Tag Archives: Technology

Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 Review: Helping Your Creativity Really Shine

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PROS:


  • Highly flexible material for creating any shape or pattern

  • Minimalist design with black or white options to match your decor

  • Impressive lighting options and AI-generated effects

  • Easy customization with new Shape Mapping function

CONS:


  • Very difficult to reposition or modify after it's installed

  • Wi-Fi connection only supports 2.4GHz network band

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With a more flexible design and powerful customization options, the Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 offers a powerful tool for everyone to express their designs in dazzling colorful lights.

Smart lighting is one of the easiest ways to get into smart homes. Often you simply have to screw bulbs or plug lamps in, connect them to your phone, and you’re instantly able to control them remotely or through automated schedules. That kind of smart light is practical and convenient but not exactly impressive, nor does it let you easily create the lighting atmosphere that you want without investing heavily in multiple expensive products. If you really want to jazz up your space and dazzle your guests or viewers, you’ll want something like programmable string or rope lights to leave a lasting positive impression. Govee just launched its latest product in that category, the RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2, promising better build quality, more extensive customization, and more intelligent smart features, so we put this second-gen smart rope light to the test if it can really become our kaleidoscopic paintbrush to brighten up the room with our creativity.

Designer: Govee

Click here to Buy Now: $99.99

Aesthetics

Right out of the box, you can already tell that the Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 is a class above your typical string light. You don’t see any braided cords or LED “bulbs.” Instead, you have a roll of tubing that looks clean, simple, and very bendable. It has a minimalist aesthetic that looks appealing even when the lights are turned off. Even better, Govee now offers black and white color options so that the rope can match whatever motif you have going. Of course, the actual area where light shines through is a translucent white surface, so you’ll still have to take that into account when designing around walls and furniture.

When the lights do turn on, the Govee Neon Rope Light 2 becomes a dazzling array of colors. With an astounding 420 of these RGBIC LEDs split into 42 zones, there is not a single inch that can’t be painted in a hue of your choosing. The lights are bright, not bright enough for being the main light source but perfect for setting the mood or adding accents to a room. And the sheer amount of effects you can use will never grow old.

The most impressive part about the RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2’s appearance, however, is not the product itself but what you can make out of it. Thanks to an even more flexible material, you can easily design almost anything you want with the rope, from seemingly random patterns to carefully planned outlines of objects. This kind of flexibility, literally and figuratively, can inspire the artist in you, turning your wall into a canvas and the rope light into a brush paint of hundreds of colors.

Ergonomics

You won’t be holding the Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 whenever you use it, but you will naturally need to handle it when you’re installing it in the first place. It’s important for that process to be as easy and painless as possible, and Govee has thankfully ensured that it will be the case. Compared to its predecessor, this second-gen rope light is 14% more flexible and 14% lighter, key traits for something you’ll be bending a lot to your desired shape.

What all these mean is that you have more freedom to let your creativity loose in turning the rope light where you want it to go. Yes, you still have to mind the proper way to bend the rope light, but it’s pretty much common sense: you only bend it so the light is actually facing outward. The included bend clips that help the rope retain its shape have the same “outward bending” design, though neither the clips nor the rope actually stop you from bending it the wrong way, much to your own peril.

Despite its flexibility, the rope light won’t stay in that curved shape for long, so you’ll need to stick it with the built-in adhesives on its back. The good news is that these adhesives are extremely strong so you won’t have to worry about the rope going out of shape. The bad news is that they’re so strong that you won’t be able to easily remove them if you need to make changes. This means you have to be extra sure and careful that you have the final design you really want before you start sticking it to a surface. Hopefully, Govee will be able to come up with a more flexible solution someday that will let you reposition and reshape the light more easily.

Performance

Govee’s RGBIC LED technology has been impressive from what we’ve seen in previous reviews, and the Neon Rope Light 2 is thankfully no different. There are two variants of the rope, one in 10ft/3m length and another in 16.4ft/5m, which is our review unit, with 42 and 70 segments of light, respectively. For the 5-meter rope, there are an impressive 420 LEDs running its length, with as many as 84 LEDs per meter. As with any Govee RGBIC product, you can control each of those segments separately, though you’ll most likely be doing it through lighting effects and scenes anyway.

If you want to do things a bit more manually, Govee also has a nifty feature that makes the process a lot easier. With the app’s Shape Mapping mode, you can take a picture of your rope light design with your phone’s camera and then select which color goes to which segment, giving you full control of the composition without having to guess which part of the rope corresponds to which part of your design. Whether you’re going the full automated route with AI or exercising complete control over every LED, the Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 gives you the tools you need to express your design in a burst of color.

