Basically, the glove operates using flexor strips in the fingers that send signals to a chip regarding their position. The chip interprets that data then sends it wirelessly to a cellphone configured with a vocabulary that corresponds with the gestures. The cellphone converts that information into a text message and then into speech using an off-the-shelf program. So far, HandTalk has been able to learn 15 of the 26 letters in the American Sign Language alphabet, and the team plans on adding pressure sensors and accelerometers to account for more complex gestures that make up the difference. With any luck, the HandTalk glove will be ready for a real-world testing in 3 or 4 months.

It sounds great, but I think Jason Chen put it best when he asked: "I wonder what it'll convert this gesture into":
[Pittsburg Post Gazette via talk2myshirt]

All in all, I love the idea of packing more functionality into everyday objects, but I can't say that I agree with the artist's description of a "discreet," visual experience. There is nothing discreet about my naughty text messages being broadcast to everyone in the room. At any rate, it seems that the WaSnake will remain a concept for the time being. [Newlaunches]

Outside of the obvious design features, this "square against air" electric motorcycle includes a hydraulic system that lowers the body to the ground when idle and then raises it up when in motion. Again, this bike is only a concept, so don't expect to see it on the street anytime soon. [Non-Object via Yanko Design]

Each of the units fit into standard ceiling or window grid systems and features fluorescent or LED daylight-balanced backlighting to both enhance the look and promote a sense of well-being. In fact, daylight balanced light is the same light that is used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. I'll bet that if every boss in the US installed these in the offices of their employees, productivity and moral would skyrocket. [Sky Factory via Boing Boing Gadgets]

At second glance you might wonder about those pipes. And then you might realize it's actually a radiator, built entirely from 90-degree pipe pieces. It's designed to be a sculptural heater that fits in with any interior, according to designer Vivien Muller. At least there's some physics in there, though: a large surface area heater like this would be a good compromise between heating efficiency and compact size.

One thing, though: Vivien can't do much of the cleaning at home... can you imagine the dust this thing would collect? Just a concept. [Vivien Muller via Yanko designs]

The phone would have a kind of dual-layer display: the main monochrome "history" scroller, and a smaller color display that deals with your selected options. At heart it's very simple, having just the "mobile essentials" of phone (or push-to-talk), camera, calendar and calculator. But this is where hacking comes in: the idea is that the phone would have widgets support, a simple and accessible programming language and openly available software and hardware specs. Presumably Nokia imagines a host of applications would arise, better-suited to user's needs than "default" applications, and saving them the bother of designing them too.
Matching the list-like, graphic-heavy nature of the UI, the phone would have a long, slender screen with a kind of jog-dial interface. Do we expect to see a real phone just like this anytime soon? Probably not. But we kind of like the direction this concept is taking— placing how people use their phones at the heart of design. What's your opinion guys: do you think this would work? [Nokia, Like Cool and Behance]

[Yanko Design]

If that wasn't hilarious and/or frightening enough, the designers compare holding the device to holding a baby or a musical instrument, i.e. "very affectionately." In doing so we bring about the same closeness for the grinder as we do for the other things we care about. Hmm...baby or grinder...baby or grinder? I mean, I love my kid but this is coffee we are talking about here! All joking aside, this crazy-ass piece of equipment is only a concept, so don't expect to see it advertised at your local Starbucks anytime soon. [Nastypixel via Born Rich]

First off, no two floors are alike. Ambani specified that each story of his home should be made using different plans and materials, with styles and architectural elements tying it all together. Furthermore, the odd shape of the structure is the result of a discipline called Vaastu, which is an Indian tradition that is similar to the principles of Feng Shui. As for some of the more technological elements, the lobby grants access to the home via nine elevators, and the elaborate crystal laden ballroom features a mount of LCD monitors, a huge sound system and a retractable showcase for artworks. There will also be an ice sauna where family and guests can escape the heat in a room filled with man-made snow. If that was not enough, there will also be a bad-ass home theater that is outlined in the gallery above.

