prototype is dubbed the world’s fastest amphibious car at the time of its creation in 2012, which uses retractable side pods to float on water. A part of the Larry Klairmont Collection in the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum in Chicago, the vehicle uses a Mazda 13B rotary engine with a displacement of 1.3 liters. The engine is equipped with a Camden supercharger and a Holley carburetor, and it is this power unit that drives the wheels for land operation and links it to a marine jet system when the vehicle is in the water. The transmission of power to the jet unit allows the same engine to serve both modes without changing the main drive source.

From the get-go, it is visible that the hull and frame are built from aluminum alloy, with all of their sections CNC-milled and TIG-welded during assembly. The amphibious car Sea Lion Prototype comes with a monocoque section fused to the body at the center of the car to create a single load-bearing structure, and the body includes front and rear fenders that attach directly to the main shell. The use of aluminum reduces overall weight and resists corrosion during water exposure. For operation on land, the car functions as a low two-seat road vehicle. When the driver prepares for water entry, hydraulic actuators pull the front wheels up into the wheel wells. This clears the lower edge of the vehicle and prevents drag in the water, while the side pods, mounted along the flanks on the side, extend outward by mechanical arms, doubling as cargo holders and flotation devices for the vehicle.

all images courtesy of Mecum Auctions

Vehicle in Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum collection

The amphibious car Sea Lion Prototype was designed and built by Marc Witt and SeaRoader Aquatic not as a mass-production model but as an experimental build. Part of the aim was to test how a rotary engine, a jet pump, and a rigid aluminum chassis could work together in a dual-purpose machine, so the team selected the 13B rotary because of its small size and high power output. The jet pump received new housing and alignment to fit the car’s hull. The movement in water then comes from a Berkeley 12 JC jet drive pump, which draws water through an intake at the rear and expels it at high speed through a nozzle to produce thrust. 

Controls inside the cockpit include pedals, a gear selector, and an instrument cluster for land travel. A second set of levers operates the jet pump intake and the position of the steering nozzle, while the fighter-style stick standing between the seats allows the pilot to navigate moving over water. Entry is by a single opening in the top shell, and the seating and controls stay fixed. In a listing by Mecum Auctions, the amphibious car Sea Lion Prototype forms part of the Larry’s Legacy Collection at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum in downtown Chicago. 

the Sea Lion Prototype is dubbed the world’s fastest amphibious car at the time of its creation in 2012

the vehicle recently became a part of the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum collection in downtown Chicago

a glimpse at the cabin of the vehicle

view of the fighter-style stick

detailed view of the engine cover

t is visible that the hull and frame are built from aluminum

view of the engine with see-through glass

view of the wheel

the vehicle comes with a monocoque section fused to the body

project info:

name: Sea Lion Prototype

design: Marc Witt and SeaRoader Aquatic

listing: Mecum Auctions | @mecum_auctions

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Aaron Buck of Milk Man Concepts produces Cab Over Evolved, a drivable and custom six-wheeler that draws design from Hot Wheels diecast models. Completed in 2021 with the name 1991 Dodge D200, the builder created the truck after studying the Hot Wheels models by Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth. He wanted to make a street-legal build with proportions similar to toy cars from that era and began his workmanship using a Ford pickup steel cab. He had shortened the chassis’ roof and extended it in new sections before he reshaped the fenders and joined them to running boards. There’s also a new back panel for the Cab Over Evolved with brackets for teardrop taillights.

All body panels were formed in steel, and the cab has shaved doors mounted on rear hinges. There are no side windows, but there is a triangular grille set between long overriders on a split front bumper. The individual fenders protect the rear wheels, the bodywork was coated in House of Kolor blue paint with airbrushed faux wear marks and copper graphics, and the frame is made from tubular steel built in-house. Copper accents appear throughout the vehicle, from the wheels and mirrors to the valve cover. Interior trim uses leather stretched over custom mounts, and many pieces, including the grille and console, were shaped by hand.

all images courtesy of Bring A Trailer

Metal and copper accents for the interiors

The Can Over Evolved by Aaron Buck of Milk Man Concepts was recently offered for sale with a clean Carfax report. Its new owner can enjoy the Hot Wheels-inspired vehicle, and when they step inside, they see a hand-formed dashboard and a center console that were built from metal and painted to match the body. The seats, door panels, headliner, and rear bulkhead are trimmed in leather supplied by the Leather Hide Store. A Lokar shifter sits in the console, and the cabin also holds a Painless four-position headlight switch and a 21-circuit wiring kit. The instrumentation is supplied by Veethree gauges, still set in copper bezels alongside the three-spoke steering. 

