Mori the Mushroom Robot Offers Company Without Saying a Word

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A mushroom with glowing eyes is an easier sell for my nightstand than a miniature humanoid. OKA’s Mori takes that approachable shape and gives it a specific job: offering a little company and a reason to pause, without making another screen the center of attention. Currently offered through an early-purchase program, the companion robot uses light, sound, and movement to bring some presence to a quiet room. The ambition is modest enough to feel appealing.

For anyone who wants to unwind without reaching for their phone, the physical design makes a good opening argument. Mori stands just under 12 inches tall at its maximum height, with a broad illuminated cap above a rounded, fabric-covered body. Two eyes peek out from underneath and the fabric contains 25 percent real wool. In the supplied photographs, the proportions suggest a small table lamp that wandered into an animated movie, then decided to stay. I’d happily make room for that silhouette.

Designer: OKA

The backstory gives that friendliness some purpose. OKA cofounder Hua Wang said he spent a decade designing mechanisms that brought people back to their phones. With Mori, he wanted a robot that belonged in a home rather than a large, intrusive machine. That’s a useful starting point. A domestic robot has to earn its place among your furniture before its intelligence becomes particularly interesting.

Mori’s controls lean into that furniture-friendly character. According to OKA, placing both hands on its base starts a guided breathing session, while patting its head makes the cap retract and turns it into a lamp. Light and natural soundscapes provide the setting for those breaks. I like the directness of those gestures. Touching an object to change its behavior feels appropriate here, especially when the proposed activity is stepping away from the usual sequence of opening an app, choosing a menu, and adjusting settings.

Importantly, Mori doesn’t speak in words. Its vocabulary consists of sounds, expressions, light, and movement. That limitation might be its most attractive feature. I don’t particularly want a bedside object to become another conversational obligation. A glance or a small movement leaves more room for interpretation, much like an animated character whose personality comes through before it says anything. The lamp setting also gives its owner a way to dial that personality down, with most companion reactions reduced. Cute still needs an off-ramp.

Of course, those expressive eyes come with a less whimsical consideration: sensing people inside their homes. OKA’s privacy policy says Mori’s core AI runs locally, with camera and microphone inputs processed on the device. Raw audio and image frames are discarded after processing, while recognition information can remain locally to distinguish users. The policy separately allows collection of account, device, and diagnostic information. That distinction matters. Local processing is a welcome design decision, but I’d still read the permissions before inviting a camera-equipped companion onto the dresser.

OKA also says Mori learns and becomes more individual through repeated interaction. That’s the promise I’d reserve judgment on until longer-term use establishes what actually changes. A familiar gesture could become endearing, or simply predictable. The interesting design challenge is giving Mori enough variation to sustain affection without making it demand attention. Its quiet role sets a higher bar than the adorable appearance initially suggests: it needs to remain pleasant when the novelty has worn off.

At $649 before taxes and shipping for First Access orders, Mori is an expensive experiment in companionship. That purchase includes two years of its Nature Time subscription; OKA says basic functions won’t require a paid plan, and the included subscription won’t automatically become a paid one. I’m drawn to the object, but the price makes its everyday behavior more important than its introductory charm. The real payoff would be a robot you enjoy having nearby even when you aren’t actively playing with it. A mushroom-shaped lamp already has a place in a home. Mori has to make the eyes worth paying for.

The post Mori the Mushroom Robot Offers Company Without Saying a Word first appeared on Yanko Design.

These Five 3D-Printed Lamps Shape Light With Mazes and Moving Rings

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The relationship between technology and craftsmanship is evolving rapidly, and 3D-printed lighting sits at the center of this transformation. What once belonged purely to industrial manufacturing has now become a creative medium for designers, artists, and architects. Through digital modeling, parametric experimentation, and sustainable fabrication, 3D-printed lamps are redefining how ambient light interacts with interiors.

These sculptural objects are more than functional fixtures. They merge precision engineering with artistic expression, creating lighting that feels organic, customizable, and emotionally engaging. As digital craft evolves, here is how 3D-printed lamps are shaping a future where light becomes both atmosphere and architecture.

1. Parametric Light Sculptures

Traditional lighting design often begins with hand sketches and material studies, but digital craft introduces a more fluid design process. Using parametric software, designers can manipulate patterns, geometries, and textures in real time. This allows lighting forms to evolve naturally through algorithms and experimentation.

