Technology

Google continues to replace Google Assistant features using its Gemini AI models and branding, as discovered in as-yet unreleased code by Android Authority. The tech giant's infusion of Gemini is rolling throughout its product line.

Upcoming Gemini Extensions will take over Google Assistant integrations with apps including Google Messages, Spotify, and WhatsApp. These Gemini extensions are designed to take over for those Google Assistant integrations while promising to personalize the interaction beyond the capacity of the older AI assistant. 

Right now, if you ask your Android device or Google app to play a song on Spotify or send a message via WhatsApp, Google Assistant completes the task. The code in the beta version of the Google app lays out how Gemini will pick up that role through Extensions running independently from Google Assistant. 

It's not just a cosmetic shift. The Spotify Extension works like the YouTube Music Gemini Extension, playing a song upon request and showing an image of the song that you can tap to open Spotify. The Gemini Extensions also allow you to use much more casual language than Google Assistant when asking Google to play music on Spotify or call someone with WhatsApp. They also speed up the process by eliminating some of the follow-up clarifications required by Google Assistant. 

The AI will adapt to your preferences, remembering what apps you favor for carrying out tasks. So, if you always use WhatsApp to call certain people and your phone to call others, you'll be able to ask the AI to call one of them without specifying which app to use, and it will automatically pick the right one. The same goes for asking Gemini to play a song on YouTube Music or Spotify. You can also manually adjust which apps are used for which tasks. 

Extension Stars

The Gemini Extensions being in beta means they can't do everything you might want as of yet. Gemini can't read or show old messages when asked yet, though that may be included when the final version of the update rolls out. When it does arrive, you might not find the update groundbreaking, but if you pay attention, you'll likely notice how much better Google's voice AI is at understanding what you want it to do and how it is completing your requests faster than you remember.

Gemini Extensions are key to Google's efforts to encourage people to use Gemini by spreading the AI everywhere. Gemini is becoming the foundation for both Google products and how they link to third-party apps and services. Google Assistant as both a brand and a product is being superseded, though marketing is definitely as much a part of that shift as actual technical upgrades. 

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This is the latest chapter of the Kamala Harris campaign’s effort to reach young male voters.

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It has been a billboard week for artificial intelligence research. But could big wins for Demis Hassabis and Geoffrey Hinton change broader scientific incentives?

You’ve probably never heard of Foxconn Technology Group, but it is a Taiwanese consumer electronics manufacturer that is perhaps best known for supplying the world with Apple iPhones – it also makes most of Amazon’s Kindles and Nintendo’s gaming consoles. 

Stopping short of actually producing the folklore legend Apple Car, the company has branched out into developing electric vehicles of its own under the Foxtron moniker, with its existing Model C five-or seven-seater SUV already licensed by the rapidly expanding Taiwanese automotive brand Luxgen and badged the n7.

While Foxtron isn’t exactly interested in becoming a recognized automotive name in its own right, it is keen to sell its designs and platforms to other, perhaps more established players in the EV market.

As such, it used its most recent Apple-esque Technology Day event to reveal two new models in the Model D and the Model U – a naming convention that might have folk at Tesla pulling a confused face.

The Model D is an absolutely massive, angular Lifestyle Multipurpose Utility Vehicle (LMUV), which measures 5.1m in length (think Ford Transit van size)  and almost 2m wide. Inside, there’s enough space for seven people to ride, although Foxtron is keen to point out that it can configure its cars to a B2B customer’s demands.

(Image credit: Foxconn Technology Group)

Powering the LMUV is a range of 100-120kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs, which would see an effective range of around 310 miles to almost 400-miles in the range-topping versions.

Designed with aerodynamics at the forefront, it features all manner of creases and ducts to improve airflow. Despite its blocky look, it was actually penned by Pininfarina, the designers behind numerous classic Italian sports cars. 

Naturally, Foxtron has also ensured the interior of its Model D plays nicely with the technology its sister company manufacturers. There are specific charging spots for iPhones in the rear, as well slots for passengers to attach their own iPads.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Model U is a mid-sized electric bus that features the latest in advanced driver assist systems. Perhaps Tesla needn’t be too worried, after all.

