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The story of the Tesla brand

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Tesla

In 2003, in Silicon Valley, the beating heart of innovation and creativity in the world of technology, a spark was struck. The story of the Tesla brand was the beginning of a great transformation in the automotive industry. A group of bold and entrepreneurial engineers, with the dream of building a clean, powerful, and luxurious car, founded a company and named it Tesla Motors in honor of Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor and physicist. At first, this company faced many challenges, because the idea of ​​electric cars was still nascent at that time and faced many doubts and criticisms. But Tesla continued on its path relying on perseverance, creativity, and commitment.

The story of the Tesla brand

This article was updated on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of Tesla on July 11, 1403.

In 2008, Tesla took a big step forward in the automotive industry by introducing the Roadster, the first all-electric sports car. With its impressive performance and range, this car attracted the opinion of many experts and customers and proved that electric cars can be a serious competitor to gasoline cars.

Tesla continued its innovation and development process and in 2013, it once again revolutionized the industry with the introduction of the Model S, its first all-electric luxury sedan. This car has become the most popular electric car in the world with its beautiful design, spacious interior, and excellent performance. Tesla Model S achieved such popularity that year in competition with cars from the Mercedes Benz S Class sedan family BMW 7 Series and any other luxury sedan; Despite these news-making successes in the 2000s, it is interesting to know that the story of Tesla Motors began in 1990.

The symbol of Tesla

Today, Tesla is known as one of the most valuable automotive brands in the world and has become a symbol of innovation, creativity, and commitment. Offering a wide range of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries and solar panels, the company is working to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for the planet.

Tesla’s story is an inspiring story of courage, creativity, and perseverance. This story shows how by relying on new ideas and continuous effort, you can achieve great goals and change the world around you.

Tesla in its early days

Elon Musk is the most famous CEO of Tesla, but Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpening were the first CEOs of Tesla and one of the founders of the company. Today, many people know Tesla by the name of Elon Musk, and he as the founder of this company. But the fact is that in the beginning, Elon was just a series A investor and a big supporter of this project. He sat on the chairman’s chair as the fourth chief executive officer of Tesla.

Eberhard and Tarpening, the first founders of Tesla

Eberhard and Tarpening met in the 80s and founded a company called Nuvomedia in 1997. This company was a pioneer in the field of producing e-readers and released a product called “Rocket Ebook” to the market. Tarpenning was the CEO and Eberhard was the chief technology officer of this company.

Rocket e-book

The idea of ​​establishing Tesla was formed from Martin’s interest in sports cars; He thought about buying sports cars for several reasons, but decided against it because:

  • These cars had high fuel consumption and consumed 13 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, which was not economical at all.
  • In those years, due to the war in the Middle East region, the price of oil and gasoline had increased significantly.
  • Global warming was also considered a serious problem that buying such a car could accelerate its process.

Eberhard thought about buying an electric car like the EV1, but these cars were collected from the market. In the early 2000s, the state of California passed a zero-emission vehicle law aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. The law required automakers to allocate 10 percent of cars sold in California to zero-emission models by 2010; But some automobile companies such as General Motors, Toyota, and Honda were against this law and considered it too strict and detrimental to the automobile industry.

The idea of ​​establishing Tesla was formed from its founder’s interest in sports cars

Finally, in 2002, car companies undermined the zero-emission car law by lobbying and donating to politicians. As a result of this weakening, the number of electric vehicles sold in the state decreased significantly. Desperate to find the right electric car, Eberhard talked to Mark about making an electric car. At first, instead of producing an electric car, Mark was looking for a suitable alternative to gasoline. For their new idea, Eberhard and Mark investigated all the alternative energies for use in the car.

At that time, electric cars did not have the appropriate speed and efficiency, and Eberhard investigated all types of fuel, from hydrogen fuel cells to diesel, diesel, and natural gas. In electric cars, electricity may be generated from coal, natural gas, or oil. Eberhard and Mark concluded with various studies that electric cars are better than any other vehicle; But the problem was that Eberhard and Tarpenning had worked together in the hardware department and had no experience in the automotive field.

Before founding Tesla, Eberhard searched the Internet to see if there was a company that made an electric car. In those years, not all the big companies had entered the field, but a small company in Southern California called AC Propulsion had produced three hand-built cars of a special model called the tzero, which passed the initial ideas to Eberhard and his later colleagues. The tzero proved that a high-speed electric car could be produced, but the idea still needed to be nurtured. After contacting them, Eberhard learned that the small company had lost almost all of its revenue after the zero-emission car law was repealed. Therefore, Eberhard took action and by investing in this company, he asked them to build a car for him.

tzero car

The car made by this company was equipped with a sensitive and dangerous type of battery that used lead plates and sulfuric acid to generate electricity, so it had a very short range. Eberhard suggested that they use lithium-ion batteries instead. As a result, with more investment, cars equipped with lithium-ion batteries were built. After Eberhard and Tarpening found the right battery for use in electric vehicles, they looked for a way to fully build these vehicles with the right range and capability.

Eberhard’s ideas and his attempt to collaborate with AC Propulsion were not successful and as a result he decided to start his own company. At that time, Eberhard asked himself that if electric cars were a feasible idea, why the car manufacturing giants had not entered this field.

The truth is that General Motors has already tried to enter the commercial electric vehicle industry by investing billions of dollars and building a prototype called EV-1, but its attempt was not successful.

Tesla Motors was founded on July 1, 2003

After extensive research, these two colleagues realized that most car manufacturing companies outsource parts of car production to other companies. As a result, they were looking for a partner for this work, and in their search they reached an English company called Lotus. Thus, Tesla Motors was established on July 1, 2003.

Meeting with Elon Musk

Tesla Motors did not have foreign investors in the beginning. Eberhard and Tarpening used their capital and the help of their friends and family members to establish this company and continue working. They were also connected to the venture capital (VC) community, especially those who had benefited from previous investments. A point that should be noted is that in large investment funds with several partners, some kind of consensus or agreement between all partners is needed for financing. In other words, if the investment fund has five partners, all of them must agree with the investment or at least none of them have veto rights; Because even if one of them disagrees, the investment is rejected.

Unfortunately, Eberhard and Tarpening did not have the power of influence and persuasion to convince all partners. The funny thing is that they would go to these companies and completely convince their respective technology experts there so that they fully understood the idea; But in the end, their biotech specialist was vetoing the investment, and that’s where Elon Musk stepped in. Eberhard and Tarpening had previously met him in 2001 at a conference on the exploration and habitation of Mars. Therefore, knowing him and considering the lack of success with other investors, they decided to meet with Musk again.

Elon Musk next to Eberhard and Tarpening

Elon Musk had an important difference from other investors, he was trying to build a spaceship; Therefore, building an all-electric car was not a strange thing for him. Musk was very receptive to their idea and after the initial agreement between Elon Musk, Eberhard, and Tarpening, Musk invested $6.35 million of his own money in Tesla on April 1, 2004, and was elected as the chairman of the board in addition to the partnership.

Amazing battery technology

The first step to making an efficient and optimal electric car was to design a suitable battery for it, a step with many challenges. Eberhard and Tarpening started the battery construction from scratch; Managing this number of battery cells was a major challenge, both mechanically and to ensure safety. Something that had never been done before. At a conference, someone was talking about the dangers of lithium batteries; At the same time and suddenly, a large number of fires caused by laptops were reported. The number of these fires was not large, but they seemed very dangerous. As a result, the safety of lithium-ion batteries and their cooling was a big challenge at that time, and until this challenge was solved, the next steps were delayed.

Today, all-electric cars use the battery system that Tesla designed

Further, with the help of a team of experts in the field of lithium-ion batteries, Tarpening and Eberhard were able to design a system to cool them. No one had put 7,000 cells together to make a battery before. In battery construction, the cell is the basic unit that stores and produces electrical energy. Each battery consists of a number of cells connected in series or parallel. Today, all-electric cars use the battery system designed by Tesla Motors.

Lithium ion battery used in Roadster

The roadster car is born

The design of Tesla Motors’ first car was very important. They were looking for a car that didn’t scream electric at first glance. Eberhard held numerous meetings with various individuals and design companies, especially the Lotus design team, to convey his vision to them. Finally, Bill McGridge and IDEO had a good meeting with Eberhard and prepared some preliminary designs for him. The co-founder of Tesla Motors, at a party attended by company members and consultants, asked them about the initial plans. The final design of the Roadster was chosen at the same meeting.

Tesla unveiled the Roadster prototype in 2006. This initial unveiling caused all-electric sports cars to gain many fans before being released to the market. At an event for the initial unveiling of this car that was held in Santa Monica on July 10, 2006, exciting things happened. This event was widely welcomed by the media, investors and people. Many people were surprised to see an electric car with this level of performance and appeal, But the most interesting event was the presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger in this event.

Arnold at the unveiling of the Roadster

Eberhard and Tarpening regularly held meetings to demonstrate and explain various electric vehicle prototypes. The main purpose of doing such work was to maintain communication with customers and accompany them along this path. Eberhard and Tarpening didn’t know exactly when the final product would be on the market, and they were very open about it. Various people and even some Tesla investors registered their names on the waiting list by paying $100,000.

Eberhard and Tarpenning didn’t have a pre-written marketing plan to sell their electric cars, but seeing the influx of customers and the interest they showed in buying an electric car got them thinking. Therefore, they were looking for a way to satisfy their customers and their commitment to them.

Eberhard and Tarpenning faced many technical challenges in the roadster production process; The most difficult and surprising challenge that they did not expect to happen was the problem of getting parts from suppliers. They wanted to use standard technologies to build their electric car, and by coming up with more exotic ideas, they faced more risk. In the early stages of roadster development, Tesla faced many challenges in sourcing safety components such as airbags, seat belts, and door locks.

