Barley Meat | Space Webb | Pocket Scooter - The Convo Kit #18

New issue, still typed by two hands. Four weeks ago I began my free trial as a lefty after shoulder surgery. It’s been a learning experience, but I expect to come out more than all right.

-Steve

Join The Convo for weekly briefings on tech, space, and science news!

Plant-Grown Meat

ORF Genetics is growing barley to support lab-grown meat. Growth factor proteins, integral to culturing lab-grown meat, are extracted from barley seeds.

• Growth Factor: MESOkine

• 100,000 genetically engineered plants

• Grown in volcanic pumice

Sourcing growth factors from plants can bring the cost of lab-grown meat in line with traditionally sourced animal products. Also, I’m currently brainstorming a new bioengineering hipster venture: Barley-Based Beef & Brews.

More details over on Interesting Engineering.

Space Webb

NASA's new space telescope just traversed the Panama Canal. 20+ years in the making, the James Webb observatory arrived at its French Guiana launch site by ship from LA.

• Launch: 12/18/21

• 21 ft. in diameter

• $10 billion project

Far more powerful than the Hubble telescope, Webb will potentially allow us to see how galaxies first started. The massive honeycomb structure will unfold itself in space, an event more stressful than this winter’s natural gas prices.

Pics of the space honeycomb…uh, telescope.

Pocket Scooter

Blizwheel's electric kick scooter fits in a backpack when folded. The scooter can also be partially folded and wheeled like luggage.

• Folded size: 15.6 x 6.4 x 3.9 inches

• Range: 8-15 miles

• Top Speed: 12-15mph

The scooter comes in two models ranging from ~9-12 lb. at $299-499 and features an innovative suspension system to handle bumps. The optional manual brake enables siiick skids while the lack of tailwhip-ability eliminates the need for shin-guards.

Images of the scooter available here.

Transformers: Go-carts in Disguise

City Transformer's CT1 is a shape-shifting electric car. Its wheels fold into the frame to allow the already small vehicle to fit into even tighter spaces.

• 98" long x 55/39" wide

• Range: 75-112 miles

• Top Speed: 56 mph (25 mph if folded)

Two things we can all agree on: Too many cars on the road and driving a transformer would be so cool. Sure, the CT1 isn’t exactly Optimus Prime or Bumblebee, but it’s a step in the right direction. Bonus points for reducing carbon emissions and traffic!

Images of the transforming cars here.

Auto-Rail

Hamburg, Germany is now home to the first fully automated train. The train can communicate with human-controlled trains and can even turn itself around.

• Begins public operation in December

• 30% more capacity than normal trains

• Includes human safety operator

While driverless train-like technology exists elsewhere, this will be the first that runs on existing tracks. Adapting new technology to current infrastructure can be a pain, but so is ripping up all those railroads. I personally look forward to being able to understand the “conductor” aboard one of these robo-rails.

More info here.

Thank you for reading!

Please share with other awesome people!

If you are the awesome person this was shared with, we're excited for you to join The Convo!

Missed last week’s Convo?

Catch-up here: Mars Lake | Skating Robot | Magnetic Mercury - The Convo Kit #17

What would improve this email for you?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Reach out on Twitter @_steveburgess or reply to this email.