We may earn a commission from links on this page.The only thing I didn’t love about the Mammotion Luba robot lawn mower I tested last summer was its size. It’s a hulking four-wheel-drive robot and I live in the city, where we don’t have huge lawns. Enter the Luba Mini, a halved version of the Luba meant for smaller lawns (and tighter budgets). In fact, if you paid attention this spring, miniaturized versions of some of my favorite technology were everywhere. These mini-me versions seem to be driven, according to the companies themselves, by two market needs. While smart home tech is incredible in terms of functionality and independence, it often comes at a steep cost. But it’s not just price driving the shrinking of our tech; many companies realized was that many folks wanted the automation even when they didn’t have an acre of lawn to mow or a wall of windows to clean. Here’s how a few of my favorite pieces of technology have shrunk themselves to become more accessible and affordable.Mini lawn mowers Yuka full size on the left and mini on the right Credit: Amanda Blum Mammotion released mini models of both the Luba (AWD) and Yuka (2WD) robot mowers, and I’ve been testing them for the last month. In terms of size, they’re perfect for most suburban and urban lawns under ¼ acre and have almost the same functionality as the larger models. That's the point, according to Senior Product Manager David Cheng, who told me, "We weren’t just shrinking our existing models—we were filling a real gap in the market for homeowners seeking smart, perimeter wire-free lawn care that fits smaller outdoor spaces."Mammotion’s mowers require an RTK tower, which is a highly accurate GPS method that allows for triangulation between the mower, the tower and satellites. Using your phone as a remote control, you walk the robot around the perimeter of your lawn to set up zones, and create pathways between zones so the robot can navigate on its own. The minis have a new benefit, which is the ability for them to map spaces on their own, without you walking them around. If your yard has clear borders, I found it worked as well as mapping the area on your own.   The larger Yuka comes with a hopper for grass clippings, which you can teach to dump the clippings anywhere you like—the mini doesn’t have that option. Still, I didn’t find the hopper very usable on the large version, so no loss there.  I did find the minis had trouble, regardless of which version of mapping you used, getting to some edges of the yard. If there were overhanging shrubs casting a long shadow, the AI would interpret that as a no-go zone, avoiding it altogether. Still, that was the only degradation of features I found between the models. The mini has another benefit: It’s a lot less conspicuous parked at the dock, given the size. While you can install a 4g chip in your robot and set up notifications in case someone grabs it and goes, you just know where someone has absconded with it to.  The models use the same app, and the minis mowed as well as the original models. At a dramatically lower price point, this gives you an excuse to invest in a robot mower if the thing holding you back was how large or expensive they are. Mammotion Luba full size robot mower at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now at Amazon Mammotion Luba Mini robot lawn mower $1,999.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $1,999.00 at Amazon Mammotion Yuka mini robot lawn mower $999.00 at Amazon $1,098.00 Save $99.00 Shop Now Shop Now $999.00 at Amazon $1,098.00 Save $99.00 Mammotion Yuka 2000 robot lawn mower $2,448.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $2,448.00 at Amazon SEE 1 MORE   Smaller smart grills The original Brisk It Origin Credit: Amanda Blum Last summer I tested all the smart grills on the market, and my favorite was the Brisk It Origin. Through the fall, winter, and this spring, I have used it extensively because it turns smoking (a merciless task that involves a lot of overnight grill babysitting) into a flawless, hands-off experience. You tell the grill what you want to make, and AI kicks in to tell the grill how to make it, and it will notify you when it's time to flip things over or add a baste; when it's done, the grill turns itself off.You can, of course, edit the smoking program, create one on the fly, or just use the smoker manually as a grill. I went from someone who never rarely smoked on the grill to someone who does so once a week. On my recommendation, a BBQ devotee up the block added a Brisk It to their three-smoker lineup and revealed to me that it has become their favorite. Still, the original Brisk It clocks in just under $600 so I was excited to test the Zelos, a smaller, less expensive Brisk It with all the functionality of the Origin, albeit with less real estate. My experience isn't that unique, according to Christopher Huang, CEO at Brisk It. "Over 70% of U.S. adults say they want to cook more at home, but cite time and effort as their biggest barriers...and while more than half of home cooks express interest in smart kitchen tech, only 15% actually use it regularly." the mini has about 80% of the space of the original, seen here. I fit a whole