The Cuda jetpack lets you fly underwater

Posted on 16/07/2018 by Sarang Sheth

It’s 2018 and jetpacks are finally here, but they don’t really propel you in the air yet… Archie O’Brien’s Cuda, developed with 3D Hubs, is the world’s fust backpack-sized jetpack that propels you underwater!

Pulling water from the front and pushing it out the back with incredible force, the Cuda is a relatively tiny contraption that fits right on your back, and when triggered, gives you a boost, propelling you at the speed of 8mph underwater with no effort.

Enticed by the Seabob, a hand-held water scooter, Archie built the Cuda as a low-cost alternative to the otherwise $10,000 Seabob. Built with 3D Hubs (the massive online manufacturing facility), Cuda went from idea to prototype in just a year, and featured a new propulsion system altogether (as opposed to being a shrunken version of a jet-ski). Using the services and materials provided by 3D Hubs, Cuda has a metal-turned driveshaft, a CNC milled heatsink, a completely 3D printed body PLA plastic body, and a carbon-fiber dust infused polymer for the propeller that gives it high strength and low weight. All 3D printed parts are coated with an epoxy resin to improve their performance and integrity underwater, while all the electronics are placed in waterproof compartments, sealed with silicone.

Using the Cuda is as simple as controlling the speed with a hand-held remote, and the direction with your body. Made out of 45 3D printed parts that can be assembled in just near 10 minutes, the Cuda is patent pending and may go into production as early as 2019, from where it could be used for anything from entertainment to emergency… for now, Archie’s plans are to use the Cuda to swim alongside dolphins!

Designers: Archie O’Brien & 3D Hubs

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World’s tiniest life-jacket

Posted on 20/02/2018 by Sarang Sheth

The Ploota is remarkable for a lot of reasons. The Sensor Controlled Swimming Safety Device sits around your neck, and will trigger when it comes in contact with water, but even comes with a manual trigger. Sitting around your neck, the Ploota is compact, innovative, reusable, and like I mentioned earlier, remarkable. Here’s a bunch of reasons why. A. Unlike most life-jackets that keep you afloat all the time, the Ploota can be used underwater or in the water too. It means you can go swimming, snorkeling or deep sea diving with it on and trigger it only when you need to be brought to the surface. In that manner, the Ploota can be worn by more people and therefore it can save more lives. B. Probably 1/50th the size of a regular foam-based life jacket, the Ploota is compact, allowing you to carry/store 50 times more life-jackets with you in the same space, hence saving more lives in the event of a disaster. C. Its tiny form factor (it weighs only 280gms) allows you to do more without being weighed down by a bulky chest-strapped jacket. Designed to look sleeker and honestly, cooler, the Ploota is something more people will want to wear.

The Ploota sits relatively snugly around the neck. When it inflates, thanks to the refillable-CO2 cartridges in the front, two bags on the side (above the shoulder) inflate immediately, bringing you to the surface of the water. The Ploota is reusable, as the bags can easily be rolled back into their enclosure and the CO2 cartridges replaced. Given that as many as 372,000 people drown every year, the Ploota’s ability to be used in any and every scenario and its small size can literally ensure MANY more lives are saved.

Designers: Rainer Fakesch, T. Storti & C. Rummel (Ploota)

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This backpack fits inside your pocket!

Posted on 09/02/2018 by Sarang Sheth

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Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I think the guys at Matador have a shrink-ray. After the pocket blanket, they’ve managed to shrink a 20-liter backpack into something that’s literally the size of a stress ball. The Droplet XL bag puts a serious ultralight waterproof bag (for your wet beachwear) into a drop shaped silicone case that can fit into your pocket, or even be hung on your regular backpack with the carabiner clip provided. Designed exclusively for the beach, the Droplet is ideal for when you want to have complete control over how wet or dry your objects are. The two-way waterproof bag can keep water out, letting your clothes stay dry, or keep water in, allowing you to stash your wet clothes inside without them dripping anywhere. The drop-shaped silicone case (reinforcing the waterproof aspect rather beautifully) comes with a slit that you can easily pull your bag out of and shove it back into. And with its ultra-lightweight material, you’ll barely even feel like you’re carrying a second 20-liter backpack with you!

Designer: Chris Clearman (Matador)

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If IKEA made sailboats

Posted on 02/02/2018 by Jack O'Farrell

Once upon a time, Ahab sought revenge upon Moby Dick, the albino sperm whale, while sailing upon the glorious Pequod – to hear of that tale would make any man rush to the sea right? Luckily for those who feel that same longing to hit those crashing waves in their own boat, or simply…just wish to have their own boat in general, can now fulfill that dream. Rapid Whale has really alleviated the stresses and burdens of owning a boat, not even beginning to mention the fees and maintenance attached too. If anything they’ve developed a fun, full-sized mini boat, boasting a length of six foot and fully electrical – made to order and assembly.

Comprised of the Mini Boat Kit are laser-cut marine-grade plywood, 3D printer components, a steering wheel, sheeting-shift bearings, and various gaskets – unfortunately, the boat isn’t complete, having to source and purchase the motor, engine, and batteries by the owner. That’s not all too bad considering you now have a boat all to yourself. Weighing in at a staggering sixty-seven pounds and hitting a fairly breezy four miles per hour, the Rapid Whale Mini Boat is sure to itch every nautical tickle you may have.

Designer: Rapid Whale

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Now you can cycle across the sea!

