Posts Tagged conceptual gadgets
X-Frame folding vehicle
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on September 2nd, 2010
Some of you might remember the end of the Jetsons title sequence. After George dropped off his family, he went to work and his flying car folded up into a briefcase.
There’s some technology that would save us a lot of parking space, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately, this X-Frame folding vehicle is not at that level, but it does have some of the folding thing down.
I couldn’t find a good picture of the X-Frame completely folded, but if you look closely on the photo of the X-Frame on display, you can see smaller pictures of what it looks like when it is folded. It certainly takes up a lot less space width-wise than your regular automobile. For those who are looking for more room in the garage, this is probably the way to go.
The vehicle is also eco-friendly as it has an electric battery in the rear wheel. The X-Frame appeared at the Good Design Expo of 2010, and it has the potential to replace the motorcycle as far as free-wheeling transportation goes.
This was developed by researchers at the Nagoya Institute of Technology, there doesn’t seem to be any word as far as if this going to be mass-produced or anything.
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ X-Frame folding vehicle copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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X-Frame folding vehicle
Power Laces, as seen in Back to the Future II
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on September 2nd, 2010
I think we all know that Back to the Future II has inspired much technology that is yet to become real by the year 2015. That was the year that Marty and Doc traveled to at the beginning of the film, for those that don’t remember it.
Granted, we are closer to a hoverboard than we were before, and someone is working on “Power Laces”. Hopefully, you remember the scene in the movie when Michael J. Fox is dressing in future attire and puts his feet into some Nikes. The shoes tied themselves, by tightening the laces automatically, and the Nike logo glowed. (Clearly some obvious product placement by Nike.)
The Power Laces trick was actually done with a motor that was behind the shoe itself. However, Blake Bevin is working on a way to make Power Laces a reality.
Her first “proof of concept” designs had and obvious motor in the back, which would not fly in the real world. You can see it in the picture with the shoe that looks like it has overdosed on 80’s pastel colors. Her latest design has the motor for the laces safely in the sole. You can see that design on the left, and it looks more like the shoe from the classic film.
You can support Blake by sending her some money, and you can get some Power Laces merchandise with high donations. You will also be sent info when the shoe goes up for sale.
Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Power Laces, as seen in Back to the Future II copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Power Laces, as seen in Back to the Future II
Hello Kitty iPod Dock
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets, iPod Gadgets on September 2nd, 2010
I can’t say that I’ve ever quite understood the Hello Kitty trend. However, I am a big believer in companies offering several docks and speakers to fit a wide range of tastes. You shouldn’t be stuck with a plain black set of speakers if you’re a pink and white fanatic. Those of you that are into Hello Kitty or have a relative that is can pick up this dock for a not too bad price.
It comes in white as well as an all over pink version. This Japanese dock has surface mounting technology and lossless energy amplication technology. It offers 360-degree sound output that’ll keep it from sounding like a novelty speaker that you just picked up because it featured your favorite cat. It quite obviously features an iPod dock, but you can also plug other audio devices in through the stereo output. You can pick one of these up for 14,800 yen or about $175.
Source: Gizmodiva
Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Hello Kitty iPod Dock copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Hello Kitty iPod Dock
Virtual Mirror for augmented reality cosmetics
Posted by admin in Audio Gadgets on September 2nd, 2010
We have reported on a lot of interesting tech that begins with the mirror, such as the interactive Magic Mirror. This system called EZFace uses both mirrors and augmented reality technology.
EZFace is powered by IBM technology. Simply put, EZFace allows customers to see what makeup looks like, without having to try it on for themselves.
It begins when a customer has their picture taken in a virtual mirror, which looks like nothing more than an ordinary webcam. The customer can then scan the barcode of the specific make-up product such as foundation, mascara, and eye shadow. The program takes into account the user’s eye color, skin tone, and lighting to make an image of what the product might look when put on the face.
No more having product samplers in front of a mirror. Granted, that is probably the best way to see if make-up really works, and I don’t know what kind of margin for error this program has. After all, the program might make the cosmetics look better than they actually do. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.
Still, it is a step in the right direction for digital makeovers. EZFace is currently working on expanding this idea for hair. So now you can see what the style is going to look like before it is on your head for the next month or so.
Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool
[ Virtual Mirror for augmented reality cosmetics copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Virtual Mirror for augmented reality cosmetics
Babel Fisk: Read what you are hearing
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on September 1st, 2010
There have been many advancements in speech-to-text in the last few years. I’m sure that I’ll probably speaking these posts instead of typing them in the next few years, provided I’m not disturbing others in the room.
I’m sure that the hearing impaired would most benefit from speech to text technology, and this is what the Babel Fisk is supposed to do.
Designed by Mads Hindhede, the Babel Fisk has microphones built into the frame in order to pick up the voice of a person in the line of sight, and then an embedded speech-to-text program will create the text that is projected inside of the lenses.
You can even program it to record the text to a flash memory card for later use. So you can literally record everything that you hear as a text file.
The name of Babel Fisk is clearly a tip of the hat to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In that classic science-fiction satire, the characters had this tiny fish that they stuck in their ear known as a babel fish that could somehow miraculously translate any language spoken. Fisk apparently means “fish” in Danish.
