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December 31, 2005
MIT Envisions Stackable Cars
A team headed by William Mitchell, former head of the school of architecture at MIT, has been working for four years on stackable sharable efficient cars of the future. The cars generate zero emissions and will be customizable. Each wheel will essentially be a robot with it's own electric motors and suspension. The team plans to present the final design in a few months to General Motors who has agreed to build a prototype and support the project.
I was watching the powerpoint presentation and it's certainly feasible to do. The way the cars drive up and stack on top of another is pretty cool but its HELLA cool how a car in the middle will unstack itself.
Aside from the stackable cars project, MIT is also working on a number of other prototypes; many having wheels and suspensions that allow for 360ยบ of rotation.
Now I know I need to stay professional but I have a HUGE soft spot for SMART MEN and there are more than a few choice hotties working at MIT.
via THE RAW FEED
MIT hotties after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
December 29, 2005
Nissan + Xbox360 = URGE
Official photos of Nissan's latest concept car dubbed "URGE" are making their rounds on the net. The three-seater is motorcycle inspired (a-bit SMART car too if you ask me), and riders will be able to see thru the vehicle's glass hood to view the displacement engine revving and pumping away. What really sets this vehicle apart are the gadgets and gizmos that pimp it out.
An integrated MP3 player, universal cell phone docking station, and the real big news; a fully integrated Xbox360 using the steering wheel and pedals as controls.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 11:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
December 28, 2005
Sony's Outsider is a Fat Man
Sony Outsider (by mix media artist Tom Sachs), is a life size replica of Fat Man, the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 1945. The "bomb" is covered in a glossy white plexiglas and sports a Sony logo. Inside the capsule, it's even more perplexing. It's a hotel like room with rich materials like white leather and equipped with the hottest gizmos from Japan's premier electronics company (from 1999 that is - which is when this piece was created).
The purpose? Tom Sachs is fascinated by the seductive power of branding. By slapping the Sony logo all over and in the bomb, the device becomes ironic. What was once a destructive force is now nothing more than a toy; a gadget. It brings to mind the fact that YES the bomb crushed the city but Sony had a hand in rebuilding Japan after the war. In a sense, Japan conquered the bomb years later with its tech wizardry and gadgetry power.
Posted by tranism at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
December 23, 2005
AnyFilms.net
The world appears different from different perspectives and so each event that takes place is just a small node in an ever expanding branch of stories.
Samsung believes the future of visual entertainment lies in that truth; that a viewer must be able to interact with the story, to influence the events that take place and the outcome.
AnyFilms.net is a new kind of entertainment site where you can watch films directed by some of today's up-and-coming filmmakers and interact with the storyline by manipulating a grid. The end result could be any one of the 11,000 outcomes. You create the mystery, you experience, you solve it.
Is this where mobile interactive entertainment is headed? Try it out a few times to really grasp what is happening. It's pretty cool.
Posted by tranism at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
December 16, 2005
Softwall
plankton here, jackin' electro's blog account again.
Created by Vancouver design studio Molo, the paper softwall is a flexible and temporal way to create your walls. Softwall can be compressed and stored away if one wants a larger open space or it can be expanded to make smaller private spaces within the larger space. Made of 400 honeycombed layers of fire-retardant translucent paper, it dampens sound, absorbs and transmits light and is modularly expandable, folding out from only 3 centimeters to 7.5 meters.
It's now part of MoMA's permanent collection
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 5:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Visionaire
Visionaire is a groundbreaking collaboration with International Flavors & Fragrances combining scientific and creative talents of the worlds leading flavorists, contemporary artists, chefs, and photographers. Together, they've created works of art that stretch sensual boundaries of imagination by simultaneously engaging the viewer's eyes and tongue.
Visionaire 47 TASTE (as the project is referred to) uses taste-film technology, much like the popular breath films on the market - to deliver completely unprecedented flavors to the mouth. Each taste, such as Orgasm, Guilty, and Mother are accompanied by an image interpreting the concept. Some tastes are easy to identify while others are highly conceptual. This is considered to be the first time taste and flavor are used as a pure art medium, totally disconnected from food.
mmmm sounds soooo TASTY!
Posted by tranism at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Come, Have A Seat With Me
Three guys set out to study the isolation of humans in terms of being Earth-bound. They see the cosmos as the next step but all we have managed to do is send astronauts, cosmonauts and tyconauts up as reconnaissance and space walks. They want to usher in the age of Cosmosapiens.
What makes Cosmosapiens different from homosapiens? Homosapiens lack understanding of the cosmos, of order. To gain this knowledge, the experience of weightlessness is a basic condition. Therefore humanity, for its future development, urgently needs a Cosmic University to function in zero gravity where critical minds work together.
So in light of their research, they created the isle lounge; an oversized three-legged space to be sat, slept, laid and played in. The isle lounge can be used indoors or out and they come in varying sizes ranging from 45k - 51k.
The large disk does actually dwarf every other object around you and I can totally see what the guys are saying. To sit in it, you feel separated, almost weightless, unbound by distractions. In such an environment, your mind could potentially "work" better.
If all this cosmo speak ain't your cup of tea, then at least you have to admit, one of these things would look awesome in your living room. Just imagine the things one could do in it. :)
if you're interested in purchasing one, email Gorazd Malacic.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
December 15, 2005
Hotel Volkswagen Fox
So this is one hell of a story!
Volkswagen plans to reveal its new Volkswagen Fox in the spring of this year in Copenhagen, Denmark. Multiple auto-journalist crews that are covering the event were brought into this hotel! Rather then letting them stay in your everyday hotel, Volkswagen took over a old hotel downtown and built Hotel Fox! They brought in 21 designers, illustrators and urban artists to completely redo the Hotel. Needless to say, each room is a unique art piece worthy of its own exhibition!
