Chinese battery giant CATL has just announced a revolutionary new battery format and brand called the CATL Freevoy Dual Battery. Apparently this battery is the first of a new generation of multi-mode batteries which will allow for up to 1500km of range, and a charge speed of 5 minutes to 520km. The company released very few details of the rollout except to say that it's a new era in battery technology. The launch presentation was full of slides depicting different scenarios, but with very little details on the eventual format of these new multi-mode batteries.

It seems that the idea is for battery packs to be configurable on the fly by the battery management system (BMS) which could incorporate multiple battery chemistries inside one pack. By doing this the user can take advantage of, say, low-temperature chemistry for everyday commuting, and then switch technologies on the fly to a better chemistry for long-distance travel. This would be a revolution not just for EVs, but also for other forms of transportation such as airplanes and heavy trucking. It's not hard to see the company releasing a dual mode battery which incorporates cheap LFP alongside more expensive sodium ion technology in order to get the benefits of both in one pack.

The thing about CATL is it's not a boastful company, so if they say they've got this technology coming, then it's coming sooner rather than later probably.

https://www.youtube.com/live/J6gaDQL64AY

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Well this is slightly crazy. Actually scratch that, it's completely insane. The Red Ferret is officially 25 years old this month. That's right, I started this silly little general tech blog back in March of 2000 AD. It certainly wasn't supposed to last this long, 'cos I only started writing it as a kind of cathartic tech diary/aide-memoire each month. It was my space to write as I chose. No editors to answer to, no big agenda, no relentless drive for visitors. The Ferret was quite simply my baby.

That's not to say we haven't seen our share of success. At our peak - before Google imploded under the weight of relentless SEO gaming - we were a six figure visitors a month blog, back in the day when that really meant something. There are over 20,000+ posts on the site, of which some 30% are mine personally. And we've had some spectacularly awesome writers and editors, both here on the blog and on our YouTube channel. A huge thanks and shout-out to you all of course. Family!

I'm not sure if any of our original readers are still around, since let's face it, a quarter of a century is a long time. Ridiculous really. But just in case (in some improbable timeline of the universe kind of way)  there are long time readers still here, I'd just like to say a heartfelt thanks for sticking with us. And haven't you got any work to do? :)

Anyhoo, if this was an indie movie script, I'd probably say - in a generically understated Brit way - "here's to the next 25 years". But it's not and I won't. I'll just wish you all a great day, and leave it at that. :)

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I just donated to the Freeourfeeds campaign, which is a movement to create a new open social media structure, that is immune to the kind of abuse we've seen recently by billionaire interests. The idea is to use the Blueskay technology protocol - the AT Protocol - to create a raft of new products to rival the giants like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

The key difference with the new products is they will be federated, so users can take their account with them if and when they move because of abuse, or simply because they want a change. No more lock-in to a platform because you'll lose all your connections and content etc. The initiative is supported by a bunch of solid people, who have reputations and Internet legacy. So I'm supporting them. Now all that's needed is to raise enough independent money (i.e. no venture capital vultures) to get the ball rolling.

So please donate whatever you can if you want to see a better, more user safe Internet and social media landscape. Peace out! continue reading

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So some key members of the NotebookLM team have today jumped ship to start work on a new project. Details are very sparse at the moment, but from what I can gather it looks like they'll be working on something along the lines of a NotebooklM on steroids. Raiza, the senior project manager at Google who was looking after the NotebookLM project, and who's one of the jumpees, was very clear in a recent interview that she had a strong vision for the product, which went way beyond just doing podcasts of uploaded documents. It's going to be interesting to see what turns up. continue reading

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AI model wrapper TypingMind has just introduced Artifacts for any AI model that supports plugins. It's super easy to use via the prompt box, and gives much more flexibility than just using Claude Artifacts. continue reading

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The Everything Electric Show is fast becoming the number one spot to check out the latest EV and renewable technology in and around the UK.  This year's 2024 show was crammed with some cool stuff. We took a walk to check out the most interesting bits, to get a feel for where things are going. continue reading

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If anyone has any lingering doubts about the current direction we're heading in with regards to A.I. and deepfake technology, I would urge them to take a look at this EMO deepfake technology demonstration. The official title for the demo is EMO: Emote Portrait Alive. And boy does it deliver.