Posted on 06/12/2017 by Jack O'Farrell

Kiwis are the first in the world to see the sunrise, first to celebrate the New Year, and now they’re the first with the opportunity to cycle over water. The very idea of the Hydrofoiler XE-1 was manifested in 2010 by Guy Howard-Willis when he began Manta5, only to be further developed by bike designer Roland Alonzo, bringing the bike to life in an electric-assisted pedal bike for water use. Hydrofoiling drastically reduces drag, allowing you to cut through fast-moving water easily. The front tiller section, surfaced with the choppy seas in mind, lets you carve down steep ocean swells and over rough chop. The Hydrofoiler could potentially replace the hype around the water-powered jet packs that got very popular only a few years ago. I could definitely find myself replacing that Sunday morning bike ride for a trip across the lake in no time.

Designer: Manta5

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Camping or Rafting? Or Both?

Posted on 02/11/2017 by Jack O'Farrell

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How often have you been camping and wondered how cool it would be to make your tent buoyant. Especially as a child, I would dream about chilling out on the lake in my tent. Fortunately, Evan Glassman has made that dream a reality with TRAFT – a hybrid tent/watercraft design. You can now live the dream of cruising downstream, fishing or simply commuting in this modular, packable, and insulated tent-raft. TRAFT began at the design shop of UCS-Utah Contract Sewing, in 2016, when Glassman bought a hammock and conceptualized the idea of developing a floating raft-tent-hammock in one. Evan spent a year doing further design, testing and traveling internationally to find the best raft and tent makers possible to bring the concept to fruition.

TRAFT alleviates the stress of having to bring excess gear with you on those fun-loving camping trips. The TRAFT is lightweight and packs into the perfect size for your backpack. Made from durable, long-lasting materials including advanced TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), TRAFT will literally let you camp on a lake! Add that to your wanderlust bucket list!

Designer: Evan Glassman

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Keeping the water out and the sound in

Posted on 04/08/2017 by Sarang Sheth

Water in the ear is a literal and figurative headache. However, wearing earplugs in the pool has its pros and cons. You keep the water out, but it also means you hear pretty much nothing because earplugs keep EVERYTHING out.

While I imagine it must be calming to hear absolutely nothing while you swim, most professionals say that being able to hear the whistle, or your opponents while swimming may just help mold your strategy and win you the game. The Swimears were designed to allow sound to pass through, keeping everything else out. The Swimears help keep water, chlorine, etc at bay, preventing ear blockages or infections, but at the same time, also keep you aware, letting listen to your coach’s feedback and even know if your swimming technique isn’t up to the mark (by listening for splashing sounds) eventually going on to help swimmers in races (by being able to listen to how close or far their opponents are, etc).

The Swimears are like traditional earplugs, except for a proprietary mesh that lets sound pass through, but blocks water entry. They fit snugly into your ear with a secure fit only to be reinforced by the stabilization wing that locks into the indents on your ear, making sure the earplugs don’t come undone while dashing in and out of the water. Developed by professional surfboarders, the Swimears are ideal for all water-based sports, from swimming, to scuba diving, to even kayaking or surfing… because when someone yells “Shaaark”, it would help to have your ears open, right?

Designer: Finis Inc.

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Snapchat becomes Snapperchat!

Posted on 28/06/2017 by Sarang Sheth

Snapperchat because of the snapper fish? Get it? Never mind. With the SeaSeeker mask, Snapchat plans to go where no social network has gone before… the big blue!

The SeaSeeker by Royal Caribbean International hopes to allow the ephemeral video format to hit the high seas, giving deep sea divers a way to engage with their followers in a way that has never been done before. The mask was designed to fit Snapchat’s proprietary Snap spectacles right in, and even comes with a snap trigger that allows you to start and stop video. The SeaSeeker hopes to give divers the opportunity to document their travels in a unique format designed especially for Snapchat’s millennial community. Is it enough to help Snapchat rise to past-glory again? That remains an entirely different discussion altogether. Personally, this adds diversity to Snapchat’s video capabilities, which can only be a good thing. Not many people Snapchat from the deep blue seas. Well, maybe they should!

Designer: Royal Caribbean International

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From Folded to Floating in 10 Minutes

Posted on 20/06/2017 by Troy Turner

10 minutes is all you need transform this origami-inspired design from its folded form to a seaworthy vessel! It’s called MyCanoe and it’s compact enough to fit one or even two in your trunk, making it possible for anyone to enjoy canoeing without the need for car roof racks or a bulky, rigid boat.

Composed of specialized flexible and watertight polypropylene material, it goes from a 37″ x 25″ totable package to a full 14 foot canoe in a cinch. In its expanded form, users will find that it’s as comfortable as it is durable… not to mention, FAST!

Designers: Jay Lee & KS Jin

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For the Wanderlust of the waters!

Posted on 19/06/2017 by Sarang Sheth

This is literally the closest think you can get to living in a yellow submarine! The Zayak is a flotation device that provides a clear window into a world worth exploring. The board is made from a sturdy plastic and is hollow on the inside, allowing it to float. On the top lies a clear window lined with neoprene, allowing you to rest your head easily for long intervals. Since the window rests on the water surface, it provides a clear aquarium-esque view of the world below you, allowing you to have the snorkeling experience without having to dive under the water! The Zayak floats above the water surface and comes with handles for gripping. Your legs stick out and you move forward by paddling them.

The Zayak is ideal for people who want to snorkel but don’t have the gear, or the skill, or are even too scared of going under the water. Since you’re not under the water, you don’t need to be afraid of it. Just soak in the sun, and the wonders of the aquatic world!

Designer: Zayak