The Design blog |
- Energy efficient fridge with RFID and OLED display to manage your stuff
- Soak for hours in the creamy and bubbly foam spa that always stays hot
- Homebuilt augmented reality touch table uses Kinect sensors, lasers and PlayStation Eye
- Beckon out digitally to acquaintances on the move with tod smart beacon
- Mexican internet provider offers free Wi-Fi access in exchange for dog poop
- Cylent City Car to electrify your ride
- Flex Leg helps you walk around with an injured leg
- Upcoming Phare Tower is energy efficient and has an aerodynamic contour
- Mini Elefan fan looks like a mechanical, industrial cousin of the Pachyderm
- Unisex Toilet Design opens up more stall space in public restrooms
| Energy efficient fridge with RFID and OLED display to manage your stuff Posted: 01 May 2012 05:37 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: A sleek design with clean lines makes this fridge really stand out. The space inside is well managed and the outside of the fridge bears a clean cut electronic display. You don't see electronic buttons like these on many refrigerators. Well, there is a reason why you see them on this fridge, this one is a cutting edge and hi tech unit. The intelligent fridge is capable of a lot more than just cold storage. Read on to find out what changes it can bring about in your home.
 Intelligent Fridge The fridge is outfitted with electrochrome glass that makes the piece energy efficient, even when you are rummaging for goodies inside it. Also, the smooth transparency regulation of the electrochrome glass on the front door allows for better visual control. In fact, an RFID chip and reader have also been provided in the fridge that helps with effective storage. The RFID reader can register goods automatically while the RFID chips help you manage your private stock efficiently. The receiver of the fridge can read all information from these chips easily. An OLED film display has also been outfitted in the piece. It allows you to manage things easily and you will also be able to view cooking instructions on the display. In fact, a flexible OLED film has been fitted in the glass layers. This facility renders a lot of benefit on the users. You will be able to manage goods stored inside easily. Also, the system informs you when an expiry is approaching. It also reviews goods stored inside the fridge and after scanning the stock, provides you with recipes you can whip out with the inventory. Source: Stefan Silberfeld Wordpress
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| Soak for hours in the creamy and bubbly foam spa that always stays hot Posted: 01 May 2012 05:32 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: Who doesn't enjoy a long soak in their bath tub? Well, if you are mad about bath products and stylish washrooms, then the latest breakthrough from Japanese designer Kenya Hara will leave you absolutely floored. This innovative bath tub has been designed for the LIXIL, a renowned company manufacturing kitchen and bathroom fixtures. The concept termed as foam spa is totally groovy and groundbreaking.
 Foam spa
Hot bath water turning cold in your tub is a killjoy. But, you still have to put up with this hitch, as there is no way out. But looks like a new bathing concept has come out with a solution. In the new bath, foam is created by the inventive technique of mixing air with hot water. A foam generating unit creates bubbly suds that maintain the temperature of your bath. The foam created forms the top cover and prevents hot water from getting cold and also doesn't let any steam escape out. Also, hot water is recovered periodically in this bath. So, you can easily keep up the temperature of this bath. Moreover, the froth created by the bath is absolutely different from the soapy foam of other ordinary soaps. The suds of this bath are extra creamy and velvety. Dunking in them will be a heady experience. Also, you can move the bath tub outside the bathroom anytime. You can place it inside any other room or even a private terrace or garden. Hence, with Foam Spa, you can unwind in style and feel the bliss. Also, if you have a luxurious bathroom with lavish accessories then this tub that generates a buttery smooth lather is just what you need to complete the lush setup. Via: Design Boom
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| Homebuilt augmented reality touch table uses Kinect sensors, lasers and PlayStation Eye Posted: 01 May 2012 04:54 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: Bastian Broecker, an NUI Group forum member, has created what the highly paid engineers at big software companies have not even attempted yet- a touch table that makes 3D holographic display possible. To give the semblance of a user interacting with objects floating in space, the designer used Microsoft’s Kinect sensor, a projector and touch table along with four infrared laser beams.