As mentioned earlier, the lights are pretty bright, though not blindingly so. The gamut of colors each LED supports is more than enough to cover every hue your eyes can detect, although it does lack the ability to display pure white without a dedicated white LED. Govee has a newer RGBICW that solves that problem, but that’s not available here on the RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2. You’ll have to make do with off-white blended from the combination of red, blue, and green, though that probably won’t be a problem for most use cases anyway.

The rope light’s real strength, aside from its flexibility, can be found in the Govee Home App which is home (pun intended) to all the settings and customization options you can ever want. Connecting the rope light to your phone is easy peasy and is done over Bluetooth, after which you can remotely control the lights without breaking a sweat. If you do want to connect it to smart home platforms, particularly through the new Matter support, you’ll have to do it over Wi-Fi. It should be noted that, like many smart home devices so far, it requires a 2.5GHz Wi-Fi network so 5GHz-only routers will have difficulty making that connection.

Govee provides a huge library of effects for the Neon Rope Light 2, including 12 Music Modes that can sync to the beat of music, and 64 Scene Modes with preset settings to cover a wide variety of occasions, seasons, and moods. Things get really interesting with the arrival of the AI Lighting Bot this March, which will let you harness the power of generative AI to create new effects not included in Govee’s catalog. Simply give it a prompt with specific elements, situations, and even brands and it will scour the Internet and its database to come up with the (hopefully) perfect combination that delivers what you asked for.

Sustainability

Like with string lights, the Neon Rope Light 2 suffers from the problem of becoming significantly less usable once LEDs start failing. Yes, you can probably live with one or two blank spots, but they’re there forever with no option to replace them individually. In fact, one of the Neon Rope Light 2’s greatest strengths, its clean and simple tubing, is also its greatest weakness in this regard. You can’t easily access the LED’s inside anyway, let alone repair or replace them. Your only recourse, in the final analysis, is to ship them for repairs or, worse, buy a new rope. Either way, that involves removing the rope light from its installation, which can be a laborious process.

As for the materials used for the RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2, we can perhaps presume that Govee is using standard synthetic materials like silicone. Yes, the material is lighter and more flexible now, but it’s not more sustainable. As Govee grows, we hope to see more efforts from the brand toward this aspect, especially since its products will be filling the market and homes.

Value

String lights try to offer a way to illuminate a path or shape, but they can only do so much in actually forming that shape. Worse, because of their inherent design, they’re often better off hidden from view so that their presence only becomes known once the lights turn on. While there will always be uses for string lights, the Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 delivers something new, different, and mind-blowing. It gives you the creative freedom to design your own lighting masterpiece without too much effort.

The more flexible and lighter material of this 2nd-gen rope light enables owners to really bend the light to the shape they want, and the impressive performance of Govee’s RGBIC LED technology really outshines the competition. Best of all, the Neon Rope Light 2 has a mind-blowing assortment of effects, from the upcoming AI-generated Lighting Bot to the easy-to-use Shape Mapping feature. All of these for an equally impressive price tag that makes the experience accessible to everyone.

Verdict

RGB lighting was once considered the domain of gamers who prefer dark corners just to show off their neon-lit equipment, but everyone has now grown to appreciate what a splash of color can do not just to brighten up a space but also to create a mood, amaze, and entertain. Many RGB lamps exist for that purpose, but the majority of them force owners to design around the lamps instead of having the products cater to their needs. Fortunately, Govee has the perfect solution to fix that problem.

The Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2’s upgraded flexibility allows you to “draw” on a wall or around furniture, giving you complete freedom to create the design that you want. An impressive library of effects from the Govee Home app lets you create the light show of your dreams, whether with the upcoming AI Lighting Bot’s assistance or with full control using the Shape Mapping tool. We wished it was just as easy to remove the rope light and create a different design as it was to install it the first time, but it’s a minor consideration that could happen in future versions of the product. All in all, the Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 delivers a very powerful tool for letting your creativity shine, literally.

Click here to Buy Now: $99.99

The post Govee RGBIC Neon Rope Light 2 Review: Helping Your Creativity Really Shine first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Apple MagSafe Accessories To Jazz Up Your iPhone 15

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The reinvention and return of MagSafe were an instant hit! There is a great sense of satisfaction, in my opinion, to have things just stick to your phone. Be it a pair of earphones (maybe that’ll be the next generation of AirPods) or have your phone just conveniently stick to a charging pad – it’s almost like magic. The reintroduction of the MagSafe led to a whole new world of accessories being unleashed. Designers and creatives were racing to create a whole range of products for the repurposed MagSafe. And we’ve been loving every bit of it! From a MagSafe power bank that cools your phone to a handcrafted MagSafe charging stand – there’s a MagSafe accessory out there for your every need. And, we’ve curated many products that we truly believe are worth buying and investing in. This army of accessories will truly amp up your Apple experience!

