The future is now for Uber, with the news that users of the app who live in Pittsburgh could be passengers in driverless cars as soon as the end of this month.

In detailed Bloomberg Businessweek report, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick revealed the company’s plan to introduce driverless cars, complete with “dozens of sensors that user cameras, lasers, radar, and GPS receivers” to it’s existing Pittsburg fleet.

Existing Uber drivers won’t be completely replaced, Kalanick assured. The driverless cars will come with people in the driver’s seat to make sure nothing goes wrong and to take over in scenarios where Uber’s self-driving tech isn’t reliable e.g. crossing a bridge. There will also be a person sitting shotgun to take notes and cameras inside the vehicle to record everything going on.

It all sounds a little risky, but there is one major benefit: trips will be free. Instead of Pittsburgh’s usual rate of $1 per kilometre, passengers can get from point A to point B without paying 1 single cent.

Uber has also revealed a $US300 million partnership with Volvo to develop the app’s autonomous cars, which will be custom Volvo XC90 SUVs. The Bloomberg report did mention, however, that Uber’s partnership with Volvo isn’t exclusive and the company “plans to partner with other automakers as it races to recruit more engineers.”

Watch this space.

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The most hotly anticipated Mercedes-Benz to debut at Monterey tomorrow has been leaked.

The car which stands at almost six metres in length was set for an official unveiling at tomorrow’s Concours d’Elegance from Pebble Beach, one of the most exotic gathering of luxury cars on the west coast of the United States.

Besides a few teaser trailers from Mercedes-Benz in the past two weeks, not much else has been revealed about the retro-inspired Mercedes-Maybach 6. What we do know thus far is that it will sport a striking design with sleek lines and gullwing doors.

The latest pictures reveal even more with the car leaving the retro exterior behind for a spectacular and minimalist looking interior straight out of the rulebook of future coach building. Think exposed electric drivetrain housing, lots of LEDs, a circular enclosed cockpit, molded leather seats and lots of white.

There’s even an indication of HUD (Head Up Display) infographics and a full touchscreen interface. Mercedes haven’t revealed the power unit as of yet but expect it to be either fully electric or a hybrid petrol-electric layout.

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Hosting the Olympics is an honour most places can only dream of. While the games are on, the world tunes in to watch your city take centre stage. There’s glory. There’s money. There’s new infrastructure. There’s a sporting legacy for the ages.

Or is there?

In fact, Olympic host nations often can’t afford the billions of dollars it costs to support the games. The dream dies as soon as the crowds and athletes exit the arenas, leaving impractical structures and crippling debt in their wake.

Today the planet is littered with abandoned Olympic venues, shed like snake skins. From stadiums to ski jumps, pools to podiums, these crumbling remnants have been left to the elements – and to the photographers, graffiti artists, and urban explorers who have made them their personal playgrounds.

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Say you had spare cash burning a hole in your pocket. Say you wanted to spend it on a cruise. Say someone was making a replica of the Titanic. Would you dare set sail on the next generation of the world’s most infamously tragic ship?

‘Titanic II’ is scheduled to hit the seas in 2018, more than 100 years after the original passenger liner sank on her maiden voyage. The ship is the brainchild of wealthy Australian businessman and politician Clive Palmer. With the help of his shipping company, Blue Star Line, Palmer hopes to pay tribute to the Titanic’s untimely fate with a painstaking recreation of 1912’s doomed liner.

Reports say Titanic II will remain true to its namesake with Turkish baths, an Edwardian gym, a smoking room, and a grand staircase (as seen in the 1997 Leo/Kate film). Those features will join 840 cabins spread across nine decks, designed to accommodate 2,400 guests and 900 crew. Like the original vessel, passengers will be able to travel in first, second, and third class.

Unlike the original vessel – and fortunately for those 2,400 passengers – the new ship promises to “have every modern amenity along with 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems.” Included on that list are a helipad and enough lifeboats for everyone on board.

The project has been plagued with financial difficulties and delayed launch dates, so it remains to be seen whether it will actually come to fruition. Still, it’s one to keep the eye on.

