Hybrid yacht concept is a futuristic-looking water transport

One of my still unfulfilled dreams is to one day be able to view the seas from the deck of a luxurious yacht. I don’t have to actually own one but it would be nice to experience this if a rich friend or acquaintance would invite me to go on board and experience the “high seas”. It would also be a bonus if said yacht can actually let us sail at high speed if we want to. This concept for a hybrid yacht seems to be a good option for this dream.

Designer: Pierpaolo Lazzarini

The Palladio is a concept for a hybrid yacht that is ultra-light and can speed up to 55 knots maximum. It also looks like something out of a sci-fi movie set in water as it uses a futuristic, mouth-shaped, avant-garde design that makes it look like a pod cruising through the waters. It is made from carbon fiber and is propelled by twin Castoldi jets and driven by two FTP engines.

The 20-meter yacht is able to house 26 passengers, with 22 seated in the main cabin and four at the front section which includes the captain. The pod-looking vehicle can also have toilets or dinettes in the corners to make the passengers more comfortable. The back section can also accommodate some of the crew and also store the passengers’ luggage and belongings.

Even though the Palladio is mostly a closed vehicle, there are filtered air intakes on each side so that the passengers can still have a comfortable breathing space in this environment. I’ll definitely add this kind of hybrid yacht to my dream water transport, although this is still in the concept stage so we don’t know if it will eventually become a reality.

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AR/XR Glasses could get a lot slimmer thanks to this unique new hardware arrangement

During the pandemic, we were stuck in our homes and we got used to watching video content through our smart TVs or mobile devices. Now that we can once again enjoy movies in cinemas, there has been a push and pull between the “regular” cinema experience and the comfort of watching these movies in the comfort of our homes through OTT platforms. There are still limitations with the latter but we’re seeing technology trying to catch up through various devices and gadgets that we can use at home.

Designer: Woojin Jang

Movi is a concept for an XR eyewear device that can make the movie watching more immersive even when you don’t have the benefit of a large screen. Compared to other existing VR glasses right now, this one is conceptualized to be a lighter version that you can also carry with you so you can enjoy movies on the plane or wherever you want.

It is lighter because it uses a lens called Lenslet Array which reduces the focal length and eye relief distance. The regular distance is one of the main reasons why most VR devices are heavier and bulkier this lens is a two-dimensional array of around 20,000 small lenses that have been arranged in parallel. It also uses transparent OLED so that our eyes look outward so the glasses can be designed like actual eyewear you would wear every day rather than the weird-looking bulky VR glasses we have now.

As a concept, Movi seems to be an interesting way to make watching videos on our TVs at home on our mobile devices. It would also probably rely on how movie makers and content creators can make films and videos that can adapt these kinds of technology, although that will bring about even more debate on how this may destroy the actual cinema-going experience.

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Intelligent robot can become your child’s protector, teacher, playmate

While us adults (or maybe it’s just me?) may have recurring nightmares about our robot overlords one day rising up against us, most children don’t have such bad thoughts about robots. In fact they would probably enjoy having one as a companion especially if they don’t have any playmates yet. A concept for an “intelligent social robot” is more than just a companion for your child and may even replace you one day.

Designer: Igor Jankovic

Okay, that last part is just a joke (or is it?) but the concept for a robot called Sipro is one that will help parents be more productive, according to the designer. From the description itself, this robot will be able to do so many things for your child, from being a protector to a teacher to a playmate. It’s like a smart device, baby monitor, and babysitter all rolled into one robotic entity that will hopefully not take over your household.

The device has four microphones that is able to detect voices and various sensors that can help it move around the room. It will send a notification to the parent when the baby is crying or it may actually try to stop it crying by playing music, reading a story, or even playing the recorded voice of the parent if they’re not around. It also serves as an air purifier and a temperature sensor to adjust the air conditioner or to detect smoke or fire.

