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To Be or Not to Be: Cool Concepts - a list by tatorandtots

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Colors for Health: A Life Mood Ring

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A bizarrely intimate and incredibly cool concept that I hope hits the streets one day. As long as it doesn't let people know when my mood is M&M Green.

From Yanko:
This is going to get a little hippie and spiritual so hold on. It’s common to focus on emotions while ignoring or having any awareness of what that goes on inside our body. This lack of understanding between the two can lead to health problems, for serious. So if we could keep track of how our emotions and bodies relate, what would that look like?

This portable device lets the wearer express emotions with colors by correlating them with biometric data. The idea is to create another way to externalize how we feel in a language anyone can understand. Someone walking down the street with flash red might be upset, in a hurry, or angry. A computer keeps track of your colors, sort of a diary of emotions that can be turned into choreographed motion graphic pieces.

It’s an esoteric concept but one grounded in scientifically proven models. We all react to colors and in most cases, can assign specific colors to a range of human emotions. I’d love to see this concept come to fruition.

Designer: Sara Forsmark

Updated Oct 1, 2008

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Light Emitting Wallpaper

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From the site:
Light-emitting wallpaper
With Jonas Samson's high-tech light-emitting wallpaper it's possible to use a two-dimentional flat surface as light source instead of a 3D object.
As long as the wallpaper is turned ‘off’, it is indistinguishable as a source of light. Instead, it is just what it appears to be: wallpaper.

Updated Oct 1, 2008

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Ticker Tape "Good News Only" Feed

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But then how will I cheer myself up at other people's expense?

From the site:

Ticker Tape Only Feeds Good News

Ticker Tape is an internet radio for people who suffer from Euphobia, “a persistent, abnormal and unwanted fear of hearing good news”. Using RSS feeds, Ticker Tape scans for light-hearted news stories from around the world broadcasting them to the listener who can manage the content via the Ticker Tape website. Pulling the cord allows the listener to choose the duration of the broadcast. The origin of the news stories can be selected by turning the dial - old school style with a web 2.0 twist. The original intent of the project was to help cure a phobia, it can also be used to create more insightful solutions for interactive technology. Changing one’s mindset as a designer and moving away from market-driven designs and thinking about solutions from a completely different perspective, can encourage new interactions and designs to emerge. This project explores new interfaces for the future of digital radio and is part of wider ongoing research.

Updated Oct 4, 2008

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"Silence" Alarm Clock Individual Bands

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From the site:

It is called "Silence", how surprising right !? Another conceptual project that could allows you to program multiple alarms and wakes you without any sound. Perfect for those of you in a relationship with an early bird.

"Each person wears a wireless rubber ring with an integrated vibration device that generates a tactile alarm. The snooze function is engaged by shaking your hand. However, each successive time you want to snooze, more movement is required"

Updated Oct 6, 2008

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Biocat R8 Racing Catamaran

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2 people recommended this item

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Sexiest wave rider I've seen in quite awhile.....

From Inventor's Spot:

The Audi R8 has been hailed as one of the best supercars ever made since hitting the streets in 2007, which is most likely why someone wanted to have a custom racing boat designed around it. The best part? The company may put the design into limited production.

First off, whoever thought of this is a genius. That being said, the design came from a Swedish design and engineering firm called Vizualtech. They were contacted by an enthusiast from Dubai who requested they design a boat that was loosely based around the body of an Audi R8. The result was a catamaran that is, to say the least, visually stunning.

To power the Biocat R8, Vizualtech engineered the watercraft to house either a V10 Biodiesel or a pair of V8s that produce 320hp each. Whichever they choose, a top speed of at least 110mph has been promised.

One look at the body and it is very clear where it came from. Some of the other design elements that were borrowed from the R8 include the cockpit and gauge cluster. A set of gullwing doors were added in favor of the traditional doors for obvious reasons. (via Inventor's Spot)

Updated Oct 16, 2008

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Citroen Hypnos

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From Inventor's Spot:

The Hypnos is best described as a sport based luxury SUV with an interior that will amaze almost anyone who sees it. The exterior has long flowing lines and a short roof line that give it a fairly aggressive look. The high wheel arches house a set of 22 inch polished wheels.