1. UPRO Ostand Case

Called the UPRO Ostand case, this device is the winner of the iF Design Award, and it provides your iPhone’s MagSafe with a whole bunch of cool upgrades. It can make your phone stand, hang, or stay securely in your hands as you click a selfie or mindlessly scroll through Instagram. The Ostand case may look like your mundane and average iPhone case, but it is equipped with the familiar magnetic ring which gives it a nice upgrade!

2. 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Concept

This 15W MagSafe compatible iPhone 15 charger concept can be placed in a laid-down position or an alternate orientation, allowing the phone to be set up in portrait mode for productivity. The charger’s alternate pad can be utilized to charge your earbuds or Apple Watch in a laid-down position. Although currently, the charger is in the conceptual phase, it does seem interesting enough to be executed by major accessories providers.

3. Icemag

Designed by Sharge, the Icemag is the world’s first power bank with its unique turbo-cooling feature. The power bank keeps itself and your phone cool and breezy during charging. It is equipped with an ultra-silent fan that moves at a speed of 8000 RPM, which actively cools the battery pack inside, while the power bank wirelessly charges your phone, ensuring nothing gets heated up during the charging process.

4. The MAG:3

Designed by Courant, the MAG:3 is a MagSafe wireless charging device that looks like a minimalist valet tray for your iPhone, AirPods, and other little items that you can place on it to make your side table and desk look more organized. The charging device is available in both leather and linen finishes and in several colors, so you can pick the one that perfectly suits your home and work aesthetics.

5. Shin & Han’s MagSafe Accessory

This unique MagSafe-compatible accessory is designed to help you get over digital addiction and spend less time on your phone. You can attach the accessory to the back of your smartphone. It is equipped with a real clock with a single-hour hand to keep you updated on the passing time, making sure that you don’t spend too much time on your phone. The accessory also functions as a holder for your cards and quick cash.

6. Belkin iPhone Mount

 The new Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe transforms your iPhone into a webcam for the Apple 4K TV! The versatile mount can be attached directly to your TV with a thickness of up to 40mm without wires or tools. It lets you use your iPhone’s rear camera for FaceTime or Zoom calls. You can also fold the iPhone stand in landscape or portrait mode on a table or wall through magnetic attachment.

7. 6-in-1 MagSafe Charger

This is the world’s first Apple-Certified 6-in-1 MagSafe Charger from ESR that is equipped with a GaN semiconductor, and it doesn’t just charge your small Apple devices, but it also delivers up to 100W of power to your MacBook, providing an all-in-one solution for all your modern day charging requirements. It has three dedicated slots for your iPhone, AirPods, and Watch, as well as three output ports for charging your laptop, tablet, and power bank.

8. Electric Trout Charging Docks

David Stychno’s Electric Trout charging docks are made from acrylic and are newly introduced accessories in the list of metallic and plasticky MagSafe accessories. They have a productive and sleek silhouette that is meant to redefine efficacy and convenience. It is designed for a large spectrum of users and is intended for one, two, or an entire range of Apple’s wearables and handhelds.

9. Side Note

Called the Side Note, this compact leather-bound notebook features an integrated pen and a MagSafe-compatible design that lets you snap it onto your iPhone or any magnetic surface. This little accessory provides you with an analog notepad by your side, letting you quickly and efficiently note down ideas and journal. You don’t need to reach out for a separate physical notepad, as you have a handy one attached to your phone.

10.The MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Product Designer

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Product Design

The MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank has a 10000mAH capacity that is designed to improve the wireless charging and power bank experience for everyone. Designed by Neo Bie and Leigui Lui for Stylepiece and has four usual operation buttons: SELECT, START, A, B, and a d-pad (directional pad). The lower portion of the yellow power bank has a cover that slides to work as the stand of the power bank.

The post Top 10 Apple MagSafe Accessories To Jazz Up Your iPhone 15 first appeared on Yanko Design.

WiFi router concept uses cork as material and design aesthetic

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A wifi router is one of those devices that every house needs but we don’t really think about how it’s designed, what materials are used to make it, and other factors that come into it. As long as it does what it’s supposed to do, which is get you connected to the internet, then we’re almost always fine with it. However, most routers have a lifespan of 2-3 years and so it contributes to the million tons of e-waste that is generated annually by people who constantly change their gadgets and devices.