The main speedometer shows up to 120 mph, and extra gauges display fluid levels and engine data, but the speedometer and fuel gauge are currently nonfunctional. Specs-wise, the power is supplied by a 12-valve 5.9-liter Cummins 6BT turbodiesel engine taken from a 1991 Dodge D250. The engine has a rebuilt injection pump, Bosch injectors, and a Holset HX35 turbocharger. A killer dowel pin repair kit, an intercooler with three-inch pipes, and a large radiator were added during assembly. A 46RH four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the middle axle, and the drive shafts and mounts were adapted to link the gearbox to the axles. At the present time, the Can Over Evolved truck may not run as fast as a typical vehicle even if it’s functional.

Aaron Buck of Milk Man Concepts produces Cab Over Evolved

the vehicle is a drivable and custom six-wheeler that draws design from Hot Wheels diecast models

it is completed in 2021 with the name 1991 Dodge D200

front view with the doors open

the builder created the truck after studying the Hot Wheels models by Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth

the builder shortened the chassis’ roof and extended it in new sections

glimpse inside the vehicle

teardrop-shaped seats inside the cabin

a hand-formed dashboard and a center console were built from metal and painted to match the body

all body panels of the vehicle were formed in steel

project info:

name: Cab Over Evolved

design: Aaron Buck of Milk Man Concepts

listings: Bring A Trailer, Mecum Auctions | @bringatrailer, @mecum_auctions

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AVATR unveils the Vision Xpectra at IAA Mobility 2025, a concept car with a prismatic glass cabin and a living AI-powered vortex that learns the driver’s needs and behaviors. Driven by ‘emotional intelligence’, the series of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence software monitor the driver, passengers, and the vehicle’s environment. As an example, these motion sensors detect the driver when they approach the car and light up before they even reach it. It creates a wake-up sequence where the car seems to come alive.

Outside, the team applies what they describe as diamond-cut precision, which creates sharp, geometric surfaces reminiscent of cut gemstones. The prismatic glass cabin uses advanced glazing technology that allows light to refract and the outsiders to see the inside. In the cabin of the AVATR Vision Xpectra car sits a combination of nubuck leather, which is a type of sanded leather with a soft texture, three-dimensional knitted fabrics, and inflatable components that can change shape based on user preferences or driving conditions.

all images courtesy of AVATR

AI-powered vortex that creates custom light effects

Still inside the vehicle, the central control system, called the Vortex, functions as the middle system between the driver and the car. This AI learns from user behavior patterns over time, similar to how streaming services learn your preferences and suggest content. The system processes voice commands with a Voice Personal Assistant (VPA) that analyzes creates personalized responses using visual particles, lighting effects, and customized sound environments.

The cabin also features what AVATR describes as the Alabaster Shimmer concept, which combines multiple textures and materials to create a comfortable environment. Lavender glass elements throughout the interior refract light in specific ways, creating atmospheric effects, and when doors open, mechanical lamellas (thin strips or fins) extend outward, physically expanding the interior space and creating a bridge between inside and outside environments.

AVATR unveils the Vision Xpectra at IAA Mobility 2025, a concept car with a prismatic glass cabin

Central console that turns the vehicle into autonomous car

The AVATR Vision Xpectra car has multiple layers of lighting systems. Shadow lights embedded beneath body panels create subtle illumination that follows the car’s geometric lines. Then, dynamic ambient lighting inside the cabin adjusts color, intensity, and pattern based on occupant mood, external conditions, or vehicle status. This lighting system connects to the AI, allowing the car to express different emotions through color and movement patterns.

