Soft Lamp: A Surprising Pneumatic Light

This intriguing Soft Lamp prototype is by Tokyo-based interaction designer Kuan-Ju Wu.

Once activated, it responds in a surprising way:

Yes, it is pneumatic, and appears to “breathe:”

“I aim to further develop my concept of Feral Interactions: delightful exchanges among humans, machines, and environments that embrace the fuzzy and ambiguous instinctive moments occuring within our earliest memories,” Wu writes. “Those intuitive, rich, and satisfying experiences that connect us all to each other and our natural world.”

You can see more of Wu’s work here and here.

Designey MagSafe Charging Stands

Product company Electric Trout brings some designey-ness to the world of MagSafe chargers, eschewing the typical EDC aesthetic for something recalling ’90s Alessi. All are made of acrylic.

The $39 Expo Apple Watch charging stand features an elastic strap to hold extra watchbands.

This $49 Ezl-05 3-in-1 charger has notches on the left are to hang additional Apple Watch bands.

The $69 JPX-9 3-in-1 charger is meant to turn your phone into a bedside alarm clock. An Apple Watch charger and AirPods charger are on the back.

All are laser-cut and “shaped by hand,” the company says, in Brooklyn.

Pursue Innovation and Pay Attention to Impact

Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Founder and Principal of Interwoven Design Group, leads the 2024 Core77 Design Awards Sports and Outdoors Category which features consumer products or services created to encourage play, movement, or learning. Examples include toys, games, athletic equipment, athletic wear and accessories, and outdoor gear and equipment.

This year’s Jury Captain for Sports and Outdoors seems a perfect fit for the role – because she’s built a career on constructing the ‘perfect fit.’ As the Founder and Principal of Interwoven Design Group, Rebeccah’s sweet spot is the intersection of design and technology, where she brings deep expertise on human interaction, wearable products, and smart textiles. Before founding Interwoven Design Group, Rebeccah honed her skills across athletic, medical, wearable, and consumer product design for companies including Fila, Champion, and Nike and has pursued groundbreaking research in design methodologies and smart materials. She is a Professor of Industrial Design at Pratt Institute and author of Smart Textiles for Designers: Inventing the Future of Fabrics.

Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Founder, Interwoven Design Group.

As Jury Captain, Rebeccah seeks projects that demonstrate “genuine innovation… push boundaries, bring fresh perspectives, and introduce novel solutions to existing challenges.” She encourages applicants to embrace risk-taking, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach to help their work stand out from the rest.

One of Rebeccah’s most pressing concerns as a designer is sustainability: “As we navigate an era of rapid technological advancements, it’s crucial to ensure our creations are environmentally conscious, minimizing their ecological footprint.” Rebeccah acknowledges that today’s designers face the difficult task of pursuing innovation while paying careful attention to impacts on resource depletion and climate change. She also emphasizes the need to continue promoting diversity and inclusivity in design processes, representing a broad range of perspectives and experiences to create effective, accessible solutions.

In her own practice, Rebeccah is particularly excited by a few projects that embody her commitment to inclusivity, emergency preparedness, and boundary-pushing design. The first is Even Adaptive, winner of the 2023 Core77 Design Awards Lifestyle Accessories category. This innovative intimate apparel line is designed to cater to all female bodies, especially those with different abilities and range of motion impairments.

2023 Core77 Design Awards Lifestyle category winner, from Interwoven Design Group, Even Adaptive lingerie for the impaired and everyone else.

Another is the Perci Emergency Preparedness Vest by INVICTA Ready, an all-in-one solution that enables families to respond quickly to natural disasters. Uniting her passions for dynamic sport and design, Rebeccah is also actively involved in developing GLDN PNT, an activewear line designed for Padel tennis enthusiasts.

