<h2>Fun Atmosphere</h2>
<p>In an interview <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a26513651/elon-musk-interview-spacex-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">newly published</a> by <em>Popular Mechanics</em>, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared his thoughts on colonizing Mars — from how the first settlers will grow food to the friendly vibe he envisions at the first base on the Red Planet.</p>
<p>&#8220;For having an outdoorsy, fun atmosphere, you’d probably want to have some faceted glass dome, with a park, so you can walk around without a suit,&#8221; Musk told the magazine. &#8220;Eventually if you terraform the planet, then you can walk around without a suit. But for say, the next 100-plus years, you’ll have to have a giant pressurized glass dome.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Terraform Terrafunction</h2>
<p>When <em>PopMech </em>editor-in-chief Ryan D&#8217;Agostino pressed Musk on the feasibility of terraforming the entire Red Planet, the enigmatic CEO dismissed the concerns. (Musk, you may recall, <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/terraform-mars-elon-musk-nasa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">famously suggested</a> converting Mars to a more Earth<strong>&#8211;</strong>like climate by dropping atomic bombs on its poles.)</p>
<p>&#8220;Of course you can terraform Mars,&#8221; Musk told D&#8217;Agostino. &#8220;Why would they think you can’t? You totally can.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Mars Farmers</h2>
<p>On the subject of how the first Martian colonists will produce food, Musk went into more detail, describing an elaborate hydroponics system that the settlers could use to grow nutritious vegetables.</p>
<p>&#8220;I mean, the easy way to do the food would be just to do hydroponics,&#8221; he told <em>PopMech</em>. &#8220;You essentially have solar power — unfoiled solar panels on the ground, feed that to underground hydroponics, either underground or shielded by wires, dirt.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a26513651/elon-musk-interview-spacex-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elon Musk: The Popular Mechanics Interview</a> [<em>Popular Mechanics</em>]</p>
<p><em><strong>More on colonizing Mars: </strong><a href="https://futurism.com/four-legal-challenges-to-resolve-before-settling-on-mars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Four Legal Challenges to Resolve Before Settling on Mars</a></em></p>


"Of course you can terraform Mars. Why would they think you can’t? You totally can."

Elon Musk: Mars base will have "outdoorsy, fun atmosphere"

The Martians

In an interview newly published by Popular Mechanics, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared his thoughts on colonizing Mars — even how they might grow vegetables.

Elon Musk: Mars Base Will Have “Outdoorsy, Fun Atmosphere”

"For having an outdoorsy, fun atmosphere, you’d probably want to have some faceted glass dome, with a park, so you can walk around without a suit."

Vertical farms transform conventional agriculture with biotechnology, data science, and engineering. Here’s why the future of farming may be indoors.

Vertical farms transform conventional agriculture with biotechnology, data science, and engineering.

The future of farming may take place indoors

Future Society

Vertical farms transform conventional agriculture with biotechnology, data science, and engineering. Here's why the future of farming may be indoors.

