Tag Archives: Travel Accessories

This Tiny AI Device Turns Awkward Solo Travel Into Adventure

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While I love traveling with friends and family, I also enjoy traveling alone. My time is my own and I can do whatever I want. But let’s be honest: solo travel also comes with its own unique challenges. Getting lost in translation at a local market, struggling to take a decent photo of yourself without looking like you’re holding a selfie stick, or standing paralyzed at a subway station trying to decode which train goes where. We’ve all been there.

Designer Siwoo Kim clearly understands these moments because Comes, their latest design concept, feels like it was born from real solo travel experiences. This isn’t just another gadget trying to solve problems that don’t exist. It’s a thoughtful response to the growing culture of solo exploration that’s taken over social media feeds and reshaped how we think about travel.

Designer: Siwoo Kim

The rise of solo travel isn’t just a trend anymore. It’s become a full-blown cultural movement. YouTube channels dedicated to solo journeys rack up millions of views, not just because people want travel tips, but because there’s something deeply relatable about watching someone navigate a foreign city alone. These videos lower the psychological barrier that once made eating alone at a restaurant feel awkward or booking a solo trip seem lonely. Now? It’s empowering.

Comes taps into this shift with an approach that’s refreshingly human-centered. It’s a small AI-powered companion device equipped with a high-performance camera that can observe your surroundings and offer assistance exactly when you need it. But here’s where the design gets interesting: Comes features a modular, detachable structure that adapts to different travel situations. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for the modern solo traveler, but way more elegant.

Picture this scenario. You arrive in a new city, step off the train, and immediately feel that familiar flutter of “okay, now what?” Just tell Comes where you want to go, and it becomes your personal guide, helping you take those first uncertain steps into unfamiliar territory. The device walks you through navigation in a way that feels supportive rather than intrusive.

The real genius shows up in how Comes splits apart. The head can attach to a necklace module around your neck, capturing your point of view while recording your journey. Meanwhile, the body remains accessible in your hand or pocket, ready to provide information about whatever you’re looking at. It’s like having a curious travel companion who can answer questions on the fly without you having to pull out your phone and break the moment.

For those who love zipping around cities on shared bikes or scooters (because who doesn’t anymore?), Comes includes a strap module that securely mounts the device onto various mobility options. It guides your route while documenting your ride, turning practical navigation into visual storytelling.

But perhaps the most valuable feature addresses every solo traveler’s occasional nightmare: the language barrier. Standing in front of a menu board, making awkward gestures at a shopkeeper, desperately trying to communicate something simple. Comes looks at both faces in a conversation and translates in real time. You speak naturally in your language, they respond in theirs, and Comes bridges the gap. No fumbling with translation apps or pointing desperately at pictures.

And then there’s the social aspect. You find the perfect spot for a photo, but you’re alone. Asking strangers for help can feel awkward, but Comes makes it easier. Because the device detaches, you can hand someone the camera module while keeping the main body with you to check the frame in real time. Composition slightly off? Comes relays your feedback instantly, even from across the plaza. It transforms what could be a frustrating experience into an opportunity for genuine human connection. Who knows, you might even learn about a hidden local gem in the process.

What makes Comes compelling isn’t just its functionality but its underlying philosophy. Solo travel has always involved embracing uncertainty and turning unexpected moments into memorable experiences. This design doesn’t eliminate those variables. Instead, it provides just enough support to help travelers feel confident facing them. It’s the difference between removing adventure and enabling it. Comes offers something different: a tool designed to help solo travelers engage more deeply with the world around them, not retreat from it.

The post This Tiny AI Device Turns Awkward Solo Travel Into Adventure first appeared on Yanko Design.

World’s Smallest 20W Charger fits around your Keychain for Effortless Charging Anywhere

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No, it isn’t a car fob. It might look like one, but the MELLO is a fast-charger and honestly, it had me fooled too. Built with a uniquely compact design thanks to the Gallium Nitride semiconductor on the inside, the MELLO holds the title of the sleekest, smallest charging adapter we’ve ever seen. It opens into a plug that works in 180+ countries and fast-charges all your devices at speeds of up to 20W. Oh, don’t worry, it has its own USB-C cable too, integrated into its design to look like a classy leatherette lanyard.

Designer: Mello Power

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $119 (50% off). Hurry, only 21/1340 left! Raised over $393,000.

Never did I expect to see chargers become EDC (everyday carry) but here we are. Our lives are filled with tonnes of tech devices, and they all need power. However, carrying a pair of AirPods seems easy, but carrying a charger around wherever you go can be quite the hassle. They’re cumbersome, have cables that get tangled, and the adapters of fast chargers aren’t particularly pocket-friendly. Designers focus so much on making main products like phones and TWS earbuds portable/pocketable, that they sometimes forget that the accessories might need to be portable or pocketable too. The MELLO, to that end, is a start to a tech movement that should hopefully pick up. It’s the most portable charger you’ll ever carry, with a design that fits in your pocket, clasps to your belt loop or handbag, and blends right into your aesthetic as a stylish accessory rather than a tech charger.