The most difficult challenge in roadster production was the problem of getting parts from suppliers

The company, which supplies safety parts such as airbags, believed that the number of airbags purchased by Tesla was what a typical car company would order for a prototype that would never be sold. Also, the supplier company saw Tesla as a company with limited financial resources, so the risk of selling to this company was high. This was something that Eberhard and Tarpening had never predicted. At this stage, the Lotus company helped Tesla a lot in the field of supplying car parts. As a result of the challenges encountered in the design and development process, the final unveiling of Tesla’s long-awaited product was delayed until 2008.

The removal of Eberhard and the beginning of Elon Musk’s management

In the summer of 2007, Martin Eberhard was fired as CEO of Tesla and left the company a few months later. Elon Musk eventually became the fourth CEO of the company and has held this position since 2008.

Eberhard and Tarpening left Tesla when the Roadster was almost finished, and there was only one very annoying problem with the transmission and some power electronics changes that nearly killed the company; It was one of those near-death experiences for the company. They were transitioning all the engineers to the new sedan project, which they had been working on on a limited basis for about a year before. As engineers were released from the Roadster design team, they moved on to the Model S project.

Eberhard and Musk in one frame

Note that Elon Musk did not immediately take over the management of Tesla after Eberhard was fired. Tesla’s board initially hired former Flextronics CEO Mike Marks in a meeting. During his tenure as CEO of Tesla, Mike Marks overcame many of the company’s early challenges. He had a good track record in the previous company and understood executive management in the full sense. Many of Tesla’s additional projects and early financial challenges fell through during Marx’s brief tenure, and he was ousted in November 2007; Zev Drury , the former CEO of Clifford Electronics, then replaced Marks as CEO.

Finally, in October 2008, after the roadster was completed and released to the market, Elon Musk became the CEO of Tesla Motors and laid off 25% of the company’s workforce. By that time, he had invested 55 million dollars in the company.

The release of Roadster to the market

After the dismissal of Eberhard and Tarpening, Elon Musk took over the management of Tesla in October 2008 at the same time as the release of the Roadster. Tesla knew that building the first all-electric car would be expensive; So, they decided to build a premium electric sports car that would appeal to the rich. The roadster could accelerate to 96 km/h (60 mph) in 3.7 seconds. At that time, Ferrari Enzo was known as one of the fastest cars in the world and reached a speed of 96 km/h in 3.1 seconds. Although the Roadster was slightly slower than the Ferrari Enzo, the comparison shows Tesla’s exciting start.

Initially, the roadster car traveled between 300 and 392 kilometers after each battery charge

Also, the roadster could reach a speed of 201 km/h. However, the time it took for this car to reach 100 km/h and the maximum speed it could travel were not the main point of the story. The main story was the distance that the roadster could travel after each battery charge: 300 to 392 km. A total of 2,450 units of this car were built and its base price was $98,950. This price was considered a high price at that time and made this car available to rich people. You may be interested to know that in 2018, SpaceX launched the Falcon rocket carrying Elon Musk’s personal Tesla Roadster on a test flight.

In 2009, Daimler AG joined Tesla’s investors. However, the economic crisis of 2008 had also put pressure on Tesla Motors and they were looking for new capital to escape. By paying $50 million and acquiring a 10% stake in Tesla Motors, Daimler overcame many financial challenges. In 2010, Elon Musk decided to go public with Tesla shares, which went uphill from the beginning. The company’s stock went public on the Nasdaq on June 29, bringing $226 million in new capital to Tesla. In the same year, the Japanese auto industry giant, Toyota, decided to invest in Tesla and started a public partnership with the American brand to produce electric cars and related parts by paying $50 million.

The important move of Tesla Motors in the direction of car production took place on October 27, 2010. The American company moved to a new factory in Fremont, California, which was previously jointly owned and operated by General Motors and Toyota. Mass production of the Model S began at the same factory, and later models, the Model X and the Model 3, were quickly added to the production line.

Tesla factory in California

The launch of the Tesla Model S

After the Roadster, Tesla started building a very important car; the Tesla Model S. The Model S was known as the WhiteStar before it was released to the market. Finally, the wait was over and this car was launched in 2012 and created a revolution in the electric car industry. At that time, most electric cars were still expensive and small and could not travel a long distance after each battery charge; But the Model S was a different type of car. This model was a stylish five-door sedan with a range of 426 km, whose speed could reach 96 km/h in 3.9 seconds. In this sense, the acceleration of the Tesla Model S car was almost equivalent to the acceleration of the Lamborghini Murciélago and the maximum speed that this car could reach was 209 km/h.

Tesla Model STesla Model S

Model S not only had excellent performance but also had very high safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Model S a five-star rating in all subcategories.

With the Model S, we really tried to set a new standard in car safety; Tesla Model S was very well received.

– Elon Musk , CEO of Tesla

Although the Model S attracted a lot of attention and became the best-selling car in Norway in 2013, the start of the year was marked by a serious crisis for Tesla. They had launched the Model S, but the company’s stock value plummeted. Ashley Vance, the author of Elon Musk’s biography, says that he even decided to sell Tesla to Google at that time.

Elon Musk planned to sell Tesla to Google in 2013!

Elon Musk decided to sell his company to Google for $6 billion. However, in May, the stock rose again and Musk withdrew his offer. Tesla’s first quarterly earnings report was published on May 8, 2013. After nearly a decade of activity, the revolutionary carmaker had finally reached profitability and a quarterly profit of 11 million dollars.

The entry of semi-automatic and automatic cars into the market

A year later, in 2014, Tesla introduced its semi-autonomous driving system called Autopilot. Elon Musk believed that just as having Autopilot in airplanes is good, equipping cars with this system will also have many advantages. Autopilot allows the car to automatically stay in its lane and accelerate or brake. This is a feature that can be activated in all new Tesla vehicles. These cars have advanced sensors that provide 360-degree vision. Fully autonomous driving is currently being tested, But the day is not too late when people can get around in fully automated cars.

Imagine the day when the police stop you and angrily ask, do you know why I stopped you? You shrug your shoulders and say: “No, I was asleep” and you have not told a lie in this regard; Because the automatic steering system has guided the car all along the way. A year later, in 2016, Tesla changed the Model S, also known as a facelift. The most notable changes were the removal of the black air intake from the front of the car and the standard LED lights.

Tesla’s Model S has improved significantly since its initial release. In 2021, two models of this car were available: Long Range and Plaid. The long-range model can cover a relatively long distance of 650 kilometers with just one charge of the battery.

The Plaid model focuses more on performance and packs a staggering 1,020 horsepower. This power allows the car to reach a speed of 320 km/h (even faster than the Ferrari 430 Scuderia); But even more incredible is that the Plaid S car can reach a speed of 96 km/h in just two seconds; This acceleration is even faster than the multi-million dollar Bugatti Chiron. The starting price for the Long Range model starts at $94,990, while the Plaid model has a base price of $129,990.

Two S car models next to each other

Tesla Model S car attracted a lot of attention; So according to most customers, this car is not only the best electric car, but also the best car in the world. The Model S won several awards, including Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award. In 2018, Tesla achieved great success by selling nearly 250,000 Model S cars.

Launch of Model X

In 2015, Tesla Model X car production started. Tesla Model X is a mid-size luxury SUV and is known for its Falcon Doors. As you can see in the video below, the doors of this car open easily even when it is parked at a very short distance from two other cars. The interesting point is that the X model is only about 8% heavier than the S model despite its larger dimensions. This car has enough space for 7 passengers, which makes it a great car for families.

At that time, the Model X was the fastest SUV, reaching 96 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 249 km/h. Also, after each battery charge, it traveled a distance of 402 km. But these were not the only advantages of the Tesla Model X. This car was one of the safest SUVs in the world and received 5 stars in all categories. The Model X improved significantly after a few years so that in 2021, the long-range version of this car could cover a distance of 579 km.

In the same year, the Plaid X model won the title by becoming the fastest SUV in the world. This car could reach a speed of 96 km/h in 2.7 seconds (faster than the Lamborghini Aventador). Also, this car could travel at a maximum speed of 262 kilometers per hour and travel a distance of 547 kilometers after each battery charge. Right now, the Model X starts at $104,950. The Tesla SUV was a great success for this company and in 2018, about 100,000 units were sold. The Tesla Model X is so strong that it was able to tow a Boeing 787 in a demonstration in Melbourne, Australia.

From the beginning of his time at Tesla, Elon Musk wanted to make an electric car that most people could afford. For this reason, Tesla made the Model 3 electric car and chose its code name Blue Star. In 2006, before making Tesla’s first electric car, Elon Musk published an article titled “Tesla Engine Master Plan” in his blog. Several goals were pursued in Tesla’s original plan:

  • Construction of sports car: For this purpose, the roadster car was built.
  • Using the money from the sale of a sports car to build a car with a reasonable price: a Model S car was built for this purpose.
  • Using the money from the sale of the Tesla S car to build a car with a more reasonable price : for this purpose, the Model 3 car was built.

Model supply 3

In 2016, Tesla unveiled the Model 3 car, and in just one week, 325,000 people lined up to request this car. With this volume of requests, the amount of sales of this car was estimated at 14 billion dollars. Finally, the Model 3 car was released to the market in 2017; This car had all the necessary things such as good range, reasonable price, good efficiency, and high safety to attract the market. Entering the flow of mass production of the Model 3 required more capital, and Tesla provided the desired capital by selling its shares worth 1.46 billion dollars. At that time, Musk predicted that he would need more than two billion dollars in capital to reach the goal of producing 500,000 cars in 2018 at the Fremont plant.

Tesla has built its electric cars in such a way that they can regulate their interior temperature

In 2021, the Model 3 will be sold in three different variants. The long-range model, as the name suggests, could travel up to 568 km after each charge. Therefore, this model was a significant improvement compared to the 2017 Model 3, which could only travel a distance of 345 kilometers.

Before the Model 3, the Model S was Tesla’s cheapest car with a base price of $57,400, but in 2019, the standard range Model 3 became available for $35,000. Note that this model is no longer available and has been replaced by the $43,990 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus. As of 2020, the Tesla Model 3 has become the best-selling electric car in the history of the world, so in 2021 this car was the first car whose sales exceeded one million.

