Author Archives: JC Torres

Rectangular robot vacuum concept proposes a more efficient design for smaller spaces

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Robot vacuum cleaners and mops are common sights these days, but despite all the advancements they’ve made in terms of technology, their basic shape has remained unchanged since the first-ever Roomba. They’re almost all circular, though the are some that have taken on rounded square forms, a shape that was dictated by the limitations of old technologies that don’t seem to be relevant today. This standard design, however, still carries over other limitations, like squeezing into tight spaces or cleaning corners. Perhaps it’s time to rethink that old and outdated design, which is what this concept tries to do in order to cater to homes with smaller, cramped spaces and messy floors.

Designer: Subin Kim

The initial design of robot vacuums was made primarily for the robot and not the humans. The circular shape made it easier for the machine to turn and correct its direction, something that was all too common given the very basic technologies from decades past. Today, however, most robot cleaners have no problem navigating the most cluttered floors, so there’s now an opportunity to rethink that basic shape.

mini is a concept design that stretches the robot vacuum into a more rectangular form, technically more pill-shaped with its rounded sides. The idea is that this robot can better squeeze itself into narrow spaces, like those between walls and furniture, or hug edges to properly brush and vacuum areas that even the most sophisticated circular robot can’t reach. In small apartments or tiny homes, that is more often the case, so such a design is more useful than the majority of round or square robots.

The design can actually be even more efficient than standard robot vacuums because it can change its orientation depending on the area of the floor to be cleaned. In its vertical mode, it can easily clean out narrow gaps, but then it can rotate and switch to horizontal mode if there’s a wider space available for it to move. Such a feat would require AI and advanced sensors, both of which are readily available on most robot cleaners today.

mini’s design does mean it won’t be able to turn quickly, but that can be handled by better obstacle detection and smarter navigation. Although it might not work perfectly in practice, the concept does challenge the status quo and encourages a design that really puts the user at the center, rather than simply turning such robot helpers into technological showcases.

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Pixel 9a leaked renders look pretty barren without the distinctive camera bar

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With the Pixel 6 in 2021, Google embarked on a new design language and visual identity for its smartphones. Like it or not, and some definitely didn’t, the camera “visor” has become an identifying mark of the Pixel phones since then, something that no other brand dared to even try. It underwent a few refinements until it was finally replaced by the camera “bar” in this year’s Pixel 9. Some loved it, some despised it, and some even wanted to have the old visor back. It seems that Google isn’t done playing around with the design just yet if these early unofficial renders for next year’s “mid-release” Pixel phone. And if the Pixel 9a is any indicator of the direction that Google will take in the future, it’s bound to split camps yet again.

Designer: Google (via AndroidHeadlines and OnLeaks)

It’s not that hard to understand how divisive the Pixel camera design is. On the one hand, it is big, visible, and distracting, but on the other hand, it is executed elegantly, balances the phone on your desk, and gives your index finger something to rest on when holding the phone. What both camps will probably agree is that the camera visor or bar is an identifying mark of the Pixel phone, and it’s something the Pixel 9a might lack.

Based on the first CAD renders made from leaked information, the next mid-range Pixel phone will ditch the camera bar for a flatter design. Curiously, the cameras aren’t placed closer to the upper left corner of the phone’s back even without the bump, and it seems to be in the exact same position if it did have that bar. It’s almost as if Google just did a magic trick like pulling out the tablecloth from under the cameras, leaving them in the exact same place. At the same time, however, the camera island isn’t completely flush with the rest of the phone’s back as it has a raised lip around the oval, perhaps for protection. Whether it will make the wobble is something that can only be tested with an actual unit.

Other than that, the rest of the Pixel 9a’s design is pretty similar to the Pixel 9, down to having only two cameras on its back. The exact dimensions of the upcoming phone remain undisclosed, so we don’t know yet how bigger or smaller it is compared to the Pixel 9. The bezels around the display, however, do look a little thicker, giving it a less premium appearance overall.

The Pixel “a” series often carries the design from the same generation, so it would be surprising to see this big a change for the phone. It could also be Google’s strategy to further differentiate the Pixel 9a from the Pixel 9, giving it an aesthetic that definitely looks more “mid-range” than the flagship models. You can still see signs of the Pixel DNA if you look hard enough, but other than the position and orientation of the cameras, it’s almost too easy to pass the Pixel 9a over for some more visually interesting mid-tier phones.

