Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Perched on SUV rooftop, HardTent can set up in seconds, keep you warm and dry all year round

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We don’t usually come by rooftop tents with collapsible hard-body exterior. It’s not because manufacturers are not giving it heed – the truth is, we are seeing a few pop up every now and then – it is because the fabric exterior still remains a preferred choice for its wide variety of advantages including construction convenience, lightweight composition, and effortless packing and unpacking.

As iterated, some rooftop tent manufacturers are steadily aligning their allegiance with cleverly engineered materials to deliver hard-walled tents that ride well on top of your SUV. These tents have not found mass adoption yet for two reasons: they tend to add weight to the car’s ride and have a price tag almost twice of what a fabric-walled rooftop tent would cost. Unlike the traditional hard-wall tents, HardSider, is flipping the tide with HardTent: Rooftop tent designed specifically for SUV, which comes with a place to rest inside a robust wall protection offering sound insulation and protection against the elements at a fraction of the cost of any similar RTT in the category.

Designer: HardSider

HardSider, the company focused on ‘reigniting the deep connection between people and the great outdoors,’ has perfected the hard-walled rooftop tent with an origami-inspired pop-up mechanism featuring solid walls on all three sides (owing to its triangular open design). The hard-walled rooftop tent erects in seconds with all the walls lifting off the roof quickly and cleanly as a fabric-walled RTT. Its dual air intake system helps circulate fresh air throughout the interior, while a custom ladder is provided for access into the tent.

These properties are made possible because of its construction. The hard-walls of the HardTent are made from rigid honeycomb composite and provided with laminated waterproof insulation offering an all-season RTT to sit atop any compatible vehicle, preferably an SUV. To that accord, HardTent is sleek on the road and spacious when unfolded. Its interior has a full-size – 52 x 90 in – mattress with enough width to sleep a couple and still have some length for a furry companion to accommodate. And your SUV would barely feel the difference (with this RTT), opening up many new opportunities for you to explore.

Measuring a good 96 inches in length, the HardSider’s rooftop tent is only 7 inches tall when closed. Its low profile makes driving with this 200 lb RTT effortless for the SUV or any compatible vehicle that can handle the weight. And when you decide to change your vehicle, the HardTent rooftop tent can uninstall and move to your new ride. All this for an asking price of only $6,000, which is pricier than the canvas walled counterparts, but conveniently priced otherwise in its own category.

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Mercedes-Benz supercar concept is the first automobile to have a music instrument built into its exterior

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Mercedes-Benz as an automotive icon has set the tone for the 21st century with supercars like AMG GT and the CLA concept. The German marque has pushed the limits of automotive technology, design aesthetics and luxurious comfort for purists who desire nothing but the best with the least strings attached.

Lately, we had a fancy for wild concepts like the Dresscode which is inspired by the smooth silhouettes of a classy suit and now we’ve tripped over another Mercedes-Benz supercar concept that derives inspiration from the beauty of silent luxury. This core idea is combined with the shapes of musical instruments (a Harp to be precise) to create a concept that harmonizes the pure and geometric form. Thus the namesake, Mercedes-Benz Harp!

Designer: ByeongIn Oh

The front of the concept Mercedes car is inspired by the W196R Formula-1 racing car developed for the 1954 and 1955 seasons. Of course, the front grille is not that open and is streamlined along the front seam for a more modern aesthetic look. This is combined with the asymmetric windshield panel to the rear which has a polygon and pure sculpture shape. The contrast between the contoured front and the sharp rear gives the HARP a distinct persona. It’s just like a god-like figure draped in the most beautiful costume.

The way those strings are aligned with the rear explains the asymmetric shape of the rear which when viewed from the top looks like a Harp in motion. Even the rear lights are shaped like strings which I think should trickle down to a real car coming from Mercedes Benz. Moving on to the interiors, they have two contrasting sections – a silent compartment for people who seek solitude and an open compartment for people who want to socialize.

The Mercedes-Benz Harp concept is an interesting take on silent luxury, artist forms and the pleasure of driving. And yes, I almost forgot to mention the contrasting color hues of matte silver and glossy black!

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This compact, detachable hot plate is designed for on the go convenience and ease of storage

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Working overtime and getting home late almost every day to find your dinner cold and unsavory? I’m sure a family member or your spouse has to wait through the night and then serve you hot food. It’s still fine on hot summer days, but the long winter nights can really get tough for everyone; you cannot have a cold meal at all! Hot plates have been a solution to this culinary conundrum through the years. But traditional warming boards only add bulk to your kitchen and do not do much to your meal.