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The hipster beards, cold brew coffee and fixie bikes of Victoria’s capital have just become a little more appealing as Melbourne has just been named the world’s most liveable city for the 6th year in a row.

The Economist Intelligence Unit scores 140 of the world’s major cities on everything from healthcare to education, stability, culture, environment and infrastructure to determine overall ‘liveability’.

Melbourne came in at number one with a rating of 97.5, surpassing Vienna, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Adelaide and Perth. As for Sydney? Unfortunately the city dropped out of the top 10 due to a “heightened perceived threat of terrorism.” The least liveable cities included Syria’s capital Damascus, followed by Libya’s Tripolo and Nigeria’s Lagos.

It’s another big coup for Melburnians, according to Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. “Once again, we excelled in the five criteria: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure,” he said.

“We do not take this title for granted and are constantly planning and implementing policies that will continue to improve our quality of life.”

Cheers to Melbourne.

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First time homeowners will understand how daunting it is to decorate newly acquired digs, and with home improvement tips, tricks and reality TV shows more prolific than Warnie’s love life, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Monochromatic decorating is simple but highly effective, and will never go out of style. Create the stylish aesthetic in your home with the following guide.

Mono-what?

When most people think of monochrome, they imagine stark black and white interiors with a tsunami of grey thrown in for good measure. However, monochrome is synonymous with ‘ombre’ and simply refers to a colour scheme that uses a base colour and shades, tints and hues of that colour to create a cohesive finish. For example, a green monochromatic space can feature shades like olive, emerald, mint and chartreuse. If you’re more of a blue man, decorate with cobalt, indigo, royal, baby and steel blue derivatives.

Bold, sophisticated and distinctive, some incorrectly assume a monochromatic interior design will result in a sterile home. However, warm colours can also constitute monochrome.

Creating Your Palate

Forget endless swatch cards with ridiculously named colours by choosing a single colour as the base for your interior design. This is the nucleus around which all other colours will be determined.

Tip: Consider your furniture and appliances before settling on a base colour to avoid clashes.

Worried everything will blend together and offer no definition? No worries. Contrast is key here. For example, stark white trim or accents will give sharp contrast between your monochrome palate (particularly if grey is your base colour). Pick shades darker and lighter than the base colour, but don’t feel you need to include every tone, hue and tint known to the colour spectrum.

Why Go Monochrome?

• Perfect for contrasting and highlighting statement pieces around the house.
• Exudes clean, sleek minimalism with little effort.
• Simple to plan and execute by focusing on a single colour and its shades, hues and tints.
• A monochrome background offers a harmonious and restful feel to your pad.
• It’s idiot proof. By using one colour and its derivatives, you’re ensured to bypass any design disasters and mismatched interiors.
• A monochromatic scheme can transform a messy bedroom into a relaxing, calming and inviting space.

The Home Office

Working from home always sounds alluring, but things like crappy morning television and a fully stocked fridge often sway our attention and debilitate our output. To minimise distractions and create a calming, ordered environment, monochromatic study rooms or home offices are ideal. Keep your mind sharp and interiors sparse for optimal effect.

The Snooze Room

Monochrome in all its sleek and functional glory has been making its way into bedrooms across the country. It’s one of the hottest bedroom trends of the past few years. Avoid stark white and consider deeper shades of grey, or choose warmer colours like beige and caramel.

Texture & Patterns

Working with a monochrome palate can lead to rooms that seem overly ‘matchy matchy’, with everything blending together. To add interest and break up the monotony of your colour scheme, don’t be afraid to experiment with texture and pattern.

Bold artwork is an effective way to offset monotony, while textured wallpaper is becoming increasingly popular. Throw in some patterned rugs, cushions and blankets to complete the look or go big with a patterned couch or ottoman.

Break It Up

Monochrome extremists will argue against the introduction of colour outside the designated base. However, a pop of different colour can make a monochrome design more effective. This is particularly true for those who opt for a black, white and grey palate as it will help the room spring to life. The foreign colour doesn’t need to overwhelm, and can be included in something as small as a picture frame or a mirror, or as large as a brightly coloured couch.

