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Relaxation Bath Provides A Form of Relaxation During Taking A Bath

TheFuture — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:35:09 +0000

Relaxation Bath is an active rehabilitation bath concept that features variable volume of water to provide an enjoyable form of relaxation during taking a bath. This concept has been designed to smoothly and continually change its shape accordingly to the user’s body shape and movements. In this bath the user can experience an exclusive feeling of bathing on a waving floor, while gets comfortable massage from the soft and gentle surface. The concept features a series of hydraulic posts that goes down when they gets pressure from a particular part of the user’s body and goes up when the pressure releases through his or her movements.

Explanation from Petr:
The exhibit is an active relaxation and rehabilitation bath with special features that permit the changeability of water volume (0-410 L) and provides a pleasant form of relaxation due to its continual and smooth changes to the ergonomical shape of the structure. The bottom contour of the bath adjusts in order to conform to the required position and height of the user. The various geometrical changes to the shape enables the bath to be “shortened” for example, creating a backing for the legs in order to maximize on comfort.

For the purpose of saving on water consumption, one can simply change the depth of the bath so it becomes shallow or select a shape that is most suitable for the user. The changes to the shape of the bath floor can be modified & readjusted anytime. Another wonderful trait of the bath is that it is equally convenient for bathing children, because one can adjust a safe depth of bath, reducing risk of drowning as well as being equipped with soft finish of the base. In addition to creating minimal dimensions, the bath itself can be used as a baby changing table. Getting in and out of the bath tub is simple and effortless. There’s no need to climb over edges of the bath. This way, it is beneficial for people with physical disability or those completely immobile.

Uniquely, in this bath we can experience an unmissable feeling of soft, rippling of the bath floor during bathing or when having a massage. This is a new form of relaxation which we can daringly refer to as “kinetic therapy”. The type of technology used forms system of 10 pneumatic pistons (compressed air powering pistons) and includes inclinable segments covered with soft upholstery. This lining creates a pleasant feeling without causing pressure on the body even in the case when the bath is low filled or during the filling or draining of the bath tub. The movable segments are covered by special, highly elastic, hygienic and strong foil (used in the concept of BMW Gina. The geometric shape of the head rest can be partially changed and is also made from movable structures, covered in flexible foil. The type of material`s used are synthetic rock (e.g. ceramics, plastic shroud), glass, elastic foil.

Other systems used are classic hydro/air massaging jets capable of being rotated and powered by electric motor. The connection to mains water supply, water outlet, air and hydro massage jet is through flexible hosing. The bottom of the tub is sealed and the whole base can be raised or lowered over a flat surface of the inner side-panels of the bath. That is how water tightness is ensured.

Everything is controlled electronically with a remote control. As a result, it is possible to select filling/draining of the bath, change water temperature, adjust hydro/air massage settings (duration, intensity, cycle program) and change the shape of the bath floor whit comfortably resting in the bath tub. This is done with the help of sensor button on the display of a remote control. The geometry of the bath can be altered simply by means of accessing touch display screen on the remote control. Naturally, the program remembers previous settings and if the conditions allow, the bath immediately fulfills the command of the user. Simultaneously however, whilst making the change, the height of the water surface, its volume and temperature as well as the total water consumption is electronically monitored.

The filling of the bath is possible through water inlets positioned right beneath the head rest, whilst draining is carried out through the segment located in the middle of the bath tub. If we were to come back to the principle of shaping the bath floor, an alternative method exists, which replaces pneumatic pistons and electrically tilted segments with air pouch system (ballonet). In addition, the foil covering the surface of various segments can also be replaced with a variety of other materials available on the market, that have similar properties.

Designer : Petr Kubik

Mantra : Automated Life Saving System to Tackle Beach Safety Issues

TheFuture — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:48:14 +0000

Mantra is an automated life saving system concept aiming to tackle the beach safety issues that usually causes drowning casualties such as slow response time, inadequate surveillance, lack of lifeguard safety, and limitation of lifeguards as human. The Mantra concept contains small hairs with embedded electro sensors that detect distress and drowning people and swims up automatically to the spot. The victim them picked up carefully onto the built-in stretcher and it carries him or her on top of the water by using impellers and hydrofoils. There is always constant communication between the Mantra and beach lifeguards through which it carries the victim to a specified beach location where ambulance and medical team remains stand-by.

Text from Adam :
There are over 400,000 reported drownings and 8 – 10 times as much near drowning experiences worldwide every year. In the UK there are 500 annual drownings. These figures have remained the same for nearly 20 years which tells us that any current equipment and practice is not having the required impact to reduce these numbers.

I have been a beach lifeguard for a number of years and further primary and secondary research has shown that there are a number of key problems that reduce the survival rate of beach users.
These problems are:

Slow response time
Surveillance
Lifeguard safety
Human limitation of lifeguards

From this research it was decided to look to the future to see what could potentially be new directions for beach safety equipment, this design is therefore based for the year 2020.

The design process was in close collaboration with the BSA (British Surfing Association) headquarters in Newquay (UK). Starting with brainstorming where no idea was a bad idea, followed by concept generation and a wide variety of modeling and system/ scenario testing, the design took innovation from nature, new and existing technologies and user testing.

Explanation of final design

The ‘Mantra’ lives on the sea bed during peak seasons just off the coast of beaches; it uses small hairs on its surface to collect and store energy from tides and waves (called ‘Super Cillia Skin’). It detects distress and drowning using electro sensors coupled with sonar which even today are highly sensitive, for example heartbeats and movements can easily be monitored. When a casualty is detected it swims up to 15mph using SMAs in the wings. The victim is carefully picked up onto an inbuilt stretcher where they are carried on top the water using hydrofoils and impellers. The ‘Mantra’ is always in constant communication with lifeguards and so is met at a specific beach location by lifeguards and ambulances where an EAP is in place and the stretcher is removed without disturbing the patient, who in the worst case scenario may have neck injuries.