Of course, this just has to be concept technology, and I’m not certain how well this would work, honestly. I mean, if you are with someone who is talking to much, would you literally be blinded by words?
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Babel Fisk: Read what you are hearing copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Babel Fisk: Read what you are hearing
Pure System sanitizes kitchen items
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on September 1st, 2010
Every so often you come across something online that just sets off a few red flags. You’re constantly having small facts thrown at you in articles and through random research that you do online to settle silly debates. Yet every so often, you get that inkling of a hint that something seems fishy. Although I’m all about this concept design, I really doubt parts of their facts. Either way though, having something to keep your kitchen sanitary could be handy.
“The research” showed 10 areas that were bad as far as bacteria goes, such as a sponge, dishcloth, chopping board and refrigerator. They then go on to say that the dishcloth and cutting board are difficult to sanitize and I’d have to disagree there. A cutting board you just have to know the right chemical to use and a dishcloth just gets thrown in the laundry. It’s entirely possible though that they know something I don’t, but none of my quick google runs have revealed any red flags over dishcloths. However, if you just want a different way to clean flat objects, then this is a perfectly reasonable choice. When it’s working it feeds the object through the machine and cleans as well as dries it. Being still a concept from Chang Shin Gwak, this isn’t up for purchase just yet though.
Source: Yanko
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Pure System sanitizes kitchen items copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Pure System sanitizes kitchen items
Heated Dining Room Table
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on August 31st, 2010
It never fails, no matter where I go I am always the one that’s frozen. Everyone else could be almost sweating and I’m resisting the urge to shiver. If you’re also cold natured, then this is definitely the table for you. This Japanese design will keep you warm while you sit in that drafty dining room. Of course if you’re the only one cold, you’re going to end up roasting whoever else is stuck at the table.
The table is from Hidakagu and has a 360 watt infrared heater underneath of the table itself. It is designed to keep your legs and lower torso warm. The table was actually inspired by the traditional Kotatsu, which is a low table/blanket/heater combination that wasn’t designed for dining. This table takes the two and combines them. Unfortunately, I don’t see a whole lot of information on purchasing these just yet.
Source: OhGizmo
Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ Heated Dining Room Table copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Heated Dining Room Table
Sink And Urinal In One
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on August 27th, 2010
At first I wasn’t the most thrilled over the idea of someone peeing and washing your hands in the same place. Honestly, once you really think it through although it is odd, it would save on space and spending money on multiple fixtures in bathrooms. Plus, it couldn’t be much more unsanitary than washing your hands right next to the toilet, which is the case in most bathrooms.
On the bottom of it all is a urinal then up top is the sink. The water that you use to wash your hands is used to wash out the urinal. With that extra design quality it’ll help to save on water, which could really cut down on the bill for any large establishment like a restaurant. This was a iF Concept Design winning entry and for good reason. It was designed by Yeongwoo Kim.
Source: Treehugger
Tech Cult – We cover the latest tech news, but always with a funny twist.
[ Sink And Urinal In One copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Sink And Urinal In One
Babyoom adapts as your baby grows
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on August 26th, 2010
Buying items for babies is not only expensive, but in some ways feels absolutely pointless. It’s great for the baby while it’s an infant, but they only stay that small for a very brief amount of time. Then you’re stuck shopping for toddler accessories and after that it’s the preschool stage. It would be far nicer if that small fortune you spent in the beginning actually lasted a little while. Thankfully, some companies have started to create items that will adapt with the changes your child goes through. One adaptable design is the Babyoom.
The babybuggy will work up until the child turns three and doubles as a car seat. Then once they’re a bit too big for the buggy it transforms into a tricycle, which the child will be able to enjoy for several years. After they’ve grown tired of that it turns into a shopping cart. I know, it’s a slightly strange thing for it to turn into in the end. In my part of the world stores have plenty of carts available on site, but I haven’t been everywhere, so maybe there’s an area where people bring their own shopping carts. That or it could just be you want a shopping cart that is actually sanitary.
Source: Yanko
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[ Babyoom adapts as your baby grows copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Babyoom adapts as your baby grows
Arctic Drifter keeps on rolling
Posted by admin in Future Concepts on August 26th, 2010
This is the Arctic Drifter, it is a very different mobile research station.
Instead of being some sort of RV thing with wheels or tank treads, the whole thing is one big ball! As you can see from this image, this ball-shaped room has some weird cushions on the outside so it blows up like a giant volleyball.
Apparently this is made so it can roll around by Arctic winds, and then collect data along the way. Hopefully it won’t fall prey to the snowball effect. By the way, that whole room is on a gimbal that keeps the food on the table while it is rolling along.
In case the researchers do want to actually stop, they can deflate the cushions around the ball-shaped room, and the steel cage should stay in one place.
Clearly, the Arctic winds must be pretty strong if you can keep rolling along like this. In all honesty, I feel like I could live here very comfortably. Unless the heater broke down, which leads to the question of where does this thing get its power from? Perhaps a big battery?
This is still an idea from New York based Stuido Les Betes, and I wonder if anyone has an Arctic research experiment that would require this big ball?
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[ Arctic Drifter keeps on rolling copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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Arctic Drifter keeps on rolling