 3D augmented reality coffee table
To make the image appear like it were interacting with a user's hand, Kinect is used to track the user’s head in relation to the table and then the image is adjusted. Christened Augmented Reality Table v0.1, the design consists of a mirror mounted at an angle that reflects the output of a projector mounted under the table, a PlayStation Eye finger-tracking camera housed next to the projector and lasers mounted at each of the four corners of the table. To create a 3D augmented reality experience, the head tracking software works in tandem with the 3D environment while finger motion is detected by the PlayStation Eye camera to allow the user's hand to seem like it is interacting with projected image. Broecker has not provided the details about the processors used and the software needed to make this trick work.
3D augmented reality coffee tableKinect and PlayStation Eye combined in 3D augmented reality coffee table Via: The Verge
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| Beckon out digitally to acquaintances on the move with tod smart beacon Posted: 01 May 2012 04:08 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: Keep a tab on things happening around you with this nifty application for mobiles phones. Known as tōd Smart Beacon, this device running on a single coin cell battery allows you to keep a check on people, places and things around you. Simply slot in the tōd Smart Beacon on devices, which can be enabled using ultra low power Bluetooth 4.0, and stay connected to them. The mobile reach and web access of this app that works on three primary events of “in range”, “out of range” and “scheduled” can be extended to any place.
 Tod
Let's understand the real world working of this app. With this app you will never have to watch over your children or call your loved ones from time and again to know where they are. Suppose your child wanders off while playing in the garden then the mobile device will send out a message informing you of their whereabouts. A message reading either “out of range”, “in range” or “scheduled” will be sent. You can also use the app to know when your spouse gets back home or if your teenybopper made it back on time after hitting a party. Apart from keeping a check on people, the device also ensures you of their safety.
There are a whole range of handy apps in this device. If you are at a backyard or public park, just use the Safety Perimeter Interaction. With this, you can specify any range beyond which you don't want your child to go. When your child or pet breaches this boundary line, you will be notified via text, email or any other communication method chosen. You can even find out their exact location using its GPS pin. The Engage app sends out automatic alerts to you. The device will send prompts when you have to attend a conference or when your kids arrive from school. The In Crowd app allows you to exchange messages at tōd enabled gatherings or events. A speaker at a conference can share their bio with the audience, guests can sign into the digital guestbook at weddings and two people can exchange their business cards digitally at a party. You can even share photos and videos with everyone present at a gathering. In fact, the device can be linked to several other locations and web spaces also, allowing you to receive message prompts from others too. You can link it to your social media account using the My Social app. You will also be able to leave reviews and check in automatically at all tōd Enabled shops or venues using this app. The Mingle app allows singles to share their profile and connect with other singles. With Let’s Play, you can interact with others using pictures, text, audio and video apps. The features of this app that comes in a water resistant case are quite reliable as it can run for years on a single coin battery. The transmission range is around 3 to 500 feet and can be adjusted. To enhance the range or power, you need only the active RFID like properties. The small sized device can be placed anywhere easily. Also, the module can be expanded with optional add-ons. Developers will have access to options like programming and debugging on the piece. Via: Kickstarter
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| Mexican internet provider offers free Wi-Fi access in exchange for dog poop Posted: 01 May 2012 03:19 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: Picking up your dog's "business" is not an appealing prospect for owners though this new initiative by called DBB might be able to lure people into cleaning up after their pooches. The new campaign promises that for every deposit made in a special box, the surrounding area will receive free Wi-Fi for a certain period. Created by Mexican internet company Terra, the initiative looks to prompt people to keep public parks clean while generating free Wi-Fi services.
