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Netflix and Charlize Theron team up on a stunt driving reality TV show
Netflix has unveiled a trailer for Hyperdrive, a reality show about elite street racers who test their limits in a 100-acre obstacle course. The series will feature 28 contestants from a variety of everyday backgrounds, including a law student, a delivery driver and a model. The course isn't child's play; it features death-defying challenges like a teeter-totter and a slide rail. The show's winner becomes the Hyperdrive champion, though it's unclear what the prize is.
Engadget giveaway: Win an Overdrive smart racing set courtesy of Anki!
Toys are all grown up now and video game-like features have crossed over into the physical realm. So, it's not surprising that when Anki isn't working on more traditional robot pals, it's developing its AI-powered Overdrive racers. Last month the company added the Freewheel and X52 Supertrucks as expansions to its racer lineup. To get a jump start on all the holiday fun, we're giving away two Overdrive Speed Bundles this week, along with the new X52 for a pair of lucky readers. It's easy to build out track set ups beginning with a Starter Kit and moving on to expansion packs to enhance the action. The vehicles can learn the track configurations using infrared sensors, helping you race against friends (using your mobile device) or artificially intelligent opponents. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of these AI-powered racing bundles from Anki.
Anki Drive levels up with new robotic cars, tracks and a race mode
Arguably the coolest part about Anki Drive's robotic toy cars is that you could upgrade them over time with weapons and points as if they were character vehicles in a video game. Unlike a video game however, Anki's original system only had a single race track and just four available model cars (two were bundled in the starter kit). Further, there was only one mode of gameplay -- a Battle mode that encourages you to knock your opponent off the road -- which some might find a little tiresome after a while. Now, however, Anki has introduced not just two new tracks to the mix, but also a couple of new cars and a few software improvements that include the company's number one requested feature: race mode.
Sunswift IV, world's fastest solar-powered racer, leaves GM Sunraycer in its dust
The Sunswift IV (aka IVy) might look like a mobile dinner table, but it's actually the world's fastest solar-powered vehicle. The table-top on wheels got the official nod from the Guinness Book of World Records last week, for hitting a top speed of 88km/h (about 55 mph) -- nearly 10 km/h faster than the previous record-holder, the GM Sunraycer, which bears a striking resemblance to a disembodied Android monster. IVy, designed by Sunswift, a student-run non-profit at the University of New South Wales, reached its top speed using 1050 watts, about 400 watts less than the Sunraycer, and performed its record-smashing run without the 25kg battery it's usually packing. Faster runs have been clocked, including by IVy, but Guinness has not been on hand for confirmation.
