Tag Archives: Umbrella

This Patio Umbrella has Built-in Fans to help you Cruise through the Summer Heat

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Summer warmth can be a blessing and a curse. As the days lengthen, inviting us to parks, beaches, and outdoor gatherings, the sun’s relentless heat can quickly turn a leisurely afternoon into a struggle against sweat and discomfort. That’s when you crave the indoors, with its shade and its fans and modern cooling – but what if you could get shade and fans while outdoors? Say hello to Alizé, a foldable patio umbrella that comes with a set of 4 built-in fans. Designed not just to shelter you but to actively keep you breezy and sweat-free, Alizé is a patio umbrella with a weatherproof design, built-in fans, and even USB ports that let you charge your gadgets. ‘Sunbrella’ fabric keeps the harsh sun out, and a robust aluminum frame and wide span lets Alizé host up to 4 people at a time, bringing the comfort of the indoors to the fresh vibrancy of the outdoors.

Designers: Tony Lee and Ryan Dickerson

Click Here to Buy Now: $309 $702 (56% off). Hurry, only 32/50 left!

What really stands out with Alizé is that it’s a clever idea executed in a totally new way. At first glance, it looks like a high-end patio umbrella with a slick, foldable, weatherproof design. Open it using the pulley system and you’re greeted with a control panel on the main stem that connects to a set of fans integrated into the umbrella’s structural frame. Press a button on the control panel and the fans begin to spin, generating a steady breeze directed at the perfect downward angle keeping everyone cool throughout the hot summer days, windless mornings, or humid evenings. The fans move a lot of air thanks to powerful brushless DC motors, – quite similar to the ones found in drones. When deployed, the system transforms the Alizé into a personal air conditioner, generating a breeze from fan blades that can turn at speeds up to 2200 RPM. The blades have been custom-designed to limit turbulence for quiet operation and each is individually controlled by the person sitting directly under it for a truly personalized experience that no outdoor fan has been able to achieve before. At the heart of the design is an ingenious electro-mechanical locking system that ensures the fan’s blades line up perfectly with the frame so you can shut the umbrella without manually making sure everything is aligned. Advanced safety features prevent the fans from operating when the umbrella is closed as well as automatically turn off and lock the blades if the umbrella is accidentally closed with the fans still spinning.

The umbrella offers a choice between 2 or 4 fans, depending on how many people will sit under it. The smaller parasol comfortably seats two people, while the larger, with 4 fans, lets up to four people lounge in the shade. Three speed settings on the control panel let you easily adjust the fans’ intensity, and if that wasn’t impressive enough, multiple USB-A ports let you plug your gadgets into the Alizé too, so you can charge your phones, earbuds, or Bluetooth speakers. Suffice it to say that the umbrella directly connects to a power source given its fixed design, eliminating the need for batteries.

Moving onto the umbrella itself, the Alizé comes with a robust marine-grade construction that can take on any weather – be it harsh sun or strong winds. The canopy is constructed from Sunbrella fabric, a premium material renowned for its durability, UV protection, and resistance to fading. This ensures the umbrella provides ample shade while withstanding the harsh summer sun. The frame is crafted from rust-resistant aluminum, offering a lightweight yet sturdy structure that can handle unexpected gusts or sudden downpours.

Beyond its innovative cooling technology, the Alizé Umbrella prioritizes user convenience. The setup process is designed to be quick and effortless, with an external pulley that allows you to bask in a cool shade under its canopy within minutes. User-friendly controls with adjustable fan settings empower you to personalize the airflow for optimal comfort. No more struggling with clunky buttons or confusing dials – the Alizé is designed for intuitive operation. Each Alizé comes in a choice between 3 models, with an ability to further customize the fabric color, or the finish on the fan’s frame, choosing between polished metal or a faux wood finish for that rustic cabana aesthetic.

Click Here to Buy Now: $309 $702 (56% off). Hurry, only 32/50 left!

The post This Patio Umbrella has Built-in Fans to help you Cruise through the Summer Heat first appeared on Yanko Design.

This gorgeous Umbrella-inspired lampshade can be opened or closed to adjust brightness

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A worthy winner of last year’s Tyvek Design Awards, the Wagasa Lamp has a beautiful design and an even more alluring interaction that lets you adjust the lamp’s brightness. Taking inspiration from the shape of an umbrella or parasol, the lamp comes with a shade made from flexible Tyvek fabric (developed by DuPont) attached to wooden rods. The lamp can be unfurled or shut like an umbrella, exposing or enclosing the empty space within, which increases or decreases the amount of light that makes its way out of the lamp. This unique interaction gives the Wagasa Lamp just one of those beautiful user experiences that makes it an instant crowd favorite – but even more importantly, the lamp’s innately Asian/Japanese aesthetic makes it a wonderful inclusion in any minimalist or oriental-themed home!

Designer: Solenn Roch

The Wagasa lamp’s design comprises just two materials outside the lamp’s bulb and electrical housing. You’ve got the Tyvek shade, made of two sheets of the synthetic paper-like material, and a wooden structure that holds the Tyvek shades up, allowing you to adjust their position. “The translucent Dupont Tyvek material diffuses light softly, creating a warm atmosphere,” mentions Swiss-based Solenn Roch.