Perci Emergency Preparedness Vest by Interwoven Design Group for INVICTA Ready

2023 Core77 Design Awards Sports & Outdoors winner Oyster Tempo, by WORK for Oyster

The 2023 winner in the Sports & Outdoors category of the Core77 Design Awards was the Oyster Tempo, a high-performance cooler designed by Work for Oyster. The cooler uses a patented integrated vacuum insulation system, constructed with recyclable aluminum and chemical free Silica to deliver a smaller product with more internal space that keeps perishable items cool for longer.

2023 Sports & Outdoors notable honoree LANDER Skateboards

LANDER Skateboards was a notable honoree in the 2023 Sports & Outdoors category. The deck is made using recycled nylon from old commercial fishing nets.

If you’ve worked on a Sports & Outdoors project in the last year that deserves recognition, enter the Core77 Design Awards today!

This 5G eBike has a built-in action camera and infotainment system: Orbic 5G eBike Hands-On at MWC 2024

Amidst the bustling corridors of the 2024 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, sustainable innovation company Orbic has unveiled a device that will radically alter last-mile and intra-urban commutes forever: the world’s first 5G-enabled eBike, equipped with AI for object avoidance and collision detection.

Designer: Orbic

Orbic’s leap into the eBike sector practically reshapes how we perceive mobility, safety, and connectivity on two wheels. “Introducing Orbic’s 5G e-Bike at MWC Barcelona is part of our innovation pipeline that implements advanced technology to expand connectivity and enhance user experiences,” said Mike Narula, President and CEO of Orbic. “By integrating 5G connectivity and AI technology, we aim to redefine the riding experience, making it safer, more connected, and environmentally responsible whether on city streets, in suburban neighborhoods or the challenging terrain of mountain trails. The 5G e-Bike represents a significant leap forward in electronic mobility, and we are excited about bringing this new technology to cities across the globe.”

Central to the eBike’s design is its AI-powered avoidance detection system, featuring a sensor with a 140-degree field of view at the rear, which actively monitors for potential hazards and alerts riders through audible and visual warnings. This focus on safety is further supported by the eBike’s array of cameras: a 64MP front-facing camera for capturing and livestreaming (yes, the Orbic bike has its own built-in action camera!), an 8MP camera on the front display ideal for video calls, and a 2MP rear camera dedicated to enhancing safety through collision avoidance and object detection.

The eBike’s frontal camera array

A rear camera helps with vehicle detection

Stuck in traffic? The touchscreen can be used for entertainment too!

Additionally, the eBike boasts a 7-inch, all-weather touchscreen display that provides riders with essential information such as battery status, speed, and navigation data, ensuring attention remains on the road. The eBike’s 5G connectivity not only minimizes lag for a responsive user experience but also enriches the riding experience by enabling features like live streaming, trail sharing, bike-to-bike communication, and real-time navigation.

Orbic’s 5G eBike reveal at MWC 2024 represents a seismic shift in eco-friendly transportation, operating without fossil fuels and emitting no carbon, aligning with the company’s dedication to sustainable technology development. This approach offers riders a guilt-free mode of transportation that doesn’t compromise on innovation or performance.

The post This 5G eBike has a built-in action camera and infotainment system: Orbic 5G eBike Hands-On at MWC 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Microlino Lite: An EV for (European) 14-Year-Olds

How can a car company—sorry, a mobility company—gain customers that are too young to have a driver’s license? At this week’s Geneva Motor Show, Microlino unveiled their Microlino Lite, a teen-friendly version of their existing model.

The two-seater has the same front door style as its sibling, but because its electric motor’s output doesn’t exceed the 6kW threshold, this places it within the EU’s L6e category of vehicle. That means it’s technically a powered quadricycle rather than an automobile, so you only need a moped license to operate it. In countries like France and Italy, a 14-year-old can drive one of these—and, conceivably, afford to: The company’s leasing model has a projected cost of 149 Swiss Francs (USD $169) per month.

Here’s the walkaround from the Motor Show, and gosh this thing is pretty:

With a 177km (110 mile) range, I’d like to think an enterprising teen could come up with a business to use this for and turn a profit.