To be clear, this astonishing stuff involves taking a single photograph, and adding audio of any random talking or singing to generate a 'live' video in action. continue reading

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Seventeen long years ago I wrote a piece here called The Gadget Manifesto. It was a rant borne out of frustration with the relentless increase in junk technology. The problem was basically too much Far Eastern manufacturing capacity chasing too few consumers. Result...price plummeting, quality plummeting, consumers suffering. I'm revisiting this subject only because it looks like we're clearly not going to reverse course any time soon.

Nearly 2 decades on, we're still buying this junk, and throwing it away in planet squandering quantities. continue reading

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The Honda Motocompacto has to be one of the weirdest e-bikes we've ever seen. It's not just the strange skinny shape, it's also the fact that it doesn't appear to offer any real advantage over an electric scooter except a rudimentary seat. Just 3.7 inches wide, it's made out of aluminum and plastic, and boasts a max speed of 12 mph and a range of 15 miles per 3 hour charge. continue reading

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As we cruise into the future of electric vehicles (EVs), the buzz around solid-state battery technology is getting louder and more electrifying. Imagine a world where EVs charge faster than your smartphone, drive huge distances, and are safer than your gran on a Friday night. That's the promise of solid-state batteries, a technology that's poised to supercharge the EV revolution.

Solid-state batteries are like the cool new kids on the block, set to replace the lithium-ion batteries we've come to know. The secret sauce? They swap out the liquid electrolyte for a solid one. This might not sound like a big deal, but it's a game-changer. Solid electrolytes are less flammable, which means they're safer. No more worrying about your EV battery overheating or turning into a roadside barbecue.

But safety isn't the only perk. These batteries also deliver the goods when it comes to energy density. With solid-state tech, batteries can store more energy in the same space, giving EVs a much-needed range boost. Imagine driving from New York to Washington D.C. without stopping to charge. That's the kind of road trip we're talking about. Not to mention the fact that taking up less space means they could be used in other transportation, like commuter planes.

Charging times are another area where solid-state batteries could leave current tech in the dust. We're looking at the potential to juice up an EV in the time it takes to grab a coffee and a donut. That's a far cry from the 30 minutes to an hour it can take today. Companies like QuantumScape.com are buzzing with updates on how their solid-state battery prototypes are pushing the limits of charging speeds.

Solid-state batteries are the marathon runners of the battery world. They can handle more charge cycles before they start to wear out. This means your EV's battery could last as long as the car itself. No more battery replacements every few years. It's a win for your wallet and the environment.

Of course, with any new technology, there are challenges to overcome. Solid-state batteries are still in the development phase, and researchers are working hard to make them affordable and ready for mass production. Companies like CATL and Toyota are investing heavily in this technology, betting on a future where solid-state batteries power their fleets. But with Toyota predicting products on the shelves in 2028, things are not moving as fast as many would hope. As you'd expect, the Chinese seem to be leading the charge. But it's still an open race.

And it's not just the big automakers getting in on the action. Startups like Solid Power (SolidPowerBattery.com) are also forging ahead, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. They're working on making solid-state batteries that are not only powerful but also cost-effective, aiming to bring them to market within the next few years.

The Solid State Future is so bright...

So, what does all this mean for the future of EVs? It's all looking pretty bright—like, LED-headlights-on-a-dark-road bright. The new battery tech is pushing us to the cusp of an EV utopia where range anxiety is a thing of the past, charging is lightning-fast, and safety is top-notch. It's a future where EVs aren't just an alternative to gas-powered cars; they're the obvious choice (sorry all you fossil lovers out there).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5g5LpjaDco

It's becoming clear that if the technology pans out, with the promise of higher energy density, faster charging times, increased safety, and longer lifespans, these batteries are the key to unlocking the full potential of EVs. While there's still work to be done, the road ahead is pretty exciting.

