It was probably about time that we became acutely aware of the unseen dangers that lurked in corners and surfaces, particularly the viruses and microorganisms that lie in wait on tables, door knobs, and handles for days. Unfortunately, it’s hard to break old habits of touching things without much thought, especially when it involves something as trivial as wiping down handles and surfaces before using them. Those who do try to develop good habits, on the other hand, will discover that there isn’t that much support for making it convenient to keep surfaces clean without doing too much work. That is especially a problem in very public spaces like supermarkets, where everything is exposed to dozens of people touching almost everything. This is the reason for this odd round device’s existence, to make cleaning such surfaces, specifically shopping cart handles, as easy as inserting a coin.
Designer: Xinyu Ye
It doesn’t take too much effort to wipe something down before using it, especially if it’s something that tends to be used by multiple people. The problem and the inconvenience come from not having the right tools for the job, which is often a pack of wet wipes in your bag or pocket. Alternatively, you could just spray it with alcohol, presuming you’re carrying a bottle all the time, but the end result could be a sticky, wet, and almost gross handle that will still leave you feeling dirty in the end.
Truth be told, customers in a store shouldn’t be waging a crusade against germs on their own. While it has become customary for many businesses to provide hand sanitizer dispensers at key points in an area, those just aren’t enough for high-traffic, high-contact areas like supermarkets. It’s about time that companies and businesses also step up their sanitation game, and this device, partially inspired by a mushroom, is one gadget that could help them improve their customer safety and satisfaction.
At first glance, SLIBALL almost looks like some futuristic sci-fi device, especially thanks to its sleek shape and glossy white or black surface. It has a hole that goes through its roughly cuboid body where the handle of a shopping cart would pass through. The core idea is that the device would sanitize the shopping cart handle it’s attached to using UV-C light. And rather than forcing a shopper to take an extra step, SLIBALL can be integrated into the process of claiming a cart right from the start.
Some shopping centers and supermarkets require you to insert a coin to unlock a shopping cart, and this same coin can be used to activate SLIBALL. The device starts sterilizing the handle automatically and can even be slid across the length of the handle to cover all the spots. Once done, the “head” of the device pops up like a mushroom after the rain and returns the coin to the owner in the process. It’s actually a simple concept that few have probably considered, but given our present circumstances, it is an avenue worth investigating. It could even become a profitable business for sanitation device manufacturers, especially as more and more people go back to doing groceries in person.
Despite a recent COVID-19 outbreak in the NFL that resulted in cancelled games, some teams are planning to welcome back fans over the next few weeks. The Atlanta Falcons are one of those, and to reduce the risks, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS)...
Chop it like its hot! I’ve always wanted to say that but this chopping board truly is one of the best designs I’ve seen and it is 100% going on the top of my kitchen essentials list. Chopbox is a smart chopping board that has so many unique features but the most relevant one in these ‘unprecedented times’ is the fact that it can actually kill germs on your cooking tools and space! Get rid of counter clutter and those extra kitchen accessories with this much-needed upgrade.
You can easily sanitize your knives and cutting surfaces, embrace your inner quarantine chef with germ-free cooking thanks to Chopbox’s built-in disinfecting UVC light – see I told you, this board is lit and literally! We clean our knives but do we ever think about the germs in knife blocks or the crevices of our cutting boards? With Chopbox all you have to do place your knife in between the two cutting surfaces and activate the small but powerful 254nm UVC light that can sanitize up to 3 knives at once as well as both the cutting surfaces. “Just one minute of UVC light exposure is guaranteed to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria. The 254nm UVC light used in the ChopBox is small and has a limited angle with only a small gap in the boards when in use. It is 100% safe for all humans to be around and near this light. The UVC light will automatically switch off when you separate the two boards or you can press the second button on the control panel to turn it off. You will receive no negative side effects from this UVC light,” says the team.
