Technology

World’s first solar electric car costs over R4m


The world’s first solar car is scheduled to be delivered to customers later this year. Designed by the Dutch company, Lightyear, the innovative motor vehicle called Lightyear 0 pledges months of driving without the need to charge it when driven in summer conditions. 

Solar panels will be on the bonnet and roof of car

Established in the Netherlands in 2016, Lightyear is on track to manufacture close to 1 000 solar cars. The vehicle’s design will feature curved solar panels placed across the bonnet and roof. Lightyear 0 will set customers back 250 000 euros (R4 171 590).

The solar panels are said to add an additional driving range of 70 kilometres per day solely from energy derived from the sun. The company has reportedly driven the car over 700km on a single charge. 

The location whereby the car is driven along with the weather conditions seems to impact the duration that the solar car can function, without needing to charge. 

Lightyear is aiming for a more affordable version of the car

The company claims two months of driving without the need to charge in Amsterdam during summer conditions and up to seven months in Portugal. 

Set to be manufactured in Finland by Valmet, Lightyear has managed to succeed even though many solar-powered cars battled to make it through the prototype stage due to the size of solar panels needed. 

Lightyear is looking beyond the small production run of the Lightyear 0. The company plans to continue innovating the design of the car. Pushing for a more affordable model with a starting price of 30 000 euros (approximately R500 590,80).

Takealot ’employs’ robot workers with collection time of three minutes

In other news about technological advancements, it was previously reported that a new pick-up point in Richmond Park, Cape Town, for Takealot will see robots assisting customers. These robots have an average collection time of just three minutes, changing the game in a new way.

Takealot is South Africa’s largest online retailer. Recently, it halted collection offerings from its Cape Town distribution centre. Takealot then moved over to a new facility in Richmond Park.

The new pick-up point is equipped with amazing technological advancements. It is said that these advancements offer customers a seamless collection experience. Shoppers will now be able to collect their parcels from a customer-facing area. Warehouse transport and delivery systems in this area are done by automated guided vehicles (AGV). Read the full story here.

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