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Bamboo drone explores a more sustainable way to fly and deliver things

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Some see them as annoyances and others consider them as privacy and security risks. That said, flying drones, just like their quadruped terrestrial counterparts, will inevitably be a part of our near future. That does mean there will be more mass-produced drones, more than what we already have today, and the materials used to make them aren’t always accessible or sustainable. But just as plastic is being replaced in other design industries, there’s also an opportunity to test other materials that are just as suitable for these flying robots. One experiment does exactly that, and it chooses a rather unexpected option that’s much loved in the design industry: wood.

Designer: Deepak Dadheech

Wood is not something you’d immediately associate with electronics, let alone robotics, but it is finding its way to more appliances and gadgets. In those cases, the material is prized for its sustainability and aesthetics, the latter of which isn’t exactly a priority among unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs like drones. That said, not all wood is created equal, and one particular type could very well be suitable for the demands of a drone.

Bamboo, in particular, is known for being lightweight yet also durable, especially when it comes to its tensile strength. Unlike hardwood, which could splinter and break on impact, bamboo can absorb a bit more strength. It’s also in high supply or easily renewable, unlike other trees that take a longer time to mature. Because of these properties, it could make for a good substitute for both plastic and carbon fiber, as the Bamboo hexacopter drone demonstrates.

Of course, the whole drone isn’t made of bamboo. In addition to the circuitry and brushless motors, the propellers are still made from plastic. Only the main frame, legs, and arms use bamboo, which is the largest use of plastic or carbon fiber in drones anyway. For only around $12 worth of bamboo, you can have a drone that weighs only 350g, half that of typical plastic builds.

The question, however, is whether such a strategy will actually be effective or if it will have too many compromises for the sake of sustainability. The Bamboo Drone does fly indeed and it can, in theory, carry light payloads like tools, emergency supplies, or scientific instruments. How it will fair against strong winds and light rain has yet to be tested, and that will really determine how suitable bamboo will be for a fleet of drones.

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Modular In-car Coat Hanger Concept Doubles as a Tablet Holder and Stand

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Vehicles like cars and vans have a variety of storage solutions for almost everything you might want to bring with you except for coats, dress shirts, and dresses. It’s not uncommon for people to bring certain clothes they need to hang, but even after decades, the majority of cars don’t have a proper solution to that problem. At the same time, it might be a waste of precious space to have a permanent fixture just for hanging clothes you might bring occasionally, so this accessory concept utilizes a modular design that adds a hanger in your car when you need it or any other thing you need to hang from the back of a car seat, like a tablet, for example.

Designer: BKID co

Theoretically, you could always hang clothes from the car’s grab handles or assist grips, but they’re obviously not designed for that purpose. It doesn’t align the hanger with the car’s cabin, making it awkward, cumbersome, and space-consuming. This Hyundai Multi Hanger, in contrast, uses the space right behind the driver or front passenger seats, using a hanger design that doesn’t get in the way when you don’t need it or can even be used for some other purpose.

The secret to this multi-functional feat is the modular design of the hanger. The hanger itself has “wings” that can fold inside its body, conserving space even while it’s still attached to the seat. The base of the hanger clamps onto the rods of the seat’s headrest, which means you will need to raise that headrest a bit, which could be uncomfortable for the person sitting in front. Alternatively, the hanger itself can be hooked somewhere else, presuming there’s a bar thin enough to fit inside the very small hook.

If you do remove the hanger from the holder, you can attach other parts instead. One of these is a clamp for holding tablets, which transforms the hanger into an entertainment panel, which kids might enjoy. That clamp can also be used standalone, with the connector at the back acting as a stand for the tablet.

In theory, plenty of other things can be attached to this modular system, like a pocket or basket for small items or maybe even a holder for food and drinks. It’s a simple yet effective solution that takes advantage of an often overlooked area of cars, made possible thanks to the creative use of foldable mechanisms.