rack of ribs plus a tray of chicken, but couldn't fit two racks of ribs. Credit: Amanda Blum Even as a highly enthusiastic home cook willing to put in the time, I cannot deny how much utility I get out of smart home automation in the kitchen. A smart grill is out of this world, since the notifications and temperature reporting of the grill and food means I don't have to stand over the grill. Brisk It even helps control the stall that barbecued meats often experience. Last month, I set up the Zelos (a thirty-minute affair) and invited neighbors over. I was worried about the smaller grill space (the Origin has 580 inches of grill space to the Zelos' 450 inches). While I could fit more racks of ribs on the Origin, the Zelos accommodated a full rack, plus a whole tray of chicken thighs, and I used the upper rack to smoke an array of vegetables. It didn't escape my attention that because the smaller grill uses less fuel (both are powered by pellets, although the control unit requires electricity), I'd be more likely to use it more often. Again, the app experience is the same on both models, and is highly functional and, dare I say, pretty fun. The AI the program uses is great for finding new recipes, a function I find underwhelming in practice on other products. At a reduced price, the Zelos makes an awfully appealing Father's Day gift, since it will also free up Dad from watching the grill all day. Brisk It Origin 940 Smart Smoker and Grill $849.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $849.99 at Amazon Brisk It Origin 580 Smart Smoker and Grill $549.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now Shop Now $549.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $50.00 Brisk It Zelos Smart Smoker and Grill $449.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $449.99 at Amazon SEE 0 MORE A smaller window-washing robot In full disclosure, the only reason I haven't tested a Winbot, the window washing robot, is that I simply don't have the window real estate. The Winbot is about 13 inches square, and works by suctioning itself to your window and then putting it through a four-step wash process. I know people with Winbots, and if you have large square or rectangular windows, particularly those where some portion of the window is out of reach, it seems worthwhile. If you've got arched windows, though, the Winbot struggles with shapes that don't match the design of the robot itself, which has 90-degree angles. The Winbot also isn't for curved glass. These may seem like a lot of limitations, but I spent the winter in Arizona looking at a lot of glass patio doors, patio rooms, and walls of dusty windows and thought, "Ah...this is what the Winbot is for." Except now, there's a Winbot Mini, with an 8.5-inch square footprint. At that size, almost all my windows are fair game, so I'm excited to try it out. That was the point, according to Michelle Jones, U.S. spokesperson for ECOVACS, who said, "We saw an opportunity to bring the power of our larger window-cleaning robots to homeowners in the U.S. who have smaller or segmented window panes and don’t need a fixed cleaning station."But Ecovacs also points to a more specific problem that a lot of smart tech products suffer from, in my opinion: By the time the company has worked out the tech, the solution is often overly complicated. Ecovacs recognized that, as well, and simplified the offering in the Winbot Mini. The Mini ditches the rubber bumpers of the larger model, but that means better edge-to-edge cleaning. The mini also gains more portability by not having a heavy station like the full size model. What the mini lost seems like a worthwhile tradeoff for the price: The large Winbot has twice as many cleaning programs and more safety features (12 to the Mini's 9), but in both cases, what the Mini has seems sufficient. Priced around $250, the WinBot Mini feels like a luxurious piece of tech within reach for most folks. [add to list https://www.amazon.com/ECOVACS-WINBOT-Window-Cleaning-Robot/dp/B0DR8W696Y] Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Omni $499.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $100.00 Shop Now Shop Now $499.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $100.00 Ecovacs Winbot Mini $199.99 at Amazon Learn More Learn More $199.99 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE The Shelfy Lite the original Shelfy Credit: Amanda Blum For the last six months, I've had a Shelfy installed in my fridge. A small, charegable device, the Shelfy uses a catalyst on a ceramic filter, activated by LED lights in the device to mimic chlorophyll photosynthesis. To simplify, it purifies the air in your fridge to remove ethylene gas that ripens vegetables, and it removes odors and prevents cross contamination.I can confirm that it works to make your fridge smell better, and while I can't confirm the additional twelve days of freshness in vegetables that Shelfy claims, it has definitely added some shelf life to my fruits and vegetables.In particular, I notice the change in fruit. I buy strawberries and blueberries with some regularity year round, so I know traditionally how long they'd last before starting to form mold (two to four days). As