 Dog poop
Based upon the amount of poop collected, timed increments of the Wi-Fi are administered, which means that more poop in the specially sanctioned receptacle will generate longer durations of the free Wi-Fi service in the area. At the moment, we have no statistics to show exactly how many people go to parks to access the net or how many people would consent to picking up after their pooches and how many people would like to sit near a big box of dog poop to access free Wi-Fi but we're hoping that the initiative will serve to increase public awareness about keeping their parks clean.
 Dog poop And the program has something for the eco nuts too. According to Terra, the DBB has the capacity to convert feces receptacles into methane digesters that would allow these poop collection bins to generate electricity that can be reused to power lights etc. in the very parks they are installed in.
Dog PoopMexican Parks Trade Free Wi-Fi Access for Dog Poop Via: Inhabitat
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| Cylent City Car to electrify your ride Posted: 01 May 2012 03:18 AM PDT Jaspreet Kaur Walia: The ongoing trend to offer auto lovers with eco friendly rides doesn't seem to cease and is growing year after year. Electric vehicles have being doing rounds at various auto shows all across the globe and the latest to join the bandwagon is the Cylent City Car by CH Auto, which was recently presented at the Beijing Auto Show.
 Cylent city car concept
The electric car will be perfect for an urban environment, making traveling around the city easy and pollution free at the same time. The urban commuting electric vehicle is compact in nature, but will bow down to all the needs that may crop up in terms of inert city usage. Don't expect it to zoom like a sports car with speedy traits, but do expect the coupe to take you everywhere in full comfort. Give the electric creation just 15 seconds and see it jump from zero to 60 km/h. Cylent City Car boasts of 100 km range when the battery is all juiced up, which is pretty impressive. The attention grabbing creation needs just 2 hours to get fully charged using an everyday household plug. Traffic chocked roads can prove to be a real menace. But, guiding you through this mess will be the 4G LTE antenna placed on the top that will put on show real time traffic data. The small electric two seater car is sure to win plenty of praises once it rolls on the roads with utmost panache. Via: After Market Leads
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| Flex Leg helps you walk around with an injured leg Posted: 01 May 2012 01:09 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: This prosthetic leg will help you get back to normal when you are suffering from a leg injury. Though there are other mobility aids in the market to help out people with leg injuries, they are not very functional. But the design of Flex Leg is a lot more empathetic and purposeful. Even though the equipment cannot be used for all types of leg injuries, it does have its own set of upsides.
 Flex Leg
Most people use crutches to walk when their legs are injured, which exerts strain on their hands and doesn't make the task of walking very easy either. But this one will allow you to walk easily and with a natural gait. Your hands will stay free when you pace around and the movement will be very similar to the way you strutted around without an injury. You won't have to bear the weight of your upper body like one usually does while holding crutches.
The construction of the crutch is quite intelligent. The lightweight piece has an aluminum and composite construction. Walking around with it will be a snap. The piece is flexible and easy to maneuver. Moreover, its natural shock absorption system is of great assistance. You will be able to walk not only on leveled surfaces but also on uneven terrain with this piece. Treading on bumpy pathways, cascading stairs and sloped surfaces will be a cinch. Flex Leg is actually conceived by Mike Sanders, a master's student of mechanical engineering at Brigham Young University. He took help from his engineering batch mate Mark Roberts to craft the design. The idea of this invention took off from a simple fact that there are many prosthetic legs for disabled people but a model had not been devised yet to help one rehabilitate from leg injuries. Via: Gizmag
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| Upcoming Phare Tower is energy efficient and has an aerodynamic contour Posted: 01 May 2012 01:09 AM PDT Radhicka S Saxena: This marvelous structure that will come up at the La Defense business district in Paris will be quite a phenomenal addition to France. The edifice known as the Phare Tower or Lighthouse Tower will be erected by 2017. The 971 feet towering high rise is the work of American architect Thom Mayne and his team from Morphosis agency. Till now, this is the tallest building proposed in France and it will join the league of other extraordinary towers in the country like the Grande Arche and Tour First.