Analysis: A Chinese ban could open the door for Taiwan

(Image credit: Foxconn Technology Group)

The purpose of the Foxconn Technology Group’s Technology Day event was to reveal a series of vehicles that the company says is destined for the North American market. 

The Model C, which is already on sale in Taiwan, has seen its design tweaked slightly for a US audience and could be heading there soon, while the aforementioned Model D is set for production some time in 2026.

However, there’s no word on exactly what badge these cars will carry when they eventually go on sale to the general public, with Foxconn’s Contract Design and Manufacturing Service (CDMS) business model essentially providing the platform, hardware and updatable software to the highest bidder.

But with the US and much of Europe clamping down on imported Chinese EVs, it could be the perfect opportunity for Taiwan to offer the cheaper but more technologically advanced electric vehicle. 

Foxtron already has models ready to roll that cover everything from the small B-segment hatchback to a much larger pick-up truck. It has also made some serious advances in electric vehicle technology. 

Battery partnership programs with Pininfarina, ZF, Our Next Energy (ONE) and BMW have spawned ultra high-range LFP packs, with the resulting Gemini Dual-Chemistry Battery able to power a BMW iX for 608 miles on a single charge.

Plus, a relationship with Nvidia, albeit one that provides servers for AI applications, will likely put it in a favorable position to receive the latest single-chip architecture innovations required for Software Defined Vehicles and those with high levels of autonomous driving capabilities.

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The windows dim, and the rear seats turn around to face a wall-to-wall display at the back. The concept vehicle clearly shows the growing EV ambitions of Sharp's parent company, Foxconn.

The 8-core Zhaoxin KaiXian KX-7000 processor, China’s latest entry into the x86 CPU market, was recently put through its paces by PC Watch, and while it shows promise, early tests indicate that it falls short of competing with AMD and Intel’s offerings in key areas.

Developed by Shanghai Zhaoxin Integrated Circuit Co., the KX-7000 aims to carve out a niche for China in a sector dominated by the two giants. Zhaoxin is backed by Taiwan's VIA Technologies and the Shanghai Municipal Government, and its CPUs are built on intellectual property acquired from Centaur Technology.

The KX-7000 is the successor to the KX-6000, which was released in 2019. Although the KX-7000 series was initially slated for a 2021 launch, the first compatible hardware only became available this year.

Still a way off the pace

According to PC Watch, performance benchmarks show that while the KX-7000 has made strides over its predecessor, it lags behind Intel’s older 8th generation Core i3-8100 in single-thread performance. Multi-threaded workloads, however, show improvement due to its higher core count. It’s compatible with AVX and AVX2 instructions but lacks support for AVX-512.

The KX-7000 has the potential to power basic desktop or office applications but struggles with more demanding software and games. Its integrated graphics, the ZX C-1190, supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.6, but it is roughly equivalent to a low-end GPU from a decade ago.

Overall, the KX-7000 represents a step forward for Zhaoxin, but its performance and software compatibility need substantial improvement before it can truly hope to compete with global rivals. As PC Watch points out, “If this could be distributed cheaply across China, it might gain traction… but with the current dominance of ultra-cheap mini-PCs equipped with Intel’s N100 series, unless there’s a specific need for China’s unique encryption standards like SM2, SM3, or SM4, it’s unlikely that the current low-profile sales strategy will change.”

For reference, the KaiXian KX-7000/8 setup costs the equivalent of around $270 for the CPU, with an additional $135 for the motherboard. The processor uses an LGA1700 socket similar to Intel’s (so it can accommodate standard CPU coolers) but the internal structure is entirely different and not compatible with Intel motherboards.

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I've shot thousands of hours of video over the years of my career and I can tell you that it takes lots of preparation, work, and energy. I can also tell you that if you use an AI avatar video generator like HeyGen, it takes almost none of the above, and that scares the heck out of me.