What if you could have piping hot dishes on your table without taking up extra space? Whether you’re working late or hosting friends, the idea of a hot, delicious meal awaiting you at the table is a sublime feeling for many, including the designer of this electrically powered, folding and detachable heating plate that would be your biggest help when you’re hosting family or friends at home, partying at the pool, or out camping with your pooch.

Designer: Wenhua Xu

Conceptualized with the simple idea of ensuring a warm, delectable meal every time; this hot plate in pastel colors, functions on rapid heat transfer technology to ensure your food is at an ideal temperature, and it is constantly heated to maintain it as long as you want. The construction material of this heating board is anyone’s guess at the moment but from the images, it is easy to confirm that it is safe and easy to clean.

Besides, the overall concept – with an adjustable control panel – excels in heat retention. It helps preserve your food’s warmth and flavor with its three different temperature settings, keeping the heat maintained for almost eight hours. Interestingly, the warming board is ideal for heating dishes, milk, and drying food – all ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Add to that the convenience of detaching the three individual heating plates that comprise the entire unit. It can be used together or separately – thanks to the tri-folding design – to work with metal, ceramic, glass, or enamel utensils, serving bowls and other kitchenware. You can pack it in the bag for travel convenience, simultaneously warm up to six dishes, and keep the food warm and fresh every time. This portable and detachable marvel can be effortlessly stored to maximize space in your kitchen.

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3D Printed Chess Set pays respect to the Ukraine invasion with a poignant war-themed design

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Unless you are Elon Musk and believe chess is “too simple to be useful in real life,” you know, chess is a strategic and competitive game. It requires meticulous planning and clear objectivity. If you don’t have an objective in mind, your moves will be directionless and you will end up wasting time thinking and moving without purpose. Through the gameplay, it instills cognitive thinking, benefits mental well-being, and can now be a source of thoughtful restoration in the war-torn Ukraine.

Cuibiono, a design-first not-for-profit, has been at the forefront of providing aid to the regions where geopolitical conflicts like war have damaged humanity. With the new chess set, it has conceived using recycled biomaterials (PLA) and 3D printing, the NGO is giving everyone a chance to jump onto their journey of creativity, sustainability, and giving back, helping make a difference and restore homes in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Designer: Cuibiono

The stackable chess set is inspired by the war-torn and displaced Kharkiv, which has been on the receiving end of the Russian invasion. Called the Kindachess – S, this set 3D-printed from naturally degradable bioplastics – features a board segmented to depict the nation under war. It is designed as fractures on the earth’s crust. But when it’s stacked to be stored, the dividing lines on the board form the Ukrainian flag to depict unity and the satisfaction of returning home.

The idea of a chess set whose profit from sales proceeds would go into restoring homes in Kharkiv is the brainchild of designer Liam Hwang of Cuibiono. The compact, stackable chess set is 3D printed sustainably in Hackney, London. It measures 200mm x 200mm when laid out for playing and fits into a case measuring 290mm x 164mm after use.

This is not Cuibiono’s first such sustainably driven product with the idea of giving back. The NGO states, “we are committed to sustainability.” All the products designed in their facilities are crafted with eco-friendly materials (like recycled PLA in the case of the chess set). The chess set, selling in two color contrasts: wheat and sky, ivory and walnut, is now available at £200 (approximately $250). Buy now, and support the cause becoming a part of the community that cares.

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Barad-dur LEGO set brings Sauron’s sinister tower from Lord of the Rings to your work desk

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All Lord of the Rings fans should get excited about the new LEGO set themed on Barad-dûr, Sauron’s iconic stronghold. The 5,471-piece set features the sinister tower topped with the Eye of Sauron, the disembodied eye that overlooks his evil domain. Those who’ve watched the movie will instantly remember it as the “giant black tower with the flaming eye on top of it.”

This set will come at a price tag of $500 with availability to commence from June 1 for LEGO Insiders and from June 4 onwards for other buyers. The Barad-dûr tower will have four main sections – a prison, armory, throne room and a kitchen. Those who’ll get their hands on the set on or before 7 also get the complementary 269-piece Fell beast set with posable wings for the intimidating flying creature and the Nazul minifigure.

Designer: LEGO Ideas

The 32.5-inch tall and 11 inches wide Barad-dûr set has references to the movie in the form of Easter Eggs filled inside the interiors. Minifigures including Sauron, Mouth of Sauron, Sam, Gothmog and Orc also grace the build. Sections of the set include a pair of mechanically operated front doors and a dark throne that hides the secret room of the Palantir. There’s a forger for sharpening the weapons of destruction, a lava pit with a suspended skeleton cage and feasting for orcs. The top of the tower opens to reveal the throne room with a hidden map and ladder to access the top floor. In the middle of the structure is the feast table and orc armory. At the bottom of the tower, there’s a working door.