This all sounds great, but when can we get our hands on an EV with solid-state batteries? The problem is most companies are keeping their cards close to their chest. For some, like Toyota, we're talking up to five years away. But recent announcements from some of the Chinese giants suggest that it could all happen by the end of next year.  Researchers and companies are working hard to overcome challenges like manufacturing costs and finding the perfect materials for the job. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has a great article that dives deeper into the nitty-gritty of solid-state batteries. Check it out!

The road ahead for EV batteries is paved with solid-state technology. It's an exciting time for electric vehicles, with advancements that promise to make them more accessible and practical for daily use. While there's still work to be done, the technology is definitely moving ahead. But let's not forget that conventional Lithium-Ion is also developing quickly. Already we're at 400 mile range and more, and there's no reason to think that number won't keep increasing. Still, here's to a future where EVs are powered by long-lasting, energy-dense batteries that take us further than ever before. Whichever way the journey takes, the next generation of EVs is just getting started, and it's sure to be an electrifying ride. continue reading

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It's hard not to enjoy the constant stream of Chinese electric cars coming down the pipe. Another day, another ridiculously cheap model. This LUQI M1 EV300 electric car is reminiscent of the Renault Twizy (£6950), but with a touch more room and polish. Of course it's only a city runabout (or should we say crawlabout?), but it's definitely got bags of cute. continue reading

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Just in case you missed the memo, the Chinese are starting to own the electric car business. Sure Tesla gets the headlines, but behind the scenes companies like Geely, SAIC, BYD and Chery are making big big waves. So no surprise then to find a tiny brand doing some interesting stuff, like this Blaval M7 solar powered EV. The range starts at a ridiculously low $5000 for the ultra slow golf cart model, but spend a little more and you're into regular EV city commuter level. continue reading

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Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse better, news comes that WordPress.com has just embedded an AI feature into it's blog editing code. The Jetpack AI Assistant is a one click solution for those who want to produce vapid, generic, boring blog posts at the touch of a button. Did we get that right? continue reading

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Ever felt the need to scream out loud? But you were too embarrassed by close neighbors? Well now you've got the perfect chance. The Danbocchi Personal Soundproof Studio is designed to give you a private space to make noise, whenever you want. The person sized box is fully sound proofed and large enough for someone to sit inside and...well do stuff. Like shout, scream, bang a pot, scream some more...you get the picture.

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Google has just announced a new virtual shopping experience for search which lets you try on apparel virtually using some AI cleverness. Users in the US (only, at first) will be able to try out an item of clothing from a catalog if it has a 'Try On' badge on it in search. The service is starting with a limited number of brands including Anthropologie, Everlane, H&M and LOFT, and a limited repertoire of AI generated lady's tops.  Virtual shopping is not new of course, but where this one differs is in the use of generative AI models for the items. continue reading

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In one of those science fiction becomes fact moments, an enterprising project in Shenzhen, China has seen the first public demonstration of a manned electric flying saucer. Hey ho, UFO no more. The craft, which was shown flying around a tech park, was developed with the help of Northwestern Polytechnical University and manufactured by Shenzen UFO Flying Saucer Technology. The video of the event shows a vehicle which looks decidedly unsteady in flight, even with six independent ducts with dual fans. continue reading

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Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered an ingenious new way to recycle Lithium Ion batteries, and it's so simple that even your mum could do it. Maybe.

The problem with battery recycling has always been that it's rather cumbersome. Traditional methods involve breaking down batteries into their constituent parts, then extracting the valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The process works, but it's not exactly what you'd call efficient, and it can be quite costly. continue reading

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Dr Gordon Moore, one of the three co-founders of Intel Corporation has passed away in Hawaii at the age of 94.  I had the privilege of interviewing him in London in March 1997, and he came across as a genuinely humble man, typical of the genuine 'boffin' type of the time.

The thing I remember mostly from the interview was his professed love for antiques. Apparently he and his wife, Betty, spent a lot of their free time browsing for antiques. Which seemed rather ironic for a man who was so pivotal in creating our future. I've posted my original interview below.