The result is a new language of illumination where every curve, perforation, and layer influences the diffusion of light. Designers can create highly detailed structures that would be difficult or impossible to produce through conventional manufacturing. Digital precision transforms lamps into immersive visual experiences.

The Maze Lamp transforms experimental 3D printing into a sculptural lighting piece filled with movement, texture, and individuality. Created by designer Stijn van Aardenne, the lamp features intricate winding lines produced through an industrial 3D printing process that moves across a rotating axis. This technique creates mesmerizing maze-like patterns that wrap around the cylindrical form, casting dramatic shadows and ambient light throughout the space. Even when switched off, the lamp stands as a striking decorative object with an artistic and futuristic presence.

Each Maze Lamp is unique, as the flowing patterns are generated through a randomized printing process, ensuring no two pieces are ever identical. Crafted using recycled plastic sourced from discarded refrigerator doors, the design also embraces sustainability while celebrating digital craftsmanship. The layered structure creates a glowing effect that feels both mysterious and architectural, turning the lamp into a functional work of art.

2. Layered Printing Creates Soft Illumination

One of the most fascinating aspects of 3D-printed lamps is how layered fabrication affects light quality. During the printing process, thin material layers form subtle textures that interact beautifully with illumination. These ridges scatter light softly, creating a warm and ambient glow within interiors.

Instead of harsh brightness, the lamp becomes a medium for atmosphere. The printed patterns generate shadows and gradients that shift depending on viewing angles and light intensity. This blend of texture and luminosity turns ordinary lighting into a sensory and sculptural feature.

The Alherd Collection by YET FAB transforms lighting into a sculptural exploration of nature, technology, and atmosphere. Inspired by the organic growth of coral formations and the erosion of natural stone, the collection features porous, cellular structures created through advanced computational design and custom 3D printing. Founded by Ilya Kotler, Anastasiya Kotler, and Rael Kaymer, the studio blends biomimicry with digital fabrication to create lamps that glow like living forms while adding a soft ambient presence to contemporary interiors.

The collection includes table, floor, and pendant lamps, all sharing a unified visual language that adapts beautifully across different scales. Crafted from recyclable plastic, each lamp is made to order and can be customized in various finishes and colors. Integrated LED lighting softly illuminates the textured surfaces, producing a warm, atmospheric glow that feels both futuristic and organic.

3. Sustainable Materials Shape Modern Lighting

Sustainability has become a defining factor in contemporary product design, and 3D-printed lighting responds directly to this shift. Many designers now use biodegradable plastics, recycled polymers, and plant-based materials to produce environmentally conscious lamps. Digital fabrication also reduces material waste compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

Since objects are printed only where material is required, excess production is minimized. Designers can also manufacture locally, reducing transportation emissions and unnecessary inventory. This approach reflects a future where digital craft aligns aesthetics with responsible production practices.

The Drop Light by Teixeira Design Studio redefines everyday desk lighting through a thoughtful blend of functionality, sustainability, and minimalist design. Created in collaboration with Oftwise Studio, the lamp is 3D printed entirely from recycled plant-based PLA and features an integrated storage tray within its sculptural base. Designed to organize essentials like charging cables, earphones, and small accessories, the lamp transforms clutter into a seamless part of the design while maintaining a clean and contemporary aesthetic suited for modern interiors and workspaces.

The design highlights the versatility of 3D printing through contrasting textures and finishes. Its matte, tactile base offers durability and warmth, while the smooth, semi-translucent shade softly diffuses light to create a calm, ambient glow. The layered printing details feel intentional rather than industrial, emphasizing craftsmanship and precision. Combining sustainable materials with intelligent functionality, the Drop Light stands as a refined example of modern lighting design where utility, environmental consciousness, and understated elegance exist in perfect balance.

4. Customization Redefines Personal Spaces

3D printing allows lighting design to move beyond mass production toward personalization. Lamps can now be customized in size, texture, color, and form according to the needs of individual users or specific interiors. This flexibility creates stronger emotional connections between objects and spaces.

For homeowners and designers, customization means lighting can adapt to modern lifestyles. Organic forms inspired by nature, futuristic geometric structures, or minimal sculptural silhouettes can all be produced with ease. The result is lighting that feels unique rather than standardized.