With the advent of high-quality generative video, these AI video avatars are popping up everywhere. I haven't paid much attention, mostly because I like being on camera and am happy to do it for TV and social video. Even so, I know not everyone loves the spotlight and would happily hand the duties over to an avatar, and when I got a glimpse of the apparent quality of HeyGen's avatars, I was intrigued enough to give it a try. Now I honestly wish I hadn't.

HeyGen, which you can use on mobile or desktop, is a simple and powerful platform for creating AI avatars that can, based on scripts you provide, speak to the camera for you. They're useful for video presentations, social media, interactive avatars, training videos, and essentially anything where an engaging human face might help sell the topic or information.

HeyGen lets you create digital twins that can appear in relatively static videos or ones in which the other you is on the move. For my experience, I chose the 'Still' option.

Setting up another me

(Image credit: Future)

There are some rules for creating your avatar and I think following them as I did may have resulted in the slightly off-putting quality of my digital twin.

HeyGen recommends you start the process by shooting a video of yourself using either a professional camera or one of your best smartphones, but the video should be at least 1080p. If you use the free version as I did, you'll note that the final videos are only 720p. Upgrade later and you can start producing full HD video avatars (more on the pricing structure later).

There are other bits of guidance like using a "nice background," avoiding harsh shadows" and background noise, and a few that are key to selling the digital twin version of you. HeyGen asked that I look directly (but not creepily, I assume) at the camera, make normal (open to interpretation) gestures below chest level, and take pauses between sentences. The last bit is actually good advice for making real videos. I have a habit of speaking stream of consciousness and forget to pause and create obvious soundbites for editing.

Here, though, the pauses are not about what you're saying, at least for the training video. It seems to be about learning to manage your twin's face and mouth when you're talking and when you're not.

In any case, I could say anything I wanted to the camera as long as it was for at least 2 minutes. More video will help with the quality of new videos featuring your avatar.

Training to be me

(Image credit: Future)

I set up my iPhone 16 Pro Max and a couple of lights and filmed myself in my home office for 2 minutes speaking about nonsense, all the while making sure to take 1-second pauses and to keep my gestures from being too wild. After I Airdropped it to my MacBook Air, I uploaded the video. It was at this point it became clear that as a non-paying user, I was handing over virtually all video rights to HeyGen. Not optimal at all but I was not about to start paying $24 a month for the basic plan and to return control of my image.

The HeyGen system took considerable time to ingest the video and prepare my digital twin. Once it was ready, I was able to create my first 3-minute video. Paying customers can create 5-minute videos or longer, depending on which service tier they choose, Paying also grants access to faster video processing.

To create a video, I selected the video format: portrait or landscape. I shot my training video in portrait but that did not seem to matter. I also had to provide a script that I could type or paste into a field that accepts a maximum of 2000 characters.

For someone who writes for a living, I struggled with the script, finally settling a on brief soliloquy from Hamlet. After checking the script length, the system went to work and slowly generated my first HeyGen Digital Twin video. I must've accidentally kept some blank spaces at the end of my script because about half of it is the digital me silently vamping for the cameras. It's unsettling.

Nothing is real @lanceulanoff

♬ original sound - LanceUlanoff

I followed this up with a tight TikTok video where I revealed that the video they were watching was not really me. My third video and the last of my free monthly allotment, was of me telling a joke: "Have you ever played quiet tennis? It's the same as regular tennis but without the racket. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" As you might've guessed, the punchline doesn't really land and because my digital twin never smiles and delivers the "laughter" in a completely humorless way, none of it is even remotely funny.

In all of these videos, I was struck by the audio quality. It's the essence of my voice but also not my voice. It's too robotic and lacking in emotion. At least it's properly synced with the mouth. The visuals, on the other hand, are almost perfect. My digital twin looks just like me or, at least a very emotionless version of me who is into Tim Cook keynote-style hand gestures. To be fair, I didn't know what to do with my hands when I originally recorded my training video, worrying that if I didn't control my often wild hand gestures they would look bizarre with my digital twin. I was wrong. This overly-controlled twin is the bizarre one.

