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February 28, 2007
Beetle Inspired Armor
Inspired by the science of biometrics, Poc Lab researchers designed body armor inspired by beetles; insects known to be incredibly strong.
The base garments consist of stretchy mesh fabric, hugging the body. Modular armor pieces are then added to provide strength and protection to the stomach, shoulders, back and quads. The technology behind the armor allows it to stay flexible for ease of mobility without sacrificing protection.
You'd think this high-tech armor was designed for military applications but it's not. It's designed for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly those at risk of tumbling, i.e. skiers and snowboarders.
more pictures after the jump
via Yanko Design
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February 25, 2007
Start Something PC
The ISDA have announced all finalists in the Microsoft sponsored Start Something PC design competition. The challenge is to rethink what a Windows PC experience will look in the future in regards to productivity, entertainment, mobility and lifestyle.
Just a quick note tho, this is heavily based on industrial and product design, not software. Of course usability is a factor but "new and different" grade better in this competition. You can vote for your favorite if you have an MSN passport. Hit the jump to see my top 2 picks.
via Yanko Design
The Pussy Cat is part Aibo, part mobile PC. The main idea behind this concept is a computer that is not only as mobile as a laptop, but also a companion to its owner. All your basic computing tasks like watching movies, listening to music, playing games, surfing the internet, emailing, etc., can all be done via the Pussy Cat. Just like Aibo, it keeps you entertained since a person traveling with a laptop is usually alone. Voice and face recognition not only assists in security, but also as a way for humans to have a greater appreciation for their Pussy Cat.
The Seed is a huge paradigm shift in computer design by taking its cues less from appliances and more from home decor. All the upgradable hardware components exists as blades or leaflets that are attached and arranged onto a hub. The overall design mimics a floral arrangement allowing it to easily blend into your home. Need a new graphics card? No problem; just pull out and upgrade your graphics blade.
Posted by tranism at 6:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
February 21, 2007
Grow Up with a Dream Bag
Hmm, that kid seems to be dragging something interesting. Inside that ominous looking bag is a place where he can rest, play and dream away. It's called the Dream Bag designed by HDK.
The design allows ole' Johnny here to take his playpen with him. Anytime he needs a breather or a moment to nap, the Dream Bag blossoms open to lotus-like proportions and can be configured multiple ways to suit its suitor. It seems to be concept only for now but all contact information regarding the Dream Bag can be found at this web site.
Posted by tranism at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
February 16, 2007
Andre Stubbe's Robotic Eyes
Computational Designer Andre Stubbe's thesis project consists of two robotic eyes, one blue - one red. They're really just painted webcams but interaction with each other and humans is what Stubbe is after. The eyes are able to move within their sockets and blink. They focus and react to each other but anytime a third person steps into their silent conversation, their behavior changes. They track that person's movement and may decide they're of no interest or they may become agitated and give you that "go away look". They may even pretend to be indifferent but just as you turn away, look at you from the corner of their eyes.
flickr photos of Andre setting up his eyeballs
via wmmna
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February 15, 2007
Precursor To Tron's Light Cycle
What initially started at the Carver concept aptly named for it's ability to tilt almost 45ยบ in turns, has just received to green light for mass production as the VentureOne.
Designed by BWM Design, the VentureOne looks to be the first of the trike onslaught ready to pepper roads across America and perhaps the world. The vehicle seats two and is capable of 100 miles per hour while maintaining its 100 miles per gallon fuel efficiency going from 0 - 60 in a respectable 6 seconds. How is that possible? Well the VentureOne is an electric hybrid with an all electric version optional. Total range is between 300 - 350 miles which is equivalent to most compact cars like the Civic and Corolla.
Venture seems to be pushing the tagline "Fly the Road" and it makes perfect sense. If you watch the Carver concept videos, you can see how the driver centric cockpit coupled with the vehicle's manuervability makes for an almost jet fighter-like experience.