Model Y release

The Tesla Model Y, a larger and more spacious version of the Tesla Model 3, was launched in 2020. Tesla Model Y parts share about 75% with Model 3. This car comes standard with two rows of seats that can fully accommodate up to 5 passengers. However, there is also the option of third-row seats for the Y model, which allows you to fit two more passengers in the car; This option is suitable for large families or those who need more space.

Tesla Model Y car

Model Y is available in two different configurations. The long-range model can travel a distance of 524 km after each battery charge, while the performance model can reach a speed of 96 km/h from 0 to 96 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 249 km/h. The interesting point is that the performance model has a higher base price than the long-range model.

Read more: The biography of Pavel Durov

Tesla Motors entering the world of clean energy and changing its name

Tesla’s serious entry into the clean energy industry took place in 2016, at the same time as it changed its name from Tesla Motors to Tesla and bought SolarCity. The company, which was started by Musk’s cousins, joined Tesla’s subsidiary after receiving $2.6 billion. Before buying SolarCity, Elon Musk served as the chairman of its board of directors and was considered one of its main investors.

One of Tesla’s important actions to market solar energy technology as much as possible is the purchase of Tao Island which has a population of 600. The island was acquired by Tesla in 2016 to show the company’s ability to provide 100% clean energy for a residential area. At the same time, the German company Grohem Engineering also joined the Tesla subsidiary to improve production automation at the company.

At the same time as Tesla entered the clean energy industry, its name was changed from Tesla Motors to Tesla

The Chinese giant of the technology world, Tencent, acquired five percent of Tesla shares in 2017 by paying $1.8 billion. Although the Chinese investment in an American company was accompanied by many debates, it definitely solved many of Tesla’s financial needs. However, in the same year, Toyota was removed from the list of Tesla shareholders.

Tesla’s plans to develop services in the field of clean energy have continued seriously in recent years. In 2017, the American brand, in cooperation with Australian companies, started a huge project to provide electricity in the south of this country. The world’s largest battery at the power plant level was the result of this project, called Hornsdale Power Reserve, which started working with a capacity of 100 megawatts and was connected to the main power grid in December 2017. Other similar activities include providing 700 solar panels to power a hospital in Puerto Rico.

2017, with all the positive events that happened to Tesla, was also accompanied by an economic crisis and a drop in the stock market. Although Tesla is known as the most valuable car company in the world, it has always been criticized for its late deliveries. The same delays in the delivery of the Model S and X caused Tesla to experience a loss of $12 billion in the stock market and lose 5.6% of its value. Despite these setbacks, the company’s stock grew spectacularly from 2019 to 2021, reaching $1 trillion in value for the first time in October 2021. At that time, Elon Musk became the richest person in the world by a wide margin.

cyberattack; A strange-looking car

SUVs are very popular in the US, with the Ford F-series being the best-selling car in the US. This became an important reason for Tesla to focus on SUVs. The design of this car was as if a five-year-old child had drawn it in his drawing book.

In an event on November 21, 2019, Elon Musk unveiled the Cybertruck car with its strange appearance. Five days after the unveiling, he claimed in a post that 250,000 pre-orders had been registered for the Tesla Cybertruck, even though pre-ordering the car cost a measly $100 and customers could withdraw their payments at any time. The interesting thing is that Musk claimed that the Cybertruck’s windows were unbreakable, but at the same unveiling ceremony, both windows broke after being hit by a metal ball.

Tesla SUV

The Cybertruck was supposed to be launched in 2022, but its mass production was delayed and the first model of this car reached customers in late November 2023. Based on data collected in December 2023, Cybertrack was only available in North America (US, Canada, and Mexico). Cybertruck comes in three models:

  • Cyberbeast model with three electric motors and power transmission system to all wheels (All Wheel Drive or AWD)
  • Model with two electric motors and AWD system
  • Model with an electric motor and power transmission system to the rear wheels (Rear Wheel Drive or RWD).

Cybertruck range varies according to its model. On April 17, 2024, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that Tesla had recalled all 3,878 Cybertrucks sold so far due to a possible problem with the gas pedal. According to the notice, the accelerator pedal may become dislodged due to excessive pressure and become stuck under the interior of the dashboard. This stuck gas pedal can cause the car to speed up unintentionally. Also, in June 2024, Tesla delayed the delivery of the Cybertruck due to a defect in the wiper motor.

Cybertruck car

Production of the first all-electric truck and construction of the second-generation Roadster

In addition to the production of all-electric cars, the Tesla company is also very interested in the production of all-electric trucks, as a result, the company started the production of a truck called the Tesla Semi. This truck has three electric motors and according to Tesla, its power is almost three times that of a diesel truck. Tesla Semi can travel a distance of 800 km after each battery charge and consumes 2 kWh of energy for every 16 km. Tesla unveiled two prototypes of this truck in November 2017. Elon Musk had initially promised that the production of this truck would begin in 2019, but the production of this car was delayed by several years, in October 2022, and the first series of trucks was delivered to PepsiCo on December 1, 2022.

The wonder of Tesla cars is not over yet. Tesla will soon make the second generation Roadster, an all-electric four-seater sports car. According to the company’s claim, this car can reach a speed of 96 km/h in 1.9 seconds.

The second generation Roadster will replace Tesla’s first mass-produced car, the 2008 Roadster. Elon Musk announced that this car will be on the market by 2025. According to Elon Musk, the design of the second generation roadster has been done in such a way that the time to reach the speed from 0 to 96 km/h may be reduced to 1.1 seconds or less. The manager of Tesla even announced in a post that this car can be turned into a flying car.

Elon Musk's tweet about the second generation Roadster

Building a Tesla robot

Although Tesla’s all-electric cars surprised the world, the real surprise came in 2021 with the introduction of a humanoid robot named Tesla Bot or Optimus. The goal of designing and building this robot was to perform repetitive tasks and boring tasks. Tesla unveiled this robot at its artificial intelligence event on August 19, 2021, and displayed a prototype in 2022. Elon Musk believed that Tesla’s robot would have greater potential over time than Tesla’s car business.

In December 2023, Elon Musk’s X (Twitter) page posted a video titled Optimus, which showed the second-generation humanoid robot Optimus walking and displaying new features, such as dancing and picking up an egg. The second generation of this robot has a slimmer body and its hands and movements have been improved. A few months ago, a post was shared on X showing the Tesla robot doing various tasks at the Tesla factory.

Critics of Tesla’s robot after watching promotional videos believed that this robot needs remote control to do its work. Tesla’s competitors took advantage of this opportunity and released videos of their humanoid robots that do not need controls to perform similar tasks and operate independently. In June 2024, Elon Musk claimed that limited production of the Tesla robot would begin in 2025 and that more than 1,000 robots would be employed in Tesla factories.

In 2024, our vehicle production volume growth rate may be significantly lower than the growth rate we achieved in 2023 as our teams work to launch the next generation vehicle at Gigafactory Texas.

– Tesla

Tesla’s future looks bright. With its innovations in various fields, this company has the potential to become a super company in various industries; However, to achieve these goals, Tesla must overcome various challenges, including competition, price, supply chain, regulation, and environmental concerns.

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The Icon of the Seas cruise ship, a city on water

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The Icon of the Seas cruise ship
The largest and most luxurious passenger ship, Icon of the Seas, is five times the size of the Titanic and is referred to as a city on water.

The Icon of the Seas cruise ship, a city on water

On January 27, 2024, the first passengers of Icon of the Seas stepped on the deck of the world’s largest ship to experience an enchanting discovery in the west and east of the Caribbean Sea; A journey for eight days and seven nights.

The cruise tourism industry set a new record in 2023 with an increase of 2 million passengers over four years; But the biggest news on the high seas in 2024 was the maiden voyage of the world’s largest cruise ship, three times the length of a football field and five times the size of the Titanic.

Icon of the Seas ship with 20 decks and gross weight of 250,800 tons and a capacity of 9,950 people is the most amazing human-made phenomenon that goes to unknown waters like a luxurious metropolis. The 2,805 bedrooms in 28 groups, including family cabins with infinity-view balconies and bunk beds, offer a relaxing feel to adventurers looking for unique accommodations during their travels.

The Icon of the Seas is three times the length of a football field and five times the size of the Titanic

The symbol of the seas, the newest member of the Royal Caribbean cruise family, has dethroned its previous generation counterpart, the Wonder of the Seas, as the world’s largest ship, but beyond its gigantic and astonishing dimensions, this ship has also broken other records and claims various It is “the first” and “the most”.

The unveiling of Icon of the Seas sparked a wave of surprise, excitement, and curiosity among Internet users. The images that were published during the first voyage of the ship, followed endless discussions, comments, and questions of the interested people on social networks. Let’s take a look at some fascinating and stunning facts about this maritime marvel:

Icon of the Seas key features at a glance

  • The largest ship in the world with a length of 365 meters, a width of 67 meters, and a weight of 250 thousand tons
  • It has the largest and most optimal interior space with more than 20 decks
  • It has advanced technical equipment and luxurious cabins for 7514 passengers and 2350 crew members
  • The most compatible with the environment and the least carbon emissions with LNG engines
  • Using artificial intelligence for optimal energy consumption on board
  • The highest cost of building a cruise ship with about 2 billion euros
  • It has more than 20 restaurants with international menus
  • Extensive recreational facilities such as a floating bar, rock climbing walls, large slides, and infinity pools.

Also, in December 2023, Lionel Messi’s name was registered as the sponsor and “godfather” of Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas cruise ship

The beginning of the story

In 1996, the architects of two companies, Royal Caribbean (Royal Caribbean) and Wilson Butler (Wilson Butler) defined a new mission for themselves: “Providing an environment for the best family vacations on the planet.” Over the past 28 years, these two companies have launched 24 giant cruise ships, each of which was recognized as the world’s leading floating artifact of its time.