Just nope

Can an AI version of me tell a joke? Sort of. #heygen @HeyGen_Official pic.twitter.com/ODke9z67VHOctober 9, 2024

On TikTok, someone wrote, "Nobody likes this. Nobody wants this." When I posted the video on Threads, the reactions ranged from shock to dismay. People noticed my "distracting" hand gestures, called it "creepy", and worried that such videos represented the "death of truth."

But here's the thing. While the AI-generated video is concerning, it did not say anything I did not write or copy and paste. Yes, my digital twin is well past uncanny and deep into unnervingly accurate but at least it's doing my bidding. The concern is if you have a good 2-minute video of someone else speaking, could you upload that and then make it say whatever you want? Possibly.

HeyGen gets credit for effectively creating a no-fuss digital twin video generator. It's far from perfect and could be vastly improved if they also had users train it on emotions (the right looks for 'funny', 'sad', 'mad', you get it) and a wider variety of facial expressions (a smile or two would be nice). Until then these digital twins will be our emotionless doubles, waiting to do our video bidding.

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PS5 Pro pre-orders

(Image credit: Sony)

1. US quick links - PS5 Pro pre-orders
2. US quick links - 30th Anniversary Collection pre-orders
3. UK quick links - PS5 Pro pre-orders
4. UK quick links - 30th Anniversary Collection pre-orders
5. Complete US pre-orders
6. Complete UK pre-orders
7. Live updates

The second wave of PS5 Pro pre-orders and PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection pre-orders are about to arrive and we're expecting extraordinary demand for both once more.

The opening of the PS5 Pro pre-order window two weeks ago saw Sony's new mid-generation refresh console go in and out of stock but stabilize afterwards and PlayStation Direct has since offered a reliable location to place a pre-order. However, the significant part of this next window – which opens tomorrow (October 10) – is that other retailers can now get in on the action. So, if you've been waiting to shop at your preferred store online then the time to strike is near. We're hoping that said retailers will have some flexibility in terms of how to sell the PS5 Pro, too, and that we might see attractive and value-busting bundles as a result. Fingers crossed.

Some of the fiercest action last time out was away from the regular Pro console, and on the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection pre-orders – in particular, the 30th Anniversary DualSense pre-orders, which sold like hotcakes wherever they popped up. Plus, with retailers also able to offer their own PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary pre-orders from tomorrow, we're likely to see some serious competition in the limited-edition field. We're hoping that this new phase of pre-orders will bring more stock of the Limited Edition 30th Anniversary hardware, but there are no guarantees on that front.

Among the chaos of the Anniversary Collection pre-orders, and now that PS5 Pro pre-orders have leveled out, it's worth remembering that swotting up on where to buy a PS5 disc drive is also a fine idea right now, given the surge of interest in that accessory.

PS5 Pro pre-orders - US Quick Links

• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at PlayStation Direct
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Amazon (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Walmart (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Best Buy (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at Target (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at GameStop (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: Check Newegg (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: Check Antonline (starts Oct 10)

30th Anniversary Collection pre-orders - US Quick Links

• PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition Bundle: $999.99 at PS Direct (out of stock)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499 at Walmart (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at Best Buy (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at Target (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: $499.99 at PS Direct (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at Amazon (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79 at Walmart (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at Best Buy (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at Target (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at GameStop (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: $79.99 at PS Direct (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense Edge: $219 at PS Direct (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary PlayStation Portal: $219 at PS Direct (out of stock)

PS5 Pro pre-orders - UK Quick Links

• PS5 Pro pre-order: £699.99 at PlayStation Direct
• PS5 Pro pre-order: £699.99 at EE Store (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: Check Amazon (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: Check Very (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: Check Currys (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: Check Argos (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Pro pre-order: Check Game (starts Oct 10)

30th Anniversary Collection pre-orders - UK Quick Links

• 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro bundle: £959.99 at PlayStation Direct (out of stock)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: Check Amazon (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: Check Argos (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: Check Very (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: Check Currys (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: Check Game (starts Oct 10)
• PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition: £433.99 at PS Direct (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: £69.99 at Amazon (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: £69.99 at Argos (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: £69.99 at Game (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense: £69.99 at PS Direct (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary DualSense Edge: £219.99 at PS Direct (out of stock)
• 30th Anniversary PlayStation Portal: £209.99 at PS Direct (out of stock)

PS5 Pro pre-orders - US complete pre-order listings

PS5 Pro pre-order: $699.99 at PlayStation Direct
If you're only interested in getting a PS5 Pro pre-order donee and dusted with the greatest of ease then these are the links to follow right now. PS Direct is live, and the below should (hopefully) follow tomorrow.