If a colourful couch isn’t up your alley, a safer alternative is to decorate your monochromatic space with neutral colours. Black or white accents help to define the room and break up the monotony of the monochrome scheme.

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In a move that will see machines accompanying man on an epic journey to the red planet, NASA has opened up a new competition to develop a humanoid robot with the help of the world’s brightest designers.

The agency’s Space Robotics Challenge which is now open will seek out the most suitable virtually designed robot based off NASA’s existing Robonaut 5 Valkyrie. The entrants’ designs will be put through numerous virtual exercises modelled off Mars with the winning challenger receiving US$1 million worth of prize money.

Simulated activities will involve repair duties to the environment after a damaging dust storm and no, Matt Damon can’t help. Amongst other tasks, the robot must also fix solar panels and straighten communication dishes. Shooting aliens is definitely not on the cards just yet but there is the issue of overcoming communication lag with the significant radio wave delay from Earth to Mars.

Finalists of the Space Robotics Challenge will be announced by NASA in December with the winners being crowned in June 2017.

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Living the suite life just got easier. The leading names in air travel, such as Singapore Airlines and Etihad, already feature super-private suites in the first class cabin. With the launch of Delta One, Delta is becoming the first airline to offer an all-suite cabin for business class travellers.

The new Delta business class suites put the emphasis on customer comfort and privacy, offering each traveller their own personal space accessed by a sliding door. The suites feature thoughtfully designed personal stowage areas, an advanced in-flight entertainment system, and full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access. Other perks include:

• A full-height door at every suite
• Sliding privacy dividers between centre suites
• In-suite, customisable ambient lighting
• Dedicated stowage compartments for shoes, headphones, and laptops
• Contemporary design featuring premium trim and finishes
• Memory foam-enhanced comfort cushion
• An 18-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment monitor
• A universal power outlet and high-powered USB port at every seat

Along with all the brand new benefits, Delta One travellers can expect the standard services they’ve come to know and love from the airline. The list includes chef-curated meals, wine pairings by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding, noise-cancelling headsets, TUMI amenity kits featuring Kiehl’s skincare products, and in-flight loungewear on select flights.

“Delta constantly listens to customers and responds with products that deliver what they want. After setting the standard with the introduction of full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in 2008, Delta is again elevating the international business class experience,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Added comfort and privacy are important to business travellers, and that drove the design of the all-new Delta One suite.”

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Ah, Hobart. Australia’s second oldest capital city (after Sydney) and the most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. However, in recent years, the southernmost capital has become known for much, much more.From paddock-to-plate fine dining to a penchant for modern art, boutique hotels aplenty and more stunning waterfront views than you can poke a stick at, Hobart is quickly becoming a hipster hotspot in its own right. Here are our top picks for where to eat, shop, stay and play in Tassie’s capital.

Where To Eat

The Source

655 Main Rd, HobartLocated within Hobart icon, the Museum of Old and New Art, The Source Restaurant takes its name from the John Olsen painting that hangs in the ceiling of the foyer. With a focus on seasonal produce, presented according to the whim of Executive Chef Vince Trim and his team, The Source is the perfect place to gorge on fresh, uncomplicated shared plates of Norfolk Bay oysters, kingfish carpaccio and seared scallops for à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Franklin

28-30 Argyle St, HobartDescribed as a “bar-cum-restaurant in an old Ford showroom wedged between the former home of Hobart’s Mercury newspaper and a car park”, Hobart’s Franklin is anything but an ordinary dining experience. Franklin’s kitchen, for instance, is smack-bang in the centre of the restaurant and totally exposed. It also features a ten-tonne Scotch oven from which chef David Moyle and his team serve up small plates of whiting, abalone and whole pigeon. As for wine? Heavy on natural, organic and biodynamic drops.

Pigeon Hole

93 Goulburn St, West HobartKnown for ‘lovely food, nice people’, Pigeon Hole is Hobart’s answer to the Melbourne hipster cafe. Despite the hipster connotation, however, Pigeon Hole is very much understated and unpretentious in its food and beverage offering. Responsible for some of Hobart’s best loaves and rustic baguettes, Pigeon Hole has also garnered a reputation for its daily bite-sized blackboard specials like baked eggs, panini and soup, strong coffee and an eclectic yet cosy decor.

