Author Archives: Ida Torres

Edible AirPods-looking earbuds are (expensive) fanciful candy

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We see a lot of Airpod dupes out there in the market that are not as expensive and therefore may also not last as long as the originals. I’ve heard of some people who keep getting these non-authentic earbuds that look the same as Apple’s original because either they stop working properly or they keep losing them. And with the way that a lot of these earbuds are made, it’s not surprising that people keep losing them. What if there are AirPods though that are meant to be lost….into your mouth?

Designer: MSCHF

The Brooklyn-based art collective called MSCHF, known for their unserious and sometimes prank-ish products, have come up with their own take on the AirPods. But instead of giving you music, this may very well give you a toothache. That’s because their Candy AirPods are just exactly what the name says. They are edible earbuds that don’t have any other function except to be consumed. Well, unless, you want to keep them around for a long time even though they can’t let you listen to your favorite songs or podcasts.

The AirPods-looking candy come in a box just like the actual AirPods. They really do look like the earbuds as they are “ergonomically fitted to your ears” even though they’re not meant to be actually be put into your ears. The edible earbuds are made from isomalt, water, food coloring, and natural and artificial flavors and only contain 10 calories per container. If you have any allergies, you shouldn’t worry as they are GMO-free, fat-free, and allergen-free. They’re even manufactured in a nut-free facility so you can be sure you won’t get an allergy attack if you eat them.

Right now, it looks like they’re already sold out on the MSCHF website and we don’t know if they will still be restocking. But in case they will, it will cost you $50 which is a pretty steep price for two pieces of candy. They also can’t ship outside of Continental America since it’s not meant to travel far.

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Monocycle robot with legs may be last-mile delivery helper in the future

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When we think of robots, more of then than not, we think of them in their humanoid design or at the very least in a dog-like form. But if you’re really experimenting with this kind of technology, you can get inspired from sci-fi and futuristic movies or TV shows. You can even be inspired by something “old” that can be adapted into a high-tech design. I’m fine with more experimental kinds of robots as long as they don’t overthrow the human race.

Designer: Joohyung Kim

A professor from the Electrical & Computer Engineering department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has come up with a robot that is inspired by the monocycle and some of those fast-moving circular robots you see in sci-fi films. The Ringbot is basically a monocycle robot that has two legs inside of it that looks like someone lying inside a ring and pedaling away. While there have been wheel-leg designs previously, this is the first one that was probably inspired by monocycles and General Grievous from Star Wars’ Clone Wars series.

The large wheel is the frame of the robot itself while the legs actually help the robot to balance itself and avoid toppling over. There are actually two indepent driving modules inside of it and each one controls its velocity so it can track a desired orientation. It can go around with the legs in the air steering and balancing it. When it does fall down, the legs will enable it to stand back up. It is also able to move and turn when stuck in tight spaces. It is able to make full rotations inside the wheel and drive it up to 5km/hour.

For now the Ringbot seems to just be something they are experimenting with. But in the future, they are looking at this robot to do autonomous last-mile deliveries in congested environments. They will be adding two additional limbs so it can carry packages and even go up and down stairs and rough terrains. Who knows, in the future you’ll get your package delivered by this monocyle robot with legs.

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Concept laptop and tablet adapts to your mobile working needs

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As we continue to be more mobile in terms of where we work and study, gadgets and devices are adjusting to users’ needs and wants. More often than not, laptops and tablets are the devices of choice as it allows us to work wherever we want, oftentimes at cafes and shared or co-working spaces or sometimes even while commuting. There are already a lot of options out there but we continue to look at concepts that can bring even more improvements to our nomad working lifestyle.

Designer: Lee Seung-Hee

This concept laptop called LT-1 aims to solve the pain point of having a disorganized work environment when you’re working outside or having several gadgets with you even as you have limited space and are continuously mobile. What we need is to have a device that is efficient, practical, can adjust to our needs, and can multi-task just like what we’re probably doing. What they came up with is a minimalist looking laptop that has several functionalities built into it.

What’s unique about this concept is that you have a sub-display in the keyboard area which can show things that don’t need much of your attention but may be important to know. This includes your music playlist, preview of messages, and even a scheduler if you need to take a quick look at those things. Taking up 1/3 of your keyboard is the multi tablet section which basically serves as your trackpad and a multi-touch surface where you can use your pencil or stylus. It also has something called Mode Change LED although it’s not fully explained what it does. The keyboard itself has shortcut keys and there’s a function bar at the top where you have power key, switch to tablet mode, sound control, and something called “behavioral recording”.

They assume that you’ll use the LT-1 a lot so there’s a chance of overheating. There’s a back vent and a side vent to help with that as one of the ideas for this laptop and tablet in one is that it will remain cool. As a concept, this is pretty interesting but the actual execution may be challenging, and maybe even expensive. Let’s see how far the LT-1 Concept Laptop can get and if we’ll eventually see it in the market.

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Dog training clicker has built-in treat storage

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Dog owners who are self training their pets know that clicker training is probably one of the standard practices. It is also known as marker training as you use a clicker to let the dog know that it has fulfilled a task. As you continually use the clicker, it conditions the dog to want to perform what you want it to do based on the theory of operant conditioning. There are a lot of different clickers available for this specific training but of course there’s always room for newer and more innovative versions.