You haven't seen anything like it. check it out!
Posted by at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
ibeat
Ibeat's self-powered illuminated headphones can either flash or blink to the beat of your music or provide a constant color flow of neon. The versatile ibeat works with all mp3 players including all the iPods off course. The ibeat is now available in 6 colors in major electronic stores and the suggested price is $29.95
I've ordered 2 already, one for me and one as a gift!
Posted by at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Kenguru
The Kenguru surrounds the driver sitting in his manual wheelchair. It has soft lines on the outside. The inside space is friendly, operating controls can be easily reached. The driver feels secure even in city traffic.
The design enables the driver to get in and out of the vehicle with a manual wheelchair without changing his seat. The wheelchair locks automatically in place. It can be also used without the vehicle. The vehicle is driven and controlled by a joystick and its connecting panels from the wheelchair. Pretty damn hot! I wonder if Kenguru speaks too, it has that little cute mouth in the front
Designed by Zsolt Varga, Hungary
Posted by at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
December 14, 2005
Cricket Holodeck
If they could choose, where would domesticated crickets choose to be? Living outdoors in the midwest winters is not a good option for the common house cricket, especially ones there were born and raised to be used as live feed. But perhaps they still yearn for the pastoral grasslands and woodlands occupied by their wild relatives.
Mix media artist Amy Young's latest project, Holodeck for House Crickets, explores the possibility of creating a more comforting environment for crickets raised in climate controlled tanks. The enclosure provides an artificial landscape and provides a simulation of motion though it. Through the use of a computer and sensors, the crickets are able to interact with their projected environment by chirping. Each chirp advances the panoramic video footage of outdoor scenery.
Way cool Amy!
another picture after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:41 AM | Permalink
December 12, 2005
Kung Fu Kids
Already I've been sent numerous emails asking where my own Holiday Gift Guide is. I haven't had time as I keep all that info spread about on post-it notes, scraps of paper, my cell and in my head.
But here's one handy gift(s) that is sure to make anyone happy. The Kung Fu Kids home accessories line takes a cute step forward at bringing in Tai Chi into your home. Solid ceramic and wood pieces bring positive "chi" to your clock, bookend, letter organizer, tape dispensing and pen holder needs.
Each piece is about $30 and definitely a wonderful gift for friends.
more picture after the jump
Posted by tranism at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
December 10, 2005
Hatches Are Hot
One of the selling points of a new vehicle purchase (at least for me) is utility. That combined with fuel economy and a car like ride means only one thing. . . HATCHES. Hatchbacks are hot! They ride like cars, can fit in any compact spot but they offer the utility a man like me needs, whether it be crap from Ikea, or my dog, or groceries. . . hatches are like refined wagons and I love them.
I generally don't like German cars because there's just something about Japanese techness that I don't find in German vehicles, but the resurrected VW Scirocco due in 2008 may just change my mind. Similar to the original, its a sport hatchback but wearing the new corporate VW face. Lookin Japanese from the side and the rear, but its all German in the front and inside. I love it! Make a hybrid version and I'm sooooo there, rippin' up the streets of Burbank!
Posted by tranism at 1:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
December 3, 2005
Trexi
The creator of this cute little guy is Tiziana Haug, she proclaims that design can't be "wrong" or "right" but definitely "appropriate" or "inappropriate." I'd say that this little fella is definitely appropriate. His name is Trexi and he is a 3-inch tall action figure with a rotating head and articulated limbs.
As a trexi user you can either spin its head to match your current state of mind or Trexi can act as a good luck charm, telling you that what mood you will be in.
Im ordering trexi, one for me and one for electro! ;)
Posted by at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Compact Cars Making A Comeback
And it's about f*cking time too. Now, let me preface by saying I am not anti-SUV or some crazy oatmeal eating green-card touting environmentalist. What I am is a person that recognizes we are outstripping the resources of this planet and in our haste to grow, we have caused irreversible damage to our home. We have the smarts, the know-how, and motivation waiting on the table for us to bring about an revolution. And in these times - as the tide turns back to using what is only necessary instead of what is wanted, we can begin that transition to existing in harmony with the environment.
Nobody can expect this to happen suddenly and as with all major historical technological shifts in our society, what is often dismissed are the "transitional" technologies that make revolution possible.
The Citroen C-Airplay concept car is one of those transitional pieces of technologies. No, it's not a fuel cell vehicle nor is it even a hybrid. What it is - is a super efficient 110-hp car with start and stop technology making it a gas sipper.
This isn't just a study in environmentism, this is an exercise meant to bring back driving pleasure based on physical and visual perceptions. With windows wrapping around, above, and on the doors, you can see the world fly by as you zip around town. 110-hp may not sound like much to today's norm but considering how small this car is, it's more than enough power.
So you see, we can make things that satisfy both sides of the argument. We can make cars to help ease us into a resource preserving culture meanwhile satisfying all of those road enthusiasts who'd rather live life to the fullest. We just all need to make an effort in supporting technologies like these.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
December 1, 2005
How China Will Surpass The U.S.A.
Chinese culture is much older. Anything they build has to be grand and big (Great Wall and 3 Gorges Dam). They have a massive work force with massive resources. Their economy is stronger than ever and exports exceed that of the United States. They are on the cusp of newer, more efficient and green-centric technology that will set them apart as a world power to be admired. One area they still lag behind is in urban development but that is all about to change.
The Beijing Boom Tower project presents a model showing of 6 hectares of the Chinese capital in 2020. The design of the block underlines the conflicting desires of the modern metropolis and its demand for urban space. The project presents extreme towers with an intricate network of bridges, escalators, highways and pedestrian walkways. The Chinese aim to transform Beijing into a society of vertical neighborhoods. It is only a matter of time people . . . only a matter of time.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)