Gizmodo: Concept

Robot Prototype Finds, Attacks and Kills Breast Cancer Cells

Jack Loftus — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Here's one in the plus column for the looming robot uprising: a prototype developed by University of Maryland professor Jaydev Desai could one day diagnose, hunt, and destroy breast cancer cells all in one sitting, and in a much more efficient manner than we ham-handed human beings.

The beauty of this prototype is that it can work inside an MRI thanks to its titanium and stainless steel construction. Everything from biopsy, to diagnosis to cancer-hunting is all completed within the MRI, making for a convenient one stop trip for patients.

The robot kills cancer cells by way of a probe that is inserted into the breast until it reaches the tumor. The probe then burns the cells until they're all dead. Researchers say the robot, if successfully deployed into the medical field, could consolidate three months of hospital trips into a single visit. Better yet, the robot will also be able to access parts of the human body that human surgeons can't, although researchers didn't elaborate much on that point.

Unfortunately, the robot is a prototype, and trials are estimated at four years out, if they happen at all. "We're not just governed by technology," said said Rao Gullapalli, a collaborator on the robot from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. "We're governed by bureaucracy as well." [Diamondback Online via Slashdot]

OLO Wants to Fuse the iPhone with Netbooks

Jack Loftus — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EDT

For those of you out there who are too impatient for the day when iPhone-like mobiles and netbooks converge into one carry-all uber device, there's OLO. On Monday, the company will announce plans for an iPhone-powered netbook. As you can see in the image, there's all sorts of FAIL going on right now. Wrong OS for starters, so we can probably chalk this pic up to poor Photoshopping and/or planning on OLO's part. However, the company is adamant that the device is real, and coming soon. Of course, if Apple unleashes a MacBook netbook on the world this week during its MacBook event, calling the OLO device a moot point will be the understatement of the year. From the looks of the OLO web site, that may happen even if Apple decides to cancel the event and show nothing. [OLO Computer via ITWire]

Moving Walls Make For Customizable Floorplans

Sean Fallon — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:15:00 EDT

Designer Lotty Linderman's moving wall/door is only a concept, but the pivoting arm design could have a lot of potential. I can see a system being constructed that would allow users to swing walls around to customize their living space. Obviously, that would give homeowners a lot of options with regard to the floorplan—not to mention a big advantage if you are living in cramped quarters. At the very least, it would make for one hell of a secret door. [Lotty Linderman via Apartment Therapy]

Powerwise Desk Is a Giant Gadget Charging Station

Sean Fallon — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EDT

I can't say that I am all that thrilled with the look of the Powerwise desk, but the concept of sliding off the surface to reveal a hidden 8-port charging station is definitely intriguing. Each one of the outlets features its own on/off switch and there are storage drawers to keep your cords neatly tucked away. It kind of reminds me of the desks I had in elementary school—except this one is filled with gadgets instead of the stinking remnants of fruits and vegetables plucked out of my lunches. If the heart of this design was implemented in a more standard style desk, I would be sold. [Lifeiscarbon via Designboom]

Two Lamps One Flashlight

Sean Fallon — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:20:00 EDT

There have been other attempts at fusing a flashlight with a lamp, but 'Two Lamps' with its simple click-off rechargeable flashlight design offers up one of the most elegant solutions (similar to certain lantern camping flashlights, only probably wouldn't suck). The flashlight may not be powerful enough to burn paper, but it would be nice to avoid digging around in my cabinets and drawers when the lights go out. Unfortunately, it is only a concept at the moment. [LifeGoods via TrendsNow via DVICE]

iSleep Laptop Airbag: Because Work is Not That Bad When You Sleep Through It

Sean Fallon — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:20:00 EDT

Designers these days seem bound and determined to lower our productivity with products that entice us to sleep when we should be working. The iSleep concept expands on the idea behind products like the Napbook by making the process a little more high-tech. When you close your laptop, the fan exhaust automatically fills up the latex-lined cushion with warm air. It also activates a music playlist that will soothe you to sleep for 10 minutes before sounding an alarm to wake up. I highly doubt that this product will ever see the light of day though, so it looks like you will have to continue to rely on you arm, the supply closet, your car or that space under your desk to catch a little shut-eye. [iSleep via Likecool via Yanko]

