sound and light engineer

BMW has launched the M440i Convertible in India, priced from Rs 1.09 crore. This new drop-top model, based on the 4 Series platform, features a fabric soft-top that opens in 18 seconds. It boasts a 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 374 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel-drive, enabling a 0-100 kmph sprint in 4.9 seconds.

Why you never want to leave a nice hotel: Experiential marketing expert reveals how hotels use subtle design tricks to enhance guest experiences. These deliberate choices in lighting, layout, scent and sound create a relaxing atmosphere, encouraging guests to linger and spend more. The aim is to craft an immersive environment that guests find hard to leave.

The new Mini Countryman C is expected to get a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine with 136hp and 230Nm. It comes paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox and sends power to the front wheels. The same engine also does the job in the BMW X1. The MINI Countryman is built on the front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform, which it shares with the BMW X1, also assembled in India.

Groundbreaking MIT research reveals plants can sense rain. Experiments with rice seeds showed that the sound of falling water droplets significantly accelerated germination, by 30-40%. This suggests seeds utilize mechanisms similar to gravity sensing to perceive beneficial moisture levels, offering new insights into plant survival.

Spy images also hint at a larger touchscreen infotainment system than the current model. In terms of equipment, the SUV is expected to offer features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car technology, wireless charging and a premium sound system. Other features likely to continue include a heads-up display, cruise control, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a single-pane electric sunroof and ventilated front seats.

An engineer's quest to fix radio interference in 1933 unexpectedly led to a monumental discovery. Karl Jansky's rotating antenna detected a mysterious, periodic hiss, not from Earth or the Sun, but from the Milky Way's center. This groundbreaking finding, revealing the galaxy emits radio waves, birthed radio astronomy and revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.

In terms of powertrain, there are no confirmations as of now. It’s expected to continue with the same set of engine options which include a 1.2-litre NA petrol engine with 89 bhp of power and 113 Nm of torque. The other engine option is a 1.0-litre booster jet turbocharged petrol engine with 100 bhp of power and 148 Nm of torque.

The cabin layout remains unchanged, and in the features department, this electric SUV boasts a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen supported by wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cloud-based navigation, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting with 12 colour options and ventilated front seats. Apart from that, it gets features such as wireless charging, a JBL sound system, automatic climate control, multiple USB ports, and an in-cabin air purifier.

Safety equipment includes Level 2 ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control, collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning with prevention and blind-spot monitoring. Standard safety features also include electronic stability control, hill-hold and hill-descent control, ISOFIX mounts, a surround-view camera system and six airbags.

Czech Republic's Hranice Abyss, the world's deepest water-filled cave, holds a mystery extending to a kilometre, far beyond its explored 473.5 meters. Formed by hot groundwater, its extreme depths challenge human divers. Robotics, inspired by autonomous systems, are now key to mapping this geological enigma, pushing the boundaries of deep Earth exploration.

On the mechanical side, the facelift could bring minor suspension tweaks aimed at improving ride comfort and handling. One recent test mule was seen with a 6-speed manual gearbox, suggesting that Maruti Suzuki may introduce an additional gear compared to the current setup. This change is likely intended to improve gear ratios for smoother highway cruising.

Automatic climate control has been introduced, but remains limited to the top-spec Emotion variant. Renault has also revised the second-row seat layout, keeping the fold-and-tumble function while repositioning the release lever to the top of the seatback for easier third-row access. The second row now folds flat, increasing boot capacity to 1,065 litres with both rear rows down.

MG Motor India is set to launch the new MG Majestor, a rival to the Toyota Fortuner Legender. Pre-bookings are open for the Majestor, which boasts a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine and advanced features like dual 12.3-inch displays and Level 2 ADAS. The Majestor is expected to offer a compelling package against the established Fortuner Legender.

A mysterious metallic sphere, dubbed the Buga Sphere, was discovered in Colombia, exhibiting unusual flight patterns and a strange reaction to Sanskrit mantras. Preliminary analysis revealed a complex internal structure, and the object reportedly increased in weight over time. While some interpret these findings as evidence of alien technology, others remain skeptical, awaiting further scientific verification.

And today, one of the starkest outliers in the early trends is the performance of Vijay’s TVK. But who is Vijay, who, if trends hold, could become the new Thalapathy of Tamil Nadu politics?