The VentureOne goes on sale this year at a base price of $18k. 20K gets you the top of the line model and all versions come with GPS navigation, HIVAC, airbags, cruise control and iPod integration as standard features. So are you getting one?
another picture after the jump
Posted by tranism at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
February 12, 2007
Issey Miyake TRAPEZOID Watch
I'm in love with this retro-futuristic watch. The TRAPEZOID by famed designer Naoto Fukasawa for Issey Miyake is finally showing up in shops and it's gorgeous!
Manufactured by Seiko, stainless steel, water resistant, standard calendar and chronograph with four different dial colors to choose from. If you're wondering why it's called Trapezoid then you'll have to hit the jump link.
more pictures after the jump
From it's profile and lateral view you can see the face itself is quite thick rising at an angle, sure to set off any wrist and cuff nicely. Look for them at your Issey Miyake stores in New York, Paris and London.
Posted by tranism at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
OpenSky 2.0 Exhibition
Remember my post from back when about how mad-man (genius) Kazuhiko Hachiya was dead set on making Princess Nausicaa's glider a reality with his OpenSky 2.0 project? Well he's a lot closer than you think because his exhibition reveals the life-sized prototype for all to see and his plans on flying the darn thing.
pictures from the exhibition after the jump
I want to point out they're using Apple's Front Row. AWESOME!
Posted by tranism at 3:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
February 11, 2007
Nike Japan Has Better Ads
Now I'm not saying North American Nike ads suck. They're quite good but the Japanese ads seem to take more artistic liberty and risk.
Commissioned as an animated viral short to promote the Nike Meta7 shoe, illustrator Paul Huang teamed up with animators Chris Riehl and Sean Starkweather to deliver a surrealist cell shaded fantasy. The story revolves around an anthropomorphized circle, square and triangle who escape their oppressive lives to be transformed into something better thru an encounter with the Meta7 shoe.
The animated short is accompanied by a print and sculpture campaign touring Asia. I wish I were able to see it in person. The art style looks fantastic - almost good enough to make me wanna run out and buy a pair of Nike Meta7's.
check out the video
via the awesome and fantastic blog; Neu Black
Posted by tranism at 2:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
February 10, 2007
Pai Concept Baby Car Seat
There's a sizable age gap between my sister and I. I remember when I was little my mother would struggle with changing her in the rear seat since that meant unstrapping her from the car seat. The whole ordeal looked pretty stressful for my mom so when I showed her the Pai Concept Baby Car Seat, her first words were "I wish I had that for your sisters."
It operates like any other baby car seat except it swivels and reclines. The next time you baby needs-a-changing, just unlock, swivel and recline. Baby never has to leave the seat.
The Pai Concept Baby Car Seat is designed by Ravi Itiravivong and is a 2007 iF Concept Award winner.
Posted by tranism at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
February 8, 2007
Japan's Snow-Digesting Picachu Bot
Our Japanese technologic-overlords are at it again! This experimental robot roams parking lots and sidewalks in search of a certain white powdery substance (no, not THAT substance). Using GPS sensors, built-in video cameras, tank-like treading, and no human supervision, the Yuki-taro bot seeks out and gorges on snow; scooping it into its hungry mouth.
That's where things get weird. Instead of simply blowing or melting the snow down, the Pokemon-inspired automaton's guts compress it into tightly packed blocks of ice; which are then pooped out the bot's backside(!!!) and later collected and stored for Summertime refrigeration needs.
The inspiration for 800 pound Yuki-taro seems to come from mankind's increasing fear of any sort of manual labor. Afterall, no one hates shoveling snow more than a Japanese scientist.
via Pink Tentacle
Posted by mac at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
February 7, 2007
The Queen Mamma
Japan's Media Arts Festival just ended and it's amazing to see the many retrospectives from the nation's varied designers. My favorite is called the Queen Mamma, an exhibition about the past, present and future of media arts in Japan. In this one piece alone, you can clearly see how distinctly Japanese it is.