With two cutting surfaces, you can switch between veggies and meat to avoid cross-contamination. Use the smaller cutting board for food scraps, as a side piece to store chopped produce, or for transferring the ingredients to the stove. The clever design even lets you replace the main cutting surface when needed. Another interesting feature of Chopbox is that it can also weigh your food with a built-in scale. The middle button on the control panel is used to switch between grams, ounces, pounds, kilograms, and a tare function for accuracy so you always have the right portions. Kitchen timers are not revolutionary but this one is integrated on the surface itself and can run for 9 hours! Chopbox also has two replaceable knife sharpeners on the right edge of the board – one is made with a diamond stone and the other is made with a ceramic stone so you adjust your level of sharpness accordingly.
Chopbox is not only smart, but it is also strong and can hold 150 pounds of weight. It is crafted sustainably using bamboo wood which was used for its hard density, durability, and affordability. The board and its replaceable parts are all 100% recyclable as sustainability is important to the designers and the consumers. It runs on a 3000 mAh battery that lasts for 30 days of daily use on a one-hour charge cycle. It is also waterproof and is rated IPX7 which means it can withstand being in water up to 3 feet deep! Since this is a smart cutting board with batteries and other tech features, it is not meant to be put in a dishwasher as the heat will cause damage to an otherwise long-lasting, multifunctional appliance. Even Gordon Ramsay will only have nice things to say about Chopbox!
This cutting board kills germs, weighs your food, and more! Sustainable design, Replaceable parts.
Chopbox protects you against germs and bacteria
Did you know that knife blocks, drawers, and even regular cutting boards harbor tons of bacteria and germs? It seems like no one talks about it, but the hidden germs in your kitchen are very real.
The revolutionary ChopBox makes sanitizing your knives and cutting surfaces easy and brings germ-free cooking to your kitchen with a built-in disinfecting UVC light in the cutting board. Traditional knife blocks and cutting boards with gouges and scrapes can harbor harmful bacteria and germs. But who thinks to sanitize their knife after grabbing it? Now you can place your knife in between the two cutting surfaces and activate the small but powerful 254nm UVC light to sanitize up to 3 knives at once AND both cutting surfaces at the same time! Just one minute of UVC light exposure is guaranteed to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria.
The 254nm UVC light used in the ChopBox is small and has a limited angle with only a small gap in the boards when in use. It is 100% safe for all humans to be around and near this light. The UVC light will automatically switch off when you separate the two boards or you can press the second button on the control panel to turn it off. You will receive no negative side effects from this UVC light
Replaces 5 Kitchen Gadgets
Instead of needing up to five single-use gadgets and tools in your kitchen, the ChopBox combines all five into one amazing cutting board. You’ll never need to find or store smaller single-use tools like a food scale or kitchen timer again and will have more room for storage and organization in your kitchen.
Two Boards in One: Double up your space and avoid cross-contamination.
With two cutting surfaces, you can switch between raw meat and seafood to other foods without ever having to worry about cross-contamination. You can also use the smaller cutting board for food scraps, as an area to store cut foods, and for transferring your chopped food to the stove. The main cutting surface is replaceable. Buy parts via Kickstarter, or from Amazon after the campaign.
Scale: Built-in digital scale weighs up to 6.6 pounds
The built-in scale is part of the cutting board on the left-hand side. You can measure your ingredients in grams, ounces, pounds, kilograms and the scale weighs up to 6.6 pounds. Always get the exact right portion! The middle button on the control panel is used to switch between grams, ounces, pounds, kilograms with a single long-press. The scale features a tare function. To zero out the scale for a bowl or other vessel, just place the bowl on the scale and press the third (middle) button on the control panel to zero out the scale so that you’re only weighing the goof, not the container.
Timer: 9-hour kitchen timer
Your food will come out perfectly every time with our 9 -hour digital kitchen timer built-in to the ChopBox. Unlike traditional kitchen timers which can only go up to 59 minutes, the ChopBox timer has a longer readout and can be set for up to 9 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, so even big meals and slow cooker meals can be set on this timer.
