Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Samsung AI-powered wearable assistant helps visually impaired navigate better with real-time audio descriptions

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Navigation and understanding of the environment is an everyday challenge for the visually impaired. This limitation hinders their independence and of course, cripples their mobility. Walking aids and certain technology-assisted solutions do provide necessary navigation details with obstacle detection, but a personal assistant that talks to them like their own is still missing.

With the advent of generative AI, a designer duo has taken the leverage to create an AI-powered wearable device called InSight that intends to grant visual independence to the blind or anyone else who can leverage the benefit. The product was conceived for the Samsung Re:Create Challenge, which is a global competition that requires participants to perceive and conceptualize products that would repurpose ‘Samsung devices or their materials’ and promote sustainability.

Designers: Merve Nur Sökmen, Ayberk Kole

The basic idea of InSight is to seamlessly integrate with the user’s lifestyle while making available to them an accessible and connective, audio navigation experience in real-time. Designed to integrate all the features of existing Samsung consumer electronics, and to be constructed from recycled Samsung devices and materials, InSight helps reduce electronic waste, while performing the underlying function of a personal navigation assistant for the visually impaired.

With an onboard battery and an intuitive touch control, the pint-sized InSight can run navigation commands on the go. With its interesting clip-on design, one can wear it on their clothes and receive real-time audio descriptions of the visual environment in real-time, so navigation is better and more inclusive. To add more substance to the assistant’s capabilities, the user can talk back to the device, which then with its built-in AI can help with the possible information. A likely use case for students and travelers.

By helping perceive the surroundings in real-time and relaying comprehensive information to the user with audio descriptions, InSight can have a drastic impact in many lives that are dependent on others for mobility as of now. To make the device really helpful – beyond the AI integration – designers have worked its aesthetics around Samsung’s design language. The InSight connects seamlessly with smartphone and headphones of the user and provides onboard touch controls for personalized settings. And when it begins to run out of power plug it into a USB-C cable and juice it for another outing of independence!

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James Bruton’s Screw Bike moves smoothly in any direction, even rotates on its axis

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James Bruton and his out-of-the-world creations never cease to amaze us. His Star Wars Speeder Bike is a good example of his inventive thinking. The DIYer knows his craft and his latest creation has got us mystified, yet again!

This omnidirectional bike gives the rider great freedom to move in multiple directions, allowing them to move sideways, diagonally, or even rotate on the spot. Now, who would say no to such a cool way to commute in the city?

Designer: James Bruton

Dubbed the Screw Bike, this two-wheeled commuter justifies the namesake. I can’t resist but see the reminisces of the retro Motocompo here, but that could be a pure coincidence. James has a thing for omnidirectional wheels and this could be his best one so far. Each of those peculiar wheels on the bike is 360 mm in diameter and comes with a packing of smaller wheels positioned with engineering craft for multidirectional movement. Originally called Mecanum Wheels, these unique tireless wheels are used widely in the scope of robotics and often in competitive robotics due to their ability to introduce fully omnidirectional movement onto a drivetrain. These rollers typically each have an axis of rotation at 45° to the wheel plane and at 45° to the axle line.

While your high-end bicycle will beat this thing in a straight spring, on the tracks of Monaco this thing will have the moves. For this bike’s custom design, the inventor employs 3D printing technology and uses materials like plywood. Implementing such a complex wheel design could only have been possible with 3D printing. There are 48 small wheels and 96 wedges that make possible this complex iteration. The movement of this bike is so smooth, that it calls for due credit to James.

The steering input from the handlebar is perfectly synched with the direction in which the inventor wants to move. He demonstrates the movement of Screw Bike inside a room and out in the open too. This very well justifies that the smooth moves are no fluke.

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3D-Printed from food-grade silicone, Reusable is a collapsable, pocket-friendly cup you can carry anywhere

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Recycle and Reuse have become the buzzwords today. Most materials – single-use plastic excluded – are being recycled, and some plastic items such as bottles are reused to restrict them from reaching the landfills. Plastic pollution is therefore a big menace globally that designers are trying to solve with potentially innovative ideas. In that league we came across the Reusable: a collapsable, reusable cup that is made from food-grade material and fits right in your pocket so you can carry it wherever your routine takes you.