Posted by tranism at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
February 5, 2007
The Power Between My Legs
Looking like a cross between a crotch rocket and Confederate, the Ecosse Heretic Ti opens up a whole bunch of whoop ass to any challengers. With its titanium chassis, 120ci 135-hp engine (that's almost 1 horsepower per pound of body weight), carbon-fiber body work and six-speed transmission, this thing is FAST. . . or so I was told. I'm no bike-head so I had to rely on an associate to give me the skinny on this beast.
This particular class of motorcycle is called naked street bikes which is pretty self explanatory. It looks like a street bike but without its side panels, hence the "naked" part. I think it's pretty. Am I allowed to describe a bike like this as "pretty"?
Would be nice to have it parked in the front. Well anyways it costs $140,000 so I'm back in reality now. For that kind of money, I rather have a Confederate Hellcat or Renovatio.
Thanks Jeff!
via Uncrate
Posted by tranism at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
February 4, 2007
Jeff Deboer Armor
I've recently been obsessed with the work of Canadian artist Jeff Deboer. He excels in metal craft and his work is just stunning.
Instead of the plain old suit of armor we're all used to seeing, he applies a comical twist to it. His Cat & Mice exhibition plays up that old rivalry between feline and rodent in an honorable and medieval way. It may be armor for cats and mice but make no mistake about it, this is real stuff all meticulously crafted by Jeff's expert hands and looks decidedly dangerous. Now if there was only a way for me to get my hands on one of these beautiful creations. Any ideas Jeff?
Posted by tranism at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
February 1, 2007
A Different Timescale
Most of us measure time with the standard 12 or 24 hour clock. We've been doing it this way for thousands of years. Every device created to indicate that measurement has by and far been the same at the core. Is it "time" to offer another way?
Product Designers Pierre Haulot and William Boullier seem to think so. Their Elio Linea Scale watch measures time on a personal level, customized to each person's goals. Modern life is made up of short term goals strung together to form long term goals. Current timepieces can only tell us how far in the day we've progressed but not how far into completing each task. The Elio Linea reads like a computer progress bar; telling you your position within a predetermined period vs. the time spent and the time remaining. Always know how much time you have left to get to work vs. how much of a work day is left. Always know when it's time for a nap vs. how much time is left before bedtime. The watch personalizes itself to your schedule.
What do you guys think?
via yanko design
Posted by tranism at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Swatch Infinity Watch
Wow! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Do I really need to say anything else?
The Swatch Infinity is marvel of wrist-wear devices. Not only a digital watch, but also a MP3 player, video recorder and photo album. The face can be detached to sync and recharge. The design is sleek and absolutely stunning. The band looks to be made of synthetic leather and utilizes a magnetic clasp. Oh man, if this baby has bluetooth then forget about the other watch I was raving about earlier today.
via yanko design
more GORGEOUS pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
I've Got Mickey in My Hands
NOTE: That is not my hand. I'm way more moisturized than that.
Now that I've got that out of the way, check out the new Mplayer by iRiver. Isn't it cute! iRiver claims it's not Mickey's head nor have they joined in some partnership with Disney. But anyone with even just one good eye can clearly see who's head that is. The simple silhouette evokes images from hats to custom made pancakes you get on Main Street in Disneyland. I know that's a mouse and not just any mouse, but a mouse that rules over a land called the Magic Kingdom. iRiver, you can prove me wrong by sending me one for evaluation.
all images via iriverfans
fun colors after the jump
Posted by tranism at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
iRiver S10 is so HOT!
Now I love the iPod Shuffle but I'm still boo'ing Apple for not including a small OLED screen. Pundits say the iPod Shuffle is designed to just shuffle music as its moniker suggests. Okay pundits, I'll give you that one. In the Shuffle's case, function has dictated form, so when there's a legit reason for a Shuffle to get a screen, I'll expect a name change as well.
Unfortunately for the Shuffle, another DAP player I blogged about called the iRiver S10 Watch takes its moniker just as seriously. Quick stats; 256 color OLED screen, not sure about memory but I'll assume 512 mb - 1 gig. Comes in black or white and yes it does tell time. Too bad it doesn't work with iTunes. DRM locks be damned!
all images via iriverfans
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)