In the mid-2010s, the cruise industry was growing rapidly and major cruise lines were looking to create different experiences and more innovations to attract passengers. In this regard, in 2016, Royal Caribbean proposed a new idea, the implementation of which challenges the innovation boundaries of the entire industry:

“Launching a project to build a new cruise ship that will be unique not only in terms of size but also in terms of technology, amenities, and environmental sustainability.”

Builders and designers

To implement its plan, Royal Caribbean Group prioritized several main goals:

First, the optimal use of ship space to build multiple sections with different uses that at the same time work in an integrated and coordinated manner. The second priority of the builders was to significantly reduce the harmful effects on the environment, and for this purpose, the use of green technologies, energy consumption optimization systems, and reduction of carbon emissions were considered in all stages of design.

In addition, in order to provide a unique experience, the new ship had to meet all the needs of passengers, including recreation, relaxation, and adventure; Therefore, the companies had to design each area as a multi-purpose, modern, and intelligent space.

Therefore, the Finnish company Meyer Turku, one of the largest and most reliable shipbuilders in the world, was chosen as the main contractor for the construction and design of the ship’s structure and hull. This company, which had previously collaborated with Royal Caribbean in the construction of two Oasis-class ships and had a lot of experience in the construction of cruise ships, was responsible for the design of the hull, mechanical systems, and structural integrity of the ship.

The Swedish company Tillberg Design of Sweden, as the second partner of the project, is committed to creating a unique and inspiring space by using the latest techniques and production materials. Tilburg Design had to focus on the priority that the interior of the ship should not only be luxurious and luxurious, but also efficient and innovative.

Finally, Royal Caribbean’s oldest partner, the American company Wilson Butler, which is famous for designing public and cultural spaces, entered the project as the third partner with the aim of creating a space that evokes the feeling of a city floating on water for passengers. In addition to these partners, during the construction of the ship according to the needs of each department, other teams from different countries of the world were invited to cooperate.

Scott Butler, director and founder of the Wilson Butler Company in 2023, said about the design of this ship:

The design of a ship is not much different from the design of a building on land. Our work is like designing a building that is in a constant state of vibration. In fact, the great design of a ship proceeds just like the planning of a city.

What makes Icon of the Seas look like a city on the water are the “neighborhoods” or planned areas named Aquadome, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, Hideway, and Central Park, which we will take a look at in the following sections.

Ship building

The construction of Icon of the Seas officially started in early 2019. The first stage, as is usual in the construction of any large ship, involved checking the details and carrying out preliminary tests.

At this stage, the designers carefully focused on the body shape, propulsion, and energy systems, as well as environmental sustainability. Advanced fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were also performed to ensure high efficiency and reduced hull drag in water.

In October 2019, Mir Company inaugurated the project, according to the common tradition of shipbuilders, by cutting the steel sheets used in the ship’s hull.

Azipod propulsion systems and LNG fuel

The Icon ship’s six engines were provided by the Finnish company Wärtsilä with a dual propulsion system to use heavy oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel.

The LNG propulsion system produces much less nitrogen oxide than traditional fuels, which is a big step towards cleaner seas. Accordingly, two 307-meter tanks with a capacity of 27 tons were transferred to the ship for LNG fuel.

The ship’s fuel system was equipped with “high pressure tanks” and “heat exchangers”, which allowed the storage and optimal use of LNG. Also, this system was connected to the combustion management unit, which continuously adjusts the fuel quality and combustion efficiency, and prevents the creation of harmful NOx gases by precisely controlling the fuel-air mixture.

Icon of the seas LNG fuel tank
LNG fuel tanks being transferred to the ship
Royal Caribbean

The Icon of the Seas propulsion system was designed based on azipods, which are among the most advanced electric propulsion technologies in the marine industry. Unlike conventional propulsion systems where a fixed propeller is driven by a shaft, the Azipod enables the propeller to rotate 360 ​​degrees.

Azipods increase the maneuverability of the ship

This complete rotation capability increases the ship’s maneuverability reduces the need for lateral propulsion systems such as rudders, and particularly facilitates the stopping or moving of the ship in narrow harbors. Also, the design of azipods is such that it minimizes the turbulence created in the water, and by reducing water resistance, it reduces fuel consumption by 20% compared to conventional systems.

The deployment of three 20MW Azipod drives on the Icon ship increased the speed of this modern cruise to 22 knots (41 km/h).

Engineering-wise, azipods operate using induction motors and are powered by diesel generators or a combination of diesel and natural gas. These engines have high efficiency due to not having many moving parts and reducing friction, and on the other hand, using an efficient cooling system in Azipods increases their lifespan.

Two 307-meter LNG fuel tanks with a capacity of 27 tons provide the ship’s propulsion energy

Artificial intelligence not only recognizes the paths that require the least energy but also controls the energy consumption of numerous internal equipment such as air conditioning and elevator systems.

The lighting department of the ship was entrusted to Helamarine company, which creates a safe and pleasant atmosphere in the open seas with 20,000 low-consumption LEDs. At the same time, several complex and extensive optical systems provide accurate control of the light in the public areas of the ship digitally to the ship’s officials.

infinite engineering; MSG Sphere Las Vegas, the largest and most amazing spherical structure in the world

Intelligent ship control

Ship control includes an integrated management system (Integrated Bridge System) that is driven by advanced software and modern user interfaces. This system provides real-time monitoring and control of all operational parameters of the ship, including positioning, speed, route, and fuel consumption.

In addition, the IBS system is equipped with multiple sensors and warning systems that detect sudden changes in environmental or operational conditions and notify the crew.

The IBS system controls all operational parameters of the ship with multiple sensors

Using artificial intelligence and predictive algorithms, the intelligent control system can suggest the best sea routes and optimize fuel consumption. Also, the stabilization system (Stabilization System), which works in coordination with IBS, reduces the ship’s oscillating movements in turbulent sea conditions, which results in more passenger comfort and reduced depreciation of the ship’s structure.

Executive stages of ship construction

Construction of Icon of the SeasPart of the Icon of the Seas construction process

The process of building the Icon of the Seas went through three complex but coordinated stages:

Design and simulation: The first stage included the initial design and computer simulation of the systems. Using specialized software and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulators, accurate models of propulsion and fuel systems were prepared. These models were tested under different operational conditions to identify any possible defects or challenges before starting the actual development of different sectors and areas.

Construction and assembly of parts: In this stage, different parts of the ship were made in a modular way in special workshops. Then these parts were moved to the main ship building site and installed using super heavy cranes. To avoid any mistakes, the assembly process was done using automatic welding robots and laser measurement systems.

Aquadome dome assembly stageAquadome dome assembly stage

Testing and commissioning: After the completion of the assembly, the ship was subjected to detailed tests. All sections were examined and adjusted separately and in combination with each other. At this stage, navigational tests including maneuverability tests, fuel efficiency, and response of control systems to variable conditions were conducted. These measures were accompanied by the simulation of different sea scenarios to prepare the ship to face any conditions.

Different parts of the ship are made modularly in special workshops and then transferred to the hull of the ship.

During the coronavirus pandemic, when the raw materials for construction were not available, the design personnel simulated, tested, and calibrated their designers in 3D by making replicas of different parts of the ship in appropriate sizes.

Testing the Aquadome waterfall in the workshopTesting the Aquadome waterfall in the workshop

Even the cabins were assembled in sections called “mega-blocks,” or modules, at the manufacturing plant, then at the docks, and then transferred to the ship. This reduced the build time and was like building a giant Lego.

Commitment to environmental technologies

As part of Royal Caribbean Group’s SEA the Future program, the company’s new ships are equipped with MAP and MAG systems that synthesize solid waste into gas and reuse it to generate energy.

These technologies not only minimize waste but also produce valuable by-products such as biochar, which can be used as a soil conditioner. According to the recycling programs of this ship, 90% of the waste is never buried in the soil. The energy obtained from the MAP system is also used in the ship itself.

MAP and MAG systems convert solid waste into gas

Another noteworthy point is that Royal Caribbean plans to reduce the food waste of this ship by 50% by 2025. In this futuristic plan, artificial intelligence is used for immediate food production according to existing needs and requests, and training of the ship’s crew with sustainable solutions is also on the agenda. The above program has led to the saving of 24% of food waste to date.

In another environmental innovation, the heat from the engine houses is used to desalinate seawater. 93% of the ship’s fresh water is produced and purified by the reverse osmosis system in the ship itself. Also, by producing small bubbles that cover the whole body of the ship, the compressors reduce the friction between the water and the body and subsequently reduce fuel consumption.

93% of the ship’s freshwater is purified and produced by a reverse osmosis system in the ship itself Mockler, Chief Decarbonisation Manager for the new build, describes Icon as a great example of how sustainability is being considered for the future:

What we did on board Icon was the beginning of a path, not an end goal. We want to use these ships as platforms to advance the development of technologies that we will need in future products; Because our effort is to draw the next modern ships in the most stable state possible.

Different departments and quarters of the ship

Icon of the Seas is described as a city on water because it consists of different neighborhoods; Including Hideway, Gobd Cascade, and Central Park, and we will have a close look at these amazing neighborhoods.

The Pearl: The pearl of the ship’s entrance

The Pearl section of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship

The Pearl section was designed and introduced by one of Brooklyn’s media artists. This spherical piece with a diameter of 15.3 meters is covered with more than 3,600,000 moving computer tiles and is now known as the largest kinetic art sculpture in the world, which displays an unprecedented fusion of art and technology.

This awe-inspiring work stands out not only for its grandeur, but also for its depiction of the essence of the ocean, as it beautifully simulates various natural phenomena such as rolling waves, gentle breezes, meteors, and a dynamic ocean surface. Inspired by the sea, the tiles are arranged in a Fibonacci sequence and reflect the patterns found in marine life.

The movements of “Marwaid” are influenced by the tide and wind data of the Caribbean Sea. This data, obtained from the web or the ship’s sensors, allows the massive pearl to constantly change and reflect the current environmental conditions in an ever-evolving display.