Once inside the cabin, the rider is engulfed in a rainbow of colors and comforts that are rarely seen in the vehicle market. Polished aluminum provides contrast from the many different colors that twist from the front of the vehicle to the back to create the seats and center console.

Each seat is comprised of prism shaped pockets that can be inflated and deflated, offering the driver and passengers a massage while you are driving down the road. Each seat also has its own independent controls for air conditioning and heat that are found in the blades of the center console.

The gauge cluster is made up of instruments that are viewed through diamond shaped prisms that are surrounded in metal. A touch screen has also been fitted into the center to display vehicle information. A camera mounted on the roof will be able to record and read the facial expressions of the driver and change the lighting and fragrance emitted from the vents.

Updated Oct 16, 2008

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Dialogue Carpet

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Designer Ane Lykke has taken a provocative approach to the function of carpet, one that urges participation and a "Don't tread on me, PLAY with me!" approach. Which is all lovely, indeed. But frankly, I'm too busy wanting to just dive into this lush creation to intellectualize it.

Updated Oct 27, 2008

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"Drip with Song" CD-playing Teacup

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Jongmin Kim has designed one of those "didn't know I always wanted one" things: a teacup that plays music. Well, technically, it's the saucer with built-in speakers that plays the tunes. The teacup serves as volume control.

I'm picturing Alice rockin' out while the Mad Hatter DJ's....

Updated Oct 27, 2008

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Space Age Seating: Roller Coaster Style

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Another amazing concept design from the Yanko Site:

Space Age Seating Roller Coaster Style

Hankering for that roller coaster ride feeling? Live vicariously thru the 4NE1 (get it?) seating solution. These chairs are suspended from the roof of a vehicle. This reconfiguration increases the amount of interior space. The design was created with the elderly and physically impaired in mind but as its name suggests, anyone can use it. The design has excellent properties for impact absorption in both front and rear impacts. The safety system is further augmented by an anti-whiplash backrest that comes forward upon impact. Best part it the stowaway feature - neatly sliding up and down roof rails or folding up when you need to seat more cargo than people.

A review of current products that cater to this demographic has revealed that although there are systems in place to accommodate wheelchairs within vehicles, many of these systems do not use space efficiently, are not cost effective, lack configurability and are often created with the removal and replacement of original seating.

This system is completely innovative and takes a whole new look at how we perceive space within a vehicle. Concerns have been raised about structural strength within the roof , but with structural reinforcement at little added cost - there is no reason why a roof cannot support the 24G crash impact requirements.

Even the build materials are innovative. The seats will be made from a patent-pending lightweight fibre-composite developed by Futuris Automotive, which has superb structural properties.

What does this all mean for you? You may never see something like this in ordinary cars but don’t be surprised when they start popping up in mass transit systems. We like the idea but what about fat people? This doesn’t exactly make travel any easier for them.

Designer: Christopher Simmons (via Yanko Design)

Updated Oct 28, 2008

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GeoCane GPS Walking Stick

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Another amazing concept design from the Yanko Site:

Trod the Untrodden Path! GeoCane and Upward!

Presenting the best way to get lost in a walking stick. The GeoCane by Felix Hardmood Beck takes the idea of a divining rod and finds you some great adventure in the great hiking pilgrimage. Stamping the ground creates a path that noone else has followed, creating a unique experience for you, the final and last one true highlander.

Designer Felix Hardmood Beck puts it like this: “The goal of this project was to translate the central aspects and values of the pilgrimage into a digital object – a new interpretation of the traditional walking-cane: The GeoCane. This new cane shows various references to the historic and modern pilgrimage, as well as historic and modern forms of navigation. By using the GeoCane, the user receives a new understanding of the historic identity of pilgrimage.

“Geographical coordinates for a specific goal are loaded onto the GeoCane through a docking-station. Throughout the Neo-Pilgrimage an integrated microchip traces the chosen path, so that you are never guided on an already known road. By a slight vibration at grasping hight, the cane leads the way for the user. The place of destination remains unknown for the user and is not of such great importance as the path in itself.”

Heigh Ho!

Designer: Felix Hardmood Beck (via Yanko Design)

Updated Oct 28, 2008