Kind of makes Bill Gates' $125 million home look like some sort of slum. [Yahoo Finance via Geekologie]

They say that the kitchen is the heart of any home, so that is where we will start. This Circular Kitchen utilizes the same sort of rotating space saving design that you might find in a cabinet or pantry. It only takes up 18 square feet, but it features the storage capacity of 12 cupboards in a conventional kitchen as well as room for essential appliances like a stove (burners above the fridge), dishwasher, sink, and microwave. Prices depend on the configuration, but expect to pay upwards of $6,000 to put one in your home. [Cleverkitchen]

It may only be where you sleep, but everyone wants a big bedroom. However, when space is tight, this is often the first place we think of when looking for a computer workspace. The aptly titled "Bedup" can buy you 30 square feet of extra space by sliding the bed up to the ceiling. Unfortunately, if your ceilings are low, you might be SOL on this one. Available for $4300 or more depending on options. [Bedup via Link]

If you don't consider yourself the owner of an actual "bedroom," maybe we should just talk about your "living space." This is the area where you will spend most of your time and do the majority of your entertaining, so optimizing the space is a must. For this task, there are two similar concept designs that could offer some inspiration for your own projects. The first is the Matroshka living concept that packs an L-shaped sofa, double bed, dinner table, four stools, total seating for 12, a home office workspace, wardrobe and storage in only a 43 square foot area. It is also highly configurable, so you can mess around with the layout on a whim. [Matroshika via Link]

The second and more extreme example of this idea comes in the form of the Casulo apartment in a box. As you can see in the video, the name pretty much says it all. [Project Page via Link ]

Small bathrooms are always a problem—even in some bigger homes. This handy little device transforms your toilet into a sink by using the tank water for hand washing then recycling it for flushing. So, it can be a space saver and an earth saver—if you can get past the inherent grossness, that is. Available for $89-$109. [Sink Positive via Link]

Remember those textbooks I talked about earlier? Maybe you wouldn't have to chuck them after all if you built yourself one of these now-famous stairwell bookcases. If your not much of a reader, you could always utilize it for movies and CDs. [Apartment Therapy via Link]

If you are planning a big dinner party or a holiday get-together, you may need a dining table that is a little bigger than what you might find in the Matroshika and Casulo concepts. This inflatable "Grace Table" designed by Philippe Malouin will give you the surface area you need for guests, but when all is said and done you can store it in a duffel bag. He also demonstrates a chair that doubles as a clothes hanger when not in use. So you can have a sturdy dining table and seating without taking nearly any space. [Philippe Malouin via Treehugger]

If furniture isn't your problem, but clutter is, you may want to invest in some of these Zero Gravity Hangers. Just clip on a remote, your car keys, pens, etc. and hang them from the ceiling. It will keep your tables clutter-free and help you keep tabs on stuff that you don't want to lose. Available for around $28. [Ledindon]

Speaking of clutter, if you tend to be a bit of a pack-rat, much of the junk you collect probably makes its way to the garage or attic. Installing one of these Heavy Lift Garage Elevators can get up to 250lbs stuff out of the way with a simple hand crank. Available for $180. [Skymall]

So, we have hit just about every room in the house, and now its time to take the party outdoors. This BloomFrame concept would actually increase your living space by converting a window into a balcony. Something like this would undoubtedly prove popular in high-rise urban apartment complexes—at least until your fat cousin steps out there, dislodges the window and sends you both plummeting to an untimely death. [Project Page via Link]

However, it seems that the guys at Alphagrip have such a boner for ergonomic design that the screen itself seems like an afterthought. Seriously, the whole screen area irritates me—from the heart-shaped frame to the poorly placed controls flanking the display. For these reasons alone, I doubt highly that it will win the competition much less become an actual commercial product in this form. [Alphagrip via Next Gen PC via Techpin via Gearfuse]

[EcoFriend via DailyMail via DVICE]

The result is an illusion that makes it seem as if the counter is hovering in mid air. The only problem is that my gigantic feet would keep my jump count embarrassingly low. Not the kind of thing you want to advertise. Good thing for me that the Jumplay is only a concept at this point. [Yanko Design]

As for power consumption, the I-Shovel would utilize a rechargeable battery with a solar power option, which would make it eco-friendly and inexpensive to operate. Unfortunately for our friends in cold weather climates, the I-Shovel is currently in a prototype phase—but the designers are actively searching for partnerships to develop the design into a production appliance. Hopefully, they will ditch the ubiquitous "i" monker in favor of something more original before it is released (and the fact that it is a capital "I" doesn't count). [I-Shovel via Communist Robot]

Clothing concepts that double up with unusual functions have been around for a while, but this one seems to be one of the more useful and practical solutions, even if it isn't the epitome of fashion. (Disclaimer: I am not a fashion pundit.) [textually]

If you have to ask about pricing, well, you know the deal. We'll pass on this one, we just don't think it is very secure—those two mermaids escaped without even smashing the glass. Ridiculous. Hit the link for some more fishy-fun images. [BornRich]