X Sting Wish Fire Extinguisher Turns Firefighting Into a Shoot Out

Jack Loftus — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EDT

When everyday devices become autonomous and start mating in the far future thanks to nanotechnology, items like fire extinguishers will become what designer Adam Scott has envisioned with the X Sting Wish. Mixing one part Dustbuster, one part machine gun, and a final part carbon fiber-wrapped fire extinguisher, Scott has managed to cook up a device that looks as at home in a kitchen as it would in Gears of War made real. There are even side-mounted LEDs for night missions. So, why make a lifesaving device like the fire extinguisher so, well, weapon-y? As the mock-ups reveal, it's all about easy recognition in an emergency situation. Apparently, when fire strikes, people are more apt to reach for their shotguns than that red cylinder marked "FIRE EXTINGUISHER."

And I think this next image best describes the point Scott is trying to make with his concept:

We simply cannot be trusted with today's fire extinguishers. We need guns, and we need them now. [Adam Scott via Nexus 404]

Nebo Dispenser Gives Ballpark Vendors a Much Needed Facelift

Jack Loftus — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Ballpark vendors, those hot dog-dispensing, beer hawking staples of sporting events the world over, are in need of a refresh. A "get yer peanuts hee-yah!" 2.0, if you will. Designer Mario Weiss might have the fresh look they're looking for with Nebo. Put simply, this slick all-in-one vendor concept could change the way people have food thrown their way at a baseball game. And, it will do this in such a way that's so visually appealing it will stop your kid from asking what a Fenway Frank is really made of, forever. (Spoiler: It's dreams)

Here's more on Nebo from Weiss himself:

Nebo is a portable shop system, consisting of a beverage backpack and a vendor‘s tray. It is an eye catching product, ideal for selling beverages and ice-cream at festivals, sports events or beach or in general in all terrain that can not be managed easily with a trolley. The core piece of the beverage backpack is covered with a UVresistant foil. It is held by a bag made of wear resistant textile and a foam textile composite. Several straps enable adjustment of the back piece to achieve a comfortable and firm hold on the user‘s back.

If they can have those Segway riding drone people with TV's strapped to their backs at tech shows, they can make this happen too. This design is also somehow based on a penguin. I respect that. [Mario Weiss via The Design Blog]

Fujitsu Concept Phone Can Be Pulled Apart, Reconfigured

Elaine Chow — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:00:00 EDT

Proving that Japan always has the coolest concept phones, this Fujitsu device shown at CEATEC lets you separate your screen and touchscreen keypad in whatever configuration you like. Both parts can be used separately or stuck together by magnets, and where you stick the screen on the keypad determines what the touchscreen shows. The screen module contains software functions, including video recording and games, while the keyboard is responsible for communication tasks, such as 3G and radio. No idea whether this will be one of the few CEATEC concepts that make its way into reality, but I sure hope I see it on shelves someday. [Akihabara News]

Samsonite OBAG Is Best-Looking Suitcase Ever, or Lightcycle Wheel Replacement

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Too bad the Samsonite OBAG, a rolling bag designed by Rooz Mousavi, is not a real product. Not only is it easier to maneuver and move up and down the stairs, it also looks better than any other suitcase we have ever seen and it can work as a replacement wheel for a Tron lightcycle. As a bonus, it opens like an atomic bomb core that only Jack Bauer can deactivate.