Between the driver and front passenger, the central Vortex can switch the vehicle from assisted driving to fully autonomous cruising mode. It manages these transitions using touch and gesture controls. In front of the driver, the dashboard features a panoramic transparent display that displays the driving information, and the steering wheel has a steel-like reflective surface similar to the futuristic theme of the cabin. So far, AVATR has introduced Vision Xpectra as a concept car during the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich.

the motion sensors detect the driver when they approach the car and light up

the geometric surfaces are reminiscent of cut gemstones

aerial view of the vehicle with the living AI-powered vortex

glimpse inside the cabin

the headrests have embedded lighting

the center console can switch the vehicle’s mode from assisted driving to fully autonomous

the AI-powered vortex can create custom lighting effects and personalized responses for the users

view of the steering wheel with a reflective surface

project info:

name: Vision Xpectra

company: AVATR | @avatr_design

The post AVATR introduces vision xpectra concept car with prismatic glass cabin and living ‘vortex’ appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Ferrari unveils the 849 Testarossa, a revival of the company’s 1984 car, now a hybrid plug-in super sports berlinetta. Replacing the SF90 Stradale model, the sports car derives its name from Maranello’s history, Testa Rossa, which was first used on the 500 TR in 1956 to describe the color of the cam covers of some of Ferrari’s high-performance vehicles before being given its own proper car with the 1984 Testarossa.

Today, the once wedge-shaped vehicle gets a modern makeover, all the while keeping the familiar silhouette and look of its elder sibling. The Ferrari Styling Center, led by Flavio Manzoni, has worked on the design of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa car, starting with the lines that run vertically and horizontally across surfaces. They form geometric patterns, with the sharp edges separating different surface areas while the smooth curves connect the sharp edges.

all images courtesy of Ferrari

Tails that replicate the 512 S race car’s design

Starting at the front of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa car, the front bumper connects the headlights of the vehicle and creates a bridge shape. There’s a black splitter that sits below the bumper, and here, the body-colored flicks are also extended. Two tail sections appear at the rear, a means to replicate the 512 S race car’s design. An active wing moves between the tails, which can change its position in a second, and the center houses the three round exhausts. Ferrari forms the aluminum panels around the 849 Testarossa car separately, having machines cut them to exact shapes and workers weld them to the chassis frame.

It is this aluminum that the team uses for the door, designed with 3D curves and doubling as an air duct to allow the air to flow from it to the intercooler. It also has a main crease line, which runs from front to back, and black intake vents sit in the door side. Even the wheels are made from aluminum with diamond-cut surfaces covering the wheel faces and air channels running through the wheel spokes. The windshield visibly curves around the cabin, and the side windows fit flush with door surfaces. As for the rear window, it is integrated with the tail sections.

Ferrari unveils the 849 Testarossa, a revival of the company’s 1984 car, now a hybrid plug-in super sports berlinetta

racing car seats for 849 testarossa by ferrari

Inside the Ferrari 849 Testarossa car, the dashboard has two parts, with the upper one floating above the lower part. A band connects them, and it also holds the controls and screens. In the upper dashboard, the C-shaped vents sit, enclosed by aluminum frames. These vents direct the air into the cabin. Two sail shapes hold the controls in the lower dashboard, one for the passenger side and the other for the driver. Then, there’s a tunnel that runs between the seats, holding the secondary functions and using less space than before. Each door has one sail shape, which anchors one speaker covered with an aluminum grille.

Ferrari makes two seat types for the 849 Testarossa car: the comfort seats use fabric or leather, while the racing seats use carbon fiber backs with side bolsters. Since the door panels use less width at the bottom, they create more legroom, resulting in the rear seats having more space, too. On the dashboard, the driver and the front passenger have their own screens, both of which show the vehicle’s driving info. There’s another variant of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa car, and it goes by the name and style of the Assetto Fiorano.

lines run vertically and horizontally across surfaces and exterior of the vehicle

Assetto fiorano option with iconic stripes on the exterior

The Assetto Fiorano is an optional trim level of the 849 Testarossa, which has components that are not present in the red-colored vehicle. The model sheds 30 kilos from the original variant’s weight because it uses composite materials like carbon fiber and titanium, which are significantly lighter than the ones used in the primary car. Inside, the lightweight tubular seats upholstered in black Alcantara, which shaves 18 kilos of weight from the standard seats, are some of the specific components for the Assetto Fiorano, as well as the 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels that reduce mass and improve responsiveness when accelerating and braking.