He was mostly famous for Moore's Law, but in my eyes, he and his colleagues were responsible for the technological revolution that we still enjoy to this day, thanks to the miniature integrated circuit or IC. Without the pioneering work done by Intel, based on earlier work from Bell and Shockley labs and Fairchild, none of our modern tech would exist.

The only other thing I remember about the interview, was my horror when my then editor at The Times decided to run the piece under a title which contained the term Mr Chips, taken from the book and film from the 1930s. I was horrified that my rather fawning interview could be relegated to a quirky headline, and I made my displeasure known to no avail. Well sadly, the title has now come into its own. Bon voyage Doctor Moore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi_Kgy9W2Ng

Gordon Moore Interview: Nigel Powell, March 1997

Computers in the future may not turn out to be quite as science fiction as the media would have us believe. In an interview in London last week, Gordon Moore, founder and chairman emeritus of Intel Corporation, poured cold water on some of the more fashionable computing concepts of the moment, such as quantum and DNA computers.

“I don’t believe that devices such as the quantum computer will replace the transistor based model”, he told Interface, “In order for these radical kinds of technology to succeed they need to match the performance and costs of conventional semiconductor products, and I can’t see them doing that for a long time, if ever”.

He was speaking on the eve of a seminar at Cambridge University, where he presented a paper on semiconductor performance issues, and met with the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking. Dr Moore, who has a Ph.D. in physics and chemistry and is chairman of the trustees of the California Institute of Technology, agrees with Professor Hawking that present computer design methods will only start to run up against real barriers once the size of the components they are dealing with reach atomic proportions. “The professor pointed out to us on a recent visit to the USA that the constraints are likely to be the velocity of light and the atomic nature of matter”, he says, “And that made a lot of sense”.

Moore is also surprisingly downbeat about the potential for making computers easier to use in the future. While acknowledging that the computer keyboard is a definite hurdle for most people, he is sceptical about current claims that we are close to controlling computers by talking to them like Mr Spock in Star Trek. “I think that we are probably at least 10 years away from the point where computers will be able to understand normal continuous speech”, he says, “And we will be well into the next century before we can hold an intelligent conversation with them”

Intel is now the largest semiconductor company in the world, but even so, Moore realises that the days of one company going it alone on product development may be coming to an end. The price of a new chip factory, or fab plant, is now in the region of $2.5 billion, a figure that only the very top players can afford. The company has already started joint development of a new processor with Hewlett Packard and Moore feels that it may be necessary to continue this trend in the future. “We may look at developing longer term products with a consortium of partners”, he says, “Although we will probably try and keep production under our own control”.

Despite this cautious view of the future, the soft spoken Silicon Valley pioneer remains passionate about the industry he did so much to help create. He is enthusiastic about the potential of the Internet – “I checked it before I flew over to see if there were any good plays on in London” – while conceding that he is not an addict to computers in general. “I’m the only Intel executive who travels around without a laptop”, he says with a smile.

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Fruit harvesting is one of the trickiest parts of the agricultural spectrum. The fruit not only has to be selected when it's at the ideal ripeness, but also has to be picked very carefully so it doesn't bruise or suffer damage. Now Israeli made Tevel fruit harvesting bots promise to revolutionize the process of fruit harvesting in a big way. continue reading

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Shutterstock, the $2 billion market cap digital content company, has just announced the launch of a free AI generative art service. The announcement wasn't exactly unexpected, but even so it's going to rock the foundations of the creative arts industry to its core.

It's one thing to watch small upstart companies like Stability AI and Midjourney unveil artificially generated imagery. It's altogether another to see a publicly quoted giant like Shutterstock embrace the technology as a first mover advantage. continue reading

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Californian company Brimstone has announced the development of the world's first carbon negative cement product. It's a bold statement, and if true could revolutionize the global building industry and lead to a new era of carbon neutral construction.  Cement is a big deal.

Every year and estimated 4.4 billion tons of the stuff is produced to craft our buildings. But there's a hidden cost to the environment. If cement was a country, it would be the third largest CO2 emitter in the world, after the US and China. In fact, according to the BBC, it accounts for a massive 8% of all global carbon emissions. continue reading

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