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Folding Travel Toothbrush Concept Keeps Your Teeth and the Planet Clean

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Dental hygiene is already quite the tiresome chore at home, so you can probably imagine how some people use travel as an excuse to conveniently “forget” brushing their teeth. Of course, you can always bring your own toothbrush, or hope your hotel provides one, but not all travel toothbrushes seem to be designed for travel. Conventional toothbrushes take up plenty of space with their long bodies while folding designs feel flimsy, unreliable, and always disposable. For those who really want to keep their teeth healthy even when far from home, they’ll need this kind of toothbrush that can keep them company for years to come, thanks to a modular design that also ensures that the planet’s health isn’t sacrificed for the sake of yours.

Designer: Uladzislau Patapchyk

The vast majority of toothbrushes, whether those for the home or for travel, are made from plastic. Given how people are advised to replace their toothbrushes regularly, the accumulated waste from all these dental hygiene tools is staggering. In reality, what you really need to replace is just the bristles of the brush, something that this concept design takes into heart.

More than just its compact foldable form, the IO travel toothbrush concept embraces a modular design that lets you swap out those bristles as needed. It helps reduce the amount of waste from toothbrushes that are thrown out as a whole object when you really need to only replace the head. It also makes the toothbrush more hygienic and convenient, since you can replace the bristles anytime, especially after an accidental drop or brush (no pun intended) with unsanitary surfaces.

The body of the toothbrush itself is also designed to last and is made using surgical steel or other durable metals. The smooth, edge-free design prevents that metal from cutting into your mouth or skin. It has an elegant minimalist design that not only makes it aesthetically pleasing but also reduces the space it takes up in your bag or kit. Like the bristles, it actually also has a modular design that lets you separate the two parts, in case you need to replace one or the other.

This IO toothbrush concept is designed for sustainability from every angle. Even the packaging is supposed to be biodegradable and can even be dissolved in water. You can easily just dissolve the packaging rather than throw it away, ensuring that you won’t be leaving any trash behind. With some outside-the-box thinking, this toothbrush concept proves that human health and convenience don’t have to come at the expense of the planet.

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Mirrored tabletop accessories create illusions that have you questioning your sanity

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We put a lot of things on top of our desks, dining tables, and shelves, whether for functionality or decoration. Over time, we get so used to their presence that they become almost invisible, at least until something changes that shocks us awake to reality. Being mindful of the things around us isn’t so bad a thing, especially when it causes you to stop and think, even for a brief moment. Things that give us pause don’t have to be outlandish, loud, or unsettling. They just have to be unusual enough for our minds to be puzzled and stomped. This tabletop collection does that effectively not with sophisticated mechanisms or intricate designs but my simple shapes and materials create an illusion of something that isn’t what it seems at first glance.

Designer: Bo Zhang

Optical illusions work by making our eyes and our brains disagree with each other. Something that isn’t logical but clearly looks that way could send our heads in a loop. Most of these illusions use diagrams and illustrations on flat paper, but there are times when they can also be made with solid, three-dimensional objects. You just need some creative thinking and a devious use of forms, colors, and mirrors.

The Zig/Zag collection is a pair of table accessories, namely a vase and a tray, that sport the eponymous shape. That alone is enough to call attention to them because of their uncommon design, but that novelty doesn’t last really long. A properly placed mirror on the edge of these objects, however, reveals a whole new dimension you might have not seen before, almost literally. The wave that you see reflected on those discs doesn’t seem to be the same one standing before you, definitely not the same color, at least.

Imagine seeing a reflection that is the same yet slightly different. The shape of the vase or tray is exactly the same, and so are the objects that they hold. Everything’s mirrored perfectly as you would expect, except for the color of the tray. Orange is yellow, black is hot pink, and green is pale peach. It’s almost as if you’re peering into an alternate reality instead of looking at a mirror, but in truth, the design is just messing with your head. The secret is actually simple: The “zig” side in front is painted with a different color from the “zag” behind it. Unless you’re looking at the objects from a specific angle, you wouldn’t even know that they have two different colors. Only that mirror reveals this duality in a way that seems mysterious and magical.

Mirrors are often seen as functional objects, but the Zig/Zag tabletop collection design transforms it into an art object. The vase and the tray don’t lose nor gain any functionality, but they do gain new value as aesthetic pieces that straddle the line between form and function. It’s a simple gimmick that urges you to take another look, perhaps to solve the mystery that you never knew existed. It makes your mind zig-zag between reality and fantasy, making you pause and simply enjoy the moment of being there.

