Author Archives: Ida Torres

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

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

Designer: Igor Jankovic

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

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

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

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“Dancing” opener adds to the fun of opening your drink

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One of the best and most relaxing sounds you’ll hear is that pop of the bottle cap and the initial fizz as you open a bottle of beer or, if you’re not the drinking kind, a bottle of soda or any bottled drink of your choice. Whether you’re drinking alone and relaxing at the end of a stressful day or if you’re hanging out with friends and enjoying their company over drinks, this is a sound that can make you go “aaahhh” or “ooohhh”. Now what if the instrument you use to open that bottle can share in your joy or add a bit more enjoyment to the moment?

Designer: Leemok Studio

That’s the thinking behind this simple concept for a bottle opener called the Dancing Opener. Lest you think that it’s a complicated gizmo that can show off the latest TikTok dance trend or something, it’s actually a pretty simple and functional accessory that you can bring along to your drinking sessions. It’s round shaped with a curved convex-like hole which is how you can use it to pop open a bottle. After you’ve opened the bottle, you take the opener for a spin, placing it on its circular head and sliding your fingers to make it “dance”.

Okay, dance is probably an exaggeration of what the opener actually does. It seems to be able to balance on its head and as you gently flip it, it goes round and round. Think of it more as a ritual you can do after you open the bottle or as you say “cheers”, “kampai”, “geonbae”, “prost” or whatever language you’re drinking to. It’s basically like spinning a top or coin on its head except that the circumference is a bit thicker so it’s easier to balance and spin.

Sure, if you want to see it as a “dancing opener”, you might as well call it that. The idea is to have a bit more fun as you open the thing that will be bringing you more fun (hopefully) the rest of the night. It’s a simple enough product that we won’t be surprised to see it in the market anytime soon.

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Airpods charger cover brings you the Nintendo Gameboy feels

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When we use chargers for our devices, we usually just go for the ones that come with said device and don’t really think about other accessories to go with it. That’s because they’re almost always used exclusively for one purpose only: to juice up our smartphone, tablet, and other accessories. But who says you can’t have fun with it right? If you’re into the whole retro is cool again thing, then this new wrap for a charger from elago may be the one for you.

Designer: elago

Elago has been bringing their nostalgic accessories a-game as we’ve seen some Nintendo-inspired designs from them this year. The newest one that they’re releasing is a Game Boy cover for your Airpods charger. Basically, the “wrap” will turn your charger into the coolest thing ever, at least for those who can recognize the now-classic Game Boy design. It’s similar to the MagSafe wallet that they recently announced as well.

The wrap is compatible for the Apple 35W Dual USB-C Power Adapter that powers up your Airpods. It basically looks like the Game Boy interface with the face buttons, D-Pad, and other elements that you’re used to seeing in the Nintendo device. Of course these don’t have any function except to be nostalgic aesthetic. It uses soft silicone material and has a larger cutout around the dual USB-C jacks so it can be used with any cable thickness.

It is a pretty cute addition to your charger and aside from looking cool, it is also able to protect it from scratches, bumps, drops, dirt, and oils because of the material. It is available in Light Grey, Black, and Sand Pink and costs only around $15.

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Colorful stool is made from 80% recycled plastic

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When it comes to functional pieces of furniture, we probably go for items that are able to serve their function (and are most likely affordable) and are not really that concerned with the design or aesthetics. But the past years, a lot of people have also been concerned with how these items are made, specifically with the materials used to create them as we become more conscious about our personal carbon footprint and the things taht we consume.

Designer: Alexander Latersztain for Derlot

The original Stump stool from Derlot were already interesting enough with their “bold, minimalist and uncomplicated” take on this piece of furniture that lets us sit. Now the newest version is the Stump Recycled which carries the same basic structure of the stool but is now made from 80% recycled post-industrial plastic LDPE. And if you’re the type that would go for furniture that’s made sustainability then this should be right up your alley.

Because of the material it’s made from, you also get a different design. The patterns on the stools feature a terrazzo-like design which makes it more textured and colorful look. The original Stump stools had pretty solid colors but this time around you have the option to have a seat with a kaleidoscope-like finish. This is their “fresh interpretation” of how you can use recycled materials to enhance your design as well.

Derlot says that more than just a stool that you can sit on, this is a symbol of their commitment to pursue more sustainable design and production. I don’t know how long I can last sitting on this stool though as it’s small and doesn’t look that comfortable but sure, for sustainability, it’s a pretty interesting piece of furniture to have.

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Lego Cherry Blossoms lets you have spring in your house soon

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There are people born with “green thumbs” that are able to create wonderful gardens and plant and floral masterpieces. And then there are people like me who kill everything green that they touch (yes, I even manage to kill succulents and bonsais). If you’re the latter or you have kids that are interested in flowers and would need practice on non-living versions of floral arrangements or if you just like adding a bit of flowery things to your collection, then this new Lego addition should interest you.

