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July 31, 2006
Lullabub - Cot Rocker
For all the new parents out there that aren't afraid of technology, this innovation could possibly save you some serious hours of no sleep.
Completely automatic and unassisted, this cot rocker is designed to naturally settle and soothe a baby to sleep. Through a gentle rocking motion, the Lullabub subtly mimics the motion of a car and puts your small ones to sleep without your exhaustion.
Posted by diverseawareness at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Revolving Fish Bowl
This wall mounted revolving fish bowl allows your dearest pet to travel the polluted ocean from the comfort of his own home. Pretty cute idea, don't you think?
designed by Shay Alkalay
Posted by diverseawareness at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
The Wind Shaped Pavilion
Michael Jantzen is one crazy mofo and that's pretty evident in his latest proposal, the Wind Shaped Pavilion. The building consists of a multi-level fabric structure that would rotate around a central frame when the wind blows. At any point in the day, the building would change its silhouette and for you eco-enthusiasts, the power generated would be enough to light it.
Interesting concept. Anyone who lives there might wanna have a strong equilibrium tho.
more pictures after the jump
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
July 30, 2006
10ways
As media evolves at a breathtaking pace, imagery is more vital than ever to the way we communicate. In collaboration with Getty Images, 5 leading designers were asked to create 10 ways interactive experiences that explore what makes visual language so powerful.
Some of these concepts are a little abstract, even for me. Nonetheless, it is true; color, sound, light and darkness can all change the look and feel of an image dramatically, altering our emotional reactions to it.
Posted by tranism at 7:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Graffiti Research Lab
What do you get when you muster a bunch of graffiti artists together whom mutually share a love for technology? You get the Graffiti Research Lab.
These artists take open source technologies and armed with their handy do-it-yourself know how, they've designed and created some really cool art. Some are interactive and some are an evolved extension of their main discipline.
Posted by tranism at 2:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
July 26, 2006
Square Eclipse - Light Display
This wall mounted display of lights will give any room a stimulating atmosphere.
The Square Eclipse uses 24 microcontrolled tri-color LEDs that are carefully positioned behind the unit to create clean geometric patterns of light and shadow.
As colored contours from one LED intersects with other LEDs, it constantly creates new animating patterns that morphs into different shapes and colors.
Check out this video to see it in action.
more photos after the jump.
Posted by diverseawareness at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Car Turntable
If like me you live in Los Angeles or any other car densely populated city you are most likely aware of the often sticky tight spaces we are forced to deal with, well this innovation deals with at least one of them.
This is an example of a residential installment of the vehicle turntable. Why not turn your drive way into a less distressing experience, simply pull out from the garage and let the table spin you around on the spot. If anything the table could serve as your "thinking spot" or maybe even as a peace full place where you could take a date on a relaxing spin.
Posted by diverseawareness at 11:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Reef Surf Tent
I've traveled to Costa Rica 3 times the last 4 years to surf and I know this would be perfect for my next trip. No more cockroach infested hostel's, just me and my tent right on the beach.
LifeStyleDesign has created the Reef Surf Tent. The tent takes architectural inspiration from the gaping mouth of a whale and provides the aesthetic appeal of second skin clothing. It comes in two parts: an inflatable sleep pod (no rods) and an adjustable canopy (with rods) - both of which pack snugly into what doubles as an ice chest.
another picture after the jump.
Posted by diverseawareness at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
July 23, 2006
The Abandoned City
On the outskirts of Taipei, Taiwan is an abandoned housing project. I think they were built in the early 80's as cheap housing that could expand vertically while maintaining a very small footprint. The 4 circular pods made it easy to manufacture meanwhile providing it's occupants with plenty of space. I also found some questionable info on its location. The riverbed on one side, the hills on the opposite, the materials used to build it, and the fact that they expand upwards were all intentional to satisfy traditional Chinese living methodology of the 5 elements.
I couldn't find any other information about it or even why it was abandoned. Ironically, if this existed somewhere in United States and were to be redeveloped, it would probably a cost an arm and leg to live in. I can picture the hipsters drooling now.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
July 18, 2006
EcoSmart Fire
Fireplaces once had a place in our homes, serving as a source of heat. But those days have passed and today's fireplaces have become accessories. Unfortunately many are gas burning or even worse, some homes have wood burning ones. I can't even begin to tell you how much pollution you dump into the air when you have one going for even just 5 minutes.