Designer: Zerong Yang

Depending on your dog training regimen, the use of clickers sometimes forego treats as rewards as the click themselves are the rewards for your dog. But there are also those that still use snacks to give to them once they are able to fulfill the task and to associate it with the clicker. The Clink Clicker combines the clicking and the treats in one convenient device so you just have to hold one thing when doing the training.

It looks like a typical clicker but it has a sliding mechanism where you can store the treats you want to use as rewards. So after the dog has finished the task you’re training them to do, you click the clicker and then the dog will probably come to you and you can feed them the treat immediately. The space for the snacks is a desiccant compartment so it will remain fresh even if you’re outside for your training and it may be a bit hot.

It’s a simple solution to a treat management problem that some dog owners may experience. Having the clicker and the treat storage in just one device makes it more convenient and may shave off a few seconds during your training, leaving more time for learning and fun (well for your dogs, at least).

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Vinyl turntable concept uses industrial materials and design

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As much as I love my music streaming services, I’m also a fan of playing analog music. Well, at least in theory. I have several CDs at home already but I don’t have a CD player (still researching about what’s the best one that my wallet can afford). I also want to have a vinyl player soon although that will take more of an investment both for the player itself and the vinyls I’ll buy afterwards. So I am always interested when I see concepts or designs for turntables as it can be references for what I’ll buy in the (hopefully) near future.

Designer: Antoine Brieux / NAK Studio

This concept for a high end industrial design linear vinyl turntable will probably not fit into my budget if it ever gets made but it’s still pretty interesting to look at. It will be made up of full machined aluminum and magnesium parts but also uses glass and recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) so you get an industrial but minimalist look. The platter assembly has conical bearings shaft and actually looks like those old 35mm film projectors but placed horizontally.

In keeping with its industrial theme, you get an industrial drive belt driving system but with an air cushion linear arm to make it more interesting. The tonearm is Bluetooth embedded so you can connect it to Bluetooth speakers directly but you can also use the regular plug system if you prefer that. It also has a brushless motor and constant drive controller while it uses capacitive sensors to manage the start and end position of the arms which can use either an automatic or manual lift system.

The product render, including a video sample of what it might look like, makes it really look like a high end kind of vinyl player. But it also looks a bit heavy based on the materials that will be used so if you’re looking for something that can be portable or at least easy to move within your space, this might not be it. As for the quality when you actually play your vinyls on it, that remains to be seen.

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Ergonomic wooden laptop stand is portable, sustainable

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One of the things I have to do to not worsen my carpal tunnel syndrome and other things that can lead to repetitive strain injuries is to elevate my Macbook screen. I spend sometimes more than eight hours in front of the screen so I need to have more ergonomic tools to help manage my posture and not cause eye and muscle strain. Sometimes though these things can also be inconvenient, both to my workflow and my wallet.

Designer: Mickey Linskens

WOULDSTAND is a wooden laptop side that is ergonomic, sustainable, and they’re hoping eventually, affordable for ordinary employees (more on that later). The main purpose of this is to elevate your laptop screen to lessen the strain on your wrist and arms when using your device for a prolonged period of time. You can use it for laptops, tablets, and even books if you’re reviewing for exams or you’re just reading a lot on a table. It is designed to make sure that your screen is at arm’s length and the top edge is slightly below eye level.

The stand is made from renewable materials like FSC eucalyptus and Starplex plywood. It actually looks like a puzzle piece and can be easily assembled and there are also adjustable elements since different people would use it for different purposes. It’s also light enough despite the wooden material so you can carry it around without straining yourself as well. You can also use it even if you’re not at a table, like placing it on your lap or whatever stable surface you’re working from.

Since it’s locally produced and uses renewable materials, it’s also not as affordable as some in the market that are more mass produced. So the plan is to market it to companies by making the stand easily brandable. This way companies can buy it, have their logos included in the stand and then give it to their employees or to their customers. However, they’ll still sell it direct to customers for those who can spare € 30,00 to protect their muscles.

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Ergonomic wooden laptop stand is portable, sustainable

Posted on by

One of the things I have to do to not worsen my carpal tunnel syndrome and other things that can lead to repetitive strain injuries is to elevate my Macbook screen. I spend sometimes more than eight hours in front of the screen so I need to have more ergonomic tools to help manage my posture and not cause eye and muscle strain. Sometimes though these things can also be inconvenient, both to my workflow and my wallet.

Designer: Mickey Linskens

WOULDSTAND is a wooden laptop side that is ergonomic, sustainable, and they’re hoping eventually, affordable for ordinary employees (more on that later). The main purpose of this is to elevate your laptop screen to lessen the strain on your wrist and arms when using your device for a prolonged period of time. You can use it for laptops, tablets, and even books if you’re reviewing for exams or you’re just reading a lot on a table. It is designed to make sure that your screen is at arm’s length and the top edge is slightly below eye level.

