Magnetic Kinetic

Crazy looking Drawbridge called the “Slauerhoffbrug”

fulcrumsf — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:58:39 +0000

Talk about a crazy looking bridge. This looks like something out of Short Circuit, the Johnny 5 of Draw Bridges. Located in Leeuwarden, Netherlands and know to the locals as the “Slauerhoffbrug”. This is quite a unique and unconventional design for a drawbrige. Kinda reminds me of a large robotic fly swatter.

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Posted in Transportation

Google Sync Now Available for iPhone!

fulcrumsf — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:54:48 +0000

Okay, so I’m not exactly sure how new this function is, but I just noticed in the top right corner of my Google Calendar page that you can now sync your Google Calendar with your iPhone. I have been wanting this feature for a long time. If your an avid user of Google Calendars and you have an iPhone you probably already know how cumbersome it is to sync the calendars without this new function. You originally had to create a private url link for each calendar in Google Calendars that iCal uses to update it’s calendars. Then you had the extra step of having to hook up you iPhone to your computer via usb and sync. As you could imagine this is quite a time consuming ordeal. Google Sync also support Symbian based phones, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile phones. With it’s push technology you never have to physically connect your phone to a computer to sync. It’s all done in the background wirelessly. Google sync also synchronizes you Google Contacts.

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Posted in Gadgets, Phones, Software

Is this the Kindle Killer?

fulcrumsf — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 04:39:51 +0000

The Plastic Logic Reader may very well be this next Kindle Killer, but we will have to wait at least a year before that is proven. And even at that point who knows what Amazon will do with their widely accepted Kindle. But will products like the Plastic Logic Reader and the Kindle change the way we read newspapers, books, and magazines? I for one still like the tactical feel of reading a magazine or newspaper. However with products like this becoming lighter, thinner, and more natural in form factor. The real benefactor will be having a plethora of reading choices at your finger tips without the added weight of carrying such articles. The Plastic Logic Reader uses a flexible plastic substrate instead of silicone glass that is typically used for active matrix displays. This makes the display more rugged, lighter and thinner. I really am infatuated with simplicity and minimalism, but I feel this product is a bit to similar to the Kindle in terms of aesthetics. I hope they revamp the design to differientiate it from the Kindle.

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Posted in Computers, Gadgets

Timeless Garden, Digital Clock that doesn’t need batteries.

fulcrumsf — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:23:44 +0000

An interesting concept “The Timeless Garden” designed by Francesco Castiglione Morelli & Tommaso Ceschi relies on the chemical reaction between mud and metal to power its built in digital clock. I for one have wanted to see more products like this come to light. As well thought out engineering and design should be used in ways to be less reliant on other sources of grid based power. Not all products of coarse will be able to be self sufficient, but we need to strive toward reaching that goal. Do you remember that experiment in science class of building a battery from potatoes? Well this concept is really not that much different. This I believe is still in the conceptual stages because there is no indication whether or not this product is in production. Not only is this device self powering, it also helps absorb CO2 from the air to create oxygen (like all plants do).

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Posted in Green, Industrial Design

The Perfect Rice Cooker

fulcrumsf — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:26:04 +0000

This is strictly a conceptual design of the perfect rice cooker by Sang-Jang Lee. Simple in design and form bring a minimalist approach to this beautifully designed rice cooker. The design calls for a touch screen display housed inside of the lid that disappears when not being used. Like a joystick you have four directions for menu options being up, down, right and left.