Smolt

107-109 Hill St, West HobartIf you’re big on flavour, Smolt is a must-try whilst in Hobart. Fusing the flavours of Spanish and Italian classical and contemporary cuisine, Smolt sources ingredients from local vegetable growers, farmers and cheese markers for seasonable, sustainable and downright mouth-watering dishes. Smolt also supports ethical animal husbandry and fishing practices, serving free range-chicken and grass-fed, home-produced beef, lamb, venison and wallaby alongside an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list in a Scandi-chic setting.

Aloft

Pier One, Brooke St, HobartKeen on local produce with an incredible view? Aloft is your new Hobart go-to. Located on the top floor of the award-winning Brooke Street Pier on Hobart’s majestic waterfront, Aloft also features an open-plan restaurant where you can watch chefs working on a menu that reflects the changing seasons and raw nature of Tassie. Whether you’re pescetarian, vegetarian or somewhere in between, Aloft will have your tongue wagging in an instant.

Where To Drink

Preachers

5 Knopwood St, HobartA short walk up hill from Hobart’s Salamanca Place you’ll find Preachers, a converted cottage, semi-rural Taphouse offering nothing but Australian micro-brewed beers hand pumped into your thirsty mouth. Preachers courtyard, complete with deck chairs and an abandoned bus is perfect for al fresco drinking, or dining on a menu of delicious burgers.

MONA Wine Bar

655 Main Rd, BerriedaleRelax and fill up on seasonal treats before checking out MONA’s mind-blowing art at the museum’s very own Wine Bar. Whether you’re sitting inside on the patio or catching some sun on the grass, the MONA Wine Bar offers boutique, ultra-premium drops from estate-grown fruit made in the winery right outside.

Pancho Villa Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Corner & Elizabeth St & Pitt St, North HobartPaint the town red at Pancho Villa Restaurant & Tequila Bar next time you’re in Hobart. The Mexican tequila bar is ideal on a mid-summer Sunday evening with its low-hanging lights, mock stained glass, cosy courtyard and bar glowing with everything from Spanish wines to spirits and of course, plenty of tequila.

Henry Jones Art Hotel

25 Hunter St, HobartSet against the classic Henry Jones backdrop of heritage architecture and innovative design, the hotel’s IXL Long Bar offers an extensive drinks list of speciality cocktails, fine wines, bottle and tap beers, hand-crafted ciders and prizewinning spirits and liquors. With harbour views, live music and contemporary art, Henry Jones’ IXL Long Bar is a hidden gem perfect for wetting your whistle in style.

Nant Whisky Bar

Shop 3G, 63 Wooby’s Lane, SalamancaFrom the guys at the Nant Distilling Company comes the Nant Whisky Bar, 1 of 3 Nant venues offering signature cocktails, delicious Tasmanian fare and take-home whisky delights. Straight up, shaken or stirred, the Nant Whisky Bar is perfect for a classic Manhattan made on Nant Port Wood Whisky or a more adventurous and indulgent Black Ray Whisky Espresso Martini.

Where To Stay

MONA Pavilions

651-655 Main Rd, BerriedaleWhile you can’t stay at Mona in the museum itself, you can stay in its high-tech, super flash luxury dens on the River Derwent. Named after Australian architects and artists, the striking Mona Pavilions feature a gym, sauna and heated infinity pool, as well as incredible views of Tassie.

Avalon City Retreat

152 Macquarie St, HobartIf you’re looking to stay in the heart of Hobart, Avalon City Retreat is the perfect concrete jungle escape. The luxury, modular designed ‘Omnipod’ is cantilevered off each end of a 1967 architecturally designed office tower and boasts minimalist, personally curated, elegant and eclectic interiors with a fully equipped kitchen and breathtaking views of Salamanca and Hobart’s waterfront.

Islington Hotel

321 Davey St, South HobartSick of the city? Then a quaint boutique hotel is the way to go. Hobart’s Islington hotel is a small, luxe hotel with a long history and large, delightful garden affording unique and stunning views of Mount Wellington. Decorated with fine art and furnished with antiques, Islington is for those who desire the finer things in life.