The stand is made from renewable materials like FSC eucalyptus and Starplex plywood. It actually looks like a puzzle piece and can be easily assembled and there are also adjustable elements since different people would use it for different purposes. It’s also light enough despite the wooden material so you can carry it around without straining yourself as well. You can also use it even if you’re not at a table, like placing it on your lap or whatever stable surface you’re working from.

Since it’s locally produced and uses renewable materials, it’s also not as affordable as some in the market that are more mass produced. So the plan is to market it to companies by making the stand easily brandable. This way companies can buy it, have their logos included in the stand and then give it to their employees or to their customers. However, they’ll still sell it direct to customers for those who can spare € 30,00 to protect their muscles.

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Deflated balloon chair is an interesting piece of furniture

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One of the most comfortable places that I like to lounge in when I’m just reading or scrolling through my mobile device is a bean bag. Sometimes however, because it’s too comfortable or too deflated, I tend to just sink into it without concern for my posture or my position. That’s not always a bad thing of course especially if I’m just relaxing. But sometimes I need to work on something or I should be more mindful of how I sit and the design of most bean bags aren’t conducive for that.

Designer: Andrea Casagrande

This design for a bean bag-like chair called Balloon seems to both be comfortable and ergonomic in a sense that it supports your body. The main concept for it is also pretty interesting as it resembles a deflated balloon. The seat being the main balloon part only deflated and the back part that supports your back, arms, and head representing the bottom part of the balloon including the stem and knot, but again, it’s deflated.

The fabric upholstery used in the chair also replicates the texture of a balloon but hopefully it’s not as slippery as most balloons. It is also lightweight enough that you can easily drag it to different parts of the room unlike with regular bean bags or even regular chairs that can sometimes be too heavy. It comes in different pastel colors as well including blue, pink, green, and orange. They want you to have the sense of “floating” but also it is capable of holding you upright if you need to be.

If no one’s sitting in the Balloon chair, it may look like a ghost that’s sitting on the floor so if you’re a scaredy cat and it’s dark, then it can give you a fright. But it’s an interesting shape for a chair and can be a conversational piece in your living space.

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Bring your pet while riding your bike with trailer and backpack in one

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For fur parents that have bikes and need to bring their babies with them outside, having somewhere to place their pet safely and conveniently can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, a lot of pet-related brands have been coming up with different products to make life easier for both the owner and the pet. And we’ll probably be seeing even more innovations as they have realized there is a huge market out there for pet owners willing to spend money on their precious babies.

Designer: Waggin

Waggin is a new pet product company that wants to create products that are “sleek and innovative” and for their hero product they came up with Waggin G1, a pet bike trailer and backpack in one. Initially, the trailer is attached to the backpack so it’s easy to assemble and disassemble and carry it around. At the same time, there is storage space in the backpack so you can put stuff in either for your pet or for yourself. It can fit in snacks and toys for your pet and even a laptop and maybe some books and notebooks that you will need for your outing.

The trailer is easy (and safe) to attach to your bike so both of you can travel in comfort and in style. It uses lightweight materials including a rip proof mesh, performance nylon, and a security D-Ring to securely attach it to your bike. It has two entrances, a sunroof, a padded bed, and a safety clip so your pet will feel right at home even as you’re traveling. It is only able to accommodate small to medium sized pets so you may have to look for alternatives if you have a large fur baby.

The backpack also has padded straps and a backpack pad so you will feel comfortable carrying it around while you’re biking, with the pet trailer trailing at the back. It’s a pretty innovative product that makes it convenient to have daily outings with your dog or cat when you’re feeling bored working from home and your babies need some outdoor activity.

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Water filtering pitcher concept wants you to slow down while pouring a drink

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When you’re thirsty or you need to drink water, you just go to your ref, bring out the pitcher, or open a water bottle and just drink. You don’t really think about things like slowing down, mindfulness, staying healthy, or resting. You just need to quench your thirst or count the glasses of water that you drink. But actually if you think about it, drinking water can definitely be connected to all of that and can be your chance to take a break from your normal routine and take a few, deep breaths while drinking.

Designers: Krishna Pranav Vaddiparthi & Ria Shah

Osoi is a concept for a water filtering pitcher for Japanese tableware and lifestyle brand Kinto. The name of the product is the Japanese word for “slow” and its goal, aside from getting you to drink clean, filtered water, is to slow down while nourishing your body. The brand is the perfect inspiration as they are an advocate of using their products to “connect to life” or just taking a break from your work or studies even as you do something mundane.

The design of the pitcher itself uses several elements that represent what it means to slow down on a functional and aesthetic level. The pastel peach gradient represents joy but is also part of the water filtering process. Meanwhile, the spout, representing the water flow, lets you pour the water ever so slowly so you’re forced to slow down and have a sense of calm. The wooden handle is supposed to “celebrate the finer details” while the few wooden parts of the pitcher gives you a more tactile experience.

The Osoi pitcher render shows three different color hues: Blissful Blue, Gray Gardens, and Patient Peach. It’s a pretty interesting ideology to put on a mere pitcher but we all need to stop and smell the roses, or at least drink the water, every once in a while.

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