Designer: Connor Rusnak

A concept for a sustainable wifi router tries to solve that issue and at the same time give us a well-designed one that you will proudly display in your home office. The Pella uses cork in the design so you get an eco-friendly material that can also look good on your device. In theory, using this material should not interfere with the functionality of the device which is of course important since the only reason you’ll get a router is to be able to connect all your devices to the WiFi.

The cork is not just a building material but an integral part of the design. The router looks more like a smart speaker with its spherical shape which is also reminds me of a top but with a stable base. The basic controls, which are mainly the on/off button and what seems to be a reset button, are located on the base. There’s no need for any other controls or buttons so you get a pretty minimalist design, as all routers should probably have.

More often than not, these routers are hidden away in our home not just because it needs to be near a wall socket but because there isn’t any decorative aspect to it. But something like the Pella, which was designed with the brand Logitech in mind, can be something you put on your desk especially if you have an earthy or cork-like aesthetic.

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SME smartphone concept aims to aid the visually impaired

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Smartphones are mostly created for those of us that are seeing or at least not visually impaired. But for those that want to be more inclusive, there are not that many similar products in the market that would cater to those that have some sort of visual impairment. Good thing that there are product designers out there who are thinking of such things and if their concepts are viable, I really hope that they get the funding to produce devices like this or at least major telecom brands adopt these ideas and create product lines for those that may need smart devices to communicate but are unable to use the usual ones.

Designer: Eslam Shafik

The SME is one such concept for a smart phone for the visually impaired. Unlike regular smartphones that are usually in a rectangular or square-ish shape, this one looks more like a smart speaker or a smart home hub. This a specific design direction that will make it easy for them to carry it around on the palm of their hand without a concern for its orientation. It also has a fabric mesh so you get a tactile grip on the smartphone and the materials used do not conduct heat so it’s comfortable for the user.

It even has a walking mode so the built-in high-quality camera will be able to guide the visually impaired as they’re walking. The voice assistant, Loutaz, can issue warnings when there are obstacles at a distance of not less than 50 centimeters. This assistant, powered by ethical AI, can also read out messages, social media posts, and other digital assistance you may need. It has a base for charging and to dock it when you’re not moving so it can still act like a smart home hub when you’re at home.

If further developed, this can be a pretty interesting, not to mention, useful device for those who need something like this. The 3D modeling seems to have dealt with the ergonomics and design aspect of the SME so what needs to be enhanced are the actual features and functions that will be truly helpful for the visually impaired.

The post SME smartphone concept aims to aid the visually impaired first appeared on Yanko Design.

SME smartphone concept aims to aid the visually impaired

Posted on by

Smartphones are mostly created for those of us that are seeing or at least not visually impaired. But for those that want to be more inclusive, there are not that many similar products in the market that would cater to those that have some sort of visual impairment. Good thing that there are product designers out there who are thinking of such things and if their concepts are viable, I really hope that they get the funding to produce devices like this or at least major telecom brands adopt these ideas and create product lines for those that may need smart devices to communicate but are unable to use the usual ones.

Designer: Eslam Shafik

The SME is one such concept for a smart phone for the visually impaired. Unlike regular smartphones that are usually in a rectangular or square-ish shape, this one looks more like a smart speaker or a smart home hub. This a specific design direction that will make it easy for them to carry it around on the palm of their hand without a concern for its orientation. It also has a fabric mesh so you get a tactile grip on the smartphone and the materials used do not conduct heat so it’s comfortable for the user.

It even has a walking mode so the built-in high-quality camera will be able to guide the visually impaired as they’re walking. The voice assistant, Loutaz, can issue warnings when there are obstacles at a distance of not less than 50 centimeters. This assistant, powered by ethical AI, can also read out messages, social media posts, and other digital assistance you may need. It has a base for charging and to dock it when you’re not moving so it can still act like a smart home hub when you’re at home.

If further developed, this can be a pretty interesting, not to mention, useful device for those who need something like this. The 3D modeling seems to have dealt with the ergonomics and design aspect of the SME so what needs to be enhanced are the actual features and functions that will be truly helpful for the visually impaired.

The post SME smartphone concept aims to aid the visually impaired first appeared on Yanko Design.

Saturn-inspired Bluetooth speaker brings a unique look to your music

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There are a lot of Bluetooth speakers in the market, from simple and minimalist ones to the more luxurious and expensive-looking ones. When it comes to design though, there aren’t that many that go out of the box so to speak so we see either circular, box-shaped, dome-shaped, spherical, and other common shapes. So when we see uniquely-designed ones, even if they’re still just in the concept stage, then it catches our attention.