Disposable paper cups have been around for a long time now. Not essentially made with the purpose of being reused, such cups have to reach the landfills after one time use. All right, some of these to-go cups are recyclable, but some paper cups contain a plastic or wax coating – to prevent leaks – rending their unrecyclable. This is where a solution like the Reusable makes a lot of sense, not essentially because it can be recycled at the end of life, but since it can be reused a multitude of times before it can be retired from the lifecycle.

Designer: Kalina Gotseva

The brainchild of British-designed Kalina Gotseva, the Reusable has been 3D printed from durable, food-grade silicone. Made in a unique twisted design, after thousands of iterations on paper and other materials, the Reusable is made collapsable, transforming the cup from a full-sized option to a compact form factor that allows it to fit in the pocket.

Making a silicone cup with all the intricacies to make it reusable, the cup is a direct benefit product for millions of tea and coffee drinkers around the world, whose day wouldn’t start with the pipping hot beverage picked from the driveway in a throwaway one time use cup. This scenario could change with the benefit of Reusable which you can flip out of your pocket and have your drink served to you in it.

With the foldable and reusable design, the question of safety and convenience does arise in the mind. Gotseva has taken care of every detail, starting with making the entire foldable design self-contained. For that, the designer ensured that the body of the cup folds down flat and it can then fit securely in its cap to remain intact and dust-free in your pocket/bag. The protective cap is not just the Reusable’s case, in fact it has a tested push-and-pull slider on the drinking hole, which offers leak-proof convenience, so you can carry and drink your beverage safely, at your convenience.

The Reusable despite all the nifty features has sleek aesthetics paired with an ergonomic grip and three interesting color choices to pick a cup that matches your style. Created from BPA-free silicone, the cups are colored – with food-safe options – during the injection molding process. These are available in dark blue, light aquamarine, and vibrant orange colors to choose from. I don’t know about you, but I’m waiting for the Reusable to hit the market. My pick is orange, what’s yours?

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Chishu 2X is a modern granny designed to read bedtime stories to your tiny tots

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‘There is no friend as loyal as a book,’ but the benefits of reading and the entire idea of owning books are taking a back seat nowadays. The shift of entertainment forms to digital speeds has made our free time busier and immersed our reading hours in reels. The biggest sufferers of this neglect and transformation are kids who remain devoid of bedtime stories and instead are fixated on the screens, swiping through reels and videos with little quality to improve concentration or cultivate the habit of reading.

Taking advantage of all the benefits of reading is essentially impossible going forward. Of course, some parents have managed to keep the routine of reading bedtime stories to their kids; it’s really not a norm anymore. Chishu audiobook player was idealized to help children relive the losing charm of someone reading stories in bed to them. And following the humble recognition of the concept, it is now reimagined with new colors and approach.

Designer: Chanie Liao

Enter Chishu 2X audiobook player, a humble, handy device that wants to improve children’s concentration and cultivate in them the habit of listening to books, at least. The pocket-sized player, equipped with a specially designed story card, is tailored for children below the age of 12. A child can insert the card in a dedicated slot, tune the player to their audio liking, and play the story content while being engrossed in some secondary activity or playing.

The curved, interactive design of the Chishu 2X shortens the distance between children and the audiobook player, making it their storyteller capable of ‘immersing them in the world of stories’ at an early age. To make it more adaptable amid the little ones, the device comes in various base colors. However, each functional area on the device – the story card slot; volume rocker; skip next knob; and the speaker grill – all come in different color options, making the entire package fun to hold and playful to interact with.

Taking of interaction; the little window display in the top right, where the story card slots in from the top, kids can keep tab on the story they’re listening to. The speaker system of the new Chishu 2X has been upgraded and embedded within a lighter and more drop-resistant molded metal body, rendering the device suitable even for older children and young adults to explore.

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Maserati Tridente electric superboat redefines luxurious water adventures

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At the Folgore Day event in Miami, Maserati revealed the world’s first convertible all-electric car, and we were impressed by another one of their unveils. This is the Tridente all-electric luxury motorboat that dots the Italian automaker’s presence on the waters as well.