For fun things it can also project videos and photos on the wall, help your child with speech lessons, and even serve as a baby walker since a small child can ride on it since it has a self-balancing system. On paper, this robot can do a lot so if ever it is translated into an actual product, it is pretty interesting (and maybe a bit terrifying).

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Life-like robotic dog can be an AI-powered companion for astronauts

We’ve seen enough movies set in space and maybe even some documentaries or real life videos to know that life during space travel can be lonely. So having a pet with the astronauts can help with their mental health. But of course, there are limitations when it comes to actually having pets in space. So the next best thing would be to have a robot that would take the place of a pet and also be able to do even more than real animals. And of course, an AI powered one would probably be even better.

Designer: Jihee Kim

If this concept will come to life, Laika will be an ideal robot pet powered by Artificial Intelligence and it is designed to be as life-like as possible. After all, it is named after one of the first animals in space. While there are several robotic dogs available now, this one is supposedly designed to be a more friendly version. This way it can actually be a beloved pet for the astronauts and it can be integrated in “domestic contexts”. But aside from being a companion, the AI dog can also be used in case of emergencies and even to monitor the health condition of the people on board the space vehicle.

Laika is made from robust titanium so that it can withstand extreme conditions that they may encounter in space. It also comes with different kind of sensors so it can identify objects, people, and even literal space. This includes thermal imaging, depth cameras, slam cameras, and ultrasonic sensors. It also comes with ECG sensors so it will be able to monitor the health condition of the astronauts especially during times when emotions are heightened which can translate physically as well.

There are also future tweaks to improve more things about Laika, like adding mixed reality glasses so users will be able to get real-time information about their “pet” and their activities. The renders show a friendly-looking dog so it will be a much welcome companion for astronauts who may be missing their actual pet or are in dire need of companionship. It even has a stretchable handle on its back so they can carry small items or users can lift it up and move them around. Laika can also be used for other non-space purposes including domestic situations.

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USB flash drive made from eco-friendly materials will become your time capsule

A lot of people are so attached to their smartphones because of all the memories associated with it. They keep them around, sometimes when they’re not even working anymore. There are also those who change their mobile devices pretty often. Both these kinds of people are contributing in one way or another to electronic trash that are not always that easy to dispose of or to recycle. The past years we’ve seen a lot of projects and products that aim to solve this growing problem of electronic waste.

Designer: Eunsu Lee

The Memory Capsule is a concept created for a design challenge with Samsung. On the surface, it looks like just your regular USB flash drive. But if you look deeper into how it is made and the reasoning behind the concept, then you’ll understand why it is not that typical and why it’s called that. First of all, it is made from eco-friendly materials and most of it comes from old electronic devices. The packaging itself uses recycled pulp while the body of the flash drive comes from metals and plastics recycled from actual smartphones. The cap of the thumb drive is made from recycled polycarbonate that comes from fishing nets that are thrown away.

It even has an LED display that will mark the date of the data that you are saving from the discarded smartphone. You will be able to get the Memory Capsule from a kiosk where you will also surrender your old smartphone and save the “memories” that are from that device. Once you’ve backed up all your files from the smartphone onto the kiosk, then you’ll be presented with the flash drive that contains all of it. It’s unsure if the data will be saved in the kiosk itself but hopefully they’ll take into consideration data protection.

It’s something pretty simple but the campaign behind it is the more important part of the device. This is to encourage people to get rid of their old devices in a more upcyclable and recyclable way while also retaining the precious memories from the device. And of course, the fact that it will be made from eco-friendly maerials is a big consideration.

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Mixed reality headset can teach kids about safety training

I don’t remember any safety education classes from my elementary or even my high school days. Or if there were, we probably had to learn through videos or through posters and so maybe that’s why I forgot we even had them. Kids these days are lucky as we have different kinds of technology to help them learn about all kinds of safety lessons through virtual reality and mixed reality.

Designers: Minjeong Kim, Yunseo jong, ju hwan lee, mingyeong choi, yujin jeong, minji sung, and Chaeeun Lee

Rendered on KeyShot: Click Here to Download Your Free Trial Now!