Designer: Lego

Spring is still a few months away but the LEGO Cherry Blossoms will help you get ready for it, as long as you’re 8 years old and above. The set features two buildable cherry blossom twigs that you can mix and match to get white and pink blooms. Since it’s Lego, you don’t get the actual flowers. You need to build it with the 438 pieces that come with the set to create two twigs that can measure up to 14 inches (35 cm) long. You can combine the different colors or stick to creating a white stem and a pink stem separately.

Once you’re able to complete your cherry blossom twigs, you can put it around the house as a piece of spring decoration. You can also combine it with other LEGO flower sets (sold separately) like their Roses, Wildflower Bouquet, Dried Flower Centerpiece, Flower Bouquet, Botanical Collection, etc. If it’s winter where you are, then these flowers can brighten up your space even though they may not be in season.

It’s interesting to see Lego venturing into other sets that may not necessarily appeal to their original market that are used to bigger and more complicated builds. But the Cherry Blossoms and their other flower sets is perfect for young kids who aspire to eventually create gardens or for adults like me who can only dream of having an actual green thumb.

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Motorola brigns Pantone Color of the Year 2024 Peach Fuzz to its smartphones

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The moment Pantone announced their Color of the Year for 2024, we expected a lot of brands to officially and unofficially carry the Peach Fuzz tones for their respective products. If that is a color that you prefer or if you like that shade, then good for you as all year round you’ll see different brands and products carry the hue. If you’re not a fan, well, you’ll have to endure it and just look for other colors that match your preferences. If you’re the former and you’re looking for a new Android phone, then Motorola is a very good option.

Designer: Motorola

Motorola has come up with a tie-in with Pantone to bring Peach Fuzz versions of two of their newest smartphones, the motorola razr 40 ultra and the motorola edge 40 neo. The only difference between these versions of the smartphones and the original iteration is that they’re carrying the warm and cozy hues of the color of 2024, “highlighting the importance of shared moments” through the combination of Pantone’s “mastery of color” and Motorola’s “legendary design”

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For those who prefer a more hip and modern device, the flippable design of the motorola razr 40 ultra / razr+ with the Peach Fuzz color with the vegan leather finish might appeal more as they’re branding it for the extroverts. It boasts of several camera modules like its 12MP dual cam, the 13MP ultrawide lens, and the 32MP wide selfie camera. Those looking for a more “sophisticated” smartphone can go with the motorola edge 40 neo with its 6.55-inch P-OLED display, 5,000 mAh battery, and camera setup (50MP main, 13MP ultrawide lens, 32MP selfie cam).

Both Motorola and Pantone believe that color deepens our interaction with our devices as they express our individuality and preferences. The Peach Fuzz color in particular was chosen to harness “connection, community, and personal wellbeing”, which is what Motorola also wants to encapsulate in their smartphones.

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Tesla brings (scary) improvements to Gen 2 of Optimus humanoid robot

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It’s frightening to think that it will not be a surprise to all of us if one of these days, we’ll wake up to the fact that our new robot overlords have taken over the planet. We’re seeing advances in robotics that will not make that an impossibility. We’re still far away from robots becoming sentient beings that will enslave us though so for now we can enjoy how these humanoid devices are still being created to help us rather than replace us.

Designer: Tesla

It’s also not a surprise that Elon Musk and Tesla are at the forefront of trying to make these robots better. The latest version of their humanoid robot, the Optimus Gen 2, brings many improvements from their first one, the Bumblebee back in 2022, and the Optimus Gen 1 from just earlier this year. It received a lot of hardware upgrades for this version, specifically the Tesla-designed actuators and sensors that are now more precise and accurate and now has integrated electronics into it. You get articulated toe sections based on human foot geometry so it can walk a bit more naturally.

It now also has a 2-DoF actuated neck so it’s able to move its head in a more human way, which can be amazing or terrifying. Its hands now has 11-DoF and tactile sensing in all of its digits so it will be able to handle eggs and other delicate things without dropping them. It is also now lighter by 10kg and gets a 30% walk speed boost so it can easily move around better than its predecessors, although you can still outrun it if needed. Because of these improvements, it has improved balance and full body control that it can do things like squats.

The Optimus humanoid robot is envisioned to be a helper for humans, taking over some of the monotonous tasks that we would like to escape from. The Gen 2 is still in the prototype phase though and there is no news yet if they will eventually manufacture and sell it. It gives us time to think about whether we will risk an eventual robot uprising just to take away tedious tasks from our every day life.