Frodo is not forgotten with the stolen Mithril coat and the hidden map, while Shelob has a tiny spider to complete the details. Interestingly the LEGO set can be stacked with more modular pieces to increase the height of the already towering structure that is even more impressive (and taller) than the Rivendell set which is the last official Lord of Rings set by LEGO. The tower is topped by a replica of the Eye of Sauron having a light-up brick to cast a subtle glow in your den.

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This tailored Mercedes-Benz concept hypercar adapts the volumes of a classy suit for its dynamic shape

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Mercedes-Benz has been a name synonym for panache and luxury ever since it was first established in 1926. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the automotive giant has set the bar high for four-wheelers of the present and the future world. The AMG GT introduced in 2014 is still one of the most liked supercars in the industry and Concept VISION AVTR is setting the precedence for electric cars of the future already.

While the brand is one of the few big names inclined towards electric concept designs, it is understandable how many concept designers gravitate towards the Mercedes name for building their imaginative four wheels that could someday actually land them at one of the renowned brand’s design nests. The Mercedes-Benz Dresscode is one such iteration that has a unique take on what a British hypercar of the future could be like.

Designer: Jeongtae Lee

The design direction of the car interprets iconic luxury through the shapes of collar and rich volumes of a formal dress. If you look closely the hypercar adapts the form of a white shirt with a tie on top and a black jacket layered over it. Yes, the white sections represent the shirt with edged surfaces while the black body wraps the entire car in a large volume reminiscent of a jacket. The rear of the vehicle is like the back of a person wearing a suit – simple and chic. Unlike other supercars having luxurious gull-winged doors (or scissor doors) which can be tricky to get in and out, the Dresscode concept has doors designed to feel like the process of taking off a suit which is elegant and easy.

The side profile of the car is inspired by the seam lines on the shoulder of a jacket, wherein the lines flow from the front to the rear. Those wheel parts are rotatable through these lines. Also, the seam stitches on the shoulder of a suit jacket are reinterpreted as Mercedes patterns on the hypercar. In a true sense, this is a tailored Mercedes concept maintaining an aggressive yet elegant stance with its dynamic shape.

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This handheld console for disabled gamers has modular control pods for better ergonomics

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Gaming controllers are primarily designed keeping in mind the needs of seasoned gamers who have razor-sharp reflexes and blazing reaction times. Most of the mainstream controllers don’t factor in the needs of disabled gamers who have accessibility issues. Major manufacturers like Sony and 8BitDo, however, have ventured down this road with the PlayStation 5 Access Controller and Lite SE controller respectively.

Along the same lines, this Windows-based gaming controller concept dubbed Free Play wants to give disabled gamers a level playing field when it comes to playing chart-topping games. The gadget achieves this without compromising on the form factor a normal gamepad relies on. Therefore, normal gamers can also use it without any problem.

Designer: Aiden Schutte

The intended dual functionality of the gaming controller is achieved with modular control pods that can be placed around the console. With the rise in popularity of handheld gaming consoles, attention towards accessible controllers for the disabled is imminent. The design proposed here employs the modular buttons that settle inside the metal body and the ergonomic grips having flat surfaces as the viable solution. So, one can easily swap the D-Pad buttons to reside on the front rather than the sides. Customized sticks can be attached to the controller if the disabled gamer has problems holding on to the joystick with the thumb.

To keep it simple, the modular gaming controller has multiple configurations to play depending on the comfort level of the disabled person. Whether it’s using the controller with just one hand or situations where dexterity is not an option. Aiden has designed the bottom to be flat so that people with dexterity issues can easily lift the gadget from the surface. In addition to the buttons you would find on any normal controller, this one has tactile touchpoints to navigate controls. These tactile touchpoints can be placed at the back of the console or on the front. The size of all the buttons and triggers has been intentionally kept large for easier presses and navigation.

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Earbuds with nano camera and smart AI are more than just music for your ears

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Earbuds are a kind of accessory you’ll find most common in anybody’s arsenal. They isolate you from the distracting outside world and help you focus while working, exercising, commuting, or anything in between. Extending the usability of earbuds for people with vision problems or in general even the common users who like to turn on their ANC at full blast. Apart from the audio information, the eyes are the best sensors to gauge the environment.

The Cell Buds are an evolution of the good old earbuds into a wearable that assists the blind in navigating crowded spaces or even being aware of what’s around them with sound cues coming from the buds equipped with nano camera units that keep track of any information that may be vital. This eliminates the need for transparency mode to be aware of the space, or even situations where you want strong ANC while being totally aware of what’s happening around in a crowded urban area, essentially making them your eyes and mind for daily life assistance.