The Future of Farming May Take Place Indoors

<p>Cooking and technology have always been intertwined. Historically speaking, scientific advancements have often resulted in new, sometimes revolutionary methods for preparing food. Although we now take them for granted, kitchen appliances such as the refrigerator, the microwave, and gas ovens/stoves were huge achievements that helped unleash the culinary potential of ordinary people. In other words, we&#8217;ve come a long way since roasting meat over an open flame.</p>
<p>Today, the use of science to further culinary pursuits continues. Modern technology is being applied to the kitchen in new and exciting ways that will save home cooks both time and money. In fact, it&#8217;s never been easier to prepare such a wide variety of healthy, delicious meals from the comfort of your own home.</p>
<p>So if you&#8217;re interested in using the latest technology to maximize your kitchen&#8217;s potential, the following high tech tools are a great starting point. They won&#8217;t turn you into a world-class chef overnight. But they will greatly reduce the time and effort it takes to prepare your favorite foods and beverages.</p>
<h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none"><a href="https://amzn.to/2D7uxIe"><span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large">Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System</span></a></h1>
<div>
<figure id="attachment_140877" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://amzn.to/2D7uxIe"><img class="size-full wp-image-140877" src="https://wordpress.futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ninja.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Amazon</figcaption></figure>
<p>Not long ago, dumping some Folgers Crystals into a cup of hot water was the height of &#8220;home brewing&#8221; innovation. But if you need an example of how far we&#8217;ve come since then, look no further than <a href="https://amzn.to/2D7uxIe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System</a>. Whether you&#8217;re brewing a full carafe or a single cup, the Ninja uses advanced Thermal Flavor Extraction Technology to produce an amazing beverage experience. It can also prepare over-ice beverages at the proper, lower temperature to ensure a smooth, naturally sweet flavor. And Ninja&#8217;s Auto-iQ technology takes the guess work out of brewing with a variety of pre-programmed coffee or tea drink options.</p>
<h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EIZnZc"><span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large">Instant Pot</span></a></h1>
<div>
<figure id="attachment_140880" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EIZnZc"><img class="size-full wp-image-140880" src="https://wordpress.futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/instant-pot.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Amazon</figcaption></figure>
<p>Pressure cookers aren&#8217;t exactly a new technology. In fact, they&#8217;ve been around since at least the late 1600s. But a Canadian inventor named Robert Wang has updated the device for the 21st century. As with traditional pressure cookers, Wang&#8217;s hugely popular <a href="https://amzn.to/2EIZnZc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instant Pot</a> reduces cooking times by up to 70 percent. But aside from added safety mechanisms, the device also features easy-to-use digital controls and a built-in timer, so home chefs can quickly program the device as needed and walk away while their food is prepared. In addition to pressure cooking, the Instant Pot also works as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pot, yogurt maker, and food warmer, making it one of the most versatile kitchen products you can own.</p>
<h1><a href="https://amzn.to/2D33VYR">Philips Digital Airfryer</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_140879" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://amzn.to/2D33VYR"><img class="size-full wp-image-140879" src="https://wordpress.futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/airfryer.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Amazon</figcaption></figure>
<p>Fried food is delicious. Unfortunately, it&#8217;s also extremely unhealthy. Studies have linked regular consumption of foods that are prepared in hot oils and fats to <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/eating-fried-foods-tied-to-increased-risk-of-diabetes-and-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease</a>. Luckily, advances in modern kitchen technology have produced a healthier alternative. The <a href="https://amzn.to/2D33VYR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philips XL Airfryer</a> uses Rapid Air technology to circulate hot air around a metal mesh cooking basket. As a result, far less oil is required, and meals prepared in the high-tech device contain up to 75-percent less fat. It also works as an indoor grill or roaster, and can even be used for baking.</p>
<h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none"><a href="https://amzn.to/2qceikO"><span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large">Gramercy Kitchen Sous Vide Immersion Circulator Cooker</span></a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_141088" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://amzn.to/2qceikO"><img class="size-full wp-image-141088" src="https://wordpress.futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sous-vide.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Amazon</figcaption></figure>
<p>When cooking meat, the difference between a delicious dinner or a disappointing meal can come down to just a few degrees in temperature. This is especially true for expensive cuts of beef, for which an internal temp above medium rare is often considered an act of blasphemy. But thanks to <a href="https://amzn.to/2qceikO" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Gramercy Kitchen Sous Vide Immersion Circulator</a>, overcooking steaks or other proteins is no longer a concern. Simply place your meat of choice into a sealed sous vide bag and immerse it in water. Then set the device to your desired temperature. In an hour or two, your meat will have achieved the exact temperature you selected. All that&#8217;s left to do it sear and serve.</p>
<h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EM7jJj"><span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large">AeroGarden Hydroponic Garden</span></a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_140878" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EM7jJj"><img class="size-full wp-image-140878" src="https://wordpress.futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/aerogarden.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Amazon</figcaption></figure>
<p>Anyone who is remotely interested in home cooking knows the importance of using fresh herbs and vegetables whenever possible. Not only is this the healthiest option (although frozen veggies are a close second), but it will also result in more flavorful food. But unless you live in an area with very mild winters, growing fresh herbs and veggies outdoors isn&#8217;t always a viable option. That&#8217;s where the <a href="https://amzn.to/2EM7jJj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AeroGarden Hydroponic Garden</a> comes in. With its dual mechanized 60W lights, you&#8217;ll be able to grow fresh herbs and vegetables year round in the comfort of your own home (up to 24 plants at a time). It features a convenient touch screen control panel for programing different settings for specific plants in order to maximize yield. It also features a convenient smartphone app to control the device from anywhere in the world, including your couch.</p>
<p>Even the latest and greatest kitchen technology isn&#8217;t going to turn you into the next Top Chef. After all, there&#8217;s no substitute for experience and skill. But what these products will do is allow you to become a more efficient home cook.</p>
<p><em>Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner. We may collect a small commission on items purchased through this page. This post does not necessarily reflect the views or the endorsement of the Futurism.com editorial staff.</em></p>
</div>
</div>


Five high tech gadgets that'll maximize your kitchen's potential

Brands We Love

Cook smarter and more efficiently with these high tech kitchen gadgets. They might not turn you into a Top Chef, but they'll definitely improve your dinner.