Just picture a scenario wherein you arrive on a coast in your GranCabrio Folgore, and the Tridente powerboat has you covered for a day at sea. Completely electric, the powerboat is developed in collaboration with VitaPower, a seasoned EV marine company. The EV boat has traces of the Vita Lion powerboat in its DNA, but the Maserati influence is seen in the modern design and upgrades.

Designer: Maserati

The carbon fiber-hulled speedboat measures 34 feet long and allows fat-pocketed millionaires to explore the waters in luxury and comfort. The vessel draped in a beautiful rose gold finish has seating for eight, a swimming platform, and a sundeck bed. The interiors are done in cream to contrast the luxe exteriors and Maserati’s craft can be seen in the streamlined design. The hull is made out of carbon fiber to keep the weight down to a minimum and that helps the dual electric motors powered by the four batteries churn out a maximum of 600 horsepower.

According to Maserati, the powerboat will reach a top speed of 40 knots with a cruising speed of 25 knots for a range of 43 miles on a single charge. The batteries can be topped up in an hour with a DC fast charge connection which is great if you don’t like long delays before another escapade to the waters.

With a price tag of $2,660,000, the Tridente is the perfect companion for your supercar. That said, if you can own this baby, you’ll have to wait for 10 months before laying hands on it.

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G-SHOCK G5600BG-1 is made from recycled resin sourced from waste in the production of Casio watches

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Casio G-SHOCK watches have set a new precedent in durability, functionality, and material design. It is a preferred choice among people who indulge in extreme activities or work in rugged environments, owing to its ability to withstand extreme conditions and live through all the beating. The G-SHOCK wristwatches are unbelievably tough and the brand’s continuous efforts to keep the standard and reliability unchanged have only worked in its favor.

Now in time for Earth Day on April 22 and to make environmentally conscious individuals a fan of its incredible robustness, Casio has released G-SHOCK G5600BG-1 made from recycled resin. The limited-edition watch, made essentially to mark April 12, the birthday of G-Shock, comes with a bezel and band made using recycled resin waste.

Designer: G-SHOCK

Resin has been the go-to material for G-SHOCK watch straps for years now. It has been majorly used because of its properties to withstand shock, and for being lightweight, water resistant, yet looks modern and stylish. Being overly used, resin is generally left over in the production lines, which now by recycling it for watch material, Casio is giving a new lease of life to the otherwise waste material.

The recycled strap material, available in a combination of black, red and yellow colors is made by kneading red and yellow waste resin from classic G-SHOCK in a matte black base to create a unique colorful pattern. This new repurposed resin is used for the construction of the bezel and strap of the G-SHOCK G5600BG-1. The new watch is available in a multicolored pattern and color tone, which Casio informs, may change in every individual watch due to the characteristics of mixed material color of resin.

Furthering the eco-conscious behavior, beyond reducing the environmental impact of resin waste – which would otherwise be discarded – the G5600BG-1 comes with Casio’s Tough Solar technology to keep it charged with the use of sunlight. The watch is G-SHOCK quality robustness is shock-resistant and 200-meter water resistant.

Featuring a case measuring 46.7 × 43.2 × 12.7 mm, the G5600BG-1 weighs only 47g. It comes with 5 world time and 31 time zones, LED backlight, auto calendar (to the year 2099), alarms, stopwatch and other G-SHOCK basics. Casio adds more environmental-friendliness to the $150 G-SHOCK G5600BG-1 with its packaging, which is again made from recycled materials.

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This Drone Referee hovers above the football and players, serving as an airborne VAR

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The most beautiful game, football, is a team sport. But in realism – at the world stage – the game is not limited to the field and teams. Passionate fans and their diehard enthusiasm for clubs and players take the game far and beyond, into the people’s home and their hearts. Despite the love and admiration for football, one wrong on-field decision can leave players behaving irrationally and discerning fans indulging in brawls, intense enough to set stadiums on fire.

