Gizmodo: Transforming

First Video of the Japanese Vending Machine Dress Transforming

Brian Lam — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:13:13 EST

Here's a video report from Reuters on the transforming dress that disguises a scared, vulnerable stalking target into a vending machine you'd find in any Tokyo side street. This is the first time I've seen this dress on video. And I like how the reporter calls it a modern day Ninja tactic, while other Japanese men in the segment say it's probably a better idea to run from rapists and muggers than to lift up your dress and try to disguise yourself as a Soda machine. [Reuters, thanks Chad]

Japanese Anti Rape/Mugging Dress Transforms Into Vending Machine Disguise

Haroon Malik — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:20:00 EDT

We were under the impression that Japan was so awesome crime didn't exist there. Unfortunately, it does. To ward off criminals, fashion designer Aya Tsukioka has conjured up some neat transforming clothes/accessories to deceive potential muggers. Whether there would be time to get your kit out in an attack is probably something we would not want to test out, but the concept makes for one kick-ass gallery; check it out below:

Examples include a skirt that transforms the wearer into a nondescript vending machine (yes, seriously) and the unfortunately titled Manhole Bag, which converts a lady's handbag into what appears to be a sewer cover with the contents kept safe inside. We think it is a bit ridiculous, but we just can't help thinking that Frucci is cruising the streets as a big red vending machine. Classic Frucci. [Age via Textually]

Future Aircrafts Could Shapeshift (Not Transformers-Style, Unfortunately)

Travis Hudson — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:05:11 EST

In an article in the latest Air & Space, shapeshifting planes could actually be made a reality. Not shapeshifting in the sense of Transformers, but morphing to alter wingspan, wing area and other features. A lot of this approach on morphing planes is inspired from flowers and batteries.

Chiang and colleague Steven Hall took advantage of the shape-changing nature of batteries by building the same materials into a model of a Blackhawk helicopter blade. They found a small dose of energy could reshape the blade, altering the angle of its trailing edge to give it more lift.

A team of MIT smarties are working on and developing this project. They are currently awaiting more funding from DARPA, but it seems like they have progressed well, especially with the battery-material helicopter blades. Lockheed folding wing in a wind tunnel pictured. –Travis Hudson

Shape Shifters [Via BoingBoing]

Kokuyo Transformer Mouse

Travis Hudson — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 09:20:51 EST

Japanese company, Kokuyo, has designed the JUST ONE—a mouse that can go transformer all over your Decepticon ass. This mouse includes three different sized bezels that can easily be swapped in and out adjusting to the needs of everyone from the person with tiny hands, all the way up to the person with gorilla hands. Other than the transformation, this mouse is pretty ho-hum. Two buttons, scroll wheel, corded, 800dpi resolution, etc. – Travis Hudson

A multi size mouse by Kokuyo [Akihabara]