The Design blog

HT4 modular toilet bends to the needs of special users

Naresh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:31:22 +0000

The toilet is the most common and iconic accessory in a bathroom, the one that we used every day and we past without notice. Going beyond of what we have these days, Mexican designer Cesar Estrada has designed an innovative toilet called the “HT4” that accommodates all, from kids to handicapped and elderly people, with equal ease. Featuring moving arms that you can adjust in different positions for balance and comfort that also help people to stand and sit, the HT4 also includes an adjustable seat that goes higher for people without strength in their knees and legs and bends to the needs of different users. In addition, the HT4 has an ergonomic back for resting and comfort. And all its lines are based on ergonomics for the best comfort and balance, which can be very useful for handicapped people or just for having a good rest.

[Thanks Cesar]

ATNMBL autonomous vehicle offers an oozing ride

Naresh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:33:05 +0000

Contributing a new point of view and sparking more significant advancement, the Mike and Maaike, an industrial design studio that takes an experimental approach to design, is out there with a concept car that promises an optimistic new future for the auto industry. Hailed as the “ATNMBL,” the autonomous vehicle comes with no steering wheel, brake pedal or driver’s seat. You may call the vehicle by phone and access it from the curbside through an electric glass sliding door into a standing-height entryway. Looking looks like a micro-architecture, the ATNMBL presents densely packed mechanical components that add extra interior space to the vehicle.

Featuring a modular seating, including a couch, side chair and low table, which you may arrange like your home furniture according to your needs, the concept vehicle can comfortably accommodate up to seven commuters, conferring the with the view of the surroundings through the large floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows on both sides. The futuristic transportation also includes a large flat display, which slide up to reveal a bar (yes, you got it right) behind, at the center to display live trip information, maps and entertainment channels. Incorporating voice recognition technology and a touch screen remote, the ATNMBL allows a wide range of trip planning, ride sharing and performance settings.

Offering an all-wheel drive with each wheel incorporating electric motors, the passenger-oriented vehicle accumulates power under the seating and floor, while solar panels on the roof provide additional power, ensuring a clean, green and safe drive. The ATNMBL presenting an array of headlights, tail lights and sensors (front and rear) inside a gridded pattern, drops the passengers to their destination and parks itself at the nearest available parking. Pretty cool! Moreover, the vehicle greets all, young, elderly and disabled, with elegance and comfort.

Via: Core77

Homestead House explores the potential use of renewable energy

Naresh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:20:51 +0000

Designed to function off-the-grid, where photovoltaic cells and a small vertical axis wind turbine generate the required amount of electricity to power the home, the Homestead House by Michael Jantzen is an innovative design for alternative housing that explores the potential use of renewable energy generating systems and recyclable materials to reduce the carbon footprint of its owners. The modular house is to be made from recyclable steel sheets, which are to be bolted together for easy disassembly. Being easy to disassemble, the house can also be reconstructed at any preferred location without spending too much on the entire process. Once the steel arches are bolted together, they don’t require any additional material to hold the house together. Other than on-site energy generating systems, the Homestead House harvests rainwater through the roof arches and directs it to water storage tanks that can be placed underground. Passive solar techniques are used to heat and cool the interiors according to seasons and the requirements of the homeowners.

Creative cordless MP3 player lets you play in personal music

Naresh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:19:24 +0000

There is no reason for a sportsperson to go without music on the field, but if the chaotic wires of the headphones start hindering his or her performance, then one can’t do much but leave the player at home, or in the kit bag, and wait for the completion of his or her training sessions. Meant to be manufactured by Creative, the new MP3 player by designer Georgi Tsvetanov lets athletes enjoy music without disrupting their training sessions on the field. The compact music player works via Bluetooth, avoiding the messy cords hanging around the face and shoulders. Resembling the shape of an ear, the personal music player fits smartly onto your ear and plays your favorite tracks, anytime anywhere. Simply “creative!”

Via: Behance

Cross Fingers, redefining the mobility of furniture

Naresh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:04:43 +0000

Redefining the mobility of furniture, to be precise seating and racking, Chinese designer Hongtao Zhou has come up with a highly mobile and utility furniture unit dubbed “Cross Fingers” that is handy and flexible not just for usage but transportation as well. Finished with disposable and biodegradable materials, including FSC certified wood and eco-friendly fabric, the multifunctional furniture doesn’t require any tools or hardware for assembly. Featuring a simple, though utility, design, the Cross Fingers can be manufactured with simple 2D CNC operations in two minutes. You may utilize the sustainable furniture as a table, stool and as a storage unit for your books and magazines. Moreover, the Cross Fingers folds flat for easy storage and transportation.