More than 3,600,000 computer-animated tiles inspired by marine life patterns are arranged in a Fibonacci sequence.

The Pearl area, like the entire ship, is an architectural masterpiece and a prime example of the innovative use of modern technology in the cruise industry. This spherical pearl is spread over four decks of the ship and welcomes passengers as a gateway as soon as they board. In the center of the pearl, a beautiful marble staircase connects the floors.

The Pearl derives its spherical form from a steel ball that acts as a supporting structure. Prominent engineers have also planned and deployed the infrastructure technologies of this sector: a combination of more than 5 thousand controllable LED lights and interactive media technology creates stunning visual effects and adapts to the environment at every moment.

The moving tiles, produced with Linear technology, create computer-controlled lighting effects. Also, the integrated sound system of more than a thousand watts enriches the listening experience of passengers and elevates their mood to higher levels. The total structural load of this section is estimated to be around 20 tons.

The iconic pearl is not just an eye-catcher but serves as a central point of reference for passengers exploring the heart of the ship.

AquaDome waterfall dome; Manifestation of art and technology

Icon of the Seas cruise ship Aquadom waterfall

Located at the front of the ship, the Aquadome has a huge space with a magnificent glass dome that offers viewers a wide and captivating view of the ocean. This area has the “highest waterfall” in the middle of the sea along with other exciting attractions. The construction of this dome set the record for the largest glass and steel structure installed on a ship.

AquaDome; The highest waterfall in the middle of the sea with a height of 16.7 meters

Of course, the waterfall itself with a height of 16.7 meters attracts attention as one of the engineering miracles of shape change. The Aquadome transforms throughout the day, offering passengers a variety of delightful experiences, from breathtaking sunrises to vibrant daytime activities. During the day, travelers can tour the AquaDome Market, eat at its restaurant, or sit and watch the 220-degree view of the surrounding ocean.

As evening approaches and sunset approaches, the waterfall becomes a dynamic backdrop for a diverse range of entertaining shows that take place nightly. In this way, the Aquadome creates a dramatic scene beyond a tall waterfall, with energetic movements and captivating lighting, which enhances the quality of every show beyond imagination. The show center of this neighborhood is called AquaTheater.

Aquadome on Icon of the Seas
Aquadome on Icon of the Seas
Aquadome on Icon of the Seas
Aquadome on Icon of the Seas

Michael Bailey, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, says about the construction of this section:

We went through an amazing journey with the engineers, architects and designers to build the AquaDome, and what amazes travelers is a testament to the innovation and creativity of the teams.

Aquadom neighborhood with an area of ​​more than 33 thousand square meters extends from deck 14 to deck 22. The beautiful dome was built outside the ship so that other teams could complete the forward deck at the same time. The sea dome weighing 367 tons consists of 12 different modules with 673 glass panels and 712 aluminum panels and it took 8 months to assemble them.

The first marine dome with 673 glass panels and 712 aluminum panels

The process of lifting and connecting the dome to the spreader was done with 54 cables, and when the crane wanted to place it in a special position on the ship, another 12 cables were added. Just maneuvering it into place using a specialized rig took 80 hours. During this time, a separate team monitored the weather conditions to find the safest time to depart.

Central Park: Green Paradise in the heart of the sea

Icon of the Seas cruise ship Central Park

Central Parks are usually one of the most popular parts of Royal Caribbean cruises: a green and playful atmosphere that evokes the experience of being immersed in a park, and even the sound of birdsong. The presence of bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops in these areas makes them a pleasant environment to work.

But the Icon ship has also improved the class of Central Park in a surprising way: the central park with an area of ​​several thousand square meters contains more than 33 thousand natural plants of different species that grow well with intelligent irrigation and lighting systems.

The largest cruise ship park with more than 33 thousand natural plants

To manage water in this section, a multi-layer drainage system was created under the ground surface. This system collects excess water and returns it to the smart irrigation system. In addition, the plants that were planted in this neighborhood were selected based on their resistance to sea conditions, including strong winds and direct sunlight, and each plant was carefully placed in a suitable place according to the light and irrigation needs.

This neighborhood also uses the fresh sea air to create a cool and comfortable environment by using advanced ventilation techniques. Smart lighting systems have been developed in a way that preserves the sense of naturalness of the environment even at night.

Royal Promenade: The beating heart of the ship

royal promenade on Icon of the Seas

Royal Promenade is a busy and exciting street located in the center of the ship and is considered a place for gathering, shopping, and entertainment for passengers. This neighborhood, with a large area spread over two floors, is considered one of the most important and busiest parts of the ship.

From clothing boutiques to electronics stores, travelers can find almost anything they want in the department stores on this street. In addition to restaurants that offer a variety of international cuisines, the daily performance of live shows, music, and dance also doubles the vitality of the Royal Promenade.

Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas

The roof of this neighborhood is designed as a large digital screen that displays the sky views and attractive images, and the glass elevators also provide the opportunity to see all the surrounding scenery while moving passengers.

Surfside: a space for families

Surfside area on Icon of the Seas

The space that was known as the Boardwalk in the Oasis class ships is designed in a unique and more advanced way in the Icon ship.

The most diverse entertainment facilities with smart security systems

For example, a large water playground is installed for children, and facilities such as splash pads, smaller water slides, Ferris wheel, face painting, arcades, sports areas, video game halls, and even a DJ play a significant role in entertaining families.

Separate restaurants and bars also make it possible for parents to grab something to eat or drink while the children are playing nearby while keeping an eye on their children. Easy access to Playmakers and an ice rink makes this neighborhood ideal for families.

The Surfside area on Icon of the Seas is for families
The Surfside area on Icon of the Seas is for families
The Surfside area on Icon of the Seas is for families
The Surfside area on Icon of the Seas is for families

From another angle, smart security systems guarantee the safety of all children in all parts of this neighborhood. Interactive applications also enable parents to manage their children’s entertainment programs online.

Chill Island: an ocean of tranquility

Chill Island

Chill Island is a neighborhood where travelers can get away from the daily hustle and relax in a calm and pleasant atmosphere. This neighborhood with artificial beaches and beautiful swimming pools provides the best atmosphere for travelers to relax and unwind.

It has the largest pool in the middle of the sea

In this three-story neighborhood, which occupies a good part of the middle of the ship, there are beaches with soft sand and comfortable chairs for relaxing, swimming pools with a curved design and jacuzzis with a view of the sea, and beach bars with a variety of cool drinks for passengers.

Some of the pools in this area are:

  • Royal Bay: The largest pool in the middle of the sea, designed for all ages and located on the 15th deck.
  • Cove Pool: A pool that is designed to face the ocean, and for this reason, it is also called an infinity pool.
  • Cloud 17: Another pool overlooking the ocean with swirling water and a personalized and customized beverage bar that stands out on Deck 17.
  • Swim & Tonic: The first water bar brand, a shallow pool with in-water seats that allow passengers to sit or stand comfortably and order their favorite drink. This pool is located on the 16th deck.
Chill Island neighborhood pools on Icon of the Seas
Chill Island neighborhood pools on Icon of the Seas
Chill Island neighborhood pools on Icon of the Seas

The water in the pools is purified and heated using modern technologies. Also, the surround sound systems reproduce the sound of waves and nature realistically so that passengers have the feeling of being on a real island.

The Hideaway: a modern and dynamic space for young people

Hideaway was originally designed with the aim of creating an attractive and modern space for young people and couples, and with a combination of fun and trendy facilities, it provides a great opportunity for travelers to spend their free time in a friendly and pleasant environment.

The floating pool can be considered one of the most prominent features of The Hideaway, which is located on the edge of the ship and offers a wonderful view of the sea. Several social spaces with live music and professional DJs provide revelers with lively nights, not unlike Texas clubs.

Smart lighting systems create subtle changes in the spectrum of colors and light intensity according to the event and time, and the advanced surround sound systems also bring a unique music experience to passengers.

The Hideaway neighborhood on Icon of the Seas
The Hideaway neighborhood on Icon of the Seas
The Hideaway neighborhood on Icon of the Seas
The Hideaway neighborhood on Icon of the Seas

In addition, if young people need to relax after several hours of fun, they can separate themselves from the surrounding noise in the exclusive lounges that have a very stylish and modern design, with comfortable chairs and light.

The interesting point is that Hideaway has spaces with multiple uses that can be changed quickly. For example, a lounge can be transformed from a daytime lounge to a nightclub.

Thrill Island Amusement Park: Innovation in Exciting Structures

Thrill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas

A neighborhood located on the back deck of the ship, with a series of challenging games and activities for lovers of excitement and adventure. For example:

  • The six water slides, which are the tallest marine specimens in the world, leave a unique memory and experience of free fall and speed in the minds of travelers.
  • Adventure park with rope climbing routes, suspension bridges, and towers to climb
  • Surfing simulator miniature golf and all kinds of energizing entertainment, each of which has its own fans.

It has the tallest water slides in the world and a surfing simulator

The construction of Thrill Island required advanced design and engineering to provide the desired facilities in a safe and efficient manner. For this purpose, in the structure of the water slides and adventure park, light, resistant, and stainless alloys were used, which can withstand high pressure and weight and have a long life.

One of the other requirements for the success of this neighborhood was intelligent safety monitoring and control systems that continuously monitor the condition of structures, equipment, and even weather conditions and take preventive measures if needed. For example, in case of sudden changes in wind speed, the FlowRider surf simulator automatically changes its settings to keep passengers safe.

Thrill Island entertainment facilities on Icon of the Seas
Thrill Island entertainment facilities on Icon of the Seas
Thrill Island entertainment facilities on Icon of the Seas
Thrill Island entertainment facilities on Icon of the Seas

On the other hand, due to the high volume of Thrill Island activities, special energy management systems were designed for this neighborhood. These systems help reduce overall energy consumption on board while maintaining an exciting experience for passengers.

