While wireless car chargers are not a new thing, the new device called CLIPAD also has a variety of other features that will definitely come in handy to most urban drivers. The device was fully funded on Kickstarter and is capable of various feats, including charging smartphones and monitoring the air quality in the cabin. Also, it will issue warnings when the predetermined threshold is exceeded.
Wireless Charging and Air Quality Monitoring With a Single Device
According to the parent company, the CLIPAD monitors can detect the total volatile organic compounds currently in the cabin. It should be mounted in the vents of the car, which will allow it to measure the flow coming into the cabin. The official specs show that the device can detect air quality problems and issue warnings. The air quality index will be displayed on the car, but it could be difficult to notice if the phone is being charged.
The wireless charging function of this small gadget will work with almost any device on the market that supports such capabilities. This includes the latest generation of iPhones, as well as Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S models and Google Pixels. The maximum wireless charging output power is set at 10W.
The CLIPAD Is Available in Two Colors and Can Fit on Any Dashboard
The new and clever device comes to the market as a perfect addition to the vehicle of any urban driver. Its functions are very handy, especially the air quality monitoring one, even though the parent company sold a version of the gadget without an air monitoring feature. Now, the CLIPAD is available in two colors — white, which is also called “sports,” and classic, which has a black finish. The models come with an aluminum plate and can rotate at 360°, fitting to any dashboard design, regardless of the size of the phone.
The creators of the CLIPAD say they are certain that people will be safer while driving with their device because they will never have to put up with poor air quality in the car.
The New Mini Cooper With a New and Futuristic All-Electric Approach
Mini Cooper rolled out an all-electric version of the Cooper S last year. Now, they are working on electrifying something more extreme. The brand announced that they were developing an Electric John Cooper Works. Some images of the EV prototype wearing JCW GP bodywork testing at the Nurburgring were released. There are no preliminary specs announced yet, but it’s safe to say that the JCW electric will have more muscle than the 181hp Cooper SE. All the track outlines of the camouflage of the prototype seem to indicate that Mini wants this vehicle to be an actual track-ready car.
The Short But Powerful Story of Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper has been creating cars that inspire pure joy and awe for over 60 years. Millions of models and hundreds of innovations later, they still have the same passion for forever changing what it means to drive. The year was 1957, and in post-World War II England, the Suez Crisis had sent fuel prices soaring. This led many to start wondering if the huge, gas-guzzling vehicles of the day made much sense. Sir Leonard Lord of the Morris Company issued his top engineer, Alec Issigonis a challenge to create a small, fuel-efficient car capable of carrying four adults, within economic reach of just about everyone. It’s a challenge to fit so much function into such a small package. Fast-forward to 2020, Mini Cooper has a new and futuristic all-electric approach.
Other Vehicle Brands Are Going All-Electric Too
Volvo has said for years that its current generations of the internal-combustion engine would also be the last. However, it’s unknown when exactly the Swedish company will set a date for when it will be all-electric. Now, they have a target. The CEO of Volvo Hakan Samuelsson said that he expected Volvo to phase out internal-combustion engines completely by 2030. They launched their first all-electric car, the XC40 Recharge earlier this year, and also the new all-electric Polestar 2 in its portfolio.