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A designer's wild 'wind turbine wall' idea is actually becoming reality

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A designer's wild 'wind turbine wall' idea is actually becoming reality

You may have seen renderings of an eye-catching wall covered in vertical wind turbines making the rounds online. That bold concept is finally spinning into reality with a product called Airiva from designer Joe Doucet.

The initial vision was ambitious: a mesmerizing array of 25 vertical-axis turbines each connected to a generator for a combined peak output of 10 kilowatts.

While that’s an attractive figure on paper, the intermittent nature of wind means actual daily energy production could be significantly lower.

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Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

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Years of refinement and testing

But Doucet didn’t just run with that initial concept. Over the past few years, his team has tweaked and tested 16 different blade configurations before settling on a helical design. They’ve refined Airiva into a modular system made up of sizable turbine units.

Each unit houses eight turbines and is expected to produce around 2,200 kWh annually. Not a massive amount on its own, but it’s enough to put a dent in domestic energy bills. In fact, an average U.S. home would need around five units to meet all its electricity needs, though that’s quite a large footprint.

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Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

UNDERWATER KITE IS ABLE TO HARNESS THE OCEAN’S POWER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Targeting urban infrastructure

While residential is a potential market, Airiva seems aimed more at urban infrastructure projects. Multiple units could line highways, span bridges or be installed at company campuses, airports, harbors and transport hubs.

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“Airiva integrates within the architecture and infrastructure of our urban and suburban landscapes to bring clean energy closer to where we live and work,” Doucet said on the company’s website.

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Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

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Sustainable, smart and competitive

Beyond its unique design, Airiva touts five impressive eco-friendly and technological credentials:

1. At least 80% recycled materials in manufacturing

2. Modular and scalable for diverse installation needs

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3. Compatible with other distributed energy systems

4. Remote monitoring for smart control

5. Competitive energy costs compared to similar solutions

The company is still prototyping but plans customer pilots in late 2024 before opening orders in 2025. The upcoming tests will reveal if Airiva’s performance and pricing can live up to its bold promises.

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Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC FLYING CRAFT IS SET FOR LIFTOFF

Powering the future: Sustainable tech solutions for today’s home

Innovations similar to Joe Doucet’s Airiva are making waves in the realm of residential energy efficiency. Here are some technologies that are also being used to reduce domestic energy bills:

1. Solar panels: Rooftop solar panels are a popular choice for homeowners looking to harness renewable energy. They can significantly reduce electricity bills and even generate excess power that can be sold back to the grid.

2. Smart home devices: Smart thermostats, lighting systems and appliances can optimize energy use, leading to lower energy consumption and costs.

3. Ultra-efficient heat pumps: Next-generation heat pumps can warm and cool homes more efficiently than traditional systems, reducing primary energy consumption by up to 30%.

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4. Energy-efficient windows: Advanced window controls and materials can minimize heat loss during winter and reduce heat gain during summer, improving overall energy efficiency.

5. Reflective roofing materials: These materials can reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, leading to lower cooling costs.

6. LED lighting: LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. They also produce less heat, which can help keep your home cooler in the summer. By replacing the most-used bulbs in your home with LEDs, you can save about $75 per year.

Also, consider using smart light bulbs, which are LED light bulbs that connect to the internet through Wi-Fi or a hub. When connected to the internet, you can control when, how long, how often and how brightly (and even what color) your bulb shines from the comfort of your cellphone, tablet, smartwatch or voice assistant. Smart light bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Be sure to check out my top smart bulb picks here.

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7. Geothermal systems: Geothermal heat pumps use the stable temperature of the ground to provide heating, cooling and hot water at high efficiencies.

8. Wind turbines: Residential wind turbines can be installed on properties to generate electricity, though they require a suitable location with enough wind.

9. Hydropower systems: Microhydropower systems can be a viable option for homes near flowing water, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity.

These technologies, along with Airiva’s wind turbines, represent a growing trend towards greener, more sustainable living. They not only help in reducing energy bills but also contribute to a lower carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

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Unexpected ways to lower your energy bills

Be sure to check out some unexpected ways to lower your energy bills that I’ve discovered. You’ll learn about new and traditional products that can help create a cooling strategy that gives you more control and saves you money. To see my list of recommendations, click here.

Pro tip: Best gear to keep you cool during a hot summer

Beat the heat this summer with some great fans, coolers and sleeping solutions to help you stay chill this summer. You can check out my picks here.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

As we look towards the future, it’s clear that a combination of these technologies will be necessary to meet our energy needs in a sustainable way. From the integration of wind turbines into urban landscapes, as seen with Airiva, to the adoption of smart home technologies and the continued improvement of solar power systems, each innovation brings us closer to a more energy-efficient world. The walls that once stood as mere structures are increasingly becoming canvases for sustainable energy production, transforming the way we live and work.

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What are your thoughts on the future of domestic energy production and the role of technologies like Airiva in reducing our carbon footprint? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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How to create PDFs on iPhones using Notes

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How to create PDFs on iPhones using Notes

It may sound funny to say this, but PDF files — electronic copies of printed documents — are still around and are still very useful. Short for Portable Document Format, PDFs allow you to create a digital version of a paper document, letting you store and access them a lot easier than having to rifle through a filing cabinet.

