Tag Archives: sphere

See-Through Cocoon Lets You Live in Your Own Little Bubble

Posted on by

Every once in a while, I feel like being alone and that’s one of the times I feel extremely lucky and fortunate that we have a spare room in the house. Not that I’m a loner or anything, but I just like being able to get away from everyone and everything sometimes.

If I didn’t have a spare room to go to, then I’m sure something like the plastic-shelled Cocoon 1 would be totally up my alley. Although the price, not so much.

Cocoon1The Cocoon 1 is a piece of furniture that you can actually live in. It’s like the Cocoon Tent we saw earlier, only it’s made with a tough and clear material–and, well, it’s not a tent.

Cocoon

Designed by Swiss design group Micasa Lab, the Cocoon is cushy and roomy enough to let people sleep, eat, relax, and do whatever they want by their lonesome while they’re in it. The inside of the Cocoon is modular, so it can be configured as a living, working or even a cooking space. You can even get a Wi-Fi module for surfing the web inside of it.

cocoon 1 office

The Cocoon 1 seems like a concept, but it’s actually an actual product that will be arriving sometime in Fall of 2013.

The only downside? The base model is priced at $2,990(USD), and goes up from there.

[Cocoon 1 via Yanko Design]


Cocoon Tree Tent Looks Like a Ball

Posted on by

It wasn’t until recently that I realized that sleeping while hanging from the trees was a popular pastime. However, I guess that hanging tree tents not only give you a cool place to rest, but get you up off the ground and away from critters that can’t climb up and into your hovering outdoor domicile. The latest in the growing genre of tree tents is the Cocoon Tree.

cocoon tree tent 1

This 3-meter (~9.84 feet) diameter, orb-shaped luxury tent is built from 24 curved aluminum rods which form the sphere, and then are covered with cloth to keep you sheltered from the elements and the insects.

cocoon tree tent 2

The whole rig weighs about 132 pounds, plus the weight of its occupants. The tent is suspended from sturdy tree trunks using hefty polyester rope, designed to hold up to 1.6 tons each. Plus, there’s a security net that can be suspended beneath just in case anything happens to the tent. Inside the Cocoon is a large circular bed that’s got enough space to sleep two adults, or even a couple and two small children.

cocoon tree 4

Once securely inside, roll-up mosquito netting keeps the bugs out, but lets light in. In addition to “in the tree” mounting, the Cocoon can be intalled on the ground, with lunar lander-like feet, floated on a platform, or even attached to a floating inner tube that lets you bob around the water.

cocoon tree tent 3

Pricing and availability for the Cocoon Tree hasn’t been announced yet, but you can find out more about it over on the project’s website.

Also, if you get out the grey paint, you can make it look like a Death Star.

[via Likecool via HiConsumption]


Transforming Morphex Robot Now Rolls in a Ball, Calls Itself Samus

Posted on by

Remember that omni-directional robot called the Morphex? The ‘bot had the ability to transform from a ball to a robot and back. This robot was created by Norwegian Engineer Kåre Halvorsen and it is a neat little piece of technology. Now the Morphex has learned some new tricks of the Metroid variety. It can not only transform from a ball to a robot, but it can also roll around.
MorpHex
The robot uses the motors on one side of its body to push itself along while contracted into a ball. It may not be the best way to roll, but it does the job, although it moves in an arc rather than a straight line. It can’t straighten itself out yet, but that capability will come one day. Halvorsen has some ideas to fix this, like reworking the legs, and plans on allowing it to move in any direction with its next upgrade. He also plans to add 36 RGB Starlite LED’s to improve things visually.

Its builder currently has his eye on winning the Boca Bearings 2012 Innovation Competition with this ‘bot. That would win him $10,000, which would go a long way toward improving upon this already awesome robot.

[via Geek]


Mighty morphing hexapod bot is back, now rolls with the punches

Posted on by
Image
It's been awhile since we last saw Kåre Halvorsen's morphing hexapod ball-shaped bot, and in the interim it picked up some new tricks. Before, the MorpHex could only maneuver by scurrying around on its six legs, but now it can move around while still in spherical form. It works by periodically protruding its polycarbonate panels to get rolling, and it stops and turns in similar fashion. Additionally, it's learned some nifty new dance moves and acquired the ability to flummox small children. Don't take our word for it, though, see the thing in action after the break.

Continue reading Mighty morphing hexapod bot is back, now rolls with the punches

Mighty morphing hexapod bot is back, now rolls with the punches originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceHack a day  | Email this | Comments