long as I have Shelfy charged, I can get a full week out of strawberries and ten days out of blueberries. That's a huge difference that creates savings in my food budget. The CEO of Shelfy, Paolo Ganis, put a number to the savings, explaining that "the average family throws away approximately $1,996 worth of food each year—money that could easily be saved with better food preservation." Vitesy Smart Refrigerator Device | Extends Food Freshness $149.99 at Walmart Learn More Learn More $149.99 at Walmart Shelfy isn't large or particularly expensive (it's just under $150) but Vitesy has just introduced a Kickstarter for the Shelfy Lite, which will only be $66 (the project is already funded). "Through a number of user surveys, we consistently heard that people loved the idea behind Shelfy but wanted a version that was more accessible: smaller, more affordable," Ganis said.The Lite adds multiple modes to the device, one for the general fridge, one for the crisper drawer and a power mode for when someone buys a particularly stinky cheese. The Lite improves on the battery charging and performance over the original model, and comes in some additional accent colors, if you care about that sort of thing. The Lite is only marginally smaller than the original Shelfy, but at less than half the price, that seems immaterial.What I've enjoyed about the Shelfy is that there are no filters to replace; you simply wash and wet the ceramic filter when you recharge the device every few weeks. If you don't recharge it, there are no annoying beeps or notifications—it's been a quiet helper.A smart home hub for lessSometimes even I forget there are smart home hubs outside of Samsung, Amazon, Apple, and Google. But Homey, a hub that keeps all your connections local, has gained traction over the last few years since its introduction. Homey has a specific focus on automation through its "Flow" platform, which is a version of routines or automatons in any other platform. Homey fans claim Flow has far more flexibility, and although I've never found Alexa or Google Home difficult, Homey is noted for its appeal to beginner smart home fans. Still, at just under $400, the Homey Pro hub was an expensive way to dive into smart home tech, compared to other platforms. Jasper Foppele, head of marketing at Homey, was transparent about their strategy, explaining that their usage data and feedback made clear they had to rethink their offering. Instead of trying to offer everything (the Homey Pro supports 60 apps), the Homey product team chose the core technology they saw being used in the U.S. market (Matter, Thread, Zigbee) and winnowed the app coverage to the most common 25. "This approach allowed us to significantly reduce cost and complexity," Foppele said, "a privacy-first, locally running smart home hub priced at $199."The Homey Pro Mini still prioritizes local first connection, including backups, but it has an option for cloud backup. The Mini is on pre-order and will ship sometime this month.

Microsoft's annual Build developer conference kicks off today and, as always, it starts with a keynote. You can watch the opening event live starting at noon Eastern time right here, with the embedded YouTube stream below. (It's also available on Microsoft's website, though you'd have to register and sign in.) Just like last year, the event will be hosted by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, along with the company's Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Scott. According to the keynote page, the executives will be sharing how "Microsoft is creating new opportunity across [its] platforms in this era of AI." The company has been introducing new AI features at Build over the last few years, even as the company's close relationship with OpenAI continues to evolve. We expect Microsoft to add more AI agents to Windows 11 to automate more tasks for you on the operating system. It could also give us an in-depth look at Copilot Vision, a feature that allows the AI assistant to see what you're doing on your computer so it could talk you through various tasks. Microsoft likely wouldn't be announcing new hardware at the event, however, seeing as it has only recently launched a 12-inch Surface Pro tablet and a 13-inch Surface Laptop.  The Build conference will also have a day 2 keynote streamed live that is scheduled to feature Scott Guthrie, Jay Parikh, Charles Lamanna and other key Microsoft executives, according to the summary on the event's YouTube page. Microsoft's Build conference will take place from May 19 to May 22. Two other tech events are also taking place around that time: Google's I/O conference from May 20 to 21 and the Computex computer expo in Taiwan from May 20 to 23.  Update, May 19, 11:21AM ET: Updated to include link and basic information for the day 2 keynote.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-build-2025-how-to-watch-and-what-to-expect-including-copilot-ai-windows-11-and-more-025928415.html?src=rss

Sony might be launching a brand new flagship FX Cinema Line camera on May 28, 2025.

Logistics startup Stord said Monday that its buying UPS subsidiary Ware2Go as it looks to expand its footprint in the ecommerce space.