The front of this model has larger flicks too, and its underfloor comes with an additional pair of vortex generators, which increase the airflow for aerodynamics. At the back, there are no longer twin tails, unlike in the Ferrari 849 Testarossa car, but two twin wings set between two vertical endplates. They help triple the vertical downforce without significantly affecting the aerodynamic drag. The Assetto Fiorano option can be completed with a livery in Bianco Cervino or Rossa Corsa, a reinterpretation of the classic double longitudinal stripes that start at the end of the bonnet, cross the roof, and then end on the rear deck.

two tail sections appear at the rear, a means to replicate the 512 S race car’s design

an active wing moves between the tails, which can change its position in a second

Ferrari forms the aluminum panels around the 849 Testarossa car separately

rear view of the vehicle

glimpse inside the vehicle

there are two options for the seats, with the racing kind having carbon fiber backs

the dashboard has two parts, with the upper one floating above the lower part

project info:

name: 849 Testarossa

car manufacturer: Ferrari | @ferrari

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Uber and Momenta have announced at IAA Mobility 2025 that they’re set to test AI-driven autonomous taxis in Munich, Germany, starting in 2026. First introduced in May 2025, the agreement hopes to bring the driverless transport system around Europe after it is implemented in the US and China. Munich, Germany, serves as the initial testing ground for the collaboration, with Uber and Momenta, a Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company, aiming to deploy Level 4 autonomous vehicles on Uber’s ridesharing platform as the end goal.

When this happens, self-driving taxis can start roaming around Europe as part of its daily transport system. At the moment, there are no commercial autonomous robotaxis available around the continent, mainly due to funding, (safety) regulations, and proper infrastructure. If the companies’ testing and all the necessary checks after have been completed and approved, passengers in Europe – at least in Munich, Germany – can request autonomous taxis through Uber using Momenta’s AI-driven vehicles.

all images courtesy of Momenta

cars that use real-world driving data from 400,000 vehicles

Momenta has a tech-driven process before taking its autonomous taxis to Uber. The company employs what it calls a two-leg strategy for autonomous vehicle development, with the first leg involving deploying Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. This approach allows Momenta to collect real-world driving data from 400,000 vehicles already on roads. The second leg focuses on developing full Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities for robotaxi applications.

The core technology relies on AI-first autonomous driving systems, the ones that process multiple data streams all at once. These systems use machine learning algorithms trained on massive datasets collected from real-world driving scenarios. The AI processes information from cameras, lidar sensors, radar systems, and GPS navigation to make real-time driving decisions, and the system continuously learns and improves through data collected from both ADAS-equipped vehicles and dedicated robotaxi operations.

Uber and Momenta are set to test AI-driven autonomous taxis in Munich, Germany, starting in 2026

multiple sensor technologies from lidar systems to cameras

Momenta’s autonomous taxis on Uber come with multiple sensor technologies, from the lidar systems that create detailed 3D maps of the vehicle’s surroundings to the cameras that provide visual recognition of traffic signs, lane markings, and other vehicles. Radar sensors detect objects in various weather conditions, and ultrasonic sensors assist with close-proximity navigation during parking and low-speed maneuvers.

The companies say that at first, safety operators will remain onboard during the testing phase in Munich, Germany, to monitor vehicle performance and intervene if necessary. The goal is to eventually operate without human safety drivers once the technology proves reliable. Level 4 systems may have geographical or weather-related limitations, meaning the vehicles can operate autonomously in designated areas and conditions but may require human takeover in edge cases or outside their operational parameters. At the present time, Uber and Momenta have only announced the testing phase of the autonomous taxis in Munich, Germany, starting in 2026.

the project hopes to bring the driverless transport system around Europe after it is implemented in the US and China

when this happens, self-driving taxis can start roaming around Europe as part of its daily transport system

project info:

companies: Uber, Momenta | @uber

The post are autonomous taxis driven by AI and algorithms coming to europe soon? appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

A wooden 2020 Bentley Continental GT replicates the original car model with sculpted controls, gauges, and speakers in the timber-made cabin. Acquired by the Auto Sport Florida group in 2025, the company showcases the vehicle in its store in Boca Raton, Florida. The team says that it measures 1:1 scale, meaning the wooden vehicle has the same size as the real Bentley Continental GT car, and that the builders constructed the car in Belgium.

