Gizmodo: floating

Air Board Personal Hovercraft Offers Opportunities for Embarrassment

Kyle VanHemert — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:48:24 EDT

The Air Board personal hovercraft is the latest in a long lineage of novelty transportation devices that are as ridiculous as they are expensive. Just don't think about trying to float this $14,000 punch-line to the beach.

Yes, for a mere $14,000 and a good bit of dignity, the Air Board will zip you along concrete, asphalt or grass at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour on a 20 centimeter buffer of air. Hovering over water, sand, stones, or dirt-filled areas, however, is impossible due to the vacuum mechanism by which the Air Board hovers. Should probably scratch grass off the "can-hover" list then. That leaves you with drive ways and skateparks where you can be ridiculed by your own kids or someone else's. The 1.3 gallon gas capacity is only good for one hour of hovering, so it'll all be over before you know it. Probably for the better. [Likecool]

Magnetic Levitating Turntable Concept Looks Impractical, Amazing

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:15:00 EDT

Rhea Jeong's "void" turntable concept uses what would have to be incredibly strong and precise magnet control to levitate a record above its base. That little red ball on top of the vinyl is actually the needle.

We're not sure how the music would be outputted—would there be a transmitter in the red sphere? It's probably not worth worrying about that kind of minor issue as we're pretty sure the entire idea is impossible, but it's also creative and great to look at, and would almost certainly blow your parents' minds. [Design Boom]

Scientists Invent Floatiest Material On Earth

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EDT

Bugs that skate on water can do it because their feet are "superhydrophobic." Chinese scientists applied a similar coating to a tiny copper mesh boat, and suddenly it could hold three times the weight.

It's actually crazy: The superhydrophobic coating—what the scientists are casually calling "the cooperative effect of hierarchical micro/nanostructures and a low-surface-energy wax coating"—creates a cushion of air around the boat (or the bug's leg), putting an invisible bubble between it and the water. The boat is literally floating on air, while the water tries to touch it but can't. What's creepy is that the coated boats sink immediately when immersed in organic liquids like ethanol and acetone.

Now that these scientists discovered ways to make super-buoyant objects, what can be done? They predict a new era of "novel superfloating and drag-reducing aquatic devices," by which they mean, either cybernetic death from the sea, or the biggest, sleekest, craziest yacht you'll ever only see pictures of because you won't even know people who know people who will be able to afford it. [American Chemical Society - Thanks Michael!]

Inflatable Dog Collar Keeps Rover Floating Without Swim Lessons

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:15:00 EST

The Float-A-Pet collar is two gadgets in one: a water-sensing inflatable floaty, and an LED locator. The other dogs may make fun of him, but that's a trade-off he's probably willing to make.

The collar illuminates at night, thanks to built in, solar powered LED lights, which could be helpful if your pooch is the wandering type. But the best part is the integrated humidity sensor that triggers a CO2 cartridge to inflate the collar when submerged in water. It's a little bulky, but if for some reason you live in a flood-prone area and your dog is defective and can't swim, it might be a good idea to strap him to one of these collars. Or you could, you know, teach him how to swim. [MAKE via DVICE

Amazing Fly Stick Levitating Toy Doesn't Need Spells, Just Static Electricity

Kit Eaton — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:45:00 EDT

"Wow!" was basically my reaction to this video of the Fly Stick levitating toy in action, followed by the realization that this is about as near as you'll ever get to really playing with magic (or the Force, my inner geek reminded me). Of course the forces it uses are all very real: it's a mini battery-powered Van der Graaf generator, and it uses electrostatic repulsion to keep some 3D mylar shapes aloft. So you don't need to utter "wingardium leviosa!" or indeed "use the force!" to make it work, but that's not going to stop hundreds of delighted users from doing so, now is it? Out now for $27. [ThinkGeek via OhGizmo]

Pioneer 3D Floating Vision: Half Wii, Half Surface, All 3D

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Pioneer showed off their new Floating Vision technology at CEATEC this year. It's a system of layers: first, an LCD with built-in computer, then an array of 3D lenses, and finally the "space sensor," or virtual screen, where you can wave your fingers around and watch the 3D animations react accordingly. But the space sensor can also distinguish between and interact with different objects, like the Microsoft Surface: hold your phone under a falling object, say, and it'll appear on your phone's screen with a coupon for that item. Second video after the jump.

Dubai Taking More Cues From Failed Movies By Sinking Money Into Floating Islands in the Shape of Letters

Jason Chen — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:45:00 EDT

Just when we thought Dubai couldn't make more absurd architectural decisions, they go and commission a Dutch dude to make floating islands in the shape of Arabic letters that spell out a part of a poem. This floater of an idea has been tried before, albeit on a smaller scale with cruise ship terminals, mosques and a beach. What's the point of this other than to push the insanity envelope even further? The ability to rise up or down depending on how sea levels are going in the next few decades (they're going up). [NPR]

Floating Golf Game

Travis Hudson — Wed, 02 May 2007 17:40:51 EDT

Interested in working on your short game but that pesky backyard pool getting in the way? This poolside golf game is the perfect solution to that predicament. It floats in the water, and you can chip special "hoop-and-loop" (Velcro) balls onto it. Miss the target and be forced to get wet retrieving the balls. It is like a sick and twisted version of Chinese water torture, but in polos. If you feel the need to work on that long game, just toss the poolside golf game into the ocean. $50.

Floating golf, floating table tennis, what's next, floating foosball? I hope, foosball rocks. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via OhGizmo!]

Remote Control Floating Service Tray

Travis Hudson — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:45:58 EDT

What's the difference between summer and winter? In the summer you can lay outside and be lazy as hell. This remote-control serving tray can be the cherry on top of your lazy summer sundae. All you have to do is navigate the tray to the edge of the pool, have your butler refill with brew and snacks, then navigate it back to your designated flotation area to continue with the lazy face-stuffing. $50. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Nerdapproved]

Magnetic Floating Picture Frame Won't Make Your Kid Less Ugly

Travis Hudson — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 14:45:02 EDT

This is an electromagnetic photo frame that can make it look like that picture is actually floating. It works because the photo frame has a magnetic field sensor on the top side and a microprocessor and other electronic doodads in the base that ensure the picture is always balanced. This is a great middle-man picture frame for those who aren't quite ready to make the jump to digital picture frames, but are tired of the same old frame. $60. –Travis Hudson

A Magnetic PHoto Frame That Keeps Your Pictures Floating [Coolest-Gadgets]