Over the years goal-line technology has made a significant difference in the decision-making often faltered by the human eye. Yet, all the other significant on-field decisions are left for humans to make, which even the most qualified and experienced referees can get wrong from time to time. While replacing human intervention from decision-making is visually impossible in the near future; there is a designer who thinks an aerial observer can pull off the task at the amateur level to start with.

Designer: Seungmin Ha

The idea behind “Referee,” a portable drone football referee is as simple as its design: Take to the air, hover above and track the players and the ball, and sound a whistle when a foul occurs. Designed with a Samsung-backed Design Membership program, the two-part system – a drone with rotors and HD camera – moves fluidly around the ball so that there are no blind spots and decisions are spot on. There is no mention of whether the modern Referee will also issue red card for a cardinal foul, or a human ref would still be needed.

The functioning of the Referee is simple to pull off, and the design – modeled after a training cone – makes it even more interesting. It comes packed in a dedicated trolley bag one can tag along to the field and set it to run the game without having to find a human referee to help you with a night game with friends. Since most hobby footballers have time to play in the night hours, after a day’s work, Seungmin has envisioned a Referee with LED lighting that shines along with the whistle when a foul is detected.

To keep the control simple and the design more intriguing, the Referee is controllable via an app. Through the app, you can customize the device’s color to the team that you are playing and also replay the foul scene to make sure close decisions can be fairly dealt with. Potentially a gimmick at the moment, the Referee through its evolution can maybe reach the Premier League stage someday.

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Maserati Unveils GranCabrio Folgore all-electric four-door convertible touting 270 miles range

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Virtually every carmaker on the planet is making the sensible transition to clean energy and Maserati is no different. Now the luxury vehicle manufacturer has revealed its drop-top electric vehicle which now becomes the third all-electric car in the line-up. The GranCabrio Folgore convertible is one of the world’s first electric four-seater of its kind based on the gas-powered GranTurismo Folgore.

The gorgeous beast comes with a tri-motor (300kW magnet motors) electric powertrain that churns out 818 horsepower and approximately 1,000 lb-ft of torque. It’s worth mentioning, that the EV is based on the 800V technology adapted from Formula E. That makes it capable of reaching a top speed of 180 mph and 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds.

Designer: Maserati

The drop-top performance EV has a WLTP-rated range of 260-277 miles on a single full charge. The Italian marque is also promising a maximum charge speed of 270 kW. That means a charge of just 10 minutes will get you 120 miles of range. The convertible top mode operates at up to a speed of 31 mph and retracts in mere 14 seconds. Noticeably, the contraption takes very little space to preserve boot space for hauling luggage.

If you are wondering how the GranCabrio manages those classic proportions despite being and EV, well, that is attributed to the T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack positioned between and behind the passengers. This eliminates the traditional seating position of EVs that’s more of a tall-in-the-saddle category. On the inside, the EV’s cabin is laden in premium inserts, a luxe ambiance, tech inclusions and the use of eco-friendly materials make it a sweet deal. Maserati has paid much attention to detail for the Econyl seats that come with laser-etched perforations for visual attractiveness.

The front seats come with 18-way adjustable freedom and neck warmers for chilly weather conditions. That steering wheel is wrapped in leather and complements the brushed aluminum paddle shifters. The 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster is paired with the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, heads-up display, and a 16-speaker Sonus Faber sound system. Maserati is offering the EV in a staggered wheel-and-tire package that has 20-inch fronts and 21-inch rears. These can be chosen in six different wheel designs and four different finishes.

Someone looking for a performance electric convertible has got their wish granted as the Maserati GranCabrio is slated to hit the showrooms in early 2025. Of course, it’ll come at a steep price tag of approximately $200,000!

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Nike is pushing the ‘Air’ to make a difference in the athletes’ stride at the Paris Olympics and beyond

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While athletes around the globe are preparing to compete at the Paris Olympics this year, there is one company that is pushing “Air” to make a difference in the competitor’s stride. We are talking about Nike which is going futuristic with the new Blueprint Pack, its upcoming set of sneakers that will thrive on the boundless properties of its Air cushioning for the athlete’s foot.