So a modern age demand modernization in our old vices. A company called EcoSmart manufactures fireplaces that burns ethanol, a clean burning fuel. They have a range of models to fit all budgets and the great thing is they're completely self-contained. The model above is my favorite. Have it up against the wall one day and move it to the center of the room when entertaining.
more pics after the jump
Posted by tranism at 6:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
A Bird-like Plane
Scientists have gone back to the drawing board to solve how we can replicate nature's mechanism of flight. We understand the dynamics but haven't been able to build the actual wings. Our standard box of materials - gears, shafts, and flaps end up becoming too complex and heavy, not to mention energy hungry to operate.
If we observe everything that flies, they share one characteristic; they flap their wings. So part of designing a new methodology of flight is rethinking the materials which in turn leads you down a new path of flight mechanisms and construction.
The fruition of this research revolves around a new material called ionic polymeric metal composite or IPMC. The synthetic material is capable of deforming in an electric field and returning to its original shape when the field is removed. The material is lightweight, flexible, and far less complex than current wing designs. Since the kinetic motion comes from a magnetic field as opposed to a combustion engine, far less energy is required to flap the wings. All you would have to do is sustain a small magnetic field and rapidly turn it off to generate a propulsive force from the flapping wings. Dynamically alternating the field between the wings, and you can have a plane that turns on a dime. HOW COOL!
Posted by tranism at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
July 14, 2006
Origami-ish Table
No, it doesn't fold up, but the surface appears to have been folded/unfolded like origami. The texture is enough for you to notice without causing things to slide off should you opt. to use it for what it was designed for - a coffee table.
Buy it at Unica Home and buy me one too. I'll be moving soon and def. need a new coffee table.
Posted by tranism at 4:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Cupid's Umbrella
This is really dorky, but I want one. It's just two umbrellas merged into one, but I see some crossing branding and licensing opportunities here already. For example, the umbrella already sorta looks like Pikachu's head. Those two nubs at the top just need to be extended. Paint the whole thing yellow and VIOLA!
Buy it here
Posted by tranism at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Illuminated Couch
If you don't know where you or your partner are drifting apart, this couch might be the answer.
The couch is embedded with patterned lights distributed through-out the cushions. The lights react to weight and proximity, in other words, you on one end, your significant other on the opposite side, and the results are cold blue patterns in between. As you move towards each other, the patterns change into a pink color to represent your closeness.
What's really cool is you're not limited to pre-set patterns. They are randomly generated around your body as you move across the couch.
another picture after the jump
Posted by tranism at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
July 8, 2006
Cartoon Skeletons
I agree with NOTCOT. I had no idea cartoon characters could have skeletons. I mean they are seemingly indestructible. Their bodies defy almost all laws of physics so it's nice to be reminded, they are just like you and I.
All the sketches were done by a brilliant artist name Michael Paulus. He started the project to explore how real science would apply to his favorite cartoon characters if they were dissected.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Aarikka
Ah, the sweet country of Finland, with its huge pine forests, reindeers, ice slopes, pixies, fairies, and tiny dragons. Okay so I've never been to Finland, but when I think of it, I imagine an almost mythical land blended with Arctic animals and Nokias. plankton say's although they are Scandi, their language is far more complicated to write and speak than Swedish or Norwegian. That only adds to their mystique.
So up until now, I had very little to go on in regards to, "what is Finnish". I think I now have a slightly better idea from a family owned company called Aarikka. They sell all kinds of goodies for the home, based on Finnish iconography, design, and lore. I almost went on a mad shopping spree on their site since I am a deadly IKEA knickknack shopper and Finnish design bares a slight resemblance to Swedish design; minimal, natural, and clean. Just check out some of the cool stuff!
- Bath towel clip
- Bottle opener
- Napkin rings
- Home decor
- Office decor
- Dining table setting
via NOTCOT
Posted by tranism at 6:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
July 6, 2006
Tar Teddy Bear
There should be an accompanying statement to this, but there isn't. I just like it.
Posted by diverseawareness at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
July 2, 2006
Javascript Based Mario 3 Desktop
An indie programmer that goes by the name "shadow" releases his interactive desktop based on the first level of Super Mario Bros. 3 for the SNES. The rendition is pretty faithful and although you can't actually control Mario, you can click on him, the goombas, turtles, and coin blocks - everything is fully animated and doesn't hog CPU resources.
Although Shadow wrote it for the PC, it's in javascript so I don't see why it wouldn't work on a Mac. He even includes a brief how-to on modifying the code. But if you just want something cool for your desktop, download it, set it as your wallpaper and the thing should automatically scale to fit your screen's resolution. ENJOY!
thanks to my buddy gunmetalblue for the linkie
Posted by tranism at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
The General Knows His Motors
GM has sorta become the laughing stock of the automotive world. No matter how the General's PR soldiers spin it, there's no denying the once mighty empire is and has been in decline against the onslaught of old foreign rivals, not to mention new ones emerging from China. Although the company has taken painstaking strives is restoring itself to profitability, it's going to take time for such a large company. So many ask, does GM have an ace up its sleeves?
