DesignApplause » Play

Qbo robots learn self-awareness and when to flirt.

boo hill — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:51:32 +0000

To start, taking into account this particular instance of Qbo’s “consciousness” is done programmatically rather than arising naturally out of a deeper awareness of self should not diminish Qbo’s achievement. Qbo not only can recognize itself but also distinguish itself from other identical machines and carry on a simple conversation using speech synthesis (Festival) and recognition (Julius) programs. Qbo’s developers have simulated self-awareness through mimicking the way humans recognize themselves: we learn what we look like and verify by checking to see if our actions are mirrored. The nose flashes are the messaging system. The green robot can figure out if the the flashes coming from the black robot are his flashes and that the black robot looks enough alike to be one of his “species” which triggers the funny seduction line. Stay tuned.

Research and development by TheCorpora. [ qbo robot blog ]

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Finally, the contact lens case gets a redesign.

Perrin Drumm — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:37:40 +0000

If you’re like me you start your day by unscrewing the plastic caps of your cheap, ugly contact lens case, putting the darn contacts in your eyes and then ushering the unsightly case out of sight as quickly as possible. Until recently, so did Portland-based designer Beverly Moon, but unlike the rest of us, she decided to do something about it.

It took her a year to design, produce and fund (via Kickstarter), but it looks like the MOON case is ready to begin its mission of replacing all the ugly conta-ct lens cases of the world.

“It’s a routine that many of us go through at least twice a day and it’s an object that holds a prominent place on the bathroom sink,” said Moon. “I wanted an object that complemented my space and felt good in my hands. So I applied simple, modern design to beautiful materials to make the MOON Case for a more refined everyday experience.”

The case is made from Corian, a hypoallergenic, non-toxic material that’s also non-porous, so it doesn’t harbor the growth of bacteria. Also, it’s beautiful. Corian not only gives it a heft heretofore unseen in contact lens cases, but they seem to glow from within – at least the ones in white do (they also come in Concrete and Sand). Moon also had the cases made at a local manufacturer, minimizing the environmental impact and giving her the ability to work face-to-face with the machine operators during the process.

MOON is just the first in what will hopefully be a long line of projects as part of her Pretty Mundane Objects series, an annual undertaking that aims to make the everyday beautiful. “It’s not about designing new things,” Moon said, “but refining the experiences and relationships between us and our objects. It’s about looking at products that are essential to our routine, but that most designers haven’t bothered to observe. To take a second look at the mundane objects that we use daily and re-think our interactions with them.”

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360 barefoot running shoe. Zemgear.

PRand — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:44:54 +0000

here’s a shoe for runners who don’t “do” shoes.

Zemgear says… “The 360 is the feather light star of ZEMs barefoot collection. The design weighs in at 2.5 oz and is equipped with a pliable but abrasion robust phylon outsole ideal for runners. Integrated gecko grip rubber pods add traction & secure footing. An updated tech band design contributes increased lateral hold and stability. The split toe pattern and the high “mold-ability” of all materials maximize barefoot agility for many activities”. Price tag: $60. Enjoy!” [ zemgear ] [ review by barefoot angie bee ]

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2011 audi type c e-tron toy car study.

boo hill — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:51:44 +0000

a toy for ages 8 thru senior citizen.

#5 is the real article if you are wondering

Last year, Audi had become the first car manufacturer ever to bring a line-up of model cars and new products to the Nuremberg at the 62nd International Toy Fair. The main attraction of the 2011 show will be Auto Union Type C e-tron study with electric drive.

This car is based on the earlier limited edition car model from Audi AG sold through their subsidiary Quattro GmbH. The car is hand finished and made of aluminum and carbon-look material. It can comfortably seat children or grown-ups of up to 1.80 meters (5’11’’) in height. The study is 2.32 meters (7.61 feet) long and 97 centimeters (38.19 inches) wide.