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Posted in Industrial Design, Kitchen

Alternative fuel for cars? Thats a bunch of hot air!

fulcrumsf — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:29:46 +0000

Well if it’s up to Motor Development International then we might just start seeing these in the near future. The designers are former aerospace and formula F1 engineers. With the idea of using compressed air to power these small pod like vehicles. Currently the Airpod is only a prototype, but has gained the interest of Tata Motors (India) and an American start-up called Zero Emissions Motors. Also to note that Air France/KLM officials have announced a six-month test trial at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam to ferry passengers in between departure gates. The Airpod holds four people with an approximate range of about 135miles with a top speed of about 43mph. This would make a great vehicle able to transport people in very dense areas that don’t require fast speeds. Hence why Tata Motors of India is most likely interested in this technology. According to Zero Pollution Motors the Airpod can be filled with a maximum of 350 bar (5,076 psi!) in about 90 seconds. This is ideal for the fast paced airport industry were time is critical. These claims seem to good to be true, and like others I will remain to be skeptical. The technology presented has promise, but until the Airpod can be proven on a full fleet scale we will not really know how realistic compressed air will be for and alternative fuel for automobiles.

Posted in Automobiles, Green, Transportation

Innovative Public Bicycle Security Stations

fulcrumsf — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:52:30 +0000

Grant Howarth has designed this cleaver Anti-Theft Bicycle Security station to help combat the problem of thefts stealing anything and everything they can possible get and leaving the just the frame. This is quite a common problem in large cities like New York. Hundreds of bicycle frames are striped of their part. With no wheels or seat the owner sometimes leaves the bike frame as-is which can be very unsightly. Here’s the designers description:

Bike security that protects all quick release components. Modularity was the cornerstone of this project. Once the arms lock into place the bike cannot be moved in any direction protecting the seat, wheels and other quick release components as well as protecting the entire bike from theft.

The bike is rolled up the curved surface until its back wheel falls into a groove which prevents the bike rolling back. The “gutter”, which serves to protect the wheels, also prevents the bike from moving in any direction. Once in place the arm can be moved downwards.

The whole locking process takes less than a minute. Furthermore the product promotes safety in numbers, as the more bikes stored the greater the protection of the “pack”.

The product also [recoups] costs within 3 years through the ability to use it for advertising purposes (assuming advertising space costs in Glasgow, Scotland).

I think this is a great ideal for cities of all densities as it helps to promote more exercise and the use of non-oil dependent transportation

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Posted in Green, Industrial Design, Security, Transportation

MIT students create a wearable computer they call the “Sixth Sense”

fulcrumsf — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:11:08 +0000

MIT "Sixth Sense"

The genius students at MIT Media Lab have created a wearable computer that can turn almost any object into an interactive display. Dubbed the “Sixth Sense” this prototype machine uses a cell phone to connect it to the internet which is attached to a webcam and a battery powered 3M projector and a mirror. The video shows how the student Pranav Mistry uses color coded finger tips to control the computer via hand gestures. Watch as he draws a clock on his wrist to bring up the time, check the flight status on his plane ticket, and even see star ratings on books he picks up. The possibilities of this amazing technology are endless. Being able to interact with tangible objects is going to change the way we use and think about computers in the future.

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Posted in Computers

A Lean, Mean, and Green motorcycle machine

fulcrumsf — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:08:21 +0000

Mission Motors is the designer of this Mission One EV Sports Bike. With a top speed of 150mph and a range of the same, this all electric motorcycle has set the bar. The first bikes are supposed to come to market in 2010 and will have a limited production of 50 with a price tag of $68,995. The founders of San Francisco based Mission Motors Forrest North, Edward West , and Mason Cabot have assembled a cast of team members from the likes of Tesla Motors, Ducati and Google to help make this production vehicle a reality. I only hope projects like this can get funding and some government help along the way in either tax breaks or stimulus. This is the kind of Green Technology growth our nation needs to help further our nation from oil dependency.

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Posted in Automobiles, Green

Intelligent Couch

fulcrumsf — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:39:20 +0000

Technology and furniture making go hand in hand. So it’s no wonder that furniture designers are starting to converge the two, and rightfully so. Artanova a Switzerland company has designed the Athena, a well styled sofa with an integrated computer system. With dual monitors to boot this is the ultimate tech geeks dream couch. With a price tag of $15,436 this sofa needs to be able to make me breakfast, or at least allow me to order breakfast online. Official specs are not found on the manufacturers website so for now we have to speculate on what is actually inside of the pricey piece of furniture. Lets hope they have integrated some nice tech features.

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Posted in Furniture