Samsonite, listen up: We want this. [Yanko Design]

Concert Hall Slated For the Czech Republic Looks Like an Alien Organism

Sean Fallon — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:10:00 EDT

Did you look twice and think I wrote "Alien Orgasm?" Sorry to disappoint but the Antonín Dvořák Concert and Congress Center slated to go up in the Czech Republic reminds me of some sort of microscopic life form. The unique design will feature two concert halls—a philharmonic hall and a chamber music hall that will seat 1000 and 400 people respectively. It will also feature a "first of its kind" window behind the musicians that will allow concertgoers to take in views of the park outside. While I understand that maximizing the acoustics in a building can lead to some interesting designs, I can't help but wonder if the designers from Future Systems went a bit too far here. [Future Systems via Dezeen]

iYo Rocks the Baby Then Charges Your iPhone

Jack Loftus — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Swedish designer Peter Thuvander likes yo-yo's so much that he designed an iPhone charger concept around them. Called the iYo (what else?), the device charges its lithium ion battery cell with an OLPC crank that's turned using the spinning power of a yo-yo. "The remote control needs only 30 cranks—which is nothing when you yo-yo," he said. Just 30 cranks and your dignity, Peter. I kid, of course, being someone who sleeps with a Duncan yo-yo under his pillow. The video demonstrates what a good idea this is:

[Peter Thuvander via Core77 via Treehugger]

Da Vinci Sleep Alarm Clock Gives You 21 Hours of Awake Time

Sean Fallon — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:20:00 EDT

Many people swear by polyphasic sleep, or the idea of taking frequent naps throughout the day as opposed to sleeping in one long chunk. Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most notable proponents of this seeping method, noting that it helped him be more productive throughout the day. This alarm clock concept follows da Vinci's 3.5 / .5 sleep schedule, meaning that an alarm will sound every 3 hours and 30 minutes indicating that it is time for a nap. Another alarm will sound a half hour later, indicating that it is time to wake up again.

All-in-all, the da Vinci Sleep alarm clock will net you around 3 hours of shut-eye per day (although I have heard da Vinci slept even less than that). Obviously, a schedule like this isn't for someone who maintains a regular 9 to 5 schedule, or operates heavy machinery—but it would be perfect for bloggers, retired persons and the unemployed. This particular clock is only a concept, but you could set a regular alarm fairly easily to try this sleep method yourself. [Yanko]

Flatshare Fridge Separates Your Roommate's Rotten Food From Yours

Elaine Chow — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT

If you've ever lived with a roommate who seems to enjoy experimenting with mold in your communal fridge, you can probably appreciate this invention from Austrian design student Stefan Buchberger. The Flatshare Fridge, one of nine finalists in the Electrolux Design Lab 2008 competition, consists of up to four stackable modules on top of a base station. Each module can be further customized with add-ons like bottle openers or a whiteboard.

Buchberger said he decided to create Flatshare from personal experience, after discovering that “there is nothing more disgusting than a dirty fridge in a shared flat.” I had one of those experiences. One former roommate had made a creamy fruit salad in the fall, and plum forgotten about it when she moved out in the winter. I could've sworn the monstrosity that greeted me three months later asked me if I was the Gatekeeper. [Flatshare Fridge set via Electrolux

Flippable Solar-Powered Lamp Keeps Track of Energy Consumption via Wi-Fi

Sean Fallon — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EDT

This unique "Spark" lamp concept comes from the far away land of Sweden where the government is planning to install smart energy meters on new homes. The meters are designed to keep track of energy consumption and relay that data over the internet for customers. The lamp uses Wi-Fi to tap into that data and changes colors for a 3-second interval to indicate how current levels of consumption match up to the monthly goal.

It also features a unique "flippable" design that resembles a potted plant when it is gathering solar energy and functions as a lamp when it is turned over. The Spark lamp is actually a very clever concept, but it is not yet available in Sweden, much less anywhere else in the world. [Psysorg via EcoGeek via Clean Technica]

SPAcer is Flip-Up Spa Bath For Tiny Homes

Kit Eaton — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:30:00 EDT

In the manner of space-saving beds that zip into the ceiling and bookcases concealed in stairways is the SPAcer bath design by Dominik Chojnacki. It's designed to swivel upright and slide out of the way when it's not in use, then hinge down and connect with a floor-based drain/support assembly when you fancy a quick jacuzzi. Actually a rather elegant concept for small apartments, given the huge mass and space-invaderiness of your normal spa-bath: it'd just be a question of designing the body and hinge to be strong enough, and making that drain connection foolproof. [Yanko Design]