The design is almost identical to the kind of umbrellas found in cocktails and drinks, and operates the same way too. Here, a threaded base lets you rotate a knob to adjust the open-ness or closed-ness of the umbrella, while the outer umbrella cone’s width helps determine the lamp’s brightness. When completely opened/horizontal, the lamp allows much more light to filter outwards from the top and bottom, diffusing wonderfully through the Tyvek shade. Close it, however, and the conical area decreases, also closing the empty space inside the lamp to create a smaller illuminating area. The controls aren’t precise, but they’re fun as heck, and you’ll find yourself constantly reaching for the rotating knob to show off the lamp to your guests!

The current prototype is made out of 3D-printed plastic parts, although Solenn hopes to make a version out of natural wood soon.

The beauty of the Wagasa lamp lies entirely in its simplicity and playfulness. In a lot of ways, principally, it works quite similar to the IKEA PS 2014 Pendant Lamp, but while that lamp allures with its uniquely faceted pattern, this one is just a call-back to a simpler time, coupled with a wonderfully Eastern-themed minimalist aesthetic.

The post This gorgeous Umbrella-inspired lampshade can be opened or closed to adjust brightness first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Future Is Here! Introducing Flying Umbrellas To Take Convenience To The Next Level

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In the fast-paced world of technological innovation, where convenience is key, I Build Stuff, a content creator, has taken the concept of hands-free technology to new heights—literally. In a recent creation that has captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts and casual observers alike, I Build Stuff has designed a flying umbrella drone that hovers above users, shielding them from the rain in a futuristic and whimsical fashion.

Designer: I Build Stuff

In an era dominated by smart devices and voice-controlled assistants, the integration of hands-free technology into everyday objects is a natural progression. The flying umbrella drone is a prime example of this trend, offering a unique solution to the age-old predicament of holding an umbrella while navigating through rain showers.

The concept behind the flying umbrella may seem straightforward—attach propellers, install a drone, and affix an umbrella. However, the designer encountered numerous technical challenges during the development process, leading to a journey of trial and error. The result is a remarkable fusion of cutting-edge technology and creativity.

The core structure of the flying umbrella is a cross-shaped frame made of 3D-printed parts, extending from the edges of a traditional umbrella. At each end of the frame, small propellers resembling a hurricane’s rotation lift the umbrella into the air. To ensure lightweight yet robust construction, carbon fiber tubes form the skeleton of this innovative device, enabling it to gracefully soar above its user.

Crucial to the functionality of the flying umbrella is the incorporation of a flight controller and an electric stability control circuit. The designer meticulously soldered wires to the circuit, regulating the motor’s speed to prevent the device from flying off uncontrollably. The flight controller, programmed to maintain stability, keeps the flying umbrella gracefully following its user.

Despite initial success during the pilot flight, the inventor faced challenges during subsequent tests. The flying umbrella exhibited erratic behavior, shaking violently during one instance. The inventor took a pause, addressing the issues and stabilizing the system, even going so far as to encase the electronics in plastic wrap to protect them from moisture.

While concerns about the device’s stability persist, the I Build Stuff creator has showcased its effectiveness in protecting against drizzles. Anticipating future improvements, the inventor envisions adding a camera and programming the flying umbrella to autonomously follow users, eliminating the need for manual control.

The current controller-operated system opens the door to exciting possibilities. However, the prospect of a fully autonomous flying umbrella holds promise, making this invention accessible to a broader audience. The potential for hands-free technology to benefit not only tech-savvy individuals but also the elderly or those less proficient with remote controllers is an exciting prospect on the horizon.

In a world where innovation knows no bounds, the flying umbrella drone stands out as a quirky yet functional creation, redefining the way we navigate rainy days. As technology continues to evolve, the prospect of a completely hands-free experience with a flying umbrella is both intriguing and eagerly awaited by enthusiasts around the globe.

The post The Future Is Here! Introducing Flying Umbrellas To Take Convenience To The Next Level first appeared on Yanko Design.

Building A Drone Umbrella: The Future Of Staying Dry

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In the future, will we all have drone umbrellas autonomously follow us, hovering just above our heads to shelter us from the rain? Maybe! But Youtuber I Build Stuff couldn’t wait for the future, so he took matters into his own hands and constructed his own drone umbrella. While this one doesn’t autonomously follow its user, it’s certainly a step in the right direction. That step being one out of the rain, just to be clear.

After hand drawing the design, I Build Stuff then reproducing it in CAD, and the parts were 3D printed. The design is a large quadrocopter, with each rotor on a long arm to allow enough space for an umbrella to fit between them.

The design works well, although it appears any amount of wind causes the umbrella to quickly start drifting away. And rain and wind DO go hand in hand. With enough interest in the project, I Build Stuff says he’ll add a camera to the dronebrella and write the code to track his movement so it can autonomously follow him. This will also help the drone compensate for wind by trying to constantly stay above him. That’s a good idea. Another good idea? Adding some safety cages around those spinning blades right above your head.

[via TechEBlog]