While there are a variety of PDF apps available — Adobe Acrobat being the most well-known —  you actually don’t need to download one to create a PDF from an existing paper document with your iPhone or iPad. You can just use Apple’s Notes.

Here’s how to create a PDF on your iPhone (the process on your iPad is very similar):

If you have existing documents that you want to save as PDFs — in your File app, on Safari, in Photos, or in other apps — you can do that as well, using either Markup or Print, depending on what is available from the app you’re using.

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At just over $20, Half-Life: Alyx is essential playing for VR headset owners

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At just over $20, Half-Life: Alyx is essential playing for VR headset owners

Now, Alyx is quite a unique game and experience. For starters, when it came out in 2020, it was the first time Valve returned to the world of Half-Life (the 26-year-old series that put it on the map) since 2007. It’s a prequel to Half-Life 2, starring supporting-character-turned-protagonist Alyx Vance. And, notably, you take control of her through her own eyes since Half-Life: Alyx is solely designed around VR and requires you to own a compatible headset. Much like previous Half-Life installments, it’s received near-universal praise for its excellent gameplay and exquisite setting.

It really is an absolute must-buy and must-play if you own a VR headset and have the means, as Valve really put thought and care into how you explore this world in virtual reality (no, it’s not a glorified tech demo only for Valve to boost Index headset sales). Also, for any of you PlayStation VR2 headset owners looking forward to Sony’s PC adapter that’s due out August 7th, you might want to pocket Half-Life: Alyx at this excellent price for safekeeping until then. The game is used as the poster child for the PSVR 2 adapter for a reason, and it only gets this cheap a few times a year.

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Waabi's game-changing approach to self-driving trucks

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Waabi's game-changing approach to self-driving trucks

Imagine a world where big rig trucks drive themselves, navigating highways with the precision and intuition of seasoned human drivers. Sounds pretty crazy, right? Well, thanks to Waabi, the AI start-up and leader in the autonomous vehicle industry, this is about to become a reality very soon.

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Self-driving big rig (Waabi) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Meet Waabi: The new kid on the self-driving block

Founded by AI pioneer Raquel Urtasun in 2021, Waabi is shaking up the self-driving scene with its innovative “AI-first approach.” Unlike traditional autonomous vehicle companies that rely on rule-based systems and millions of real-world driving miles, Waabi is leveraging the power of generative AI to create a more efficient, scalable and safer solution.

Waabi's game-changing approach to self-driving trucks

Self-driving big rig (Waabi) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

TESLA’S ELECTRIC SEMITRUCK TAKES ON DIESEL BIG RIG

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The secret sauce: Waabi World

At the heart of Waabi’s technology is Waabi World, a closed-loop simulator that’s been dubbed “the ultimate school for self-driving vehicles.” This virtual environment allows the Waabi Driver (the AI brain of the system) to learn from countless scenarios without ever hitting the real road. It’s like giving a student driver unlimited practice in every possible driving situation – minus the heart-stopping moments for the instructor.

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Waabi's game-changing approach to self-driving trucks

Self-driving big rig (Waabi) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

AUTONOMOUS BIG RIGS FROM VOLVO, AURORA ARE COMING TO HIGHWAYS

The Waabi Driver: More than just a pretty algorithm

The Waabi Driver isn’t your average AI. It’s a next-generation foundation model that can perceive the world, create abstractions, and reason about its actions, much like a human driver would. This means it can handle unfamiliar situations with ease, a crucial ability for navigating the unpredictable world of long-haul trucking.

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Waabi's game-changing approach to self-driving trucks

Self-driving big rig (Waabi) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

TESLA SEMI’S IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE ON ICE MARKS ANOTHER MAJOR TRIUMPH

Trucking into the future

Waabi’s initial focus is on autonomous trucking, an industry ripe for innovation. With driver shortages, safety concerns and environmental impacts plaguing the sector, Waabi’s technology promises to be a game-changer. The company is already running commercial pilots in Texas and aims to launch fully driverless operations by 2025.

Waabi's game-changing approach to self-driving trucks

Self-driving big rig (Waabi) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Beyond trucking: The sky’s the limit

While Waabi is starting with trucks, Urtasun has bigger dreams. The technology has the potential to revolutionize various fields, from robotaxis to warehouse robotics and even humanoid robots. As Urtasun puts it, “This technology is extremely, extremely powerful.”

Waabi's game-changing approach to self-driving trucks

Diagram showing AI technology (Waabi) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Waabi’s approach to autonomous driving represents a significant step forward in AI technology. By combining the power of generative AI with a deep understanding of the complexities of driving, Waabi is paving the way for a safer, more efficient future on our roads. As we watch this technology unfold, one thing is clear: the future of transportation is not just autonomous. It’s intelligent, adaptable and closer than we might think. Buckle up, folks. The AI revolution is hitting the road, and Waabi is in the driver’s seat.

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How do you feel about sharing the road with an AI-powered autonomous vehicle like Waabi’s self-driving truck? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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