Knife Sharpeners: Dual Inset Knife Sharpeners
It’s tough to remember where you put that small knife sharpener or know you’re using the honing steel type of sharpener correctly, so we made it easier than ever by putting two knife sharpeners right on the side of the cutting board. They are easily accessible and simple to use. There are two different knife sharpeners built into the ChopBox. One is made from diamond stone, and the other is made of ceramic stone, so you can pick your level of sharpness. The sharpeners are replaceable. Buy parts via Kickstarter or from Amazon after the campaign.
Groove for catching runoff
There is a groove surrounding the cutting surface on the larger cutting surface for catching any juices from falling off and onto your counter, clothing, or floor. Just another small feature to make this the best cutting board you’ve ever used.
Use the second board as a presentation plater
In addition to food preparation, this smart cutting board is a perfect food presentation platter for parties and guests! With two clean uniform surfaces, you can use it as two separate food serving surfaces or as the perfect cheese or charcuterie board with the second surface coming out from the bottom to hold cheese knives and catch any drips.
Long-lasting battery life: lasts up to 30 days on a single charge
The ChopBox has a large battery inside [3000 mAh] which charges quickly. With just one hour of charging you get up to 30 days of regular daily use of your smart cutting board.
Completely waterproof for an easy clean up
IPX is a waterproof rating system that refers to the ability of an object to resist water. For example, IPX0 means something is not water-resistant at all, such as a book. IPX2 means your object is protected from “some water drops when the device is tilted up to and including 15 degrees.” The rating goes up to IPX8, which means your object is protected even if it is dropped in over 3 feet of water and is fully waterproof.
The ChopBox is rated IPX7, meaning it is fully waterproof and can withstand being in water up to 3 feet deep! However, we do NOT recommend putting the ChopBox in a dishwasher, as the high heat in dishwashers warp and break down all natural cutting boards over time
Durability tested and high strength
ChopBox is incredibly strong! It holds up to 150 pounds of weight. Bamboo is completely natural and organic and is considered a “low maintenance wood,” meaning it is very hard and dense, so it keeps water out of the wood itself so it will not warp or crack as other woods can. Other woods like maple, walnut, or cherry require regular maintenance with mineral oil or beeswax to keep it from cracking and warping. Bamboo is also resistant to knife scarring, due to its hard density and is known for its durability and affordability.
What is your most hated chore in quarantine? I think its a tie between doing the dishes and laundry. For me, it is definitely laundry just because it takes longer and is so much more tedious! And while folding my clothes I think about Samsung’s AirDresser – an innovative wardrobe designed to steam, deodorize and sanitize clothes without putting them through a washer-dryer cycle.
Traditional laundry machine cycles can potentially damage clothes (how many of us even know the right settings for our loads?) and ever since the pandemic took over our lives we are doing laundry more often to stay safe – this is bound to wear them out 5x faster than usual. The Samsung AirDresser is here to save the day! Its sleek build is similar to a tall, thin fridge and can seamlessly blend in any room. The AirDresser uses a combination of steaming and heat-pump powered drying, and you won’t even have to plumb it in says Samsung. “That’s because, rather than a water connection like a traditional washer would require, the AirDresser relies on a refillable water tank at the bottom of the cabinet. It means it can be installed pretty much anywhere with a regular 120V outlet,” explains the team.
The wardrobe has space for six hanging garments and includes a set of weighted hangers for helping pull the wrinkles out of pants. The AirDresser is safe to use for suits, woolen clothes, knits, down, fur, leather, and denim making it super versatile and functional. Samsung also mentions that it is good to be used to clean babywear (definitely a lot of cycles there!), toys, and even bedding. I think the bedding bit is so important because traditional washer-dryer ties my bedsheet into such knots and we all know ‘entanglements’ aren’t good (right, Smiths?). It also saves water and makes it easier for the elderly to do their laundry!
The Sanitize Cycle program uses high-temperature steam which can remove 99% of common bacteria and dust mites. It also includes a deodorizing filter that takes care of smells (more important if you live in a humid climate) and a heat-pump drying cycle that avoids shrinking. This way the clothes are cleaned more efficiently and avoids the damage when you put them in the usual machines. If you love your clothes to smell anything other than ‘fresh linen’, you can insert a dryer sheet into the Fresh Finish compartment and you can even leave the door open to use the AirDresser as a dehumidifier for the rest of your closet.