Via: Hongtao Zhou

Rolls-Royce and Palmer Johnson unite to rule the waves with mega-yacht

Naresh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:57:58 +0000

Collaborating with Rolls-Royce, the renowned shipbuilder Palmer Johnson has designed a mega-yacht concept that promises the luxury and comfort (of the celebrated car) while floating on the waves. Counting on the teak decks, big engines and luxurious cabins, the 82m Ice Class superyacht not only offers leisurely cruising, but a whole lot a sailor could aspire for. Powered by the sustainable diesel-electric propulsion system, the mega-yacht comes equipped with a gym with spa, cinema, swimming pool, a helipad with elevator-equipped hangar and an owner’s suite on the fifth deck that gives a panoramic view of the sea life.

Featuring an exceptionally “Clean & Green Design,” beneficial to both cost and performance, the mega-yacht brings in a revolutionary approach to vessel designing and ensures a multitude of benefits to the owners as well as passengers. Moreover, the superyacht redefining the exploration-style vessel integrates pirate-defense features, like water cannons and thermal imaging cameras.

Via: Palmer Johnson/ Autoblog

A ‘FRESH’ and comfortable smoking booth for public spaces

Naresh — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:53:23 +0000

Winning entry at I.D. Magazine’s Annual Design Review 2009, the “FRESH” by the designer of Cloud Sofa, D.K. Wei, is an open smoking booth for air travelers that presents an innovative solution for both the smokers and non-smokers. Designed for airport terminals, the smoking booth emitting fresh air allows a space for air passengers to break and exhaust old smoke by generating the low-pressure air at the arm top and base groove area. While the 360° Spherical “Air Wall” that works as a transition between the low pressure air generated and relatively high pressure air surrounded blocks the smoke inside the invisible wall and purify it into fresh air.

Featuring a modern and sleek design, the FRESH comes with a circular arm stand, embedded into the floor on the base, together with the cylindrical glass ash bin with a metal top in the middle of the booth floor, allowing a fresh and comfortable smoking space. Considering the fact that cigarette smoke is as injurious to the non-smokers as it is for the smokers, the FRESH comes as a healthy advancement that will help in improving the environment in public places, and that too without disquieting the smokers.

Via: Kootouch/Gizmodo

YOYO MP3 concept keeps headphones and cord intact

Naresh — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:38:37 +0000

The cords of your portable media player or a mobile phone, when not in use, often causes a mess in your pocket or a backpack. Inspired by vintage stereos, designer Peter Rosengren has devised a solution in the form of a concept player, for the messy cables when lying in your pocket or backpack. The “YOYO Mp3,” as the designer calls his player, places the cord in the track and winds it around the player like a yo-yo game. I’m not too sure if it generates power by floating the player, but it’ll definitely secure the placement of the cord with the headphones. As simple as it is!

Via: PeterRosengren

Velocity mobile phones give the glimpse of futuristic windows phones

Naresh — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:51:30 +0000

Based on the windows mobile 7, the Velocity mobile, a Seattle (USA) based mobile & consumer electronics design company, is set for its latest windows phones that comes integrated with a sliding haptic keyboard, allowing the users type a SMS or even a prolonged mail on the go without wasting much time. Though we are scant on other technical info, however, the idea of the design and technology of the windows phones can well be gauged by the fact that the design is developed by David Turpin, a celebrated France designer, while technology comes from Inventec and ICD.

[Thanks David]

3D Connexion Mouse lets professionals work smartly on the move

Naresh — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:18:13 +0000

Portable systems may allow the access to technology in the outdoors, but they are not as comfortable as standard gadgets, causing the hindrance in the performance. Solving the problem for the professionals on the move designer Sam Weise has popped up with a portable mouse called “3D Connexion Mouse” that lets the geeks work on their portable systems with ease anytime, anywhere. Featuring same standard like any other 3D mouse, including scroll, pan and rotate with 2 programmable buttons, but in a smaller package, the Connexion Mouse connects works with all the portable systems, such as laptops, netbooks and notebooks, so you may work briskly as well as comfortably on the go.

[Thanks Sam]