Designer: Hyunjae Noh

The concept for the Saturn Bluetooth speaker is inspired by, you guessed it, the planet Saturn. It’s one of the more “unique” planets in a sense that it has countless rings surrounding it made from ice and rock particles. It also has a yellow-brown golden hue when viewed from earth because of gases like helium and hydrogen. The designer was able to adapt these qualities into a design for a speaker that would most likely stand out. It would look like a sculpture of the planet but once you start playing music from it, then it would be a conversation starter as well.

But it just doesn’t emulate the look of Saturn. There’s a functional purpose for the parts as well. There is an upper body, a lower body, and a singular ring. The last one is what you will use to adjust the volume of the music or podcast streaming from the speaker. Because there is an upper and lower part, the support between the two is there to minimize the vibration interference from the woofer, midrange, and tweeter as well as minimizing interaction between them. This means there should be better sound quality and accuracy of sound reproduction.

The 360 degree speaker placement means your sound can be distributed around the room. The multi-way system is also able to accurately separate low, mid, and high-frequency ranges. You get 10 hours of playback on a full wireless charge, so it means you can also bring it around with you if you don’t mind carrying around a planet.

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LAYER Design and Deutsche Telekom unveil the future of communication devices

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As a huge fan of science fiction content, from books to movies to TV shows, I am excited to see which things from what I’ve read and seen will come true one of these days. And with the advances in technology, a lot of them are not far-fetched ideas anymore. There are some things that may be scary or at least creepy but it’s still pretty interesting to see what we’ll see next which we thought were just works of science fiction before.

Designer: Layer Design for Deutsche Telekom

German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom recently unveiled the Concept T project which is a collection of advanced technology and gadget concepts that will show consumers what may be the future of communications. Concept View is a home hub with a twist: it has a 3D holographic AI-equipped virtual assistant called Emma to guide you through things like video calls and other digital world activities. It looks like a cross between a crystal ball and the Palantirs from Lord of the Rings but instead of showing you what the future holds, it will show you the future of technology.

A Wi-Fi router isn’t the sexiest gadget out there but Concept Level definitely makes it more interesting. It is a re-configurable router that is made up of different interchangeable, modular elements. The set includes a display unit, Wi-Fi sensing element, mesh repeater, and computational module for Web 3 use cases. The elements are designed using different geometric forms so it looks like you have interesting mini sculptures rather than an actual router.

Concept Buddy is your own personal robot at home, similar to the ones you see in malls and airports. It’s an AI-based digital assistant companion that is able to communicate through the “emotion and information display”. It is able to give reminders like taking medication and household chores and can also assist in calls, online shopping, and other tasks you may need assistance. It can even warn you of potential hazards and contact emergency services if needed. It is able to adapt to your routine and will only “come alive” when it is engaged with.

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This WALL-E-inspired tabletop robot has artificial intelligence and a friendly personality

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If we’re going to give in to our eventual robot overlords, my only hope is that they’re as adorable-looking as Doly.

With its googly eyes and treadmill-operated motion system, Doly instantly reminds me of Pixar’s WALL-E. Designed as a robot companion with high emotional intelligence, and the ability to respond to requests, evoke joy, and even serve as a learning tool, Doly combines an open-source build with AI capabilities. The result is remarkably better than the tabletop toys you’re used to expecting. Doly is smart, sensitive, and self-sufficient, as it moves around from A to B, enriches you with interactions and those adorable eyes, and then makes its way back to its charging station when it’s low on batteries.

Designer: Levent Erenler – Limitbit Inc.

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $449 ($150 off). Hurry, only 4/325 left! Raised over $190,000.

On the design front, the Doly adopts a familiar form factor, mimicking the success of WALL-E and even the Vector robot by Anki. It stands at just 68mm (2.67 inches) tall, but has a personality that’s larger than life. Nearly half that height can be attributed to Doly’s massive eyes that give it its distinct cartoonish character that instantly makes you fall in love with the robot. The eyes can look in different directions, respond to stimuli, express emotions, and can even be replaced by imagery like weather status, a clock, or a timer. Depending on Doly’s mood, or how it reacts to your commands, the eyes do most of the speaking… while voice models allow Doly to speak in any tone of your choice too.