Imagine a future filled with people getting paid to wear annoying ads everywhere you went, or attention seekers getting in your face with a shirt filled with their stupid propaganda. It's a good thing we will all be long dead before this sort of technology becomes widely available. [Lunar Design via Gizmowatch via DVICE]

[MIT via Communist Robot via Gearfuse]

[designer via bbgadgets][Additional design completed by Daniel Shankland II]

Do you see the glaring issue with this shape-shifting timepiece yet? That's right, this "clock" doesn't have a minute hand. Another minor quibble: The immature among us can't rearrange the matchsticks into funny words, like "poop," "grundle," or "redrum," for example. [Christiaan Postma via Design Milk]

The customer that commissioned the patio wanted to incorporate a grill patio, hot tub, changing room, dining table, bar, stool, reading area, and security gates into the design while still keeping things as open as possible. Amazingly enough, Pique managed to deliver—but I can't say that I would dig this massive wooden eyesore jutting out from the back of my house. [Pique via Dwell via Treehugger]

[Project Or via Klemmt via The Design Blog]

The stainless steel faucet utilizes carbon fiber for extra strength and less weight, while staying within the bounds of the design. It also has two spray modes, but technical specs aside, the main draw here is the look. You can't help but stare at it. Details haven't surfaced on pricing or release date, but I'd be willing to wager this thing will cost a pretty penny. [DVICE]

KOHLER LAUNCHES BREAKTHROUGH KARBON ARTICULATING KITCHEN FAUCET

New kitchen faucet marries ultimate kitchen functionality with visually entrancing design

KOHLER, Wis. - April 11, 2008 - What does the ultimate in functionality for a kitchen faucet really mean?
For Kohler Co. - a global leader in kitchen and bath design and technology - ultimate functionality can be defined as a kitchen faucet that possesses the functionality and performance of a pull-down faucet, while also allowing the user to position and leave the sprayhead right where it's needed, thereby freeing up both hands for kitchen prep and clean-up tasks. To develop a kitchen faucet that satisfied this requirement was the tall task presented to the Kohler new product development team.

The result is the new KOHLER Karbon kitchen faucet, a faucet of unexpected and intriguing design that will undoubtedly become the primary focal point of any contemporary kitchen setting.

"This articulating faucet represents a breakthrough in the evolution of the category," commented Les Petch, senior product manager for KOHLER kitchen faucets. "The quest for the ultimate in functionality has not only produced a faucet that outperforms other models but has also yielded an astonishing piece of contemporary design work that represents as much a piece of art as the next generation in faucet technology. It truly is a one-of-a-kind."

The original design impetus of the Karbon kitchen faucet was inspired by lighting and construction equipment with articulating joints. The Kohler design team took this concept and created a product that signals a paradigm shift in the functionality and design of modern kitchen faucets. "Form really does follow function in this case," said Petch. "But that doesn't take away from the fact that the Karbon faucet is an outstanding piece of modern industrial design." The use of a textured carbon fiber composite adds further appeal to a unique visual aesthetic that reinforces the contemporary nature of the design.

Unlike other kitchen faucets, the Karbon faucet will maintain the exact position where a user places it within its allotted reach in or outside the sink, keeping the spray head and water flow exactly where it's desired. Additionally, the faucet offers both spray and aerated water flow options, eliminating the need for a sidespray. An elaborate design detail is featured in the remote joystick valve that consists of two disks of identical size installed flush with the countertop to provide an unusually sleek look and offer easy cleaning.

The actual construction of the faucet is a combination of traditional brass and innovative carbon fiber composite tubing. The logic behind the use of carbon fiber lies in its superior strength and light weight, allowing for tight movement tolerance and the exceptional functional performance of this faucet. The joints connecting the four sections of the faucet employ a novel patented technology that provides exceptional resistance to support the spout while allowing for smooth and effortless handling.

The Karbon kitchen faucet is available in high quality, durable Polished Chrome and Vibrant® Stainless finishes and carries a lifetime limited warranty. Offering easy installation, it relies on flexible connections and installation rings. Installers will want to take note that the joystick valve requires non-standard holes of two inches in diameter.

Right and left mouse buttons are placed on the side in a thumb-accessible position, and the design is unobtrusive enough to allow for easy typing when it's on. We'd love to get a hand-on with the mouse if it ever comes out. It looks great and the ability to surf the internet without keeping our hand close to the computer is very conducive to our leisure time activities. [patent via istartedsomething]