District 6 in this neighborhood has a free fall slide called Pressure Drop, which falls from a height of 33 meters at an angle of 66 degrees.

Crown's Edge at Thrill Island aboard Icon of the SeasCrown’s Edge in Thrill Island

The most daring passengers can also go to the ship’s edge and make their way along the skyway that extends beyond the ship’s perimeter towards the open sea: Crown’s Edge, a suspended walkway 47 meters above the ocean, is a first-of-its-kind attraction. It is installed in the icon ship and has no similar example in the marine technologies of the world.

Absolute Zero: The Show on the Ice Arena

Absolute Zero ice rink on Icon of the Seas

This area is considered to be the largest ice skating rink on ships in history, completely redesigned for bigger feats to amaze all passengers.

Passengers can sit on the seats around the square to watch star actors and artists perform high takeoffs and spectacular turns on skates. During the day, fans can enter the ice rink themselves and perform.

Suite Neighborhood: luxury accommodation

With special facilities and private space, the Suite Quarter offers the highest level of comfort and VIP services to passengers who have booked the ship’s luxury suites. Private lounge, modern design and stunning views, exclusive restaurants and bars, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and private sun deck are just some of the facilities reserved for VIP passengers.

Each suite uses soundproof walls and is equipped with smart systems that allow travelers to manage the temperature, lighting, music, and even their orders in a personalized way.

In addition, passengers in this neighborhood have priority and faster access to all parts of the ship. The spacious deck area with plenty of seating in this two-story neighborhood provides a quiet and well-equipped area for families to relax.

Cabins

Although Icon of the Seas has fewer cabins (2,805 cabins compared to 2,874 rooms) than the largest ship of the previous generation, Wonder of the Seas, it hosts more passengers.

The reason for this difference is nothing but the focus of Icon designers on larger cabins that accommodate more than two people. In fact, more than 82 percent of the ship’s staterooms are designed for three or more guests, making them an ideal choice for family vacations.

Icon of the Seas cabin
Icon of the Seas cabin

The largest cabin on the ship is a three-story suite with an area of ​​540 square meters, two bedrooms, and a maximum of 8 passengers, with a cinema room, two balconies, and a private backyard.

But beyond the room size, the family-oriented design can be seen in every detail: from room layout to amenities and in-suite activities.

Icon of the seas family cabinIcon of the Seas family cabin

For example, the tube-like slide that connects the upper floor to the ground floor living area, along with the popcorn machine, ping pong table, whirlpool, video games, and other entertainment can keep children entertained for hours.

These luxury suites have both a high cost ($8,000 per week) and an ever-increasing demand so that the entire complex is fully booked until the end of 2024.

Read more: Kansai International Airport, Japan

All of these innovations have been developed based on “customer intelligence,” says Michael Bailey, president of Royal Caribbean International, about the ship’s smart technologies. He said during the round table of senior managers at a media event in Turku:

Understanding customers and understanding how they want to interact with each other is fundamental to creating innovation and new products like Icon of the Seas.

This is not done like throwing darts at a sable board. We use a huge amount of data, not just the data of the guests who travel with us, but much more. We actually have a lot of questions from this data, trying to understand if our guests are enjoying the product or the experiences we’re offering, or what they like and don’t like.

The highest ship booking rate

Since its introduction in October 2023, Icon of the Seas has captured the attention of the world with numerous record-breaking events, but apart from the features and facilities, this ship has also broken the ticket booking record. Prior to this ship’s maiden voyage, Royal Caribbean set the record for the most booked ship in one day and the most weekly booked in history.

All tickets for the first voyage of the Icon ship, which took place in January 2024, were sold out within 24 hours. On this cruise, which started from the port of Miami, the ship made stops in the following ports according to the schedule of the Eastern Caribbean: Buster in the country of St. Kitts, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, and then Kokoki in the Bahamas.

The ship will continue to sail year-round on routes covering the eastern and western Caribbean, Mexico, and the Bahamas.

With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean symbolized the endless horizons of the modern shipbuilding industry and set new benchmarks and standards for future cruise ships.

According to this company, the second Icon class ship will be unveiled in the summer of 2025 under the name Star of the Seas. Now it seems that in the endless world of innovation, the boundaries of possible and impossible are shifting every day.

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Designed in California, copied in the Soviet Union; The story of the first Soviet chip

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During the Cold War, the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union was not only limited to space, nuclear and weapons achievements, but this competition even extended to the design of processors. So in this article we will take a look at the story of the first Soviet chip.

Designed in California, copied in the Soviet Union; The story of the first Soviet chip

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a breathtaking competition in various fields, and each tried to prove its ideological superiority by showing its progress. This competition was not limited to the battlefield and extended to space, nuclear capabilities, technological innovation, and even competition to discover new super-heavy elements.

The space race, which culminated with the launch of the Sputnik satellite by the Soviet Union and the United States’ Apollo landings on the moon, attracted everyone’s attention and became a symbol of the Cold War at that time. Similarly, the arms race led both superpowers to amass and develop advanced nuclear arsenals, a constant reminder of the unstable balance of power. This extensive competition fueled technological advancements in the military and space fields and influenced the process of innovations.

One of the examples of this technology competition was the development of computer technologies. In the early 1970s, the Soviet Union began to imitate key Western innovations in the field of microprocessors, aiming to close its technological gap with the West. One of these innovations was the Intel 8080 microprocessor, which was considered a significant development in the computer field. The Soviet version of the 8080, known as the KR580VM80A (aka the 580 series), represented their broader strategy of reproducing Western technology.

This competition for copying and innovation during the Cold War illustrates the interplay between geopolitical conflicts and technological advances. Due to the silence of news in the Soviet Union at that time, little has been written about the details and the story behind this processor. In this article, by examining most of these sources, we are trying to discuss the story of the design and introduction of the Russian copy of the 8080 microprocessor.

Soviet Union before the Silicon Age

Before going into the history of the Soviet 580 series microprocessors, it is necessary to briefly talk about the level of Soviet technology before the emergence of integrated microprocessors.

Who invented the first microprocessor?

In 1950, the “Small Electronic Computing Machine” (SECM) was developed in the Soviet Union. It should be noted that SECM was launched in the Soviet Union when there were only a few computers in Europe; including the English EDSAC, which had been launched a year earlier, and the Z4 Zuse in Zurich, which had been built around 1947. However, the SECM processor was much more powerful because it processed the calculations in parallel.

In the construction of SECM, all the basic principles of computer construction, such as the presence of input and output devices, coding and storing the program in memory, automatic execution of calculations based on the stored program, and other such things, were used. Most importantly, this computer was built on binary logic (processing based on zeros and ones) used in digital computing engineering.

The early Soviet BESM supercomputer at the London Science MuseumLarge Soviet BESM-6 electronic calculating machine at the London Science Museum

During the historic Soyuz-Apollo space mission in 1975, mission control was handled by a complex system that included a large computer called the BECM-6 (Big Electronic Computing Machine). This computer was developed directly from SECM and was able to perform the calculations needed to launch a missile in one minute; While on the American side, the calculations related to this mission lasted 30 minutes. This time difference in calculations indicated the technological differences between the two countries at that time.

So far, Soviet computing superiority over the West has been evident. But the real disaster occurred when the Soviets decided to produce copies of the IBM-360 mainframe computer; It meant the transition from innovation to copying American design. It is clear that copying does not stand a chance of being overtaken; However, the Soviets usually upgraded Western designs to make them look more indigenous and innovative.

The Soviet SECM performed calculations in one minute, but the American computer in 30 minutes

Copying only makes sense when it is used as a learning step in the absence of technology necessary for innovation. Of course, the logical end of such an approach is still moving towards the development of dedicated systems, which today, China has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of this method. However, this story did not have a happy ending for the Soviet Union. From the moment the decision to copy was made, the Soviet Union was in an impossible scramble for advancement in the chip industry.

Copy instead of innovation

In late 1962, by order of the Soviet Union government, the Kyiv Design Bureau was established in the capital of the Ukrainian Socialist Republic, later known as the Kyiv Institute of Micro Devices (KNIIMP). This institution was associated with an experienced manufacturing plant. In August 1976, the institute’s first official mission was to create a copy of the Intel 8080 microprocessor, which had only been introduced for two years.

The design team of the KR580VM80A processor included a group of talented engineers and specialists working under the supervision of the Electronics and Engineering Design and Research Center. The team, led by Nikolai Beretsky, one of the most prominent Soviet engineers at the time, was responsible for the design and development of the new processor.

At the beginning of the work, the design team faced problems such as a lack of resources and advanced equipment. In particular, the production of semiconductor products in the Soviet Union faced serious problems due to the limitations of technology and raw materials, which directly affected the quality and performance of the processor. These issues caused delays in the project and the need for adjustments in the design.

Kiev Microdevices Institute with UFO design during the Soviet eraKiev Institute of Micro Devices with strange architecture during the Soviet era

On the one hand, funding technology projects during the Cold War was a big challenge. Due to the strategic sensitivity of the issue, the KR580VM80A project was funded through the Soviet Ministry of Electronic Industry and was specifically allocated for this project. This budget included research and development costs, purchase of laboratory equipment, and the supply of raw materials.

Since at that time, the semiconductor production technology in the Soviet Union was limited, part of the budget was allocated to upgrade the manufacturing equipment and technologies. The scope of the research and the lack of private investors, along with the economic crisis that engulfed the Soviet Union, faced serious challenges in funding this project.

The Soviet Union was facing the problem of funding and limited access to Western technologies

On the other hand, looking at the tense relations between the Western and Eastern Blocs, Soviet engineers had limited access to the 8080A microprocessor. Instead, they relied on existing documentation, technical articles, and spy intelligence that provided detailed information about the architecture and performance of the microprocessor. This information was often obtained from public sources, technical publications technical descriptions in manuals, or from insiders in companies.

Hence, Soviet engineers used reverse engineering to analyze the hardware design of the 8080A. The first step was the preparation of physical samples of this processor, which was purchased from America under the cover of fake companies.