These designers came up with a concept for a mixed reality device to help students learn about disaster safety through a virtual and hands on approach. Edi is a MR device that looks like your typical VR headset but has a softer look so kids will be comfortable using it when learning. It has lighting and speakers at the bottom to give a complete experience for the user and there is even a vent for heat generation. There is a light at the top to check the battery level and the strap uses flexible fabric so the wearer will feel comfortable especially if it’s used for a longer period of time. There is also a dial to adjust the fit of the MR headset.

There is also a dial that is able to show the eyes of the user if the teacher needs to communicate with the students directly or if they need to see other users as well. The UI that the user will see when they use it is pretty simple since this is primarily for kids to use (although kids these days are much more tech savvy than most grown ups). They can choose their profile characters and enter their name and age for personalization. There are different safety training manuals and they include missions, quizes, and the actual practical course. There also seems to be a gamification function which kids should enjoy more than just taking straightforward lessons and tests.

 

Up to five people can participate in the training session since it’s better to learn in a group. The Edi MR headset has three different colorways: white, blue, and green. This seems to be a pretty interesting concept although there needs to be more distinguishing features from the usual VR or MR headset.

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Portable capsule coffee machine lets you be caffeinated in automated cars

Just a couple of months ago, we went on a road trip through the Southern part of New Zealand where the drive for each leg was around 5-6 hours. So of course we had to keep our driving friends awake and alert the entire time. We had some occasional breaks but in the car, everyone had to stay awake. There were times when I wished there was some caffeinated machine with us in the car that could make coffee at will whenever we needed a jolt. This design for a vehicle coffee machine is probably the first step towards having something like this eventually.

Designer: Junseo Oh

DOTS is a design for a portable coffee machine that primarily works if you’re in an automated vehicle but can also be used in other on-the-go scenarios. It has a removable bottom so it can adapt to whatever or wherever you’re using it for. It also uses coffee capsules instead of the usual brewing method to make it easier to use. The capsules are placed on the top and replaced by removing that part. Water is stored in the cylindrical space at the bottom. We assume this also boils the water or at least keeps it warm for when you need to start the process.

There is also a control or lever in the machine which lets you adjust the intensity of the extraction method from the capsule since coffee drinkers have different preferences when it comes to that. The machine comes with a tumbler where you can place the coffee directly. It has a lid on top to secure your liquid and you can also place a straw on it, although sipping hot liquid with a straw seems a bit weird.

While it’s primarily designed for vehicles, the portability of the DOTS machine lets you bring it with you whenever you may need a caffeine break. It has a minimalist and space gray feel so it can match most car interiors. I would love to have something as portable as this especially when traveling somewhere that may not have that good of a coffee culture.

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Magnetic modular elements of this design let you play and arrange your Bluetooth speaker + lamp

Because I live in a relatively small space, I’m always on the lookout for furniture and gadgets that can serve more than just one purpose. I like seeing concepts, designs, and sometimes actual products that can be both functional and decorative and can have multiple uses for my house. I also like designs that let me play around with the pieces to match my mood or the aesthetics of my room. To find something that fits all of these interests is rare and will catch my attention.

Designer: Francesco Cappuccio

The Scacco Matto, named after the Italian word for checkmate, is a concept for a Bluetooth speaker and lamp that is modular. It lets the user interact with the piece as you can choose how it will look like by arranging and re-arranging the components according to what you need or want at the moment. The designer says there are five potential combinations that you can come up with using the three distinct components included in the package. They are all held together by magnets so think of it like you’re putting together a lego set although this time with magnets.

The components include cyclical and circular parts and there should also be several lamp and sound options no matter what design you choose to put together. The pieces are powered by internal batteries and because of the third component, which looks like small bowls, you can use the device up to 40 hours when fully charged. This component sits between the speaker and the lamp. All the components have Wireless Charging Module Inductive/Receivers.