Check for stock: $699.99 at Amazon | $699.99 at Walmart | $699.99 at Best Buy | $699.99 at TargetView Deal

PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition bundle: $999.99 at PlayStation Direct (out of stock)
Perhaps the most in-demand PS5 Pro and 30th Anniversary product of them all, this sold out in minutes last time around. We're hoping that Sony will release more stock, but if that first phase was the entire 12,300 items then we may be totally out of luck for any more stock. If it's going to come up it'll be on this link though.View Deal

PS5 Slim Digital Edition 30th Anniversary Edition bundle: $499.99 at PlayStation Direct (out of stock)
The PS5 Slim Digital Edition sold out at PS Direct last time around, but with more retailers getting involved on this product in this upcoming pre-order window, we're hopeful that more folks will be able to get this one.

Check for stock: $499.99 at Walmart | $499.99 at Best Buy | $499.99 at TargetView Deal

DualSense 30th Anniversary Edition: $79.99 at PlayStation Direct (out of stock)
The DualSense 30th Anniversary Edition hung about for a while on September 26 so we're hopeful of something similar happening this time around – particularly as other retailers can sell the controller. The below stores are the ones to keep checking this time.

Check for stock: $79.99 at Amazon | $79 at Walmart | $79.99 at Best Buy | $79.99 at GameStopView Deal

DualSense Edge 30th Anniversary Edition: Check stock at PlayStation Direct (out of stock)
The limited-edition DualSense Edge sold out remarkably quickly in the US on pre-order day one. Given it's a PlayStation Direct-exclusive and not available anywhere else, we are not confident of a restock this time around – but if it comes, it'll be on this link!View Deal

PlayStation Portal 30th Anniversary Edition: $219.99 at PlayStation Direct (out of stock)
The 30th Anniversary Edition PlayStation Portal was one of the last things to sell out on September 26, but it did. We have no idea if it will return in the next round of pre-orders but if it will be anywhere, it'll be at PS Direct.View Deal

PS5 Pro pre-orders - UK complete pre-order listings

PS5 Pro pre-orders: £699.99 at PlayStation Direct
Pre-orders have remained stable at PlayStation Direct since a bit of a flutter with stock on September 26. Now it's readily available for pre-order at PS Direct, and retailers like the below ones will be in on the action in a matter of hours too, so choices will be numerous!

Check stock: £699.99 at EE Store | £699.99 at Amazon | £699.99 at Argos | £699.99 at Very | £699.99 at CurrysView Deal

PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition bundle: £959.99 at PlayStation Direct UK (sold out)
The PS5 Pro bundle sold out in minutes in the UK, just as it did in the US. It's the biggest bundle of all, and we'd be very pleasantly surprised if we saw a restock of this on October 10 – but here's hoping…View Deal

PS5 Slim Digital Edition 30th Anniversary Edition bundle: £433.99 at PlayStation Direct (sold out)
The PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition will be a hot product in the UK, with other retailers getting in on the action on October 10. Here are the best links to try right now and on the day itself.

Check for stock: £433.99 at Amazon | £433.99 at Argos | £433.99 at Very | £433.99 at Currys | £433.99 at GameView Deal

DualSense 30th Anniversary Edition: £69.99 at Amazon (out of stock)
The 30th Anniversary DualSense was incredibly popular last pre-order window, due to the fact that it could be bought as a standalone item, and even subsequent Amazon restocks have lasted a mere moment. It's also sold out at other retailers right now, but the below links are worth checking regularly for restocks or flashes of inventory.

