I’ve been thinking of getting an electric kettle for some time, and I think I’ve found the most simple, beautiful one I could ever hope for. The small container’s power cord is stored inside the base, explaining that one seam you see running around the base of the unit. I’ll have to pick this up in Japan or ask Doug to send one back on his next trip. [+- via Core77]
The ±0 Electric Kettle From Japan [Electric Kettle]
Brian Lam
Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:30:58 GMT
| 3.2 |
The Line is a funky furniture system that uses a single unbroken line of metal to create an entire home furniture set—including a lamp, a work table, a hanger, a bookshelf, a wine rack, a CD rack and a TV unit. Made by Aykut Erol, the system is supposed to “extend infinitely with a single line regenerating itself.” I’m not sure how much I want my home to look like it was created out of a giant Etch-a-Sketch, but the resulting pieces are kind of cool to peruse. [Yanko Design]
The Line System Creates All Your Furniture With A Single Line [Furniture]
Elaine Chow
Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:30:00 GMT
| 3.2 |
This gadget may look weird, and perhaps you can say that it is. The Carrot Curler makes a difficult job, that of making carrot ribbons for garnish, into something easy. Whereas the traditional vegetable peeler is designed for many purposes, the carrot curler has one unique function.
Simply place the carrot in the curler and rotate the carrot clockwise. The ribbons will just shave right off.
image: bed, bath & beyond Tags: carrot curler, curler, carrots, carrot peeler, peeler, vegetables, kitchen, gadgets, gadget, cooking
Carrot Curler
Arieanna
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:08:38 GMT
| 3.2 |
At first glance, I thought this was a coffee cup that had been packaged to the extreme, but really it is the entire coffee machine. The WMF 1 coffee machine pad uses the coffee pod system (I think, they call it "pad") to brew coffee in under a minute. Simply fill the water tank, press the button, and wait for your coffee to brew.
This gadget won the 2007 Red dot design award.
Via 7gadgets ; image: singulier.com ; Tags: coffee, coffee machine, coffee pad, coffee pod, wmf1, coffee brewing
WMF1 Coffee Machine
Arieanna
Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:29:15 GMT
| 3.2 |
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan
The executive vice-president of Nissan R&D, Mitsuhiko Yamashita, expects the fourth-generation of lithium ion batteries to yield ranges of about 400 kilometers (248 miles) by 2015. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, that’s about four times what the current first-gen packs are capable of. Yamashita-san also says the second generation should arrive by 2010 and be good for 170 klicks (105 miles) while we can expect 300 km (186 miles) third gen by 2012.
To those of you who are saying to themselves right now, "What is he even talking about? The Tesla Roadster gets almost that kind of range now with the version 1.5 drive train." (Oh yes, I can hear you). Well, I assume he is talking about slightly different chemistry than Tesla is using as well as a pack small enough to fit something like the Nissan Mixim concept (pictured above). Had we been there in Paris with him, we would have asked how many watt hours per kilogram he was talking about but, alas, we were not. He did give some production numbers though, saying they would start making 13,000 units next year in their joint venture with NEC and ramp up eventually to an annual amount of 65,000 units.
[Source: Wall Street Journal]
Nissan exec expects quadrupling of electric car range by 2015
Domenick Yoney
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:24:51 GMT
| 3.2 |
Apparently inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s push for domed cities, farmers in Kent, England are building a 220-acre series of connected greenhouses, where nothing will be grown in soil. Instead, nutrient-packed water will be used to grow 1.3 million plants hydroponically. The 7 greenhouses will increase the UK’s green vegetable supply 15%, and the green houses will be self sufficient during the dry season by collecting rainwater from October-April. No word on whether Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin will be allowed inside. [UK Guardian via Jaunted via io9]
British Farmers to Build Giant, Artificial, 220-Acre Farm Under Glass [Too Much Green]
Adrian Covert
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:09:10 GMT
| 3.2 |
In a few simple steps, convert an ordinary box into a beauteous, practical solar oven. It’s free, green heat, and impress your friends at a bbq.
Turn a Cardboard Box into a DIY Solar Oven
Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:52:03 GMT
| 3.2 |
Care O Bot 3 is a domestic servant robot from Fraunhofer IPA in Germany.
It has the ability to serve items from a tray and learn new tasks such as cleaning a table. The tray aslo includes a touch screen and Care O Bot 3 comes equipped with a laser to project information onto objects.
No word on availability, pricing or if he can shine shoes , but Care O Bot 3 will be on display in Munich June 10 - 13 at the AUTOMATICA fair.
Also, check out the video of Care O Bot 2 fetching its master a can of Pringles here.
Now, when Care O Bot 3 learns how to make a good martini, we’ll think about getting one.
Robotic Jeeves A Reality With Care O Bot 3
admin
Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:32:24 GMT
| 3.2 |
Usually, washing up in the toilet at a sporting event gets you a one-way ticket out of the ballpark, but that could be changing thanks to Lee Isherwood and his ODNA urinal concept. The first—and probably last—of its kind, the ODNA promotes water conservation by combining a hand washing station with a urinal. Instead of simply flushing, you go about your business and then wash your hands in the infrared-activated "sink" above. The cascading water from the sink cleans out the toilet, and serves as the "flush."
The beauty of the ONDA, beyond its Italian-inspired design and conservation chops (uses only half the water—think about it), is that it can be fitted to existing plumbing. It also features an "anti-splashback" design for those with less-than-desirable aim (score!).
Of course, for you non-hand washers out there, this is just another toilet. You know who you are. [Hershwood 3D via The Design Blog]
ONDA Urinal Concept Changes the Question: Did You Wash Yours Hands While Going to the Bathroom? [Urinal Concept]
Jack Loftus
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:00:00 GMT
| 3.2 |
Check out this Wii controller prototype from Bauhaus-University design student Martin Lihs. The spray paint can-styled casing contains a hacked up Wii controller that’s used to manipulate virtual graffiti on a monitor. And since this is an art project, you can bet there are a wide variety of colors, spray caps, and tagging techniques built into the thing. Eventually, Lihs plans to integrate the device into a communal wall as part of his final thesis. It will be a sort of social media/public tagging spectacle that will enable users from around the globe to work on the same piece of art. Best of all, there are no Friend Codes. [Wii Spray via Core 77]
Wii Spray Wiimote Hack Breaks Up The Family Fun With a Little Virtual Vandalism [Wii Spray]
Jack Loftus
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:30:00 GMT
| 3.2 |
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