Doly accepts touch and voice inputs, through strategically located microphones and capacitive touch surfaces located on its body. You can tap its head, pet it, tickle it, and Doly emotes exactly how you’d expect a pet to. Talk to it too, and its built-in AI responds intelligently to your queries and commands, letting you set timers, know the weather, take a photo, etc. The robot has natural language understanding, and packs an 8MP camera that lets it see the world around it, identify humans, and even recognize familiar faces. Treads on both sides allow Doly to move around too, shifting forward, backward, and even making turns, while ToF sensors on the front allow it to sense depth, and four strategically placed edge-detection sensors prevent your robot from accidentally driving off surfaces like the stairs or a tabletop (Amazon’s Astro could pick up a few lessons from Doly)

On the inside, Doly runs on a Raspberry Pi board that drives its systems and even powers the AI functions. The robot is built on open-source approach with open-hardware and open-design, allowing you to mod or customize your robot in a variety of ways through I/O ports or even by adding quirky attachments to the robot’s magnetic hands. The hands themselves are an interactive dream to begin with, allowing you fistbump your Doly , or even have it grab things, with lights inside the arms adding a rich layer of interact-ability. I/O ports on the top let you build attachments for your Doly, transforming it in a variety of ways and helping you learn robotics too.

8 MP camera allows Doly to memorize and recognize people with their names, take high quality snapshots and many more.

Doly communicates and responds you back with his own voice when you ask about the weather forecast, time, your name and many more.

To that end, Doly’s much more advanced than most other STEM toys out there. It grows with you, learning and evolving to understand you, your mannerisms, needs, etc. so that no two Doly robots are alike after multiple months/years of usage. Moreover, the robot itself encourages people of all ages to learn coding, with support for languages like C, C++, and Python that let you program your robot, and even much more intuitive block-based coding apps like Google’s own Blockly that help children grasp the basics of programming through the robot toy.

Doly relies on cameras to analyze its surroundings and recognize faces, and built-in microphones to pick up on voice commands – that’s a fair amount of data that your toy robot gathers on a daily basis (sort of like your smart camera and smart speaker combined). Coupled with the fact that Doly has a built-in AI that learns from you (which means it does gather data for machine learning purposes), data privacy can be a pretty large concern. To ensure that your data stays safe and away from hackers, governments, and data-brokers who sell data to third parties, Doly stores and processes all its information locally, oftentimes even working offline. Embedded processing power and local storage ensure that your data never reaches any remote server where it can be compromised by targeted hacks.

Other than that, each Doly comes with an app that lets you access specific features like managing settings or performing graphical programming (Doly’s creators emphasize that you don’t NEED an app to use your robot). The creators do, however, mention that the robot can be customized to wild degrees, with even the ability to swap out the Raspberry Pi module on the inside with better CM4 boards that have better RAM and storage. The Doly robot starts at $269 for a DIY kit that lets you build your own robot from scratch, or $299 for a fully assembled bionic buddy. Limitbit, the creators behind Doly, promise free lifetime over-the-air (OTA) software updates to ensure the robot is always up to date with the latest features, and are apparently even working on ChatGPT integration to make your tiny robotic friend even smarter! Just promise that you won’t turn it against humanity!

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $449 ($150 off). Hurry, only 4/325 left! Raised over $190,000.

The post This WALL-E-inspired tabletop robot has artificial intelligence and a friendly personality first appeared on Yanko Design.

This WALL-E-inspired tabletop robot has artificial intelligence and a friendly personality

Posted on by

If we’re going to give in to our eventual robot overlords, my only hope is that they’re as adorable-looking as Doly.

With its googly eyes and treadmill-operated motion system, Doly instantly reminds me of Pixar’s WALL-E. Designed as a robot companion with high emotional intelligence, and the ability to respond to requests, evoke joy, and even serve as a learning tool, Doly combines an open-source build with AI capabilities. The result is remarkably better than the tabletop toys you’re used to expecting. Doly is smart, sensitive, and self-sufficient, as it moves around from A to B, enriches you with interactions and those adorable eyes, and then makes its way back to its charging station when it’s low on batteries.

Designer: Levent Erenler – Limitbit Inc.

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $449 ($150 off). Hurry, only 4/325 left! Raised over $190,000.

On the design front, the Doly adopts a familiar form factor, mimicking the success of WALL-E and even the Vector robot by Anki. It stands at just 68mm (2.67 inches) tall, but has a personality that’s larger than life. Nearly half that height can be attributed to Doly’s massive eyes that give it its distinct cartoonish character that instantly makes you fall in love with the robot. The eyes can look in different directions, respond to stimuli, express emotions, and can even be replaced by imagery like weather status, a clock, or a timer. Depending on Doly’s mood, or how it reacts to your commands, the eyes do most of the speaking… while voice models allow Doly to speak in any tone of your choice too.