Between collections resuming, courts blocking student loan programs and layoffs at the Education Department, borrowers might be confused about the status of their student loans.Recently, the Education Department announced it would start involuntary collections on defaulted loans, meaning the roughly 5.3 million borrowers who are in default could have their wages garnished by the federal government.At the center of the turmoil are the government’s income-driven repayment plans, which reduce monthly payments for borrowers with lower incomes. Those plans were temporarily paused after a federal court blocked parts of the plans in February.“There’s so much confusion, they’ve made it very complicated,” said Natalia Abrams, president and founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center.At the same time, some borrowers are struggling to get their loan servicers on the phone, making it hard to find answers to their questions, said Abrams.If you’re a student loan borrower, here are some answers to your questions. What if I want to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan? Applications for income-driven repayment plans are open, but they’re taking longer than usual to process.The applications were temporarily shut down earlier this year after a federal court in Missouri blocked the SAVE plan, a Biden administration plan that offered a faster path to loan forgiveness. The judge’s order also blocked parts of other repayment plans, prompting the Education Department to pause income-driven applications entirely.Amid pressure from advocates, the department reopened the applications on May 10.Borrowers can apply for the following income-driven plans: the Income-Based Repayment Plan, the Pay as You Earn plan and the Income-Contingent Repayment plan.Abrams expects applications will continue to be approved but at a slower pace than before the application pause.Borrowers currently enrolled in an income-driven plan should be receiving notifications about recertification, said Khandice Lofton, counsel at the Student Borrower Protection Center. Recertification is required annually to update information on family size and income, and dates are different for each borrower.To review income-driven repayment plans, you can check the loan simulator at studentaid.gov. What if I applied to the SAVE plan? Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan have been placed in forbearance while a legal challenge is resolved. That means they don’t have to make payments and interest is not accruing. Time in forbearance normally does not count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness.The Education Department will notify borrowers with updates on payments and litigation.“We don’t know for sure when the SAVE forbearance is going to end,” Abrams said.While the future of the SAVE plan is decided in court, Abrams encourages borrowers to explore their eligibility for other income-driven repayment plans. What if I want to consolidate my student loans? The online application for loan consolidation is available again, at studentaid.gov/loan-consolidation. If you have multiple federal student loans, you can combine them into one with a fixed interest rate and a single monthly payment.The consolidation process typically takes around 60 days to complete. You can only consolidate your loans once. What if my loan was forgiven? It would be difficult for the Education Department to reinstate loans that were canceled during President Joe Biden’s administration. So far, it isn’t believed to be happening, Abrams said. What about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program? Nothing has changed yet.President Donald Trump wants to change the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to disqualify workers of nonprofit groups deemed to have engaged in “improper” activities. He signed an executive order to that effect, but it has yet to be enforced.Borrowers enrolled in PSLF should keep up with payments to make progress toward loan forgiveness, said Sarah Austin, policy analyst at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.“There could be some changes coming in regards to PSLF but at this current time PSLF is still functioning and there is still loan forgiveness being processed under the PSLF provision,” said Austin.An income-driven repayment tracker has disappeared from the federal student loan website for many borrowers, said Abrams. For keeping track of their status, Abrams is recommending that borrowers take screenshots of their payments. What if I can’t get a hold of my loan servicer? Contacting your loan servicer is crucial to managing and understanding your student loans. Due to the large number of people trying to get answers or apply for programs, loan servicers are taking longer than usual to respond.Abrams recommends borrowers prepare for long wait times.“We’ve heard borrowers being in hold for three or four hours, then being transferred to a supervisor and then being hung up on, after all that wait time. It’s incredibly frustrating,” Abrams said. What can I do if I’m delinquent on my student loans? If you’re delinquent, try to get back on track. Borrowers who don’t make their payments for 270 days go into default, which has severe consequences.“If you’re delinquent but have not defaulted yet, do whatever you can do to avoid going default,” said Kate Wood, a student loans expert at NerdWallet.Borrowers who are delinquent on their student loans take a massive hit on their credit scores, which could drop 100 points or more, Wood said. A delinquency stays on your credit report for seven years.Wood recommends contacting your servicer to ask for options, which can include forbearance, deferment or applying for an income-driven repayment plan. What if I’m in default on my student loans? The Education Department is recommending borrowers visit its Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan or sign up for loan rehabilitation.Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute for Student Loan Advisors, recommends loan rehabilitation.Borrowers in default must ask their loan servicer to be placed into such a program. Typically, servicers ask for proof of income and expenses to calculate a payment amount. Once a borrower has paid on time for nine months in a row, they are taken out of default, Mayotte said. A loan rehabilitation can only be done once. What happened to Fresh Start? The Fresh Start program was a one-time temporary program that helped borrowers get out of default. This program ended Aug. 31, 2024. The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. —Adriana Morga, Associated Press

Some luxury automakers, like Lexus, offer built-in sun shades that you can slide up to cover the side windows. For those with cars lacking this feature, the only option has been to deal with janky aftermarket offerings that rely on suction cups. From Australia, a country well familiar with sun-baked car interiors, comes these SnapShades. These are model-specific and feature metal frames with integrated neodymium magnets; they not only fit your car perfectly, but simply magnetically cling to your car's existing windowframes. They're made of thin "memory steel" and can be folded away when not in use. Perfect fit, easy installation, can even roll the windows down They also make opaque windshield models for when you're parked. The company offers units that will fit over 200 different car, SUV and truck models across 69 automakers. You can check for your vehicle on their website. Prices obviously vary by model, but start around USD $36 per window and $52 per pair. The windshield versions start around USD $105.