Type-C port

20W GaN Charging

At first glance, the MELLO looks like the fob of a luxury car, with a chrome rim, a leather-textured fascia, a leatherette lanyard, and a carabiner clip. Flip it over, however, and you’ve got a fold-out plug that comes in a variety of styles, suiting the socket designs of 180+ countries. On the base of the chrome rim is a USB-C port, and the MELLO comes with a leather lanyard that opens out into a USB-C to USB-C cable, allowing you to quickly go from stylish accessory to charging apparatus in under a minute. Plug the charger and use it to juice any of your USB-C compatible devices (phones, earbuds, power banks, Bluetooth speakers, etc.), and when you’re done, fold the charging pins in and tuck the MELLO away either in your pocket or attach it back to your belt loop or bag strap using the carabiner clip and you’re done. The charger effectively becomes a fashion statement again, allowing you to go about your day.

What makes the MELLO so impressive is its internals. Most fast-chargers today (or at least the ones you get with your phones) use silicon-carbide semiconductors, which are ideal for transmitting energy, but end up making your charging adapters massive and even cause them to heat up. The tech industry has, for the past few years, begun shifting instead to GaN or Gallium Nitride, a material that’s much more power-efficient than its predecessor. The MELLO comes equipped with GaN on the inside, which allows it to be so tiny, while still being able to output a whopping 20W.

That 20W is honestly perfect for most regular devices. It should easily fast-charge any phone or TWS earbud, having you go from 0% to a healthy battery in well under an hour. The charging cable/lanyard included with the MELLO supports fast charging too, giving you the benefit of plugging in anywhere to ensure your gadgets remain juiced through the day.

The MELLO is impressive for how tiny it is. It fits comfortably in your palm, weighing a mere 28 grams or under an ounce. You can choose between 5 color variants (you’ll get a color-matching USB-C charging cable too), as well as from 4 different plug designs based on what works in your country.

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $119 (50% off). Hurry, only 21/1340 left! Raised over $393,000.

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This Japanese Quirky Bag Designer Created these Stylish Leather Backpack To Amp Up Your Dog’s Style

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For many of us, our dogs are not just pets; they are cherished members of our families. We love taking them along on our adventures, but it can be a bit of a hassle carrying all their essentials like treats, toys, and poop bags. Imagine if your beloved furry friend could carry their stuff stylishly and practically. Well, Japanese brand Tsuchiya Kaban has come up with a creative solution – a leather dog backpack that allows your dog to tote around their essentials with panache.

Designer: Tsuchiya Kaban

Tsuchiya Kaban is known for its quirky and innovative bag designs, such as ones meant for holding snowmen or watermelons. Now, they’ve turned their attention to a different type of companion – our dogs. The design of this miniature carry-on backpack draws inspiration from Japan’s iconic ‘randoseru,’ the traditional school backpack commonly worn by students. It’s a thoughtful nod to Japanese culture and a perfect fusion of tradition and modern pet accessory design.

The history of the randoseru, the traditional Japanese school backpack, is a fascinating tale rooted in both culture and fashion. Its origins date back to a significant moment in Japanese history when the crown prince of the time received a distinctive backpack upon entering elementary school at Gakushūin. In tribute to the country’s soldiers, this backpack was designed to resemble the military’s rugged and sturdy backpacks. This noble gesture soon captured the imagination of the public, and the backpack’s unique shape swiftly became a fashionable statement. Over time, the design has evolved and adapted, but the essence of honoring Japan’s military heritage remains embedded in the modern randoseru, inspiring Tsuchiya Kaban’s innovative leather dog backpack, which pays homage to this iconic Japanese tradition while catering to our beloved four-legged friends.

What makes Tsuchiya Kaban’s leather dog backpack truly special is the choice of material. The high-quality leather used in crafting the backpack matures beautifully over time. This maturation process symbolizes the growing bond between a pet and its owner, making it a sentimental and meaningful accessory for any dog lover.

Tsuchiya Kaban understands that your dog’s comfort is paramount. The backpack is attached to an adjustable leather harness designed to fit snugly on your dog’s back. The straps, made of durable nylon, ensure that neither your dog nor you will experience any strain during walks or adventures. The cleverly designed buckle allows for easy adjustment, ensuring a perfect fit every time, regardless of your dog’s size or shape.

For those leisurely walks or spontaneous runs with your furry friend, an optional leash can be directly attached to the backpack. This feature ensures that your dog stays safe and secure while still enjoying the freedom of movement.

The stylish leather dog backpack by Tsuchiya Kaban launched on December 14, 2023, and is available online.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s leather dog backpack is not just a practical solution to carrying your dog’s essentials; it’s a statement of style, tradition, and the unbreakable bond between you and your furry friend. With its thoughtful design and high-quality materials, this backpack ensures both your comfort and your dog’s happiness. So, if you want to add a touch of elegance to your dog’s outings while making life a bit easier for yourself, consider investing in this unique pet accessory. Your dog will undoubtedly appreciate the extra attention and care you’re showing them, and you’ll enjoy the convenience and style this innovative backpack provides.

 

The post This Japanese Quirky Bag Designer Created these Stylish Leather Backpack To Amp Up Your Dog’s Style first appeared on Yanko Design.