Peugeot Concept Cars of Tomorrow Have Propellers, Joysticks

Jack Loftus — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT

If Gundam mated with Will Smith's Audi in I, Robot, the offspring would resemble these futuristic concept cars from European brand Peugeot. The ~~cars~~ car-like vehicles were all entries in the 2008 Peugeot Design Contest. Designers were asked by organizers to create vehicles for that ambiguous but tantalizing "city of the future." Areas of focus included environmental awareness, "social harmony," interactive mobility and efficiency. As you can see in the "Blade" vehicle above, efficiency is improved with the wind turbine that designer Ying Hui Choo added to charge an on-board electric battery.

The 888, designed by Oskar Johansen, pivots at the center and reduces its size for "easier parking, maneuverability and increased visibility."

Emre Yazici's "EGO" has two wheels and is controlled Atari-style with a joystick. The windshield doubles as the door. [Telegraph]

Scan Toaster Prints Text, Photos From the Internet onto Your Bread

Sean Fallon — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:40:00 EDT

If you are the kind of person who rushes around in the morning, but always makes the time for toast, you will love the Scan Toaster printer concept by designer Sung Bae Chang. Details are scarce, but we do know that it connects to the internet via USB and is capable of printing images or text on bread using some sort of flexible "module" unit heated by a wire.

Each module can move 30-degrees vertically, realigning to burn out the image of your choice. That means you could read the news and eat breakfast in one compact fiber-filled unit. The Scan Toaster concept was good enough to make it as a finalist in the 2008 Electrolux Design Lab competition but, unfortunately, I don't see it popping up in my kitchen anytime soon. [Electrolux and Flickr via Reg Hardware via CrunchGear]

FoilJet MR1 Hydrofoil Jet Ski: Like Riding a Motorcycle on Water

Sean Fallon — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EDT

I'm sure that this isn't the first time someone has thought of putting a hydrofoil on a jet ski, but the FoilJet MR 1 concept from Matt De Bellefeuille certainly offers up an intriguing design. The foil itself can be raised or lowered by the rider to accelerate or handle shallow water—but that is where the plausibility of this concept comes to a screeching halt. According to the design page, the $15,000 FoilJet runs on a 20 hp 48 Volt electric engine that can run for three hours after a 10 minute charge. It's a good idea as a whole, but I think it may be getting a little ahead of itself in terms of eco-friendliness. [Debelle via Ecofriend via Likecool]

Hitch Suction-Cup Belt Lets You Catch Free Rides, Dice with Death

Kit Eaton — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:08:51 EDT

Mixing suction-cups with the chance of a high-speed death: sounds like fun, and exactly what designer Robert Nightingale has come up with in his "Hitch" concept. It's a smidge like the free-ride skateboard Kouriers in Snow Crash and a smidge like bad building-climbing gear from B-movies. The idea of Hitch is simply to sucker onto a vehicle that's about to move off, using the belt and hand suction cups, thereby gaining yourself a free journey. But Robert also suggests aircraft hangers as a good hitchhiking location, which I'm pretty certain is a one-way ticket to a Darwin Award. [Yanko Design]

Polygon Bike Has Integrated iPod Charger

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EDT

I don't know what to say about the Polygon Bike, a concept that has an iPod-compatible charger powered by yourself. On one side, the bike-dock combo is just way too much. On the other, it may be actually useful for those days that you forget to charge it at home. The bike also has other useful features.

• I like the fact that you can see the screen of the player at a glance.
• The controls are located on the handle, so you don't have to fiddle with any remote or touch the device.
• The earphones plug is also conveniently located in a position that won't interfere with your handling and cycling.
• And finally, the integrated locking mechanism is a good addition.

