"What could possibly go wrong?" asks commenter

In this week's comments update, readers are discussing videos released by US company Alef Aeronautics of an electric flying car in California.

The videos show the car, which can reach up to 25 miles per hour on the ground, driving on the road before vertically taking off into flight.

"Silly impractical novelty"

Commenters struggled to get on board with the idea. "I hope I won't live long enough to see these giant mosquitos infesting our cities," determined David Foster.

In a comment that got upvoted 15 times, Ohoh! wrote "sorry, but that's a drone with a lightweight car shape silhouette."

"'Escape traffic congestion by flying over it' – wonder what that would look like when we all have a vehicle like this," questioned Roelatmac.

For Jack Woodburn, it was a "silly impractical novelty" that "looks very unstable." Meanwhile, Karl wondered "what could possibly go wrong?"

What do you make of it? Join the discussion ›

"Looks like the first half of a Black Mirror trailer"

Readers were also discussing a story about a humanoid robot servant for home chores wrapped in beige knitwear, developed by Norwegian robotics firm 1X.

"Now all the Roomba vacuum robots will be out of a job, and Siri too, and the smart refrigerators and washing machines," lamented Weetbix. "So much suffering".

"They barely started working and they already came to work in pyjamas? Damn the new generation!" quipped JoJo.

Gyitis Bickus suggested that "this looks like the first half of a Black Mirror trailer, before the ominous foreshadowing segment."

Do you agree? Join the discussion ›

"Unexpected lyrical elegance"

Readers were largely impressed by Danish studio BIG's Jinji Lake Pavilion, which features a single undulating roof draped over four metal-clad volumes arranged around a central courtyard.

"BIG really shows with these small projects that they indeed can be masterful at their art," commended Rd. They called it "sensitive and intricate, wonderful spatiality beneath the canopy and in the courtyard – bravo."

Sorperdida was also complementary of the project, writing "although little, the pavilion reaches an unexpected lyrical elegance and fits very well in its context".

"This is really nice – I like the simplicity in plan, with the complexity in section," wrote Braves.

For Lynn Skordal, it was "very impressive, innovative without being gimmicky, well-suited for its purpose, and graceful."

However, on the other side of the coin, Jimmy thought "the courtyard certainly does not encourage lingering" and that "it has all the comfort of a back alley".

Which side are you on? Join the discussion ›

Comments Update

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