The product renders show different colors including blue, red, green, yellow, pink, purple, etc. If it becomes an actual product, it should be interesting how the speaker’s sound quality will be like and how the lamp can also function in your space. It looks to be a pretty interesting concept for all the reasons I previously mentioned but it also depends on the actual quality if it’s something I’d consider adding to my limited space.

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Flying cars may soon become a reality as this test Model-A is open for Preorders

When we were watching sci-fi TV shows and movies, we probably dreamt of eventually having those vehicles, gadgets, and other technology that they were showing off there. We’re in the year 2023 and while there have been some major advancements already, we still have some ways to go when it comes to things like hoverboards and flying cars. But apparently, we might be closer than we’ve been thinking as an aeronautics company has taken one step closer to having an actual flying car on the road, or rather, in the sky.

Designer: Alef Aeronautics (Open for Pre-Order Now!)

The California-based sustainable electric transportation company Alef Aeronautics was able to receive government certification to fly its Model-A flying car over some parts of the state, specifically Silicon Valley. It is apparently the first of its kind and is able to function like what a real car on the road would do but is able to do a vertical takeoff and fly through the skies. It may not the flying car that we’ve envisioned just yet because of The Jetsons and Back to the Future but it’s one step closer to having vehicles other than planes and helicopters up there.

It is an electric vehicle that looks like a customized luxury car or something that’s from one of those sci-fi movies where flying cars are the norm. The front and sides have some grill type of panels that probably have something to do with the technology that allows it to fly. Obviously they will not reveal yet much of their secrets but the CEO Jim Dukovny claims that their car is even safer than the regular cars on the road. You can actually park and use it just like a regular car and then when you need it to fly, you just do a vertical takeoff.

Obviously, something like this will cost a lot. For now the price tag is $300,000 and they’re still getting a lot of pre-orders. Eventually, they want to be able to bring it down to 100K and then 35K so that the “average consumer” will still get a chance to own one. There are still many steps to go including regulations in cities and countries that will have it, but it’s still a pretty exciting development to have.

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This cabinet is designed to help you organize + sanitize your clothes and accessories

I am not the most organized person. Sure, I can organize my notes and files but when it comes to things like my books, journaling stuff, and especially my clothes, you’ll find them strewn around in different parts of my apartment. I will occasionally get the urge to fix stuff but most of the time, I live in my own world of organized chaos. Of course, I want to improve this part of myself so if there are accessories or furniture that can help me out, I would be interested. This is the claim of this concept for a minimal mini-cabinet, although it’s hard for me to imagine how it will help me change my storage habits.

Designer: Yujin Lee for 210 PD.GROUP

Evelopper is a concept for an alternative clothing storage solution that doesn’t involve using your couch, bed, or even exercise system to “store” various pieces of clothing. At first glance it looks like a stereo or a mini dishwasher or just a piece of furniture to store stuff. Well, it is indeed the latter but more specifically, it’s to help organize your clothes and other related accessories. It’s basically like a bookshelf but there are separate hangers for various sizes of clothes. There’s also trays in various sizes on top of the cabinet where you can place watches, jewelry, and other accessories related to your outfit or getup.

Aside from storage, the cabinet also has a UV light to sanitize your clothes. This may not be a feature that is important to a lot of people whose clothes are mostly clean if they’re put into cabinets or storage (or so we assume) but for those who are concerned about getting rid of germs before wearing clothes, this will be a bonus point. It comes in three color options: navy blue to allow it to blend in most color schemes, classic white for a clean feel, and dark green for “stability and antiquity”. You can also open and close the cabinet through various controls located at the top.

It would have been more interesting if the renders showed how actual clothes would look in this cabinet. Because of the size and the product renders that don’t show any clothes, I have a hard time imagining how it would help me become more organized. Also, with the amount of clothes that I have, I would probably need several pieces of the Evelopper which would defeat the minimalist purpose. So probably I should start by getting rid of a lot of clothes in order to truly live a minimalist lifestyle.

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