In Osaka, a new chapter in global innovation has begun as World Expo 2025 officially welcomes visitors from around the globe. With 160 countries and regions showcasing their achievements, sustainability takes centre stage through groundbreaking exhibits, eco-friendly technologies, and visions for a better tomorrow. Sustainability takes centre stage, with initiatives and exhibits focusing on eco-friendly solutions, renewable energy, and sustainable development. The Expo aims to unite people and ideas from around the world to tackle pressing global challenges. Spanning six months from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the Expo is expected to welcome around 28 million visitors from across the globe. In this spirit of innovation, several pavilions are pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and creativity, reimagining how architecture and technology can serve the planet. From plant-covered structures to recycled materials and carbon-neutral designs, here are the standout pavilions leading the charge towards a greener future. The Grand Ring The Grand Ring is a gridded wooden structure encircling the Expo, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest wooden architectural structure, covering 61,035 square metres. This 2-kilometer ring on Yumeshima island blends traditional Japanese joinery, such as nuki joints, with modern engineering. Reflecting the Expo’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” it embodies “Diversity in Unity.” With an inner diameter of 615 meters, an outer diameter of 675 meters, and heights ranging from 12 to 20 meters, it seamlessly merges cultural heritage with innovation. Designed with sustainability in mind, the modular structure can be dismantled, repurposed, or preserved after the Expo to minimize waste. France Pavilion The France Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is guided by the theme “A Hymn to Love,” offering a sensory journey that engages all five senses. Its sleek, modern façade, facing the Expo’s main entrance, resembles an open theatre stage, inviting visitors to explore freely. The side façades are fully screened, and every space reinforces the Pavilion’s core message. Sustainability is central to the design, with the plant-covered roof, visible from the surrounding Grand Ring, creating a natural microclimate, improving rainwater management, and helping reduce the urban heat island effect. Built with a focus on low environmental impact, the Pavilion showcases how architecture and nature can work together for a more sustainable future. German Pavilion The German Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, “Wa! Germany,” highlights sustainability, smart design, and the circular economy. Built entirely from reusable materials, the LAVA Architects-designed pavilion features six round exhibition spaces with green roofs, using 132 tonnes of steel and 140 tonnes of wood for easy disassembly and future use. Eco-friendly materials like fungal mycelia, loam, and hempcrete add to its sustainable character. Through four exhibition areas and a rooftop garden, visitors are invited to experience and actively engage with ideas of circular living and innovative climate-conscious design. Netherlands Pavilion The Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2025, themed “Common Ground: Creating a New Dawn Together,” is an open and inclusive space that encourages connection, collaboration, and innovation. Designed by RAU Architects, its circular structure features a striking “man-made sun,” symbolizing a hopeful future powered by clean, accessible energy. The pavilion is fully circular and acts as a material bank, with all building components registered in Madaster—a digital platform that tracks and documents materials for future reuse, making it a sustainable structure. Showcasing eco-friendly technologies, including water-based energy solutions, it highlights how smart design can tackle climate change, food security, and global health. Philippines Pavilion The Philippines’ Woven pavilion, designed by Carlo Calma Consultancy Inc. with Cat Inc., highlights sustainability through tradition and innovation. Inspired by Filipino weaving, the pavilion uses over 1,000 rattan threads and 212 handwoven panels crafted by local artisans, symbolizing resilience and unity. Emphasizing Nature, Culture & Community, it showcases the country’s mega biodiversity and promotes the transformation of natural and waste materials into sustainable products. Blending eco-conscious design, sustainable materials like rattan and bamboo, and engaging exhibits, the pavilion honours Filipino creativity and inspires a commitment to protecting the environment for generations to come. Portugal Pavilion The Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025, designed by Kengo Kuma, honors the ocean through sustainable design. Using recycled nets and suspended ropes, the pavilion forms a dynamic, wave-inspired structure that symbolizes Portugal’s strong bond with the sea. The design incorporates natural elements like sunlight and wind, showcasing the country’s commitment to the circular economy and minimizing waste. With the theme “Ocean, The Blue Dialogue,” the pavilion underscores the ocean’s vital role in sustainability, supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). It offers an immersive experience that highlights Portugal’s dedication to a sustainable future. Saudi Arabia The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025, designed by Foster + Partners, blends cultural storytelling with a strong focus on sustainability. Situated on the Yumeshima waterfront, its design draws inspiration from traditional Saudi urban landscapes, featuring winding streets, a central courtyard, and immersive installations that reflect the Kingdom’s heritage and future vision. Built with low-carbon materials, energy-efficient lighting, and rooftop solar panels, the pavilion is designed for easy disassembly and reuse—minimising environmental impact. Targeting the highest CASBEE S rating- Japan’s top green building certification, the pavilion will operate at net zero carbon, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s dedication to sustainable innovation and lasting legacy. Singapore Pavilion Designed by DP Architects with Kingsmen Exhibits, the Singapore Pavilion is thematically centred around “Where Dreams Take Shape.” The pavilion explores Singapore’s culture, culinary traditions, and innovations for a sustainable future. Shaped as a 17-metre-high Dream Sphere clad in vibrant Dream Discs made from recycled materials, it symbolizes Singapore’s collective spirit and commitment to sustainability. Located on a 900-square-metre plot on Yumeshima Island, the pavilion spans three levels, featuring immersive multimedia art by artists Ashley Yeo, Jerrold Chong, Melissa Tan, and Zul Mahmod. At the top, the Dream Forest features dense native planting, inspired by ecological restoration and celebrating Singapore-Japan ties. Inspired by Singapore’s nickname, the Little Red Dot, the pavilion invites visitors on a multi-sensory journey of hope, dreams, and positive change. Swiss Pavilion The Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025, themed “From Heidi to High-Tech,” showcases Switzerland’s journey from Alpine traditions to global innovation. Heidi, a well-loved figure in Japan, serves as the mascot, connecting heritage and progress. Designed by Manuel Herz Architekten, NUSSLI, and Bellprat Partner, the pavilion features four lightweight, connected spheres with a membrane structure for sustainable construction. Inside, five zones — Augmented Human, Life, Planet provide a sensory experience that showcases Switzerland’s creativity, technology, and innovation. A rooftop viewing platform adds a social space. The design aligns with the Expo’s theme, focusing on a sustainable future. Blue Ocean Dome The Blue Ocean Dome champions marine conservation through sustainable architecture and innovation. Supporting the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision to eliminate additional marine plastic pollution by 2050, the pavilion features three interconnected domes built with eco-friendly materials. Dome A uses laminated bamboo, a durable, carbon-sequestering material, and serves as the pavilion’s media hub. Dome B, the largest, is the world’s first structure made entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Dome C, crafted from recycled paper tubes, offers a fully recyclable space for live broadcasts and interaction. The pavilion highlights ocean conservation, sustainable marine industries, and the urgent need for environmental action to protect future generations. Osaka Expo 2025 stands as a remarkable showcase of sustainability in action, where eco-innovations from around the world converge to inspire and shape the future. From cutting-edge technologies to sustainable architectural designs, the Expo exemplifies how global collaboration and forward-thinking solutions can address the pressing environmental challenges of our times.The post Eco-Innovation in Action: Sustainability Stars of Osaka Expo 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

BlenderMCP allows prompt-assisted 3D modeling.

Amber Scorah and Psst are building a “digital safe” to help people shine a light on the bad things their bosses are doing, without getting found out.

Leaving your device at home might seem daunting, but it can result in a deeper connection to a place and more authentic interactions with locals.