The makers used reclaimed marine-grade teak wood. Marine-grade means the wood works on boats in salt water and that the material doesn’t rot in wet conditions. The craftsmen spent more than 3,000 hours building the model, and the finished vehicle weighs around 2,000 pounds. From the outside, the wooden Bentley Continental GT displays carved wood pieces that were glued together during the process (some glue joints show cracks now). The model also has opening doors with metal hinges, and all windows use acrylic plastic so they don’t break easily.

all images courtesy of Auto Sport Florida, via eBay

Movable wheels to replicate the original car’s steering

For the headlight covers of the wooden Bentley Continental GT, the craftsmen also applies acrylic plastic to them so they’re sturdy. They worked on different paint colors for the grille and painted the exhaust outlets. As well as the headlight and taillight frames. Even the wheels, brake discs, and lug bolts are made from wood, with the artisans carving tire patterns into the wood to replicate the real tire treads from the original vehicle.

Two steel axles support the model, connected to the wood beams that form the main frame. The wooden Bentley Continental GT is movable, as the front wheels can turn left and right. It is the makers’ attempt to imitate the car steering of the real vehicle, so when the driver turns the steering wheel, so do the front wheels. Inside the vehicle, the interior faithfully follows the design of the GT car’s cabin, sculpted to bring out the details.

awooden 2020 Bentley Continental GT replicates the original car model with sculpted controls and cabin

three-dimensional emblems showing the Bentley icon

The interior of the wooden Bentley Continental GT has four seats, just like in the real model, and the dashboard, gauges, controls, speakers, air vents, and pedals are all made and constructed from wood. The console runs from front to back and has controls and buttons. The door panels also replicate the real car doors, including the window controls. The panels have speaker locations as well as storage areas, still made in timber.

The floors use plywood panels, with the thin wood layers glued together. The interior shows wear marks, and some wood surfaces have scratches. Other areas of the wooden Bentley Continental GT show color fading, as seen in the photos. The recreated model has three-dimensional emblems showing the Bentley icon. The grille has diamond patterns, and the artisans carved these patterns by hand. At the time of publishing, the non-drivable model sits in the showroom of the Auto Sport Florida group.

it measures 1:1 scale, meaning the wooden vehicle has the same size as the real Bentley Continental GT car

the interior of the wooden Bentley Continental GT has four seats, just like in the real model

view of the cabin

even the seats follow the style of the ones in the original model

project info:

model: Bentley Continental GT

company: Bentley, Auto Sport Florida | @bentleymotors

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BMW lifts the curtains on the fully electric BMW iX3, its first-ever Neue Klasse model to go into series production. Ahead of its world premiere at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich from September 9-14, 2025, designboom had a first glimpse at the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that unveils a new design language, which will be replicated across the brand’s future model range, a powerful electronics architecture with four ‘superbrains,’ and a holistic approach to circularity. The model signals a profound leap in technology, design, and user experience for the German automotive giant.

‘The Neue Klasse is our biggest future-focused project and marks a huge leap forward in terms of technologies, driving experience and design. Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever. Our whole product range will benefit from the innovations brought by the Neue Klasse,’ states Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

BMW presents the first series-produced Neue Klasse model | all images courtesy of BMW

NEW BRAND FACE FOR BMW MODELS

Following the acclaimed Vision Neue Klasse X concept car, the BMW iX3 is a tangible statement of that vision becoming a reality. It will be manufactured at the BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary, where the fully electric SAV rolls off the assembly line from autumn 2025, presenting a new brand face for the Bavarian company. Referencing the Neue Klasse models from the 1960s, the iconic BMW kidneys and headlight signatures are reimagined with vertical LED units and dynamic lighting effects, replacing traditional chrome with brilliant light to showcase the vehicle’s unmistakable character.