Doly accepts touch and voice inputs, through strategically located microphones and capacitive touch surfaces located on its body. You can tap its head, pet it, tickle it, and Doly emotes exactly how you’d expect a pet to. Talk to it too, and its built-in AI responds intelligently to your queries and commands, letting you set timers, know the weather, take a photo, etc. The robot has natural language understanding, and packs an 8MP camera that lets it see the world around it, identify humans, and even recognize familiar faces. Treads on both sides allow Doly to move around too, shifting forward, backward, and even making turns, while ToF sensors on the front allow it to sense depth, and four strategically placed edge-detection sensors prevent your robot from accidentally driving off surfaces like the stairs or a tabletop (Amazon’s Astro could pick up a few lessons from Doly)

On the inside, Doly runs on a Raspberry Pi board that drives its systems and even powers the AI functions. The robot is built on open-source approach with open-hardware and open-design, allowing you to mod or customize your robot in a variety of ways through I/O ports or even by adding quirky attachments to the robot’s magnetic hands. The hands themselves are an interactive dream to begin with, allowing you fistbump your Doly , or even have it grab things, with lights inside the arms adding a rich layer of interact-ability. I/O ports on the top let you build attachments for your Doly, transforming it in a variety of ways and helping you learn robotics too.

8 MP camera allows Doly to memorize and recognize people with their names, take high quality snapshots and many more.

Doly communicates and responds you back with his own voice when you ask about the weather forecast, time, your name and many more.

To that end, Doly’s much more advanced than most other STEM toys out there. It grows with you, learning and evolving to understand you, your mannerisms, needs, etc. so that no two Doly robots are alike after multiple months/years of usage. Moreover, the robot itself encourages people of all ages to learn coding, with support for languages like C, C++, and Python that let you program your robot, and even much more intuitive block-based coding apps like Google’s own Blockly that help children grasp the basics of programming through the robot toy.

Doly relies on cameras to analyze its surroundings and recognize faces, and built-in microphones to pick up on voice commands – that’s a fair amount of data that your toy robot gathers on a daily basis (sort of like your smart camera and smart speaker combined). Coupled with the fact that Doly has a built-in AI that learns from you (which means it does gather data for machine learning purposes), data privacy can be a pretty large concern. To ensure that your data stays safe and away from hackers, governments, and data-brokers who sell data to third parties, Doly stores and processes all its information locally, oftentimes even working offline. Embedded processing power and local storage ensure that your data never reaches any remote server where it can be compromised by targeted hacks.

Other than that, each Doly comes with an app that lets you access specific features like managing settings or performing graphical programming (Doly’s creators emphasize that you don’t NEED an app to use your robot). The creators do, however, mention that the robot can be customized to wild degrees, with even the ability to swap out the Raspberry Pi module on the inside with better CM4 boards that have better RAM and storage. The Doly robot starts at $269 for a DIY kit that lets you build your own robot from scratch, or $299 for a fully assembled bionic buddy. Limitbit, the creators behind Doly, promise free lifetime over-the-air (OTA) software updates to ensure the robot is always up to date with the latest features, and are apparently even working on ChatGPT integration to make your tiny robotic friend even smarter! Just promise that you won’t turn it against humanity!

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $449 ($150 off). Hurry, only 4/325 left! Raised over $190,000.

The post This WALL-E-inspired tabletop robot has artificial intelligence and a friendly personality first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Game-Changing Swappable Battery Portable Fridge Powers Up Your Adventures

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It’s always exciting when a top brand like BLUETTI launches a new product, and this time, they’re bringing something unique to the great outdoors with their latest product offering, SwapSolar. Hot on the heels of their AC500’s smashing success on Indiegogo, which brought in an impressive $12 million, they’re not resting on their laurels. The SwapSolar is the world’s first LFP-powered MultiCooler portable refrigerator using an AC180T hot-swappable battery power station. Together, these two products are designed to cater to most outdoor adventures, from powering your devices to ensuring your food and beverages stay chilled, all with ease and efficiency.

Designers: BLUETTI

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1328 (40% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $90,000.

LFP, an acronym for Lithium Iron Phosphate, denotes a specific type of lithium-ion battery renowned for its long lifespan, safety, and excellent performance at high temperatures. The energy produced from these batteries is referred to as LFP power. The AC180T outdoor power supply system guarantees you don’t have to sacrifice power, even off-grid. Its innovative hot-swappable battery design allows for uninterrupted usage. BLUETTI’s spokesperson, James Ray, confidently asserts, “We want users to savor the joy of outdoor life. SwapSolar is your ticket to 3-6 days of happy camping trip. Power up and keep your food fresh at once, it’s time to go wild with BLUETTI!”