I answer yes - yes the General does. He's no fool and although his troops and resources are fragmented, there's a group within GM's ranks that quite possibly could be GM's future.
This group is responsible for GM's fuel cell research and development. It's no biggie to hear about fuel cell development. It is in fact touted as the future fuel source for all things mechanical. One could even say GM's old rivals like Honda area already way ahead of the curve with fleet testing of its small FX car and the announcement of a full size fuel cell sedan and a home refill station. What's the General doing different?
The General has to think different from Honda. He has many divisions, all with different needs and that means continuing what many call GM's reason for downfall - universal platform sharing. The current problems are too many autos across GM's brand list sharing the same platforms without enough differentiation in design and function. The future solution could be what GM's fuel cell group has developed; a fuel cell based drive system compact enough to sit flat like a skateboard below the shell of the vehicle, meanwhile producing enough electricity to power up a neighborhood street.
Back in 2002, GM showed off the fruit of its labor, dubbed the Hy-Wire. It's touted as the first drivable fuel cell concept with by-wire technology. No moving parts, no mechanical linkages. The shell of the body is bolted onto the skateboard-like platform containing all the energy and drive components. The only thing required to connect the two is a single cable, transferring control inputs to the car's drive system. The Hy-wire is quiet to drive, powerful because of its torquey electric motors, and theoretically cheaper to mass produce since all you have to do is replace the shell to go from sedan to suv to truck. They all ride on the same platform, but unlike GM's current platform sharing issues, by-wire technology allows designers to really create different vehicles since its independent of the drive system. To add to the benefits, since the cabin has no mechanical linkages to the drive system, the interior can be completely customizable to many configurations. For instance, the steering column is on the right when you're in England but take a ferry to France and the entire steering column can shift over to the left with just a push of a button.
So there's GM's ace for ya. If the General can leverage its research and turn them into real world products for tomorrow's drive needs then its def. back on the map. The Hy-Wire is the first glimpse of what that future might look like. Revolutionary in its build, and so scalable in its configurations, I've yet to see or hear anything out of other leading fuel cell developers that could compete. Daimler, Honda and Toyota are all taking the same approach - a fuel cell future but built on the current production ideology. GM is looking to shift that paradigm.
In the meantime, to compete with the Japanese Hybrids, I recommend the General really transform it's Saab division into the eco-performance company it so wants to be. Bio-fuel with plug-in recharge vehicles coupled with the brand's luxury marque could put Saab back on the map. Proven successful in one of GM's divisions means it will eventually spread to the others. Strap your boots up General, ya needs to get crackin' on this.
check out video of the Hy-Wire in action.
Posted by tranism at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
An I.V. For My Plant STAT!
How many of us have indoor plants on the verge of comatose? I know I have several. Even that hardiest of plants don't have a great chance of survival in my house because I'm not really a plant person. They are easily forgettable and I don't really find beauty in them sitting isolated in a pot in my living room.
Nonetheless, I am not heartless and whenever I do notice a dying plant, I rush to give it medical attention - that means water.
And since I have this weird "plant dies, I play doctor, plant lives" relationship, why not a unique design solution to remind neglectful plant owners like myself to keep the juice flowing? I'm talking about a potted plant with a medical drip feed. The liquid can include nourishing food and releases just enough to keep the plant quenched. Now instead of guesswork, just refill the bag when its bone dry.
And this isn't just a concept, you can actually pre-order one now for 149.50 GBP.
Posted by tranism at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
July 1, 2006
A LEGO Crossbow
The LEGOS of today make the LEGOS of my youth look silly and useless.
Take for instance this monster. It's a full size fully functional crossbow made out of nothing but LEGOS. The designer cleverly uses the unique properties of strength and flexibility afforded to different shapes to successfully launch a real arrow without shattering the frame of the bow.
It's an amazing sight to see. Enjoy it!
Posted by tranism at 7:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tree Windmills
When the Dutch aren't busy smokin' bowls or collecting red cards, they create some pretty interesting design concepts. The Dutch government recently commissioned One Architecture to design the next generation windmill. The proposed mill looks something like a tree capable of holding up to 8 turbines. The tree-design is supposed to look less intrusive but if I saw a sea of these on flat land, I don't think I would be able to turn away; unobtrusive they ain't, but I love the design.
via reluct
Posted by tranism at 6:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)