What do you think? Would you buy a bike with an integrated dock? [Tuvie]

Reinvented Bulb Isn't Just a Bulb: It's an LED Light Source

Kit Eaton — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:15:00 EDT

"The lightbulb is dead. Long live CFL!" may be the chant sounding around the world as we switch to the energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, but this has its own problems—something the LED bulb from Frog Design is intended to fix. It's arguable the CFLs are bad for the environment, with plastic parts, electronics and mercury inside, and they emit a harsh light and can't be dimmed. LEDs are more efficient, potentially longer lasting, are dimmable and need less components. Frog has decided that to get consumers to adopt LEDs, and for ease of use, it's simplest to package them in a traditional glass enclosure, complete with screw-fit contacts. It's a design I've secretly thought about for ages: making it into a real product has just one difficulty... bright enough, white enough, long-lasting diffuse LEDs. [Yanko Design]

iRiver Concepts Feel Straight Out of Terry Gilliam's Brain

Jesus Diaz — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Apart from their Spinn 70s-retro analog goodness, iRiver had two beautiful concept products in their IFA 2008 stand which had a design that looked further into the past, as far as the beginning of the 20th century. As you can see in the video, both their Clix speaker—inspired by the shape of cathode ray tubes—and their pipe music player—which you can blow to mute (insert joke here), and connect it to a speaker resembling a phonograph horn—look both intriguing and beautiful. [More IFA 2008 Coverage]

Yamaha Trumpet...Cellphone?

Brian Lam — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:31:47 EDT

Yamaha and KDDI put together a group of concept cellphones with musical themes, including a trumpet, guitar, DJ scratch pad, and drums. [MobileMentalism and AkihabaraNews]

Condom Gun Is Perfect Weapon for Sure Shooters, Hippies

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:12:01 EDT

Bang bang, she shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down.

Jump the gun to get a shiny close-up and obligatory NSFW money shot.

Ah, if only all weapons were like this! A world with no violence, STDs, or overpopulation! Too bad it's only a concept, but I don't care. Someone give Masayuki Takahashi, the designer, a Nobel Peace Prize now. [Nerdapproved]

Volkswagen Caddy Van Features a Wooden Boat Deck For Sunbathing

Sean Fallon — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT

The designers at Volkswagen brought out the big guns for an upcoming recreational vehicle show in Düsseldorf, Germany by crossing one of their small commercial Caddy vans with a sailboat. While the Caddy Topos Sail design is not capable of traveling on water, it does feature a sailboat style deck on the roof that can be modified for relaxation and sunbathing. It even features a wooden ladder built into the glass to grant easy access to the roof. I suppose that it is clever in a stupid sort of way, but no matter how you feel about the quirky design, it is only a concept.

[Jalopnik]

Prisma LED Streetlights: Light in Three Directions, Pays For Itself With Advertising

Sean Fallon — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Thanks to LEDs, the boring old streetlight is getting a fresh look from designers all over the world. Agustin Otegui's "Prisma" concept is among these new designs, and in addition to LEDs and solar power, it features a unique 3-way light system that allows for 30-degree customization in either direction. That means the lights can be used to highlight billboards, project logos on buildings or simply illuminate a specific area on the ground. In other words, it makes the streetlight more versatile. It is only a concept at this point, but it definitely has potential. [Prisma via The Design Blog]

iBasket Laundry Concept is Clothes Hamper, Washer For The Lazy

Elaine Chow — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Like most New Yorkers, my building has no laundry facilities of its own and, in order to get clean clothes, I have to summon the willpower to drag my brimming bag three blocks. Oh, if only I had this automated washing machine basket instead. Designed by Guopeng Liang and one of the finalists in Electrolux's Design Lab '08 contest, the iBasket is a space saving clothes hamper and washing machine in one.

The device sports an all clear body and is programmed to begin the wash cycle once your clothes pile up to a certain weight. After giving your unmentionables a good rinse down, it sends a message to your PC or cellphone via its integrated wi-fi. Other than the annoyingly unimaginative name (trust me, iAm as iSick of iThis and iThat as you guys are), this gadget idea seems pretty golden. [Born Rich]

Condom Dispensing "Don't Panic" Button For Emergencies

Sean Fallon — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

Everyone loves a good panic button, and what bigger emergency is there than being condomless when you find a woman that actually wants to have sex with you? Relax, this condom dispensing "Don't Panic" button has your back. Well, it would if it actually existed. Unfortunately, it is currently in the concept phase. [Designspotter]

T6 Volkswagen Concept Car is an Office on Wheels

Sean Fallon — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Having easy access to your office 24 hours a day can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you will never miss a beat. On the other, it may seem like you are always stuck at work. With that in mind, check out the T6 concept workaholicmobile designer Alexander Zhukovsky has put together. It comes complete with all of the technology and space you and your co-workers need to get the job done—even when you are stuck in traffic. In other words, it is a boardroom on wheels.