Check for stock: £69.99 at Argos | £69.99 at Game | £69.99 at PS DirectView Deal

DualSense Edge 30th Anniversary Edition: £219.99 at PlayStation Direct UK (out of stock)
The premium DualSense Edge sold out on day one of pre-orders and as a PlayStation Direct exclusive, we're not totally confident we'll see any more stock, sadly.View Deal

PlayStation Portal 30th Anniversary Edition: £209.99 at PlayStation Direct UK (out of stock)
In the UK, the PlayStation Portal 30th Anniversary Edition has finally run out of stock.View Deal

Hello! Welcome, pull up a chair, get comfortable, and settle in for our live coverage of the next phase of PS5 Pro pre-order and PS5 30th Anniversary Collection pre-order festivities.

We're getting into position nice and early this time around and hope some extra preparation will help us, and you, navigate the action when it kicks in as the clock ticks over to October 10.

I'll be covering retailer information for both regular PS5 Pro pre-orders, and the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary console, as well as what we can expect, hope for, and prepare for in advance of pre-orders kicking off once again. Let's get into it.

So why are we getting prepared so early for this phase of pre-orders? 

Well, as well as having the opportunity to place a regular PS5 Pro pre-order at your retailer of choice - exclusive to PlayStation Direct as they have been so far - there’s also another 30th Anniversary pre-order to look out for in the shape of the PS5 Slim Digital Edition bundle. While the PS5 Pro bundle took all the headlines last time, this PS5 Slim model, and its wider availability, will draw a lot of attention and demand.

We’re expecting that demand to manifest in some volatile stock levels and fierce competition: after all, it’s worth remembering that all of the current 30th Anniversary Collection hardware and accessories are totally sold out at PlayStation Direct (US and UK) and at any other retailers who had stock of the DualSense controller briefly.

As a result, if you’re eyeing up the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary pre-order to get in on that retro PlayStation hardware action, then tomorrow is going to be an important day for you.

Early predictions: what can we expect at the big retailers?

(Image credit: Sony)

Now that Sony will be opening up regular PS5 Pro pre-orders and 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim pre-orders to other retailers, we can expect a flurry of action at the go-to places - on both sides of the Atlantic.

We've even got some retailer listing pages live and ready at the likes of Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and the EE Store in the UK (slightly strangely) for both the regular Pro and the Anniversary PS5 Slim so we know where to point you and some important details on what to expect. We can interrogate these pages individually, and offer advice on maximizing your chances of getting the console you want.

It's worth noting at this early stage that we don't know exactly when all pre-orders for both will begin tomorrow at all retailers. For example, could UK retailers go live at midnight tonight? Maybe! We'll be doing our best to cater for such an event. However, we do know a bit more about US retailers and times so we'll be sure to cover that in this live blog to furnish you with the details you need.

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have made significant strides in developing a structural battery that could drastically reduce the weight and energy consumption of vehicles and electronic devices.

The structural battery, made from a carbon fiber composite, functions as both a power source and a load-bearing component, making it ideal for a range of purposes. "We have succeeded in creating a battery made of carbon fiber composite that is as stiff as aluminum and energy-dense enough to be used commercially. Just like a human skeleton, the battery has several functions at the same time," said Richa Chaudhary, lead author of a paper recently published in Advanced Materials.

The battery offers an energy density of 30 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), which is lower than standard lithium-ion batteries but allows for a significant reduction in overall weight.

A huge boost for electric cars

Professor Leif Asp, who leads the research, explained that electric cars using this battery could see a huge boost in driving range. "Investing in light and energy-efficient vehicles is a matter of course if we are to economize on energy and think about future generations," said Asp. "We have made calculations on electric cars that show they could drive for up to 70 percent longer than today if they had competitive structural batteries."

The structural battery also has improved stiffness, now reaching 70 gigapascals (GPa), allowing it to carry loads as effectively as aluminum while being much lighter. Asp stated, "In terms of multifunctional properties, the new battery is twice as good as its predecessor – and actually the best ever made in the world."

Although the technology is still under development, Sinonus AB, a spin-off from Chalmers Ventures, is working to bring this innovation to the market. Asp envisions that lightweight laptops, mobile phones, and electric vehicle components will be among the first products to benefit from the structural battery.

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