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Spherical table lamp adds a beautiful playful touch to an everyday object

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Lamps are the most common lighting fixture in our home, and they present the biggest opportunity to change the ambiance using thoughtful design. Some lamps are elaborate and luxurious, bordering on art masterpieces, while others are minimal to the point of disappearing from view. Lamps don’t just bring light to a room but also certain emotions like joy, energy, or fun. This lamp design, for example, tries to visually recreate the phenomenon of a ball colliding with a sheet of material, creating a playful mixture of uncommon forms, warm colors, and a simple yet impactful design that adds a little flavor to any shelf, table, or living space.

Designer: Lidia Gomez

There is probably nothing more playful than a ball. Its spherical kind introduces a form of instability that makes it wobble and roll unless something stands in its path. Both kids and adults alike love playing with balls, rolling them, throwing them, and even making them bounce. The playful “bonk” sound that this bouncing action makes is just as fun, which is why some kids just can’t stop doing it even after being scolded repeatedly.

The Bonk table lamp design brings that imagery to common everyday appliances, transforming it into something like a living and dynamic object. Its form, with the ball half sunken into what seems to be a sheet of fabric, captures and freezes that moment, creating a visual tension between movement and stillness, action and rest. It creates an interesting aesthetic on its own, and an almost eerie appearance once you turn the lamp on in the dark.

Almost like its shape, Bonk also balances its cheerful disposition with a more subdued color palette. Tiger Orange, Sand, Sunrise Yellow, and Stone convey warmth yet still remain subtle and almost understated. It creates a juxtaposition of design elements that is a perfect metaphor for the symmetrical yet unbalanced form of a ball. It combines all these into a design that will fit perfectly inside modern homes, regardless of the interior motif.

Bonk is also a design that’s a bit in touch with nature, even if indirectly. It can be 3D printed using FDM technology and utilizing PLA, a more renewable and sustainable form of plastic in wide use with this production method. Simple, striking, and sustainable, Bonk tries to challenge the status quo of home decor design where these elements can come together in a harmonious composition that not only brings light to your space but also sparks joy in your life.

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Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tablet puts AI on an extra-large 14-inch screen

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I can still remember the time when Samsung was all but ridiculed for launching the 12.2-inch Galaxy Note Pro in 2014, but who would have known that it was just too ahead of its time? Fast forward a decade later, even Apple has a 13-inch iPad Pro, and unsurprisingly, Samsung won’t be outdone. Of course, there might be a limit to what can still be considered a portable tablet, but those lines are being blurred now that “Pro” tablets are being positioned as laptop replacement. And just like many Windows laptops today boast Microsoft Copilot features, Samsung is bringing the full power of its Galaxy AI to its largest mobile screens.

Designer: Samsung

With a 14.6-inch screen, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra might be stretching the definition of a tablet, but it’s undoubtedly a very portable size for a detachable laptop and a digital drawing pad. Of course, Samsung has been marketing its Tab S series as a tablet for pros, but this time it’s adding a new element to the mix to make that even more plausible. Its putting AI, its own Galaxy AI, of course, front, center, and across the full width of that large screen, promising to upgrade your productivity as you upgrade your hardware.

In terms of design, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a dead ringer for last year’s Samsung flagship tablet, which means you’re still getting a simple and no-nonsense design. Mirroring the aesthetics of its current Galaxy S smartphones, it has flat edges, a flat back, and two separate rings for the 13MP and 8MP cameras. There’s still that magnetic charging groove across the back for the included S Pen, making sure you don’t lose the all-important accessory too easily.

Samsung is making a lot of noise about the AI features on the tablet, all of them geared for productivity and creativity. Note Assist and Handwriting Help make it easier to make sense of notes, while Sketch to Image lets your artistic spirit free. There’s also Google’s now famous Circle to Search gesture, and the official Book Cover Keyboard naturally has a dedicated Galaxy AI Key to launch your AI assistant of choice, whether it’s Samsung Bixby or Galaxy Gemini.

In terms of specs, Samsung naturally crammed the best of mobile hardware inside, except for one curious but critical compoment. Samsung opted to use a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor instead of the usual Qualcomm Snapdragon, and some might have doubts about whether it can handle heavy AI loads, among other tasks. Regardless, the 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, 12GB of RAM, and 11,200mAh battery all come together for a premium experience. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra starts at a rather eye-watering $1,200, but those who prefer slightly smaller screens can opt for the 12.2-inch Galaxy Tab S10+ with a matching $1,000 price tag. Sadly, no smaller Galaxy Tab S10 model this year.

