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MIT develops self-transforming materials that behave 'like robots without robots'

A cross-disciplinary research lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a suite of programmable materials, including carbon fiber, printed wood grain, textile composites, rubbers and plastics, that self-transform when exposed to an external stimulus. Director of the Self-Assembly Lab, Skylar Tibbits, presented a TED talk on 4D printing in 2013, where he demonstrated how a flat sheet of material could effectively build itself when exposed to water, like a robot without a robot. Following positive feedback from industries including aviation, automotive and manufacturing, his lab has been working on developing materials that change according to different activation sources, including heat, light, and air pressure, in addition to water – all of which have automotive relevance.

Volkswagen Concept A

Volkswagen has revealed its latest design study, the Concept A, a crossover between sports car and SUV. Like the conceptually similar Concept T of 2004, the Concept A is based on the Golf platform, marrying coupe-like profile with raised stance. At the front, vertical vents flank the shield-grille, whose matt-silver finish is repeated on the A-posts and door-handles.

MINI Countryman hits UK +Video

The MINI Countryman hits the UK in September To be honest, if we were to cover every MINI as it hits the UK – in addition to reporting its initial reveal – since BMW revived the MINI badge we’d have a whole site’s worth of MINI stories. But the MINI Countryman is a different kettle of fish. So it is news that the Countryman hits the UK.