Designed to fit in with your smart lifestyle, you can control the AirDresser with Samsung’s app by connecting it with WiFi. The appliance comes with preprogrammed cycles for items like jackets, t-shirts, school uniforms, and sweaters so no thinking is involved there. The app also supports remote control and notifies you when cleaning cycles are finished. Additionally, there’s also something called Samsung SmartThings integration which means you can store presets, get maintenance, water-change alerts, and see energy status. As an alternative to app-control, you can use the touch-sensitive control panel on the front of the door which has buttons for all cycles – Normal, Quick, Delicates, Sanitize, Drying, and Special. Who needs the Narnia wardrobe when you get this one that does your laundry!
Here’s the caveat with taking care of your hygiene. You could wear a mask to protect your nose and mouth, you could sing Happy Birthday 20 times a day while washing your hands, and you could make real, conscious efforts to avoid touching your face, but what happens when you get a phone call? You lift the phone off your table, swipe up to accept the call, and then hold the phone against your ear for anywhere between 2 and 20 minutes. They tell you to wash your hands, but they forget to tell you to sanitize your phone, which roughly holds 25,000 bacteria per square inch (it’s statistically one of the dirtiest things you could touch).
Now before you take a wet-wipe to your phone or spray it with Kleenex, it’s worth noting that your smartphone is layered with oleophobic coatings to prevent oils and solvents from damaging it, rendering most disinfectants ineffective. The PhoneSoap, as its name rightfully suggests, was designed for this exact purpose. Rather than using cleaning solvents, PhoneSoap uses UV rays to kill 99.9% of the bacteria and viruses on your phone in merely 10 minutes.
PhoneSoap 3 is the smallest and most powerful product in the PhoneSoap family. Designed to be like a tanning-bed for your smartphone, the PhoneSoap 3 uses high-wavelength UV-C rays on both sides to sterilize your smartphone. Its large chamber fits phones of all sizes and even allows you to charge your phone using its internal 6500mAh battery pack! Just lock your phone and pop it into the chamber and PhoneSoap 3 runs a 10-minute cycle to deep-clean your device, entering even the tough-to-reach spots like the speaker-grilles. An LED indicator on the top tells you when the cycle is over, so you can take your phone out knowing that it’s completely clean after hours of touching hands, faces, and resting on unknown surfaces.
The support shared among readers in the comments section is one of the things we love most about the Engadget community. Over the years, we've known you to offer sage advice on everything from Chromecasts and cameras to drones and smartphones. In fac...
Back in 2016, Hollywood studios were able to stop VidAngel from streaming sanitized versions of blockbuster hits, claiming that its system for doing so was covered under the Family Movie Act of 2005. The injunction, which VidAngel promised to appeal,...
Would you press your cheek against a toilet seat? I wouldn’t. But like me, you probably wouldn’t think twice about picking your phone up and holding it up to your face to make or answer a call. But here’s the kicker: a study done a few years ago has revealed that some phones are actually dirtier and more germ-infested than toilet seats.
It makes sense, considering how people don’t really wash their hands before tapping the screen or wipe their phones down with alcohol regularly. If this little tidbit bugs you, then you might want to get the PhoneSoap. It’s a charger that also works as a phone sanitizer. Just pop your phone into the chamber and activate the built-in UV-C lamps to sanitize your phone in just four minutes. It comes with a built-in 5V USB port, which works with most phone cables nowadays.
The support shared among readers in the comments section is one of the things we love most about the Engadget community. Over the years, we've known you to offer sage advice on everything from Chromecasts and cameras to drones and smartphones. In fac...
Back in 2016, Hollywood studios were able to stop VidAngel from streaming sanitized versions of blockbuster hits, claiming that its system for doing so was covered under the Family Movie Act of 2005. The injunction, which VidAngel promised to appeal,...
