Designers are invited to explore the concept of “Greener Gadgets.” Designs should seek to minimize the environmental impact of consumer electronic devices at any stage in the product lifecycle. Areas of sustainability to consider include energy, materials/lifecycle/recycling, social impact, and educational development. Designers can focus on a particular area of human enterprise (learning, playing, communicating, etc.), or a particular context (work, home, school, etc.), a particular material, or a specific device. Entries may also seek to create new paradigms for products and services.
This year, the top 50 entries will be published on the web for voting and commenting, and top finalists will be showcased live at the Greener Gadgets Conference in New York City on February 27th for judging by an expert panel.
For more information: Design a greener gadget. Last year’s winners. via Core77
Shimano, a company that’s been at the forefront of the cycling-component industry for decades, has got a new product. It’s an electronic shifting system that forgoes mechanical cable for electronic impulses and servomotors. (more…)
It is cool to be green these days, and David Keith and his team think the Carbon Dioxide Scrubber could be the next big thing. This device is supposed to capturing CO2 straight from the air and purify it, making our air much cleaner.
Also known as the eCO2, this personal scrubber unit aims to help an individual reduce or even erase his/her personal carbon footprint throughout the day. How does it do this? Fashioned after a futuristic looking wristwatch, it relies on kinetic energy to power it, pulling in air via intake vents to collect CO2 and expelling clean air through its exhaust vents. We wonder whether wearing five of these on each arm will help us offset more than our fair share of carbon footprint. As an added bonus, the eCO2 also doubles up as a timepiece, and we think it has plenty of potential when used with a Wii while you’re busy trying to knock your opponent out in Wii Boxing.
Designer: james kershaw & Chad Garn
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS CONCEPT? — comment below.
Speed freak racer controller. The ECCI TrackStar 6000 is simply the best PC steering wheel and pedal set available in the world. If you can afford it, you’ll never regret buying one.
We’re talking a two-tone leather steering wheel, fluid damped steering which emulate the feel of tyres on pavement, fine tuned customizable steering resistance, high precision USB electronics and a shock absorbing desk clamp. Matching pedals also available. That’s enough for us, we’re sold. Now where’s that copy of Colin McRae’s rally from 1992?
Unlike most wheels that are circular in grip section, the 6000 Talladega wheel is deeper than it is wide in frontal profile. This creates a more natural grip shape for the hand. The grip contour at the nine and three o’clock positions is ideally suited to actuate the close fitting shift paddles behind. Lock-to-lock road course racing is a snap, but it is large enough in diameter to offer the incremental control critical to oval
track racing.
An all-new breakthrough design, the 6000 features true automotive ergonomics with a top-pivoting hang down pedal mounting. This is mated with a heel rest offering a stable platform for pedal operation.
Unique to the new 6000, all critical pedal geometric relationships are fully adjustable to uniquely suit each user. These include: pedal angle from vertical; heel rest angle and distance from pedals; pedal height from heel rest; pedal to pedal lateral spacing; and individual pedal resistance rate.
Priced at USD$989 with the tricked-up 6000GT and clutch-pedal packing 6000GTS models at $1198 and $1398 respectively.
Producer: ECCI
Braun launched the 17th edition of the BraunPrize. This internationally recognised design competition is open to young industrial designers who are still studying or who have graduated within the last two years.
International Competition to Promote Young Designers
When it was established in 1968, the Braun- Prize was Germany’s first international competition to promote the work of young designers. Braun’s commitment to this cause has been highly regarded by the design world and the design-aware public ever since. (more…)
Some water fountains are really people magnets. Observing human interaction, the kinetic creativity of the Jaume Plensas fountain in Chicago the past three years has inspired this post.
( above ) designer, jaume plensas, chicago, USA. water and digital video.
( above ) designer, armand vallancourt, san francisco USA. concrete tubing.
( above ) fountain clock, kanazawa JP. fountain clock.
( above ) designer, unknown, location unknown. the waterboard, not exactly a fountain.
( above ) designer, lotta hannerz, paris, FR. water mobile venus.
( above ) designer, unknown, seattle US. variable pressure fountain.
( above ) designer, unknown, zacatecas MX. a fountain inside a silver mine.
( above ) designer, william pye, sunderland UK. water vortex.
Is there a difference between an older, more traditional fountain vs modern? Do you have a favorite you frequent or fond memories of one?
Value item: Stocking stuffer under $25.
For the pencil sharpener crowd a set of 12 multi-stripe pencils with rubber tops in a matching presentation box.
100% wood, 100% graphite, 100% rigid cardboard box. $12.00US
Designer: Paul Smith (UK)