Designer: Minwoo Kim

https://vimeo.com/user217694550

These earbuds are loaded with an ultra-compact vision cam and AI to bring all the smart features of your smartphone to this cool gadget plugged into the ears. As a part of the Samsung Design Membership course, Minwoo conceptualized this design to dramatically improve the user’s experience. The on-device AI brings personalized interaction with information available in the cloud and the compact vision cameras keep sensing the surrounding environment around you for any signs of danger or information that might be important to you. For example, an approaching motorist from the left when you are busy crossing the street.

With smart AI, the wearables can be useful for frequent travelers or people with vision impairments. The hands-free personal assistance provided by Cell Buds keeps you from checking your phone, thereby curbing your digital life for good. Design and comfort are prime when it comes to the concept, as Kim has managed to fit a rotating camera unit inside the housing that houses the driver units, microphones, and the battery. According to him, the camera drive unit slightly protrudes from the ear to increase the camera’s field of view.

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Genesis X Dog Concept has every luxury your pooch needs before, during, and after travel

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Max tells me; being a celeb dog is not an easy thing. You have to dress up well, eat without spilling or slurping, have trimmed nails, clean paws, and be at your best behavior at all times. Ah, poor doggo! After all the made-up life throughout the day, Max deserves the ultimate relaxation and time of his own during traveling, he says. Luxury automaker Genesis seems to have heard his woof and has created an ultimate dog-friendly space exclusively to fit in the boot of the Electrified GV70. This is what Max would’ve always needed. A dedicated area to himself that would take care of his before, during, and after travel needs.

The Genesis X Dog concept is primarily meant to allow the four-legged friend to relax with all the possible amenities inside it or at the paw’s reach. Along with the comfortable ride of its Electrified GV70, the interesting dog module allows the pooch to have a relaxed me time, drenched in the luxuries of a cozy bed, ambient lighting, and Bluetooth audio system.

Designer: Genesis

A lightweight, retractable aluminum and carbon fiber ramp has been designed to provide easy access for the dog into the luxury crate resting in the boot of the Electrified GV70. Sitting there, the dog can feel as special as their owners while on the road with all the range of exclusive accessories and equipment at their disposal.

Matching with the interior of the Genesis electric, the Genesis X Dog Concept has quilted vegan leather sidewalls and comes with bespoke features including a heated dog bed, Bluetooth audio system, ambient lighting with the pull-out ramp facilitating entry and exit. More interesting here is the built-in electric shower (attached to a six-liter pressurized water tank) with a hairdryer for the pooch to clean up after her muddy adventures.

To ensure the time within the Genesis X Dog Concept is as comfortable and personalized as possible for the dog, it features an anti-skid surface, a safety lock mechanism comprising two straps on the sides, a safety harness and a leather dog collar. Before you start believing in the luxury and willing to inculcate it into your pooch’s lifestyle, this is just a concept that Genesis would be displaying in its select studios between 9 May and 5 June.

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LEGO Radio actually plays tunes and even lets you dock your smartphone for Spotify support

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LEGO Ideas and its obsession with retro builds will not die anytime soon. The vintage Polaroid SX-70 camera, the ingenious Tetris LEGO set, and now the LEGO Icons Retro Radio set are proof enough. The new 906-piece set is a nod to the musical era of the 50s and 60s when radio was an integral part of life.

The set is a part of LEGO’s Icons collection and is all set to arrive June 1 for $99.99 in LEGO stores worldwide and official online stores. The set will initially be exclusive to LEGO Insiders and from June 4 onwards anyone can get their hands on this one. While the set cannot (unfortunately) play your local radio station, it has something that’ll please online music listeners.

Designer: LEGO Ideas

Reviving the retro element are the bright color accents in white and brown of the bygone era. You’ll be more than keen to put it together and highlight it as your living room centerpiece or reserve the prime spot on your shelves. When fully assembled, the bricky radio stands over 13 inches high, 9 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep, making it a LEGO model that more than meets the eye. While we can go on talking about its nostalgic faux wood-colored trims, pastel bluish green exterior, classic speaker slits, extendable antenna and the tuner window; the functionality doesn’t take a back seat in any way.

The radio LEGO comes with prerecorded tunes such as fake sports stations that can be toggled using the dials. You can turn the dial to switch between these channels with the white noise of the radio taking you back in time. Another knob is used to switch on or off the unique radio While we believe the designers could have gone a step further by fitting in a transistor radio unit, you’ll have to emulate the feeling of listening to the good old radio by playing it on your phone. Yes, you can plug in your smartphone in a concealed compartment on the back panel and play your favorite music. Of course, you can play Spotify or Apple Music on this radio but we’ll stick to playing the classic music just to be in the retro feels!

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