When it comes to long-distance runners’ preference for shoes, Nike is the name to reckon with. This is not only because of the brand name and robust marketing but also because the Swoosh brand has, over the years, perfected the comfort for enhancing the runner’s performance. With the new list of 13 products that will be released in time for the Summer Olympics in Paris, Nike is also targeting a new range of sports, including track, basketball, football, and even lifestyle footwear.

Designer: Nike

Besides, Nike is also showcasing A.I.R (Adaptive Intelligence Responsive) concept footwear in Paris, planned in collaboration with champions of their repute including Eliud Kipchoge, Kylian Mbappé, and Sha’carri Richardson and more. These never-seen and idealized designs are a glimpse of the future of sports shoes meant to revolutionize how athletes train and compete. The interesting aspect of these prototypes, beyond their futuristic design, is that they will include sensors to analyze data that would allow the athletes to optimize their performance while providing support and comfort.

In the ambitious move to rework the Air midsole, which is already versatile and comforting, Nike is working more precisely with athletes’ requirements to bring it to every category of footwear possible. The dynamic Nike Air unit is the focus of the company’s designs for the summer, which is a nod to the brand cofounder Bill Bowerman and his obsession to make the best shoes for athletic performance.

Based on the designs envisioned by Bowerman, Nike is using cutting-edge technologies to imagine those sketches to create the Blueprint Pack that closes the gap between sports science, design, and manufacturing. To that accord, the Nike Blueprint Pack will, when it is released on July 3, feature the best of Air innovations in multiple ranges of shoes including the Pegasus Premium, which was the first running footwear with a visible Air Zoom unit.

Besides, the inventive designs have been envisioned for the Nike Victory 2, Nike Maxfly 2 for the runners; the G.T. Hustle 3 for the basketball fans, and the 2024 Nike Mercurial football boot. These shoes, with the new Air cushioning approach, will make their presence felt at the Olympics, while Nike informs, alongside the Blueprint Pack, it could release an energy-driving colorway pack before the games. However, there is no word from Nike on when or if the A.I.R prototypes will be released to the public.

 

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This hybrid adventure motorbike with balloon tires can take on any tough terrain with ease

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There’s something about motorbikes with fat tires that makes them exceptionally interesting. Either it’s a perceived notion that they are more suited for all-terrain adventures or their beefy tire set makes them seemingly more durable than the rest. Either way, it’s a fact that fat-tire bikes are more suited for slippery, sandy or snowy terrain. The Arsenale have reincarnated their 2×2 Ultrabike in a new avatar because the two-wheeler somehow failed to capture attention at its maiden attempt. The improved and rebranded Plan B (the name says it all) is a second strive to pique interest in the cross-country off-road adventure bike genre.

What’s not going to go down well with prospective buyers is that the 2×2 bike costs $2,000 while the Plan B motorbike is priced at $15,000. That’s an exorbitant inflated value even though this newer version comes with added upgrades and tech improvements. Tough, we’re hoping for a lauded set of improvements, and a more affordable price tag in consequent versions.

Designer: The Arsenale

The balloon-tired motorbike retains its electric powertrain DNA in a low-power hybrid gas/electric format, powering the 2WD system. The bike touts an ultra-long range of more than 200 miles (depending on driving style and terrain) as it is more lightweight now. Even though it doesn’t look production-ready compared to the likes of Rokon, if everything goes well, it could lure buyers who are seeking a reliable adventure bike that’s easy to maneuver and promises a long range. But that price tag when compared against the $10,250 MotoTracktor by Rokon still is a deal breaker.

The form, as seen in the pictures looks impressive and we’re eager, as to how the thing will look in real life. That ride height is quite assuring of its capability to take on any rough surface, and the chunky tires look good to take on any abrasive surface without suffering multiple punctures. The on-board batteries sit right beneath the rider’s sitting position and the electric motor. For the hybrid function when the batteries are short on charge and there’s no charging station in sight, the hybrid drivetrain kicks into action.

In its current state, the e-bike is still raw compared to other offerings that have proven their mettle for some years now. The reliability for first mover advantage is also going to factor in as the Plan B is factually still a “Plan B” by the brand with little proven testing.

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