The lighting collection from Gantri focuses on sustainable, design-led lamps made using plant-based, sugar-derived PLA materials. Each product is 3D printed to achieve precise forms, soft textures, and environmentally responsible construction. The designs combine modern aesthetics with functional lighting solutions suited for compact and contemporary interiors. The material choice ensures durability while maintaining a low environmental impact, making the lamps both practical and sustainable for everyday use.

The collection includes table, desk, and ambient lighting designed to enhance workspace and home environments. Products like sculptural desk lamps, multi-functional tray lights, and ambient mood lighting solutions offer features such as diffused illumination, space-saving bases, and integrated utility functions. Many designs emphasize minimal silhouettes, warm LED lighting, and ergonomic light distribution to reduce eye strain. Across the range, the focus remains on combining functionality, clean design, and eco-conscious production through advanced 3D printing technology, resulting in versatile lighting objects that suit modern living spaces.

5. The Fusion of Art, Technology, and Atmosphere

3D-printed lamps exist at the intersection of digital innovation and artistic craft. Designers are no longer limited by traditional tools or manufacturing constraints. Instead, they can experiment freely with fluid geometries, intricate lattices, and biomorphic forms that transform illumination into art.

As these lamps glow, they create immersive environments where technology feels human-centered rather than mechanical. Ambient lighting becomes an emotional experience shaped by texture, transparency, and shadow. This fusion of craft and computation reflects the future of contemporary design culture.

The Armadillo series by OHR Design explores how 3D printing can move beyond novelty objects into functional lighting systems. Inspired by the layered armor of the armadillo, the design transforms a simple shade into a kinetic, adjustable structure made of concentric printed rings. Originally developed from the OHRB tea light holder, the Armadillo introduces a flexible lighting concept where form directly controls illumination. The compact version stands at 240 mm and works as a bedside or accent light, while maintaining a sculptural presence even when unlit.

The Armadillo XL expands the concept into a full-scale desk lamp at 373.8 mm tall, designed for standard light bulbs and stronger everyday use. Its adjustable ring system allows users to open or close the shade, shifting light from a soft ambient glow to a focused beam depending on the need. Instead of being a fixed object, the lamp becomes interactive, letting the user physically shape lighting conditions.

These 3D-printed lamps transform digital craft into atmospheric experiences, blending technology, sustainability, and artistry. Through innovative fabrication and customizable forms, ambient lighting evolves into a sculptural expression that reshapes modern interior design.

The post These Five 3D-Printed Lamps Shape Light With Mazes and Moving Rings first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bandit9 (RED)800 Motorcycle Fades From Racing Red to Brushed Aluminum

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Only a few come close to Bandit9 when it comes to avant-garde custom motorcycle creations. We’ve seen some eye-popping designs from the Vietnam-based studio that lean into a sci-fi theme, with alien-inspired forms that stay within the desirable two-wheeler limits. This time around, the custom builder is back with a hand-built motorcycle crafted in collaboration with RED, an organization helping fight AIDS and other preventable diseases.

Dubbed the (RED)800, this bike is a sight to behold with its raw form fused into a modern aesthetic, as the hand-brushed aluminum fades gradually into the sparkly red form. Only 9 units of this bike will ever be made, so that puts it firmly in the ultra-limited-edition category. More importantly, every single penny earned from the sales will go to RED’s mission for life-saving healthcare programs to communities most in need.

Designer: Bandit9 and RED

According to the makers, the bike’s bodywork is sculpted from scratch, with the attention to detail that’s worthy of a sculpture. As RED puts it, the bike is “an unexpected meeting of color and raw metal, executed by hand. It’s this kind of unconventional thinking and meticulous execution that defines a Bandit9 motorcycle.” Underneath that drool-worthy bodywork is the Ducati 821cc Testastretta V-twin producing 110 bhp. That takes the handsome machine from 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and capable of hitting top speed of 201 km/h.

Coming back to that magnetic bodywork shaped in one continuous form, the hand-painted gradient transitions from the Racing Red to the raw hand-brushed aluminum with no apparent separating lines. Each one of the bikes will be hand-painted, so they’ll have a unique personality of their own. The finish of the bodywork is the talking point here, as the raw metal is turned into something organic while still feeling modern.

