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FT editor Roula Khalaf picks her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Doing Cousteau with all my might
Underwater scooters (or diver propelled vehicles, DPVs) are vehicles that drag willing humans underwater by mechanical means, allowing them to gain speed, conserve energy, and free up their hands for other tasks (especially filming). Until very recently, these gadgets were either bulky professional-grade or tiny, lightweight models that ran out of battery within minutes. But that all changed with Lefeet’s S1 Pro, launched in 2021. The unit played a middle ground between the two. Matthias Lebo, a Swiss-based underwater cinematographer, described it as “revolutionary.” “It was like using a large underwater scooter with a very small footprint,” he says.
Leafeat P1
Price: $1,099
Click: lefeet.com
Its newly launched successor, the P1, is more powerful yet even more compact. The “standard” version with a 100Wh battery is just over a foot long. The battery and two controller handles attach easily to the aluminum body, and you simply select and hold a speed level (1-4 on the standard model). The larger XR model (with a 160Wh battery) adds a fifth “hurricane” level, which pulls at about 6 mph, which Lebo says is “probably about three times the speed of a fin.” Speed level 1, however, is fast enough to pull someone in a drysuit through the rising tide.
Any modern-day Jacques Cousteau would appreciate a rail for mounting an action camera like a GoPro. And because you’re essentially towed instead of on fins, your footage will be much smoother. “Usually it takes a lot of practice and training to get the footage to be shake-free,” says Rebo, noting that you can also mount the P1 on a tank or leg, or use the two in tandem. “If you want to shoot a shipwreck 35 meters deep, this makes it much easier,” he says. “You save air, arrive more relaxed, and use that air to focus on filming.” The battery is airline-approved and travel-friendly, opening up the world of assisted diving.
Isn’t that bionic?
Dnsys X1 Exoskeleton
Price: $1,198
Click: dnsys.ai
Just as an electric bike helps you pedal, a new breed of exoskeleton can help ease the strain of walking, hiking, and running. The X1’s Velcro strap wraps around your torso, while two arms extend up your thighs and clip in just above your knees. The motors can be set in either “assist” mode (which the manufacturer claims makes you feel 38kg lighter) or “resistance” mode for those who want to push themselves. In “resistance” mode, you have to work much harder to cover the same distance. YouTuber and outdoor adventurer Stephen J Reid tested the “assist” mode in a 125m sprint, clocking in at 27 seconds without the X1 and 22 seconds with it. Bionic, but not diabolical.
Flash Drive
Playseat Formula Intelligence F1 Edition
Price: GBP 2,149
Click: playseatstore.com
Simulation games like Forza Motorsport and EA’s F1 series aim to recreate the experience of racing, but the realism is diminished when you play sitting in an office chair. Playseat started tackling this problem in 1998, when founder Fernando Smit removed a car seat to create his first prototype. Now, the company’s Intelligence racing cockpit is so F1-like it could be used by drivers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. This new F1 edition adds official livery, an improved monocoque design, and an adjustable mount for a monitor. It’s essentially a shell onto which you bolt pedals, steering wheel, and other peripherals, and it’s compatible with everything on the market.
Ground control…
DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo
Price: GBP 1,049
Click: dji.com
Being nearsighted and afraid of flying, I never thought I’d be destined to be a pilot. But first-person drones like the Avata 2 offer a pilot’s perspective, transmitting a clear view from the cockpit directly through a mixed-reality-style headset during flight. The adjustable diopter and included corrective lenses covered my myopia, and the slow-paced beginner mode, brilliantly simple point-and-click flying mechanics and a companion to watch over me (legally required in the UK) helped ease my nerves. While experienced pilots use DJI’s Remote Controller 3 (£139) to barrel roll at speeds of up to 42mph, I was happy gliding, hovering and just watching.
Ride, cowboy
Cowboy Cross Allroad e-bike
Price: £3,499
Click: cowboy.com
Cowboy is known for its comfortable e-bikes designed for urban cycling, but this is a tougher, more powerful bike designed for venturing into the countryside and beyond. It has bigger tires, tougher pedals, a removable and very powerful battery (up to 120km range) and is the first Cowboy with suspension (both fork and seat). Going around the inner circle of Regent’s Park felt like riding a fixed gear bike, with no gear or power level switching. The bike is intuitive and easy to understand, multiplying my efforts. For turn-by-turn navigation, just clip your smartphone to the bike stem (with a standard quad lock) and the Cowboy app, integrated with Google Maps, does the rest.
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