As for this coming to the U.S.: Fat chance.

Synsisal carpets by Curran

Beige carpet in living room

Dezeen Showroom: US-based design company Curran has released a carpet that mimics the appearance of textiles made from sisal plants and aims to offer increased durability, softness and cleanliness.

Curran’s Synsisal carpets are woven from 100 per cent Econyl nylon, which is made from post-consumer plastic waste including material from discarded fishing nets.

Beige carpet under beige sofa
The carpet comes in four patterned weave styles

The nylon is woven into four different patterns that draw on traditional weaving techniques – herringbone Astoria, spotted tiger-eye Langley, basketweave Ravenna and ribbed Winthrop.

Carpets are designed for use in both low-traffic domestic environments as well as high-traffic public spaces thanks to their durable nature.

Beige carpet in living room
The rugs mimic the appearance of natural sisal floor coverings

Synsisal comes in two formats – carpet or area rug, which are available in both straight-edged or curved variations.

Product: Synsisal
Brand: Curran
Contact: service@curranonline.com

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

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Corten Steel & Glass Cabins Make Up A Wonderful Wellness Resort In Latvia

Open AD, a Latvian architecture studio created the Ziedlejas Spa and Wellness resort in Sigulda. The property includes a series of Corten steel and glass cabins arranged on a sloping site with views of a pretty pond. The spa is intended to be a modern and contemporary reimagination of the local sauna culture. It includes two independent steam rooms and three cabins.

Designer: Open AD

The three cabins are intended for overnight stays, and they’ve been placed at the top of the sloping site. The Glass Sauna is tucked away at the base of the sloping area, almost digging into the hill, with access to views of the pond. There is another sauna called the Smoke Room, and it is located in a wooded area close by. The Smoke Room is built using charred logs and features a weathered steel roof, that is inspired by the structure of traditional sauna buildings. The Glass Sauna has a charred wood cladding and features the use of Corten Steel in its parapet. Two chimneys also rise from the building, while a massive window offers views of the pond from the wood-lined steam rooms.

The various structures of the property are connected with pathways and stone steps, creating a space that is cohesive and interlinked.  “Each structure is both an independent unit and an intrinsic part of the overall composition…the journey from sauna room to pond is short, and the Glass Sauna is accessible for persons with reduced mobility,” said the studio.

The cabins were created to be minimal and clutter-free. They are subtle and welcoming, with foldaway beds, and tables that rise from the floor. There is also an additional sleeping section on the mezzanine floor above. The glazed sections of the cabins accommodate the living spaces, allowing visitors to have direct access to views of the surrounding landscape. The bathrooms are placed in the Corten-clad sections to offer privacy.

“Ziedlejas welcomes guests all year round, so the solutions need to perform both visually and functionally in a range of conditions such as snowy winters, golden autumn, luscious green summers, and the grey in-between moments,” concluded the studio.

The post Corten Steel & Glass Cabins Make Up A Wonderful Wellness Resort In Latvia first appeared on Yanko Design.

World’s First AR Glasses that correct Partial Retinal Blindness: Hands-on with Eyecane AR at MWC 2024

I’ve always said that great technology doesn’t cater only to the needs of the dominant 95%, it also factors in the needs of the often neglected 5%. To that end, AR technology is great, but it hasn’t been applied in a way that benefits the 5th percentile – and Cellico wants to change that. The medical-tech company unveiled the Eyecane AR glasses at MWC, the world’s first augmented reality device designed to correct age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Designed to look and feel like your standard sunglasses, the Eyecane AR helps people with retinal disease see clearly. A 4K camera at the center of the glasses records the world, feeding media into a tiny projected display within the Eyecane AR’s lenses. AMD causes blind spots within people’s vision, but the Eyecane AR’s cameras help fill in those blind spots with digitally captured imagery in real time, helping people see fully and clearly again.