The mechanical components of the bike are left exposed underneath the aluminum shell for that muscular feel. Especially on the rear of the monocoque body, the metal surfaces are left exposed – showing off the steel trellis frame. The red strip light running from the saddle, all the way down to the suspension joint, gives the bike a sci-fi character. To complement the unibody design, the (RED)800 rides on spoked wheels and low-profile tires. For an aerodynamic riding posture, the bike gets rear-set foot controls and low-slung handlebars.

Bandit9 (RED)800 carries a price tag of $49,000 (plus shipping), and each one is made to order, with shipping taking anywhere from eight months to a year. So, you’ll have to be ultra-patient to get hands on one, even if you are lucky enough to order one of the only nine units.

 

The post Bandit9 (RED)800 Motorcycle Fades From Racing Red to Brushed Aluminum first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bandit9 (RED)800 Motorcycle Fades From Racing Red to Brushed Aluminum

Posted on by

Only a few come close to Bandit9 when it comes to avant-garde custom motorcycle creations. We’ve seen some eye-popping designs from the Vietnam-based studio that lean into a sci-fi theme, with alien-inspired forms that stay within the desirable two-wheeler limits. This time around, the custom builder is back with a hand-built motorcycle crafted in collaboration with RED, an organization helping fight AIDS and other preventable diseases.

Dubbed the (RED)800, this bike is a sight to behold with its raw form fused into a modern aesthetic, as the hand-brushed aluminum fades gradually into the sparkly red form. Only 9 units of this bike will ever be made, so that puts it firmly in the ultra-limited-edition category. More importantly, every single penny earned from the sales will go to RED’s mission for life-saving healthcare programs to communities most in need.

Designer: Bandit9 and RED

According to the makers, the bike’s bodywork is sculpted from scratch, with the attention to detail that’s worthy of a sculpture. As RED puts it, the bike is “an unexpected meeting of color and raw metal, executed by hand. It’s this kind of unconventional thinking and meticulous execution that defines a Bandit9 motorcycle.” Underneath that drool-worthy bodywork is the Ducati 821cc Testastretta V-twin producing 110 bhp. That takes the handsome machine from 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and capable of hitting top speed of 201 km/h.

Coming back to that magnetic bodywork shaped in one continuous form, the hand-painted gradient transitions from the Racing Red to the raw hand-brushed aluminum with no apparent separating lines. Each one of the bikes will be hand-painted, so they’ll have a unique personality of their own. The finish of the bodywork is the talking point here, as the raw metal is turned into something organic while still feeling modern.

The mechanical components of the bike are left exposed underneath the aluminum shell for that muscular feel. Especially on the rear of the monocoque body, the metal surfaces are left exposed – showing off the steel trellis frame. The red strip light running from the saddle, all the way down to the suspension joint, gives the bike a sci-fi character. To complement the unibody design, the (RED)800 rides on spoked wheels and low-profile tires. For an aerodynamic riding posture, the bike gets rear-set foot controls and low-slung handlebars.

Bandit9 (RED)800 carries a price tag of $49,000 (plus shipping), and each one is made to order, with shipping taking anywhere from eight months to a year. So, you’ll have to be ultra-patient to get hands on one, even if you are lucky enough to order one of the only nine units.

 

The post Bandit9 (RED)800 Motorcycle Fades From Racing Red to Brushed Aluminum first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bandit9 (RED)800 Motorcycle Fades From Racing Red to Brushed Aluminum

Posted on by

Only a few come close to Bandit9 when it comes to avant-garde custom motorcycle creations. We’ve seen some eye-popping designs from the Vietnam-based studio that lean into a sci-fi theme, with alien-inspired forms that stay within the desirable two-wheeler limits. This time around, the custom builder is back with a hand-built motorcycle crafted in collaboration with RED, an organization helping fight AIDS and other preventable diseases.

Dubbed the (RED)800, this bike is a sight to behold with its raw form fused into a modern aesthetic, as the hand-brushed aluminum fades gradually into the sparkly red form. Only 9 units of this bike will ever be made, so that puts it firmly in the ultra-limited-edition category. More importantly, every single penny earned from the sales will go to RED’s mission for life-saving healthcare programs to communities most in need.