Five High Tech Gadgets That’ll Maximize Your Kitchen’s Potential

Bring your morning coffee into the future. 

<h2>Eat Lokal</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/" target="_blank">Ikea</a> is no longer content to help people simply design their kitchens — the Scandinavian retailer is now considering ways to help customers <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ikeas-space10-designed-a-vertical-farm-for-the-home-2017-9?utm_content=buffer36650&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer-ti/#the-purpose-was-to-see-how-londoners-felt-about-ikeas-experiment-and-food-grown-hydroponically-in-general-in-a-press-release-the-team-said-they-were-optimistic-about-the-project-6" target="_blank">grow the food cooked in them</a> through <a href="http://lokal.space10.io/" target="_blank">Lokal</a>, a prototype mini-farm capable of growing greens and herbs indoors.</p>
<p>Developed by Ikea&#8217;s <a href="https://space10.io/" target="_blank">Space10</a> innovation lab, Lokal is based around a hydroponic farming system that uses LEDs to grow produce on stackable trays. The system&#8217;s designers claim that Lokal greens grow roughly three times more quickly than those found in a traditional garden, using 90 percent less water in the process.</p>
<figure id="attachment_104683" style="width: 1020px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-104683" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2017/10/LOKAL-IKEA-Space10-pop-up-event-11-1020x610.jpg" alt="" width="1020" height="610" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image Credit: Space10</figcaption></figure>
<p>The design team is currently testing out a method of integrating sensors into the system&#8217;s growing trays, which would allow at-home farmers to check the status of their crop from their smartphone via <a href="https://futurism.com/googles-own-superbowl-commercial-made-google-ai-devices-go-nuts/" target="_blank">Google Home</a>. The idea of using machine learning to analyze data collected by the community of Lokal gardeners is also being considered.</p>
<h2>Growing Up</h2>
<p>Ikea has yet to decide whether or not Lokal will be sold in stores, and according to Michael La Cour, Managing Director of IKEA Food Services, the project is still in its early stages and needs more development before it could be ready for retail.</p>
<figure style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://futurism.com/images/the-rise-of-vertical-farms-infographic/"><img src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2016/06/HomeThumb-3.jpg" alt="The Rise Of Vertical Farms [Infographic]" ></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text center"><strong><a href="https://futurism.com/images/the-rise-of-vertical-farms-infographic/" target="_blank">Click to View Full Infographic</a></figcaption></strong></figure>
<p>However, whether or not Lokal makes it to an Ikea near you, vertical farming is clearly on the rise. This new methodology <a href="https://futurism.com/a-new-type-of-farm-is-letting-us-grow-100-times-more-food/" target="_blank">can be incredibly efficient</a> and has already been <a href="https://futurism.com/vertical-farming-is-officially-coming-to-grocery-stores/" target="_blank">employed in a retail environment</a> in an effort to give customers access to the freshest possible produce. It also has the potential to help solve the growing <a href="https://futurism.com/videos/vertical-farming-potential-solution-global-food-shortage/" target="_blank">food shortage</a> crisis as <a href="https://futurism.com/new-report-asserts-the-earths-population-will-reach-9-8-billion-by-2050/" target="_blank">the world&#8217;s population</a> continues skyward.</p>
<p>Many people like to be as self-sufficient as possible when it comes to their food, but not everyone has the space for a traditional garden or access to an allotment. Vertical farming gives just about anyone access to home-grown produce, so if a major company like Ikea can develop a straightforward kit to help would-be agriculturists get started, it has the potential to be a big success.</p>


This innovative farm grows food three times faster than a regular garden

Ikea's Space10 innovation lab is developing a product that would allow customers to cultivate greens and herbs from the comfort of their home.

This Innovative Farm Grows Food Three Times Faster Than a Regular Garden

And it uses 90 percent less water.

This desk lamp doubles as a hydroponic garden.

Sci-Fi Visions

The Grasslamp Brings Hydroponic Gardening to Your Home

EcoQube’s hydroponics system will ensure that no excess water is wasted, also purifying the air around you.

EcoQube's hydroponics system will ensure that no excess water is wasted, also purifying the air around you.

/Hydroponics

The Martians

Elon Musk: Mars Base Will Have “Outdoorsy, Fun Atmosphere”

Future Society

The Future of Farming May Take Place Indoors

Brands We Love

Five High Tech Gadgets That’ll Maximize Your Kitchen’s Potential

Future Society

This Innovative Farm Grows Food Three Times Faster Than a Regular Garden

Sci-Fi Visions

The Grasslamp Brings Hydroponic Gardening to Your Home

Future Society

EcoQube: The Remarkable Greenhouse That Will Fit On Your Desk

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