the new-generation BMW iX3 is a fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)

Stripped away from unnecessary elements to create a powerful, monolithic silhouette, even the use of flush doorhandles helps create a clean, focused visual presence. This is accentuated with the aerodynamically-optimized greenhouse. Inside, the interior mirrors the exterior’s refined forms, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere through large window surfaces and an optional panoramic sunroof. The overall interior is meticulously designed to focus attention on the BMW-typical driver focus and the new digital experience.

with the unveiling, BMW presents a new design language which will be replicated across the brand’s future model range

CONSUMMATE USER EXPERIENCE WITH PANORAMIC IDRIVE

The BMW iX3 is the first production vehicle to feature the company’s patented Panoramic iDrive. This revolutionary system, revealed at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, elevates the brand’s renowned ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road’ principle to new levels. Information is projected across the entire width of the windscreen from A-pillar to A-pillar via BMW Panoramic Vision, ensuring that critical driving data is always in the driver’s natural line of sight. An optional 3D Head-Up Display adds three-dimensional depth to navigation and automated driving displays, providing an even more focused experience.

the BMW iX3 is the first series-produced model in which BMW Panoramic iDrive redefines the user experience

The system is further anchored by a central 17.9-inch display with matrix backlight technology, angled toward the driver for optimal ergonomics. It features QuickSelect technology for intuitive access to frequently used functions, allowing content to be swiped into the Panoramic Vision. The boxy multifunction steering wheel uses a ‘shy-tech’ approach, where buttons only illuminate when a function is available, creating an intelligent and uncluttered command center.

the free-cut-design central display is located in an ergonomically ideal position next to the steering wheel

FOUR ‘SUPERBRAINS’ AND ‘HEART OF JOY’ DRIVE NEW BMW

The BMW iX3’s intelligence is driven by its four high-performance computers — dubbed ‘superbrains’ — which act as a digital nervous system, handling everything from infotainment to automated driving and core comfort functions. The most dynamic of these is the ‘Heart of Joy,’ which manages the car’s drivetrain and driving dynamics. By processing information up to ten times faster than conventional systems, it ensures a uniquely harmonious and precise driving feeling. This technology is so advanced that in everyday driving, up to 98% of all braking is carried out using recuperation alone, efficiently converting energy back into the battery. 

On top of that, the car’s high-voltage battery with cylindrical cells delivers a significant increase in power and range, providing up to 805 kilometres (500 miles) of travel. At a DC fast-charging station, the iX3 can add more than 350 kilometers (217 miles) of range in just 10 minutes. Furthermore, the car features bidirectional charging, a premiere for BMW. This means the iX3 can not only take energy from the grid but can also be used as a mobile power bank to power your home or send energy back to the grid.

the BMW iX3 sets new standards for efficiency and longdistance capability

HOLISTIC COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND CIRCULARITY

Beyond its electric powertrain, the BMW iX3 embodies a holistic commitment to sustainability and circularity. It is the first BMW model to feature a ‘secondary first’ philosophy, with around one-third of the vehicle made from secondary raw materials. The entire interior is free of traditional leather, with seat surfaces trimmed in a material called Econeer, which is made from 100% recycled PET yarn. Even the yarn for the headliner and floor mats is made from entirely recycled materials. The iX3 also pioneers the use of recycled maritime plastic, repurposed from discarded fishing nets to create selected components.

The focus on mono-material design and eco-conscious manufacturing at the fossil fuel-free Debrecen plant not only lowers the vehicle’s carbon footprint by a third but also ensures that components can be more easily disassembled and recycled at the end of the vehicle’s life, proving that a premium, high-performance car can also be a leader in environmental responsibility.

BMW is also mindful of the complete vehicle life cycle when it comes to both the choice of materials and their processing

at a DC fast-charging station, the iX3 can add more than 350 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes

the sculpted BMW kidneys reference the Neue Klasse of the 1960s in their vertical arrangement

the fully electric SAV rolls off the assembly line from autumn 2025

project info:

name: BMW iX3 

company: BMW | @bmw

The post BMW previews electric neue klasse production model iX3 ahead of IAA mobility 2025 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.