Designer: Cellico

A disease that affects as many as 1 in 200 people by the time they reach 60, going up as high as 1 in 5 people by the time they hit their 90s. The affliction, caused by the degeneration of the macula (the central part of the retina) results in blurry or sometimes even no vision in the center of your eye. Think of a large black dot in otherwise relatively clear vision. Given that a lot of the important things we see find themselves in this central zone, people with AMD can have a tough time looking at objects, identifying people, and navigating scenarios. Cellico’s solution is incredibly simple – have a camera capture whatever is in that gap, and display it in the corner of your eye, where you can still see things relatively clearly. Creating somewhat of a picture-in-picture effect, Eyecane AR allows people with AMD to regain vision in their macular region simply by having a camera capture it and display it in another part of their field of view.

A snap-on sunshade helps people see clearly in bright settings too

By harnessing the power of a compact 4K 20MP camera seamlessly integrated into smart glasses and complemented by an intuitive mobile app, Eyecane AR captures and processes real-time images with precision, even applying optical image stabilization. These images are then projected onto an augmented reality display in Full-HD, effectively shifting central vision to the peripheral field of view. This groundbreaking approach not only restores clarity but also rekindles independence for those navigating the challenges of AMD.

simulates how people with AMD perceive the world, and how the Eyecane AR can help fill in the gap with a PIP on the left side.

Moving the PIP to the center of the screen shows what images would look like for people with regular vision.

The beauty of the Eyecane AR lies in the fact that it can be used right out of the box without a hospital visit. The Eyecane app has a built-in scotometry program that analyzes your vision for you, pinpointing the blind spot or the problematic area in your vision. The app then helps the AR glasses’ camera calibrate and focus on that region, capturing the image and displaying it in a corner of your peripheral vision. The entire process takes mere minutes, and helps quickly restore macular vision simply by relying on the inherent properties of augmented reality displays!

Key Features of Eyecane AR:

  • 4K camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) embedded in AR glasses
  • Mobile app featuring a customized image-processing engine
  • Full HD Reflective Freeform crystal Lens offering a Field of View (FoV) of 40°
  • Voice control functionality for seamless user interaction
  • Electric Auto Sunshade coated with an LC film, ensuring optimal visual comfort in diverse lighting conditions
  • Lightweight construction, crafted from Titanium and Ultem materials, prioritizing comfort and wearability

The post World’s First AR Glasses that correct Partial Retinal Blindness: Hands-on with Eyecane AR at MWC 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Clever Way to Restore Vintage Dial Markings: Use a Dental Pick, Gun Cleaning Swabs

Here camera repair expert Ryan Jones restores the dial markings on a Leica M3. To fill in the impossibly thin engravings, Jones employs a clever technique: He applies Testors enamel with a dental pick, then wipes the excess away using special swabs.

The dental pick wasn’t the first solution to occur to Jones, but is the lasting one. “I’ve used syringes and tiny needles in the past, after a few years of doing this I find myself throwing away clogged syringes and losing the needles,” he writes. “So using this dental pick is my go-to since it’s always on my bench and needs no maintenance!”

Lastly, about those swabs: “These q-tips are for gun cleaning and have a blunt and pointy end,” Jones writes. I was unfamiliar with these, and looked them up:

Pretty nifty, and I can definitely use these for sewing machine repairs. They’re $10 for 500.

Cityverse Sneaker

Introduced earlier this month, the Cityverse is lululemon’s foray into casual sneakers. We’ve tested them thoroughly and are impressed with their comfort, support and versatility. A soft foam molded insole conforms nicely to your foot and the grippy outsole sticks well to most surfaces, wet or dry. With a basic casual-yet-sporty look they can be dressed up or down and given they’re resilient enough to exercise in they’re a perfectly versatile travel shoe for those of us who prefer to carry less. The Cityverse is available in both womens and mens fits and sizes with a few launch colorways and surely more to come.