 Phare Tower
Picture Gallery  Phare Tower: France’s future tallest tower is getting sucked into a black hole Though the building doesn't look all that pleasing to the eye, the technological break though achieved here is quite advanced. The high rise envelops a cutting edge skin that does more than just protect the structure from abrasive external conditions. The skin of the tower changes its appearance with the variation of light in the surroundings. Also, when viewed from different angles, the skin looks transparent, translucent and even opaque at times. The soaring high rise also boasts of eco friendly features. Its steel diagrid form is a huge plus as it allows a tall tower to be built on a relatively undersized section of land. Moreover, the building has an aerodynamic form and will be able to endure wind resistance very easily. Its stainless steel mesh shields from harsh sun rays. Additionally, the wind farm on the roof will generate enough energy to power up the upper floors of the tower. The curvy outline and double skin work to the advantage of the structure. They amplify the effect of glare free sunlight and also make the building energy efficient. Furthermore, the building is oriented along the path of the sun and will minimize heat gain keeping the interiors sufficiently cool. Also, the structure is designed such that they view from inside the tower will be absolutely breathtaking. Via: Dvice / Morphopedia
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| Mini Elefan fan looks like a mechanical, industrial cousin of the Pachyderm Posted: 01 May 2012 01:07 AM PDT Asmita Prasad: Table fans are a dime a dozen in the market though most of them frankly make the user feel poor and underprivileged! Since air conditioning and the subsequent power bills are not really affordable for the masses without jobs around the globe, the world needed a cute and inviting table fan that didn't push us deeper into depression over the state of our nation's economy. Fitted with an expressive trunk-like tube, the Elefan by Yuen’to Design draws on the form of the elephant's head and takes biomimicry to yet another humorous level.
 Pachyderm-Inspired Fan
Picture Gallery  Pachyderm Inspired Fan Lets You Direct the Breeze Through Its Adorable Trunk The fan is constructed out of ABS plastic which is safe for use in homes with children. Since the fan throws out air via a trunk like structure, the fan blades are never exposed and hence cannot be poked into by children or curious adults with nothing better to do with their lives. The Mini Elefan measures just 7″ W x 8″ H x 4″ D and allows users to control the angle and direction of the wind flow thanks to the adjustable duct. The fan comes with an inbuilt aroma diffuser and features an extendable duct and a Blue LED power indicator. The fan can be operated in strong, weak, rhythmical power modes and can be charged via a handy USB cable. The $75 Mini Elefan is offered in summer-appropriate shades like gray, white and green. Via: Gizmodo
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| Unisex Toilet Design opens up more stall space in public restrooms Posted: 30 Apr 2012 10:51 PM PDT Asmita Prasad: Though there are no official stats to prove this, but according to the general observation of the washroom usage habits of the general population, one can deduct that women's restrooms tend be occupied more often than men's restrooms are. Since men's restrooms are fitted with urinals, they don't need to occupy stalls while women on the other hand don't have any such handy choices. Most public spaces like restaurants, railways stations, etc. tend to face the issue of higher occupancy in the women's restroom in comparison to men's restrooms, and issues like privacy and propriety prevent people from using unisex restrooms. The perfect solution then lies in allowing women the access to unoccupied stalls in the men's restrooms without asking them to come in direct contact with the men using the restrooms.
 Unisex Toilet Design
The Unisex Toilet Design by designer Aaron Cheng is an award winning concept that explores the possibilities of allowing men and women to use unoccupied restroom stalls that can be accessed from either side. The layout of the unisex toilet features a unisex toilet that can be accessed from either side via a three-piece wall. On either side of the shared stall units lie corridors exclusive to male and female users. When a user on either side needs to use a stall, they can simply push or pull the wall that leads to the stall like a drawer which closes it off from the other side. This allows both male and female users to use the same restrooms without invading each others' privacy. Source: Cheng Folio
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