Why is silicon used in making chips?

The reverse engineering process involved opening the processor package to study the design of the silicon chip and its circuits. Soviet engineers used techniques such as decapsulation (removing the protective package of the chip) and microscopic study of the chip to examine the internal structure of the microprocessor. This allowed them to identify logic gates, circuit paths, and other critical components of the chip.

In addition to the physical examination, the Soviet team also had to understand the functional behavior of the 8080A. They performed various tests to see how the processor reacts to different commands and inputs. By running a series of software programs and checking the processor outputs, they were able to deduce the operational characteristics and architecture of the instruction set of this microprocessor. This step was very important to ensure the compatibility of the copied product with the software designed for the original processor.

The biggest challenge for the Soviet design team was the exact reconstruction of the microcode

One of the biggest challenges in this process was the exact reconstruction of the microcode design. Microcode is the low-level on-chip instructions that control the internal operations of the microprocessor and is very difficult to understand without detailed documentation.

Microcode instructions, like a cooking recipe, control the sequence of assembly code entry steps in calling, executing, and storing the results. Without having the correct combination and sequence of microcodes, the microprocessor will not be able to perform processing tasks. Soviet engineers had to reverse engineer the microcode by carefully analyzing the behavior of the processor in response to various commands and transferring it to their design.

Three Soviet 580 series processors with 40 pinsThe first series of processors produced at the Kyiv Microdevices Institute
CpusHack

Finally, between 1977 and 1978, the manufacturing of the first prototypes of the chips was completed. The first base set of this series included three chips: K580IK80, K580IK51, and K580IK55. These chips were produced in flat metal-ceramic packages with 48 pins, which was 8 pins more than Intel’s original architecture. Contrary to popular belief, these chips were not exact, layer-by-layer copies of Intel’s 8080 processor; Some blocks were similar, but the design and position of the metal joints were dramatically different.

Technical details of the Soviet chip

On November 6, 1980, The New York Times published an article entitled ” Soviet Advances in Computers ” in which the author analyzed the features of the KR580VM80A. The Soviet chips operated at 2 MHz (500,000 operations per second) and were manufactured based on the nMOS fabrication process with a channel width of 6 microns. The nMOS fabrication process involves the use of lithographic techniques to pattern different layers on a silicon wafer, which by applying high temperature, N and P semiconductor regions are precisely created within the silicon structure.

Compared to the 8080 with 4500 transistors, the Soviet chip had 4758 transistors

Western researchers’ analysis showed that this chip had exactly 4758 transistors; While there were rumors about the existence of 6000 or 4500 transistors. In 1981-1982, the packaging of these chips was changed to standard DIP (double-in-line pin package) packages with pin spacing corresponding to the Soviet standard, and later versions were released in the 40-pin format. Both versions were produced for domestic use in plastic frames and for special applications in metal-ceramic frames.

In 1983, the name of the IK80 model was changed to VM80, the IK55A model to VV55A, and the IK51 to VV51. The addition of the letter “A” at the end of the name of these models indicates an upgraded version that uses more of the basic set of this series. In this version, the processor speed increased to 2.5 MHz. Also, the area of ​​the part was reduced by 20%, which happened due to the miniaturization of the production process to 5 microns.

The 580 series was produced by many Soviet integrated circuit design companies over the years. Among these companies, we can mention Quasar, Electronpribor, Radon, Kuvator, and Dnieper. Chips produced for export were marked “Сделано в СССР” (Made in the USSR) and were marketed without the manufacturer’s logo. In fact, it was the “manufacturer” of the Soviet Union, because the propaganda aspect of the government was more important than the name of the company that produced the chips.

Exported chips were marked “Made in the Soviet Union”.

With the widespread entry of these microprocessors into the market, microcircuit manuals were also prepared, which resembled a very high-quality translation from English to Russian. The importance of the manuals was that they not only had to fully explain the main purpose of the product but also technologically led the domestic manufacturer to build a product that was compatible with these microprocessors. Due to the minor differences between this product and the original, this was very difficult.

Although during the era of 8080 and 8086 microprocessors, the Kyiv Microdevices Institute succeeded in fulfilling its task, this company could not produce chips similar to Intel’s 80286 and then 80386 microprocessors.

Soviet 850 processor on a denim background with Russian writing on it

Comparison with Western examples

Although at first glance, the Soviet version is completely compatible with the Intel 8080 processor in terms of software, there is a slight difference in the interrupt processing logic between the two processors. This difference seems to originate from a bug in the microcode of the KR580VM80A processor.

In 8080 processors, the interrupt response cycle begins when the processor detects an interrupt and intends to respond to it. In this cycle, the processor sends a signal that indicates the acknowledgment of receiving the interrupt, and with its help, the relevant hardware can send more information or perform the necessary requests. In this process, the CALL instruction tells the processor to go to a specific subroutine and transfer program execution to this subroutine. If a call instruction is received during the interrupt response cycle and the interrupt input remains active, the processor must properly update its internal flags and jump to the appropriate subroutine.

The microcode of the Soviet processor had a bug that caused the subroutine call stack to overflow

However, even if the interrupt output was disabled in the KR580VM80A processor, the processor could not clear the internal interrupt flag. This problem causes the processor to enter a microcode loop that continuously responds to the interrupt and adds the program counter to the stack, eventually leading to a stack overflow. In a typical hardware configuration, this problem is covered by the behavior of the 8259A interrupt controller, which disables the interrupt during the detection cycle. The Romanian MMN8080 processor also behaved similarly to the KR580VM80A, but other 8080 copies do not seem to be affected by this bug.

Read more: Artificial intelligence problems; Frauds based on artificial intelligence and methods to deal with them

The legacy of the first Russian chip

Although Russian engineers produced a large number of specialized microcontrollers for special tasks that had no direct Western equivalents, the focus on copying rather than innovation has put the Soviet Union forever behind the United States in the development and production of modern microprocessors.

Although the 8080 processor was quickly replaced in the West by newer and more advanced chips, the Soviet copy remained popular until the 1990s. Even to this day, Russia continues to produce various versions of Western processors, including the MCS-96 series and the PIC17 chip; While it seems that China’s chip industry is only four years behind the US despite the sanctions.

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Xiaomi Glorimi M2 Max watch review; Alternative economic option for iPhone owners

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Xiaomi Glorimi M2 Max
Xiaomi Glorimi M2 Max watch offers an attractive design, high build quality, and accurate sensors in an affordable product.

Xiaomi Glorimi M2 Max watch review; Alternative economic option for iPhone owners

These days, the market of economical smartwatches with a premium appearance and almost all the functions that we expect from these popular wearables is very hot; the time has passed when reliable tests for measuring heart rate and blood oxygen level and even sleep monitoring were only limited to Apple Watch and It was Galaxy Watch. Let’s say that our eyes are slowly getting used to seeing more luxurious features such as answering calls in economic wearables and even from lesser-known brands.

In a market almost saturated with smartwatches and wristbands with their limitations and capabilities, Xiaomi’s Glorimi products have been able to gain considerable popularity within a year or two, using the formula of attractive appearance, high build quality, accurate sensors and, of course, an affordable price tag. Find users. The Glorimi M2 Max smartwatch, which was recently received by Zomit for review, is easily included in the list of the best smartwatches and wristbands in the Iranian market by filling almost all the boxes that make it worth buying.

To say without exaggeration; The Glorimi M2 Max was one of the few watches that I felt I had to own while reviewing! It’s not because of the bright screen or very accurate sensors and the ability to contact the iPhone effortlessly; But because of the wonderful user interface of notifications!

But before I talk about the unique display of notifications, let me start the review with a quick look at the general specifications and design of the watch.

Glorimi M2 Max specifications at a glance

Dimensions

46.8 x 46.8 x 11.8 mm

weight

50 grams (with strap)

body

zinc alloy

Display

AMOLED 1.6 inches, 480 x 480 pixels, brightness 1350 nits

Built-in GPS

does not have

Storage space

4 GB (photo, song, and voice recording storage)

battery

360 mAh (about 6 days of daily use/20 days of standby)

waterproof

IP68 certified

Sensors

Optical heart rate sensor with the ability to calculate blood oxygen level (SpO2), accelerometer

Speaker and microphone

has

operating system

Exclusively compatible with Android 5 and iOS 9 and later

Connections

Bluetooth version 5.3

Eye-catching design with extra strap

The Glorimi M2 Max watch uses a large 1.6-inch circular screen in a zinc alloy frame, with a rotating button an aluminum action button, and a black/orange magnetic strap, which of course is available in black/blue, black/red, and white/blue colors. It is also available, it has an attractive and premium look. The 46.8mm size of the watch has an acceptable effect on narrow wrists, and its 50g weight does not cause any problems in long-term use; However, the magnetic strap makes you sweat a lot on hot summer days.

Glorimi M2 Max smart watch buttons from side view
Glorimi M2 Max smart watch straps

Glorimi M2 Max uses the IP68 degree of resistance against dust and water penetration up to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes; Therefore, it is not suitable for recording swimming activities in the pool. Inside the box, apart from the magnetic strap, there is an additional silicone strap with a screen protector and a magnetic charging cable.

Bright with more or less brilliant performance

The screen on the Glorimi M2 Max is almost flawless; 1.6-inch 60 Hz AMOLED with a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels and a brightness of 1,350 nits, which is a step higher than similarly priced watches with 600 nit screens. Colors are vivid and bright on this watch, the pixel density is such that icons look sharp and clear, and text is easy to read, even under the summer sun. However, due to the lack of an ambient light sensor, there is no automatic brightness and you have to manually adjust the screen brightness.

Glorimi watch is one of the few watches that does not discriminate between different ecosystems in the true sense of the word. Changing the language of the watch is done immediately without the need to restart, and by the way, the translation of the words is accurate and fluent.