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Galaxy S24 FE tries to make AI and minimalist design more accessible

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Ever since it relaunched the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has been launching a new “Fan Edition” S series flagship every year. The Samsung FE series is supposed to bring the most wanted features of its high-end phones down to a more affordable price tag, which means it does have to cut some corners to reach that price point. Cameras and battery life have always been the main focus of the Galaxy FE phones, but this year brings an unsurprising addition to that set. With the Galaxy S24 FE, Samsung is making an even bigger push for its Galaxy AI suite, trying to push it to more people with a handset that won’t kill their budget too much.

Designer: Samsung

In terms of design, the Galaxy S24 FE strangely stands in between the Galaxy S24+ and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It has an unapologetically large 6.7-inch screen, but its actual size is made even bigger by the wider bezels you won’t see on the more premium Galaxy S24 series. It does at least have the same elegant minimalist design as the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ with its rounded corners, flat edges, and flat front and back.

Of course, the “Fan Edition” phones come with plenty of compromises if you compare them to the standard flagship. In this particular case, the Galaxy S24 FE has a slightly dimmer screen that has fixed refresh rates of either 60Hz or 120Hz only, an underclocked mid-range Exynos 2400e processor, and only 8GB of RAM. That said, it does have a larger 4,700mAh battery compared to the 4,000mAh battery on the Galaxy S24, and it has almost similar 50MP main and 12MP ultra-wide cameras. The 3x telephoto camera, however, only has an 8MP sensor.

Unsurprisingly, a lot of the focus in this release is on Galaxy AI and the features that it enables. Those include retouching photos, making amusing compositions, and of course, Circle to Search with Google. Hopefully, the phone’s modest specs will be able to catch up with the demanding AI features without making the phone too hot to handle.

What is surprising is that Samsung is making the same support commitment it made with its more expensive phones, namely seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. The phone also uses some materials made from recycled plastics, aluminum, glass, and rare earth metals, which is pretty impressive for a “cheaper” variant of a flagship phone. All of these come with a $649.99 price tag for 128GB of storage ($709.99 for 256GB), which isn’t all that bad considering you’re getting a solid phone from a reputable brand.

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Ride-on suitcase for kids doubles as an in-flight bed or leg rest

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Rideable motorized suitcases are odd products, even more so when adults are the ones riding on them. They look more like fun toys for kids, but strangely enough, such products are in low supply or even non-existent. Of course, the dangers of sitting a kid on a moving vehicle, cute as it may be, can be frightening, but that doesn’t mean the basic design of a ride-on suitcase doesn’t have merits, especially if it doesn’t have motors in the first place. This unusual suitcase for toddlers takes that idea and gives it a little twist, giving it some other utility even when already boarded on the plane or train.

Designer: Frost Produkt

There are plenty of suitcases with colors and decorations catering to kids, but strangely enough, the majority of them aren’t exactly designed for kids. They function more like miniature suitcases for adults with zippers that are difficult to use and compartments that are difficult to access without having to first lay the suitcase down. That might just be a hassle for grownups, but it’s nothing short of a chore for kids, not unlike being told to clean up their closet.

Jetkids is a ride-on suitcase truly designed with a young child in mind, and not just because of how fun it seems to sit on top of it. Instead of a zipper that opens from the front, this suitcase has a top cover that can be easily lifted to reveal the contents inside. The cover itself is actually a container as well, suitable for smaller items or things that the child or parent needs to access immediately.

That’s because this cover can be flipped over and placed on top of the suitcase, acting not only as a sort of desk but also as a leg rest or bed. The idea is to place the suitcase in front of the child’s seat on the plane, extending the area they can sit or even lie down on. And when the child is on the ground and about, the suitcase also offers a place for them to sit down and, if needed, be pulled by their family or guardian.

This unusual yet useful design does limit Jetkids, which was also marketed under the name Stokke Bedbox, to a certain age range that allows them to sit safely on the suitcase. It’s still an interesting design that really puts the ease of use and comfort of the child in mind rather than simply shrinking a product made for older people.

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