I’m sure one day space tourism will be affordable for almost anyone, but at the moment it’s still a privilege reserved for those with millions of dollars to burn. But if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to take a trip on the Soyuz rocket, this Soyuz Chair is probably as close as you’re going to get. The chair accurately simulates the 3 stages of a Soyuz rocket launch as it reclines you into launch position, and presumably shakes and rumbles while you don a pair of headphones and a blindfold to help you forget you’re really just sitting in a modified recliner.
The Soyuz Chair was created by Nelly Ben Hayoun as part of the Royal College of Art’s Design Interactions Thesis Show which is currently running until July 5th.
Back in January, we (and the rest of the internet) posted about LightLane, a concept device that uses lasers to project a virtual bike lane to help keep cars from squishing you flat. Understandably, it was a popular idea with bicyclists everywhere, and the designers have managed to put together a working beta version. As you can see in the video, it works quite well, even in car headlights:
Does this mean it’s going to end up in production? Hopefully yes, since it’s now in “beta phase development,” although there are no details on when it might be available or how much it might end up costing. We’ll keep you updated.
I have to give Electrolux credit, their design competitions have inspired some unique ideas when it comes to the possible future of household appliances. Like this “Cooking in the Futur” concept oven created by Ludovic Peperstraete. Instead of heating elements or an open flame, food is cooked via 3 harmless lasers that are targeted by the cook. And while a single laser supposedly isn’t strong enough to cook food, we all know that crossing two lasers can cook anything from a Thanksgiving turkey to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Now I’m not exactly sold on the open concept design, since the last time I checked cooked food is still hot and has the tendency to bubble and splatter, but the oven also features a new type of ventilation system to at least keep odors at bay.
I don’t know enough about hydrokinetodynamics (or whatever) to be able to hazard a guess about just how conceptual this concept is, but it sure seems like it could be nifty… The Blu Bottle water bottle contains some kind of refrigeration unit that’s powered by your kinetic energy. As you move, a pump cools air inside the bottle, creating condensation which collects at the bottom as drinkable water. So, as you walk around, the bottle magically refills itself.
Like I said, this seems like one of those concepts that can’t possibly work in real life, despite the fact that it has been “intricately researched and designed” by a guy named Yuri Teodorowych. We’ll be sure and keep you updated if anything ever comes of this idea.
Growing up I had a nasty habit of bouncing my leg under the table during dinner which I’ve since solved by simply eating my meals on my living room couch instead. But seeing the Constant Shaker chair created by Alice Wang as part of her Chairs for the Dysfunctional exhibit, I have to wonder if all my fidgeting wasn’t a good thing.
According to her site, researchers think that the unconscious muscle movements might be intentionally triggered by our brains to burn additional calories when we’re inactive. So Alice’s Constant Shaker chair features a sensor that will actually calculate the amount of calories you’ve burned while not sitting still, and will display the results on a simple LCD.
Trash can technology really hasn’t evolved much over the years. I think the greatest advancement was when they put on a pedal that opened the lid when you stepped on it. I’ll admit, I love that about my trash can, but surely there are other areas in which we can improve this household item. I suppose there is that smell that comes from stinky garbage. But aside from air fresheners and actually taking out the smelly trash, how else can you combat the smell? Apparently the answer is extremely cold temperatures and an antibacterial UV light.
This awesome Minus concept garbage can uses a combination of those two things to keep odors at bay. I’m sure that it would work, and it would definitely look awesome doing it, but I doubt this would ever see the light of day. Honestly, how many people are going to want to run a mini freezer that just keeps their trash cold. Plus it would just get re-purposed as an impromptu beer cooler. On second thought, put me down for two.
When it comes to coffee tables, don’t cheap out and get a 2-dimensional version like I did just to save some money. You might think you’ve gotten a bargain, but when you get home you’ll soon realize that your magazines, coasters and even TV remotes all require that third dimension. Instead, go with something like this Stereovision concept table by John Nouanesing which is designed to look like an anaglyph image. Sure you’ll need to wear those 2-color glasses to get the full effect, but 3D is all the rage right now isn’t it?
Designed by Dante Bonuccelli for the 2009 UMUL Project (Use More, Use Less) the Text-ile chair is made from discarded keyboards, and might actually be just as comfortable for touch typists as it is for hunt-and-peck types. Of course the comfort level depends on the type of keyboard being used, and if this chair ever goes into production I’m sure there will be a dedicated group who refuse to sit in it unless it’s made from an old IBM buckling spring model.
According to internal polling data that I just made up, the average OhGizmo reader has 16.03 gadgets. That’s a lot, and since most if not all of them require electricity to operate, it’s important to mooch as much of it from other people as possible. The extension cord that you have plugged into your neighbor’s garage can only handle so much current, but soon there may be a way to steal electric power from someone who isn’t expecting it and won’t come after you with a weed whacker: the water company.
This little device gets stuck onto the end of a faucet or inserted into an existing water pipe. It’s got a little hydroelectric turbine in it, and when water moves through, the turbine spins to charge a battery. You can then plug into the battery to charge stuff. It’s not completely free, of course… You’re taking advantage of either gravity or a water company pump somewhere, and you’ll pay for your electricity with a reduction in water pressure caused by the resistance of the turbine. But hey, if you don’t overthink it, it’s free [minuscule amounts of] electricity!
Needless to say, there’s no information on production, but I bet whatever it would cost would be the equivalent of a whoooole bunch of kilowatt-hours of electricity out of a socket.
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