physically disabled columbian nelson cardona fulfilled a dream to climb Everest with the help of prosthetic legs.
He also wants to swim the English Channel and he might be able to do it with Neptune, a prosthetic flipper.
above: slider adjusts flexibility to match swimmers strength. the fin could also rotate 90 degrees to simulate breaststroke movement.
above: c-legs are used by a double-amputee who also swims 2.500m a couple of times a week and is very interested in the neptune concept being developed.
above: inspiring everyone including designers, alexander mcqueen among others, aimee is an athlete, actor and activist talks about her prosthetic legs — she’s got a dozen amazing pairs — and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height.
above: aimee at mit h2o symposium
above: neptune concept lures me deeper and deeper. i think this is about a skateboarder prosthesus. but, maybe there is or will be…
designer: richard stark
Resources:
ted
aimee / alexander mcqueen
alexander mcqueen / aimee
wired: 3d printing and prosthetics
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about ron kovach
Co-design challenge winner Aston Martin and architecture super-firm Foster + Partners have teamed up to give the famed double-decker Routemaster a makeover.
Designed in collaboration with Aston Martin in response to Transport for London’s competition to design a new bus for the city. There are two first place winning design challenges pre-opinions with a vehicle that is environmentally sensitive, accessible and reinvents a much-loved symbol of London for the modern era. After an intense period of research which included canvassing opinion from passengers, drivers and conductors, the team worked to design a new bus from the inside-out. In doing so, consideration was given to a wide range of issues including layout, use of materials, motive power, passenger experience and the impact of the bus on the environment of the city.
The bus is designed to navigate the dense and varied streets of London, employing innovative technologies to allow for greater maneuverability and energy conservation. Optimizing safety, the driver’s cabin provides panoramic views as well as incorporating screens to supervise CCTV images and radio communications with the on-board conductor. Much like a car or a building, the design evolved in response to the needs of its users. The layout, lighting and wooden floors are conceived to encourage a spirit of warmth and community. The arrangement of the decks is driven by comfort and particular consideration is given to the selection of reconstituted leather upholstery to create a tactile ‘living room’ feel, especially in the saloon-like lower deck.
The new bus is zero emissions ready, accessible for all and will set new standards for sustainable public service vehicles. Passengers benefit from views from the top of the deck through a glazed roof which incorporates solar cells to absorb sunlight and generate energy. By filtering daylight the internal temperature is well controlled. The bus design re-introduces the rear open access platform that made London’s Routemaster bus so popular up until its withdrawal from general service. This is supplemented by a side door to facilitate access for those with impaired mobility as well as families with young children.
Below: Co-winner and alternate bus concept by capoco design
aston martin
capoco design
foster + partners
physically disabled columbian nelson cardona fulfilled a dream to climb Everest with the help of prosthetic legs. 