Henry Jones Art Hotel

25 Hunter St, HobartAs we mentioned previously, the Henry Jones Art Hotel is a bit of a Hobart icon. Housed in a former jam factory near Franklin Wharf, the industrial-chic hotspot is a wonderful fusion of history and modernity, art and design, indulgence and discovery. It’s Australia’s first dedicated art hotel and one of Tassie’s most signficant industrial heritage sites.

Arthouse Salamanca

104 Salamanca Pl, Battery PointFor more heritage-listed luxury, you can’t go past Arthouse Salamanca. Moments away from Hobart’s waterfront, Arthouse Salamanca is set in a private oasis blending maritime history, contemporary art and design for some pretty slick digs. Arthouse is also particularly convenient for all major festivals including Mona Forma, Taste, Wooden Boat Festival and The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race finish line.

Where To Shop

Salamanca Markets

Salamanca Pl, HobartOne of Australia’s most loved outdoor markets are Hobart’s Salamanca Markets. With an eclectic mix of over 300 stallholders, offering delicious food, artisan jewellery, fine Tasmanian handcrafted timbers, handmade clothing, vintage collectables, pottery, plants and flowers, the Salamanca Markets have become a bit of a Saturday morning ritual for many locals.

LUC.

15 Castray Esplanade, HobartFor a design fix, head to Hobart’s LUC. Offering an eclectic, unique and inspiring range of homewares, furniture, art and fashion, LUC. represents a nice cross-section of iconic Australian and luxurious international brands including Dinosaur Designs, Tom Dixon, Liberte, Missoni Home, Pendleton, Bemboka and more.

Red Herring Surf

75 Liverpool St, HobartFancy yourself a bit of a beach bum? Then Red Herring Surf will be your favourite Hobart shopping destination. It’s Tassie’s original surf company and as well as stocking all the usual surf suspects, Red Herring believes in providing young Tasmanians with a positive message in supporting a number of youth based events across the state.

What To See

MONA

655 Main Rd, BerriedaleThere’s no way you can visit Hobart without checking out MONA, or the Museum of Old and New Art. Located within the Moorilla winery on the Berriedale peninsula in Hobart, MONA is the largest privately funded museum in Australia and is perhaps best known for its large collection of antiquities, modern and contemporary art and over 400 artistic works from David Walsh’s private collection. The hipster hotspot is also known for its striking interior architecture, featuring an epic spiral staircase leading down to three larger levels of labyrinthe display spaces.

Artbikes

The Barn at Rosny Farm, Rosny ParkArtbikes is Hobart’s bike borrowing service that enables art lovers access to the galleries and museums, and it’s completely free. With such a vibrant artistic culture, cycle friendly terrain and dynamic city life, Artbikes is the perfect way to discover Hobart and get some good old fresh air into you.

Lark Distillery

14 Davey St, HobartWhen Bill Lark asked the question “I wonder why there isn’t anyone making malt whisky in Tasmania?” he had a lightbulb moment and the Lark Distillery was born. Situated on the Hobart waterfront, Lark Cellar Door and Whisky Bar offers the opportunity to taste Tassie’s finest whisky and other distilled spirits in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Dark Mofo

Hobart, TasmaniaMONA’s midwinter festival Dark Mofo is an annual pilgrimage south celebrating the dark through large-scale public art, food, film, music, light and noise. It runs from June 8-21 across Hobart with major exhibitions at MONA, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and more.

The Agrarian Kitchen

650 Lachlan Rd, LachlanGet in touch with your inner Masterchef at the Agrarian Kitchen. The sustainable farm-based cooking school offers paddock-to-plate experiences in a stunning 19th century schoolhouse at Lachlan, just 45 minutes from Hobart in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley. Set on 5 acres, the Agrarian Kitchen features an extensive vegetable garden, orchard, berry patch and herb garden, all grown using organic principles. Cooking classes are led by Rodney Dunn, former Food Editor of Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine and one-time apprentice to Australian chef, Tetsuya Wakuda.

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