The car is sectioned off into two pods connected by a central hinge—one for the driver and one for working passengers. And, because the wheels are fixed to the outside of the pods, the space inside is maximized. All-in-all the T6 is a fantastic looking concept, but it seems a little impractical given videoconferencing alternatives. Still, in certain situations, it would offer companies the chance to get out of a stuffy boardroom and bring employees to interesting new locations or provide a close-up view of a construction project. Again, the T6 is only a concept at the moment, so I wouldn't expect Volkswagen to be rolling them off the assembly line anytime soon. [Cardesign via AutoMotto via The Design Blog]

Lexus Nuaero Concept is Straight Out of Starship Troopers

Jack Loftus — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Does one reach for a camera or a can of RAID when the Lexus Nuaero concept pulls into the driveway? Sure Jon Rådbrink's design looks incredibly cool, fast and futuristic; but then again I've also spent the last few minutes looking over my shoulder to see if Sigourney Weaver was about to burst from the wall in a load lifter to do battle with it in my office. As it turns out, there's a lot more to this design than just looks, and Rådbrink believes the car's "low weight and large presence" will be the way premium cars could be manufactured in the future. Oh, and it's loaded with tech, too.

To drive this catamaran-inspired luxury car, the driver would use a drive-by-wire steering pad and a completely customizable multi-point touch screen. Rådbrink contends that our hands are far more accurate for driving than our feet, so he's eliminated pedals. Everything is controlled via the steering wheel. "Since the car is powered by electrical motors [found in each of the four wheels]," Rådbrink says, "there is no transmission and you break intuitively by pushing the steering wheel away from your body."

The kicker is that this 14.5-ft. car is designed with lightweight materials meant to increase mileage and efficiency. How light is light? Try roughly the same weight as the diminutive SMART fortwo. "I believe that this design paradox of low weight and large presence could be the way we’ll define premium in the future," Rådbrink said. Just don't forget the futuristic airbags if this ever makes it into production. [Jon Rådbrink via DZEEN]

Alien Secret Base Discovered in the Alps Is Actually Medical Center Concept

Jesus Diaz — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:12:00 EDT

First an alien mothership stranded in the desert, and now a whole extraterrestrial homebase right in the heart of the Alps, where people love to have jacuzzi orgies at 15,000 feet and fly on jet wings. Fortunately for earthlings, it's just a concept for a medical center for rehabilitation of trauma surgery patients designed by Sarah Schneider. Seeing how outwordly it looks inside, I wish it was just apartments.

Absolutely beautiful. [Dezeen]

Silent Alarm Clock Wakes You Up With Good Vibrations, Smooths Roommate Relations

Elaine Chow — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Back when I was in college, one of my most frustrating experiences involved a roommate in my dormitory apartment who mistakenly believed that she would be able to wake up daily for her 8:30am lecture series. Said roommate could sleep through an elephant parade. Oh how I seethed in the mornings as I clutched my pillow to my head, begging for the noise to pleasepleaseplease just STOP. If only this alarm were available back then. The Silent Alarm Clock, designed by Johan Brengesjo, uses a wireless rubber ring that vibrates to wake you up in a tactile, noiseless fashion. Though it's just a concept device right now, somebody ought to make and market one right quick. Think of how many friendships it could save! [Yanko Design]