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McDonald’s uses iconic brown paper bag for order in campaign

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Most restaurants would probably have campaigns encouraging you to go and visit their establishment and have a meal inside. But probably for fast food places, they would not like people to linger at their store and take up space. In Norway, McDonald’s customers usually eat their meals at the store or in their cars. So the fast-food chain started a campaign to encourage people to eat their favorite McDonald’s meals in the comfort of their own homes.

Designer: Julie Wilkinson from Makerie Studio

For this campaign that has a very simple tagline “Order in.”, they used something that’s very familiar to those who are ordering food to go: the takeout (or takeaway) bag. The outdoor camapaign features the omnipresent brown bag but hand-cut to show the traditional apartment buildings found in Norway with square and arched windows plus an arched doorway. They wanted to make sure that there was a balance between the iconic look of the bag and an instantly recognizable building.

The hand-cut image was then captured on camera by photographer Catharina Caprino for the campaign and there were no digital touch-ups for this. Everything was done in-camera, including the window light turned on in one of the windows. The minimalist design of the imagery that will be used for the campaign adds to the pretty simple message that they want to convey. The paper bag is already pretty simple so they just needed a couple of elements to complete it.

McDonald’s ad agency in Norway, Nord DDB Oslo, will be populating the country’s major cities with this imagery with the aforementioned tagline. They will be doing it in a pretty appropriate season which is winter. It will be too cold to go out or even eat in the car so they want customers to enjoy their ordered meals in the comfort of their heated homes.

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3D printed elbow brace can be customized and created through an app

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3D printing has brought a lot of changes when it comes to designing products. It has made experimentation with various materials and prototyping these proposed designs easier and more efficient. We’re seeing a lot of concepts get past the initial product rendering stage just by utilizing various 3D printing techniques and tools that are now available and is constantly evolving.

Designer: Nils Sorger

The +/- Brace is one such concept for a pain relieving elbow brace that can be used when doing physical labor or any kind of sports that requires strenuous activity so you can minimize the risk of injury. It’s something that can be created and customized using an app. choosing your size, form, structure, and padding. The final product you created can then be fabricated on your own, ordered through the maker community, or ordered through the creator’s app platform.

The 3D printing and laser cutting machine is called Grasshopper with a custom built script so body measurements inputted can be used to generate the data output. They used various iterations to find the optimal pattern for the brace and ended up with the 4-way stretch softshell fabric which is made up of 49% Polyester, 30% Polyamide, 12% Polyurethane, and 9% Elasthan. This is the best one for breathability and flexibility as well as a comfortable and flexible fit so you can still do all the activities you need to do. For the additive, they also tested several FDM-printed pads and ended up with something that is like foam or gel.

After much prototyping, the +/- Brace ended up with an aesthetic that seems like a combination of a Bluetooth speaker and a honeycomb packaging. It looks pretty flexible and comfortable, which are important characteristics of this kind of product so the user will not really feel like the brace is hindering their movement. All thanks to the improvement and enhancement of the 3D printed fabric-based manufacturing plus open source process, they were able to conceptualize and actually prototype this kind of individualized brace that shouldn’t break the bank.

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Get a complicated but beautiful time-telling experience with minimalist analog watch

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When looking at my wrist to check the time, I’m used to the digital interface of my smartwatch. I just see numbers (unless I’m using an analog display) so there’s no need for a split second delay in my head as I try to figure out the time. But there are certain watch designs that may be a bit more complicated but have such a well designed interface that you will forgive your brain for taking a longer time to figure out how it works.

Designer: Ressence

The Type 1° Round Multicolor is a minimalist watch with “bespoke complications” that is pretty attractive to analog device collectors. It’s actually an updated and more colored version of the Type 1 ZZ that they launched back in 2019. Its case is Grade 5 Titanium with a double-domed sapphire crystal top and an anti-reflective coating inside. It uses a patented Ressence Orbital Convex System module and has 40 jewels and 27 gears with a self-winding mechanism.

What makes it stand out though is how it tells you the hours, minutes, seconds and even day of the week. The main dial points to the minutes while the yellow satellite tells you the seconds. The green section tells you the hour while the pointer within the red section indicates the day of the week. You get the 3 biaxial satellites inclined at 3° for the hours and 4.75° for the seconds and days of the week. It’s pretty cool how everything works together although it might take you some time how to figure things out but once you get the hang of it, your watch will become a conversation piece as well.

In terms of colorways, it seems to have just a white one since the satellites are already colorful enough. You get an ardillon buckle and a 20mm rubber strap to put them on your wrist and it is 42.7 mm in diameter and 11mm in thickness. It has a 36 hours power reserve and you get 28,800 vibrations per hour. It’s a pretty nifty watch to have, that is if you have around $19,000.

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