The electric motor produces a peak torque of 60 Nm (44.25 lb-ft) and steadily 40 Nm (29.50 lb-ft). The Audi e-tron reaches a top speed of 30 km/h (18.64 mph) and has a range of 25 km (15.53 miles). Charging can be done through a standard 230V household socket; a recharge will take 2 hours depending on the battery charge status. It also comes with a reverse gear. Ages 8 thru senior citizen.

The show will be held from February 3 to 8.

[audi gran prix history] [uncrate]

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Half bag, half furniture.

Perrin Drumm — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:46:29 +0000

Hamburg-based product designer Anne Lorenz was recently at the home interiors conference IMM Cologne 2011 showing off “Home Traveller,” a portable storage device. Constructed from soft, supple leather and measuring 28″ x 24″ x 16″, is “Home Traveller” a clever comment on the size of women’s purses today or a creative and functional piece of furniture? Whatever Lorenz’s intentions, the bag is actually quite practical, sitting on a lightweight wooden base that’s easy to lift and carry, perfect for extra linens or clothing. And it’s a far more striking piece than the ubiquitous storage stool – not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s no handbag/storage chest/portable furniture.

designer: anne lorenz

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Marten form series speakers.

PRand — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:34:23 +0000

the form series, form really does meet function.

The Form series is not a typical entry-level series speaker system. Made by high-end Marten in Sweden form remains true to the open, airy and detailed signature sound of Marten and fits into the interior of any contemporary home.

the formfloor, a genuinely high-end 2-way floor speaker.

the formcentre shares the same tweeter as the formfloor, making the two speakers a perfect match, and allowing you to expand your system to 3.1 or 5.1.

the mighty formsub can be added to, and combined with, any of the speakers in the form and heritage series.

producer: marten

Cellophane house. KieranTimberlake.

Phil Patton — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:50:31 +0000

 a new eBook available for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle, Nook, Android, Mac and PC.  

KieranTimberlake is pleased to announce the release of  Cellophane House™. Cellophane House™ chronicles the conception, assembly, display and disassembly of a five-story, off-site fabricated dwelling made of transparent, recyclable materials commissioned by The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for the exhibition Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling.   

Designed by Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake and their architecture firm KieranTimberlake, Cellophane House™ takes a radically different approach to off-site fabrication, reinventing the way buildings are assembled, what they are made of, and the experience of living in them. It demonstrates an end-of-life strategy that, enabled by an innovative structural frame and variety of connectors, makes disassembly and waste-divergence inherent in the building’s construction.   The book contains a detailed discussion of the house and 105 color photographs and illustrations. The iBooks version contains a time-lapse video of the assembly process.

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The snow cycle.

PRand — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:09:15 +0000

this snow bicycle made the guinness world record for the longest vertical drop of 107,400′ in 11 hours – going 66 mph.

Featuring powder-coated galvanized steel frame, a unique front elastomer/spring suspension, an adjustable t-bar steering column, a padded saddle with leaf spring cushioning, adjustable-binding, mini skis for your feet, and it looks to be – fast.

retailer: hammacher ( $1,950 usd )

Teabag lamp.

Phil Patton — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:46:36 +0000

bryan thompson’s teabag lamp–charges with solar cell “tag” light inside aramid “bag”.

Price: $80 USD and link to the online store.

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Globe-trotter luggage.

Perrin Drumm — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:06:53 +0000

centenary trolley suitcase.

If your favorite part of THE DARJEELING LIMITED was the custom made Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton luggage, then you may just want to return all your Christmas presents and cash in on the Centenary trolley suitcase. Shown above in Hermes orange with brown straps (and also available in red, shown below), the Centenary, like all the luggage from Globe-Trotter, is made entirely by hand with their trademarked Vulcan Fibre, “an incredibly durable material made of compressed layers of paper,” the same since its invention
in 1850.

Even the suitcases themselves are made in England on original Victorian machinery. Who knew a million layers of paper was more durable than leather? If you think that $1,580 is a lot to pay for a suitcase, well you’re right, but consider that other luggage series from Globe-Trotters are so pricey the number is too big to list online – you have to send an official inquiry.
producer: globe-trotter

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