Weighing Seat: A Chair That Weighs Fatties, Farts

Sean Fallon — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:30:00 EDT

As if you didn't already feel fat enough, how does sitting on a chair that doubles as a scale sound? Indeed, the Weighing Seat concept from the design team at Atypyk reminds you of how fat you are getting every time you sit down to eat. It could very well be the most effective diet you have ever been on. Either that, or it will force you to start eating your meals standing up. But look on the bright side, you can finally start weighing your farts. Ever been curious about that? What, just Jason and I? Come on guys, admit it. [Atypyk via Likecool]

Spherical Washing Machine Saves Space and Aching Backs

Sean Fallon — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:40:00 EDT

It may not be as inconspicuous as the laundry lounge chair, but this Sfera spherical washing machine design does have a few notable advantages. First off, it is compact and it can be tucked away in the corner of a bathroom. Second, its rotating spherical tank makes unloading a breeze. All you need to do is turn it over and undo the hatch. The problem is that the Sfera doesn't appear to be viable in its current form. Issues like how the machine would work and whether or not it would be safe to wall mount are not addressed. Still, the concept is intriguing.

[Product Design Forums via The Design Blog]

KitRadio Teaches Electronics By Turning Components into Diorama

Kit Eaton — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:50:00 EDT

From Samuel Rhoads-Clarke, KitRadio is part DIY radio, part mini-artwork diorama. It's designed to teach you about the inner workings of a gizmo that we take for granted as a "black box" item nowadays, or "become familiar with the technology behind the product" as Samuel puts it. To that end, the wooden box and components with brass images attached are self-assembly, and create a tiny urban- or farm-scene diorama when they're completed. Sounds totally bizarre, and slightly cute at the same time... just the right thing to get techy kids interested. No word on whether it'll become a product rather than a prototype. [Dezeen]

Piano Doorbell Turns the FedEx Guy Into a Virtuoso

Sean Fallon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:50:00 EDT

Musical doorbells are annoying enough, but what if you gave your visitors the freedom to express themselves creatively? That's exactly what designer Li Jian had in mind when he came up with the Pianobell. Unless you are friends with a lot of talented musicians, I don't see much of an upside here. On the other hand, it could be amusing to torture your FedEx guy with a bizarre form of performance anxiety. Fortunately for him, the Pianobell is only a concept at this point. [Labexp via Freshome]

Nulla Minimalist Bike Concept Dispenses With Spokes, Most of Frame

Kit Eaton — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:57:00 EDT

Designer Bradford Waugh came up with Nulla (meaning "nothing") as a way of making bikes more stylish and lightweight. And visually stunning of course. Lacking spokes, it uses a direct-gear-chain drive system, which leaves the bike looking like a simple set of open curves. Whether or not it would ride well would be immaterial, methinks: rock up to a cycling meet on this thing and you'd have an instant bunch of admirers. Just a concept... but who knows, it looks exactly sort of thing we're riding in twenty years time. [Tuvie]

Ridiculous Keyboard Napkin Crumb-Proofs Your Laptop

Sean Fallon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Chunky geeks that enjoy eating Cheetos while working on the computer would never have to worry about cheese covered fingertips again if they had keyboard napkin protection. And hey, you are working hard with all of that lifting, chewing and typing, which is why you can easily remove the napkin to wipe the sweat from your brow after the snacks are gone. Unfortunately, the keyboard napkin is only a concept at this point, so messy laptop users that sweat when they eat are SOL for now.

[Project Page via Swissmiss via Likecool]

Lisco USB Snake Combines Jewelry, USB Cable in One Wearable Device

Kit Eaton — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:20:00 EDT

Designer Laurent Hongisto has crafted the Lisco USB Snake as an attempt to solve that age-old (ok... decade-old) dilemma of never having a USB cable handy when you need one to charge/connect-up your device. So the design combines elements of those '90s "slap bracelets" with a USB A to mini-USB cable, wrapped up in colorful polyurethane and designed to be carried around on your wrist. Hmmm. Ok... so it looks kinda odd, and do you know anyone who'd want to wear this as jewelry, let alone anyone who's frequently that desperate for a USB cable? It doesn't have the geek-chic of the USB watch, and looks like it's aimed at the teen girl market. Sooo, this'll remain firmly in concept-land, methinks. [Yanko Design]