This user-friendly design offers an easy-to-swap-out battery system that features two B70 batteries with a significant 1,433.6Wh capacity utilizing the secure LFP battery technology. These batteries are built to last, offering over 3,000 life cycles and 5,000+ swap times, enhancing their longevity and reliability. For added convenience, BLUETTI makes these batteries available for separate purchase, allowing users to tailor their power solutions with extra packs to accommodate their unique requirements. This capability is beneficial for prolonged outings or unexpected emergencies, where swapping batteries can instantly restore full power, ensuring you remain powered up in any situation.

To recharge quickly, connect the device to a wall outlet that has two charging rates. If you’re charging a single B70 battery, it will achieve an 80% charge in just 1 hour and a full charge in 1.5 hours at 850W. Alternatively, if you’re charging two B70 batteries, they will reach an 80% charge in just 45 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes at 1,440W.

There are four different ways to power this device, depending on your situation. You can use a standard wall outlet or a vehicle power source, either at home or while traveling, even while making ice. If you’re looking for continuous operation, consider the solar panel setup. And, of course, you can always use the batteries when there are no outlets available.

The MultiCooler stands out from the crowd; it’s not just your average fridge. Think of it as the “cooler” choice among the competitors, featuring a versatile 3-in-1 design that includes cooling, freezing, and even ice-making features. As for temperature settings, the temperature ranges from a frosty -4°F to a warm 68°F (-20°C to +20°C), ensuring everything from ice cream to fresh produce stays at the perfect temperature. Its high-efficiency yet powerful compressor can quickly bring the temperature down from 86°F to 32°F (30°C to 0°C) within a mere 15 minutes, making it incredibly effective for rapid cooling. The integrated ice maker can also churn out clear, crisp ice cubes in just a few minutes, making it a go-to feature for chilling your favorite beverages and crafting the perfect cocktails.

With a capacity of 42 qt (40L), it can hold about 60 cans of soda, according to BLUETTI, making it perfect for any gathering or solo adventure. However, let’s have fun and do more real-world math since not everyone drinks only soda. When considering how to fit a mix of beer bottles, bottles of water, and soda cans into a 42-quart refrigerator, it’s essential to consider these items’ varying sizes and shapes. We can infer some approximations for the other things based on the capacity to hold 60 soda cans. Soda cans are about 12 ounces and have a fairly standard size, which allows for a certain level of efficiency in packing. Beer bottles, although also often holding 12 ounces, might pack less efficiently due to their different shape. For simplicity, we might estimate that you could fit around 55 beer bottles in the same space, assuming a slight decrease in packing efficiency. On the other hand, bottles of water commonly found in 16.9-ounce (500 ml) sizes are usually taller and narrower than soda cans and beer bottles. This difference in shape could mean that around 45 bottles of water might fit into the refrigerator.

Given these considerations, here are a couple of combinations for chilling these items in the MultiCooler. One possible arrangement is 30 soda cans, 20 beer bottles, and 15 water bottles. This mix balances the different shapes and sizes to optimize the available space. Another combination is ten soda cans, 25 beer bottles, and 20 bottles of water, allowing for more liquid in water and beer at the expense of soda can quantity. You might be wondering, “Where does the ice go?” The simple answer is that it’s a portable refrigerator, so no ice is needed to keep your drinks chilled.

Weighing in at just 52.9 lbs (25kg), the MultiCooler features ergonomic side grooves for simple lifting. When it’s packed to the brim, roll it along using its convenient wheels and telescopic handle, making transportation a breeze. It’s also built to handle the bumps and dips of uneven terrain with its 45° tilt protection. An optional sliding mount is available for those needing extra stability in their vehicle. It won’t disrupt your peace and quiet, running softly at 30dB for cooling and 45dB during ice production.

The MultiCooler boasts a sleek LCD touchscreen complemented by tactile buttons for straightforward operation. It’s also Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to oversee and adjust settings like temperature, ECO mode, and Self-Clean mode through the BLUETTI app, all from the palm of your hand.

The SwapSolar system is designed to enhance outdoor experiences by providing a reliable and sustainable power source, ensuring convenience and peace of mind for families in nature. It is easy to use and portable, making it ideal for remote locations and enabling device charging and running essential appliances. Apart from its practical benefits, SwapSolar also serves as an educational tool, promoting the importance of renewable energy and environmental stewardship. With SwapSolar, families can enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors with the assurance of safety, self-sufficiency, and a commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1328 (40% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $90,000.

The post This Game-Changing Swappable Battery Portable Fridge Powers Up Your Adventures first appeared on Yanko Design.