Glorimi M2 Max smart watch on wrist

Glorimi watch uses a proprietary operating system compatible with iOS and Android and a dual-core processor with a 2.5D graphics engine to display animated watch faces with a 3D feel. In this price range, you should not expect perfect performance from the watch, and sometimes we see a little lag in the corners of the operating system; For example, there is a slight delay in displaying the clock after lifting the wrist or switching between screens. The animation of moving watch faces is also a bit slow.

I tested the Glorimi M2 Max with firmware version 1.0.5 on an iPhone and most likely the lag issue will be fixed in future updates. Fortunately, I didn’t encounter any bugs during the review, and the display of notifications and calls was lag-free; The Bluetooth 5.3 connection was always established and, unlike most watches of the same category, it had no problem maintaining the connection with the iPhone.

This watch also uses four gigabytes of storage space to store photos, songs, and voice recordings. Transferring photos and songs is done through the HaWoFit watch app, and it is possible even on the iPhone.

Best implementation of the notification display

Glorimi M2 Max’s operating system, while similar to many other smartwatch OSes, benefits from a unique and interesting feature that Xiaomi refers to as a “Split Screen Browser”. While on most watches, swiping left and right simply switches between different apps, swiping right on the Glorimi M2 Max displays a small split screen in the left corner of the main screen. In this small space, you can see the time and date, quick access to notifications and the complete list of applications; You can also define a shortcut to access up to four applications by keeping your finger in this space.

Glorimi M2 Max split screen smart watch

The user interface of the Xiaomi watch is simple, clean, and straightforward and uses standard gestures to access different parts of the watch; By pressing the rotary button, the list of applications will open, and you can change their arrangement from the watch settings section. By rotating this button on the home screen, you switch between watch faces, control the volume in the Music app, and scroll through other pages. If you haven’t activated Always-on and Raise-to-wake to increase battery life, you can turn on the watch face by pressing the rotary button.

The second button is also a shortcut to the workouts screen by default, but you can replace it with any other app. A swipe down reveals quick settings that include brightness adjustment, Do Not Disturb mode, silent mode, raise-to-wake feature, power saving mode, watch face and sound settings, AOD mode, and several other options.

Split Screen’s right swipe and left swipe switch between several frequently used apps, including activity overview, heart rate test, blood oxygen level, stress, sleep monitoring, music control, and weather, and you can remove some of these shortcuts. Finally, swiping up reveals the notifications screen.

Show Glorimi M2 Max smart watch notifications

I am not exaggerating; Glorimi M2 Max has the best notification display implementation among all the smart watches reviewed by Zomit. Apart from the complete and perfect support of the Farsi language and emojis, it is as if there is no limit defined for the notifications of the Xiaomi watch! First, notifications are placed in separate categories depending on the application, and each application has its own official icon. Scrolling is also enabled for each notification so you can read messages almost completely (the only thing that doesn’t show fully is the link).

Notifications will be saved in any category you want; For example, the number of X social network category notifications reached more than 60 and continued! In comparison, the CMF Notting Watch Pro only keeps 10 notifications, and new notifications overwrite the previous ones.

Ability to call even for iPhone

Apple’s closed ecosystem does not allow many smartwatches to be compatible with the iPhone, and call support is usually one of the first features that fall under Apple’s monopoly; However, with the Glorimi M2 Max, you can easily connect it to the iPhone and enjoy all the functions of this watch, including answering calls, except for sending a quick reply.

Answering calls with the Xiaomi watch is done without problems and delays, and the performance of the speaker and microphone is satisfactory for use in a low-noise environment. The watch has a relatively weak vibration and is not suitable for waking up; But you can use several different ringtones for alarms and calls that have a suitable volume.

Glorimi M2 Max smart watch contact application
Glorimi M2 Max smart watch application page

Glorimi M2 Max’s proprietary operating system does not support any app store and you have to go with the pre-installed apps on the watch that meet most of the user’s needs; Including weather app, calculator, watch lock with password, find phone, camera shutter control, alarm, stopwatch, timer, photo album, reminder, flashlight, Pomodoro timer, voice recorder, music control, and four mini-games. Of course, it is possible to synchronize information from the iPhone’s Health app with the watch, but Strava’s place is empty.

The shutter control unfortunately only works with the camera interface of the HaWoFit app, but the music control allows you to play songs from the watch itself or even save songs for the iPhone. Voice recording is one of those apps that are usually not found by default in smartwatches; However, the sound recording quality of Glorimi M2 Max does not disappoint.

Glorimi M2 Max smart watch watch faces
Glorimi M2 Max smart watch watchfaces

In the watch application, you can access a diverse and colorful collection of watch faces with five different styles for AOD mode. Most watch faces are very busy and many of them use animated elements that may not suit all tastes. Fortunately, it is possible to use a custom watch face, and the process of installing it on the watch takes less than 30 seconds. In the personalization section of the watch face, you can choose from 5 different styles, although the front of the watch is too simple and does not match the design of the official watch faces.

Extremely accurate sensors

The Glorimi M2 Max smartwatch uses an accelerometer and an “advanced” heart rate sensor with the ability to calculate the blood oxygen level (SpO2) and an accelerometer, but there is no gyroscope or skin temperature and ambient light sensor; However, many of the health features the user needs are available in this watch; Including 24-hour heart rate measurement, heart rate alarm, blood oxygen measurement, sleep monitoring, a reminder of water consumption and movement, stress test, monthly habit tracker, breathing exercise and a new feature called Mood, which seems to be closely related to stress test.

Glorimi M2 Max smart watch heart rate monitoring
Glorimi M2 Max smart watch sensors

But just providing health features is not enough; You should be able to trust their results. Fortunately, the Xiaomi watch showed an extremely accurate performance in the health and sleep monitoring tests, so that we can safely recommend the Glorimi M2 Max to people whose purpose in buying a smartwatch is health monitoring. As you can see in the table, the test results of the three health functions of the Xiaomi watch are almost equal to the results of the Galaxy Watch 4, which has accurate sensors.

Tests

Glorimi M2 Max

Galaxy Watch 4

heartbeat

86 beats per minute

85 beats per minute

blood oxygen level (SpO2)

98 percent

97 percent

stress test

normal

normal

I usually don’t expect much from the accuracy of sensors or even pedometers in this price range, but the Glorimi M2 Max blew me away in all tests. The sleep monitoring results are quite accurate and the pedometer did a great job of recording 100 steps with only one step difference.

Glorimi M2 Max smart watch watchfaces
Glorimi M2 Max smart watch sleep monitoring
Glorimi M2 Max smart watch map

The Xiaomi watch supports more than a hundred different workouts and all of them can be seen and selected from the watch itself. Since the watch does not have a resistance level of 5ATM, there is no mention of a swimming workout in the list of sports activities. For sports activities, information such as the number of steps, the amount of calories burned, the duration of the activity, the heart rate, and the speed of the steps are recorded. The Glorimi M2 Max lacks built-in GPS, but the map app has accurate positioning.

Satisfactory battery life

In terms of battery life, the Glorimi M2 Max fares very well. Xiaomi announced a battery capacity of 360 mAh and claims that it will last about 20 days in standby mode and 3 to 5 days in heavy use.

Sports activities list of Glorimi M2 Max smart watch
Glorimi M2 Max smart watch workout list

In my review, with 50% brightness, AOD and BT Switched off, notifications on, heart rate, stress, and oxygen levels constantly monitored, and about half an hour of calls and exercise per day, the watch lasted about six days on a charge. . If you enable AOD and BT Switch, the battery life will probably decrease to about 3 days. The watch is charged with a special magnetic cable and it takes about two hours to charge from 0 to 100 percent.

Is Glorimi M2 Max worth buying?

The Glorimi M2 Max smartwatch is an attractive product in many ways, and considering the price tag of about three million tomans, it has outstanding features that make its purchase worthwhile; Including a clear and bright AMOLED screen, full support for Farsi language in the menu and messages, very accurate sensors, the ability to call even with an iPhone, great implementation of notification display and satisfactory battery life.

But on the other hand, this economic watch also has limitations; Including the lack of built-in GPS, the lack of the ability to install external applications, the lack of ability to respond to messages (in Android phones, it is possible to send a quick response) and the lack of support for 5ATM resistance level to record swimming activity.

Glorimi M2 Max smart watch replaced Flip 5

If texting, installing third-party apps, and built-in GPS are important to you, you might want to consider buying the Galaxy Watch 4, which, despite being three years old, costs almost twice as much as the Glorimi M2 Max, and isn’t compatible with the iPhone.

Read more: Galaxy Watch Ultra Review

The Galaxy Fit 3 is roughly the same price as the M2 Max and offers 5ATM resistance, fast performance, and drop detection, but lacks built-in GPS, calling, and app installation.

Along with its attractive appearance and built-in GPS, Notting’s CMF Watch Pro uses accurate and responsive touch sensors compatible with the iPhone, but at the time of review, it suffered from numerous software bugs.

In addition to the M2 Max model, the Glorimy brand also has two models, the M2 and the M2 Pro, where the M2 model is cheaper and the Pro model is more expensive and has a more luxurious appearance. The Max and Pro models share the same processor, but the Pro model has a slightly smaller screen, two extra straps in the box, and no storage space. The M2 has the same screen as the Pro but uses a possibly weaker processor. All three models do not differ in terms of features and capabilities.

The specifications of all Glorimy products can be seen on the official Glorimy website. Fortunately, these products benefit from 12 months of after-sales service, including a 6-month replacement warranty, and it is possible to register a service request and inquire about authenticity from the glorimi.ir website.

Why should we buy the Xiaomi Glorimi M2 Max watch?

  • Excellent display of notifications
  • The ability to call even with an iPhone
  • Bright AMOLED screen
  • Very accurate sensors
  • Satisfactory battery life
  • Affordable price

Why should we avoid buying the Xiaomi Glorimi M2 Max watch?

  • Lack of built-in GPS
  • It was not possible to install the app
  • No ability to reply to messages
  • No support for 5ATM grade

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