Designer: Bandit9 and RED

According to the makers, the bike’s bodywork is sculpted from scratch, with the attention to detail that’s worthy of a sculpture. As RED puts it, the bike is “an unexpected meeting of color and raw metal, executed by hand. It’s this kind of unconventional thinking and meticulous execution that defines a Bandit9 motorcycle.” Underneath that drool-worthy bodywork is the Ducati 821cc Testastretta V-twin producing 110 bhp. That takes the handsome machine from 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and capable of hitting top speed of 201 km/h.

Coming back to that magnetic bodywork shaped in one continuous form, the hand-painted gradient transitions from the Racing Red to the raw hand-brushed aluminum with no apparent separating lines. Each one of the bikes will be hand-painted, so they’ll have a unique personality of their own. The finish of the bodywork is the talking point here, as the raw metal is turned into something organic while still feeling modern.

The mechanical components of the bike are left exposed underneath the aluminum shell for that muscular feel. Especially on the rear of the monocoque body, the metal surfaces are left exposed – showing off the steel trellis frame. The red strip light running from the saddle, all the way down to the suspension joint, gives the bike a sci-fi character. To complement the unibody design, the (RED)800 rides on spoked wheels and low-profile tires. For an aerodynamic riding posture, the bike gets rear-set foot controls and low-slung handlebars.

Bandit9 (RED)800 carries a price tag of $49,000 (plus shipping), and each one is made to order, with shipping taking anywhere from eight months to a year. So, you’ll have to be ultra-patient to get hands on one, even if you are lucky enough to order one of the only nine units.

 

The post Bandit9 (RED)800 Motorcycle Fades From Racing Red to Brushed Aluminum first appeared on Yanko Design.

AYN Odin 3 Portal Handheld Pairs a Flat Glass Front With Sculpted Grips

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Putting a large screen on a gaming handheld is easy compared with making the whole thing comfortable to hold. AYN’s Odin 3 Portal approaches that problem with a 7-inch OLED up front and sculpted grips behind it. Now available for preorder, the Android handheld combines a broad, glass-covered face with physical controls that give your fingers somewhere other than the screen to go.

That front surface stretches across the display and surrounding control areas, giving the device a flatter, more unified appearance than a screen dropped into a chunky frame. Black keeps the boundary between panel and housing less conspicuous, while White and Cold Grey emphasize it. The latter’s purple buttons add retro flavor without turning the machine into a tribute to another console.

Designer: AYN

Turn it over, and the shape becomes less concerned with looking flat. Rounded bulges give your palms somewhere to settle, while textured shoulder buttons meet your index fingers above. The full-size Hall-effect sticks have ridged edges, and a dome D-pad sits below the left stick. These details aim to improve control, though actual comfort will depend on your hands and how you play.

The screen is a 1920×1080 OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, giving supported games room to show smoother motion without asking you to peer at a tiny display. That doesn’t mean every game will run at 120 frames per second, of course, nor should you always crank it up. It depends on the game, settings, and your remaining battery.

Behind that screen is Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Q8 processor, paired with Android 15 and active cooling. A broad rear grille gives the internal fan room to draw air, making ventilation part of the exterior rather than hiding it completely. That’s worth remembering when you settle in with the handheld against a cushion, since the cooling system still needs an unobstructed path to breathe.

Power comes from a 9,000mAh battery, with support for 60W charging when you need to plug back in. Actual playtime will depend on the game and screen settings, so that capacity doesn’t translate into a guaranteed afternoon away from an outlet. At about 15.9 ounces, the handheld puts weight behind that screen, especially when a quick session somehow becomes an entire evening.

Storage starts at 128GB with 12GB of RAM, while the top model offers 1TB and 16GB of RAM. There’s also a microSD slot, so choosing less built-in storage doesn’t close off future expansion. AYN specifies that no games come preinstalled, however. You’re buying the hardware for your own library and setup, not a ready-made collection of nostalgic favorites waiting behind the power button.

Launch pricing starts at $399, with the 1TB version reaching $669 and shipping expected to begin in early November 2026. The pricier configuration doesn’t buy a different screen or processor, just more memory and storage than the base model. That leaves a practical choice between keeping a larger library installed and keeping the price down, particularly when a memory card remains an option.

The post AYN Odin 3 Portal Handheld Pairs a Flat Glass Front With Sculpted Grips first appeared on Yanko Design.