Stretchers are replaced and the ‘Mantra’ can assume its position at sea once more. The whole process is estimated to take under 2 minutes.

The final design as can be seen from images, uses biomimicry from a manta ray for many reasons –

Large flat surface area for all weather stability
Excellent turning circle and manouverability
Excellent strength to weight ratio
Low energy travel
Considered as a non aggressive creature/ form

Advantages of ‘Mantra’:

Removal of contact with bodily fluid
Safety of lifeguards
Immediate response time
Completely automated
Better for spinal and other injuries
Aesthetics
Function
Sustainable

Designer : Adam Scott

BMW Lovos Body Looks Like Fish Scales

TheFuture — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:48:01 +0000

Lovos means Lifestyle of Voluntary Simplicity. Therefore, the concept BMW Lovos project is not like the usual process of designing, crafting, vehicle acquisition and management, rather, the project is a meaningful symbol of conscious self-restraint, that can encourage the viewer to discard their common ideas about the number of exterior elements that a car should required. The body of Lovos contains 260 interchangeable identical particles that can open and close like fish scales. These elements are mobile and help gathering sun energy through solar cells by changing their positions as soon as the car starts running. The interior is warm and soft, making a distinct contrast between technical and mechanical appearance.

Designer : Anne Forschner

Rebel Transportation by Christian Susana

TheFuture — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:12:40 +0000

The Rebel is a design study by Snowcat, which is an all-terrain transportation means designed with power and efficiency to provide great functionality. The vehicle has been envisioned with rolling chain instead of conventional wheels, providing the grip that may require to run over the uneven surfaces of rocky mountains or snowy drive track. The driver’s cab is all-side glass-made and has the ability to rotate 180 degree in order to get comprehensive control over the pathway. A red light has been envisioned on the driver’s cab to demonstrate the importance of this vehicle when it is in a rescue mission.

Designer : Christian Susana

Nature : Modern and Innovative Ceramic Planter

TheFuture — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:36:24 +0000

Nature is an innovative ceramic planter that has the ability to grow a range of herbs and flowers. The design is inspired from the shapes and patterns found in nature, which can be revealed from its name. The concept comprises several openings like blossoms with various forms, and the plants are placed according to their root size, topmost opening is designed to make room for plants with deeper roots. The planter features a complex mold with six parts and seventeen post-molding cuts. All the pieces are carefully cast, finished by hand and glazed in Portland, Oregon. Drainage of the system is controlled by the three holes on the bottom. The planter is 18” tall and 22” wide, and is available in three colors, gray, white and yellow, and is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

Designer : Dominic D’Andrea and Tram Pham

Volkswagen L1 Concept Car : 1 Liter of Fuel for 100 Kilometers

TheFuture — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:30:25 +0000

The Volkswagen L1 is a concept car, designed in a fuel efficient way that can propel around 100 kilometers or 62 miles by using one liter of fuel. Recently the designers have prepared a prototype of this car by combining great aerodynamics, supremely efficient powertrain and lightweight engineering.

The powertrain of the VW has been furnished with two-cylinder, turbo-diesel 39-hp engine with a 14-hp electric motor. Besides, the car comprises a stop/start mechanism and a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission through which it can quickly reach 100 mph, while dropping the fuel economy to an extraordinary 1.38 liters per 100 km.

Aerodynamics of the front-wheel-drive L1 is optimized by a two-seat layout where occupants can seat in a row. Therefore, the car is relatively long, extremely slim and quite low comparing other traditional cars. The body is made of carbon fiber, making it lightweight of merely 838 pounds.

From : VW via wcf

Purisme Luxury Pipe Made From Hi-Tech Carbon Materials

TheFuture — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:41:02 +0000

The delicate combination of hi-tech carbon materials with grain bruyere wood and alluringly curved lines has made the Purisme Pipe an uncommon piece. This concept has transformed the age-old shaped conventional pipe into a hypermodern powerful design which brings ergonomics to comprehensive perfection along the way. The pipe head is designed in a unique up side down method which strands perfectly upright and when you set it down, it can manage the balance easily and effectively. Purisme pipe is not just a new method of getting pleasure from smoking; it is the ultimate comeback of a smoking pipe to the area of trend, cult and technology.

Designer : Purisme

Arctic Marine Fauna : A Tunnel That Connects The Short Stretch of Arctic Ocean Between Russia and The United States

TheFuture — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:14:01 +0000

The Arctic Marine Fauna is not just a commercial construction like a railway link or a bridge bonding one continent to another, this proposal entails more audacious, active and sensitive issues considering the amplitude, geopolitical context and the global ecological conscience.

Because of the relatively shallow water levels of the Straits, the proposed structure can descend to the base of the ocean with just a few meters floating over the water level. Compression is the main working principal of this structure that features two parallel walls cut through the adjoining water bodies, held apart with bracing, which is habitable at times. Each wall is 10 meters wide and respectfully provides vehicle and train infrastructures at its apex. The trait is used only to give simplicity to this massive structure that features a direct line to connect the two sides.

The wide interstitial space spans 50 meters which was created by this vast separation and becomes an interface for human haulage, providing inhabitants and visitors the opportunity to navigate the Strait by walking. The visitors will enjoy constant views of underwater landscape walking across the tubes, submerged below 50 meters of water level. Moreover, the separation of the Pacific from the Arctic can improve temperature isolation, by gradually reducing the water temperature in the Arctic, which would be a great environmental benefit.

Designer : OFF Architecture via Bustler

Artistic Taxius Animalus Electric Vehicle by Francis Gomes

TheFuture — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:51:08 +0000

Usually, a taxi continuously runs 12 hours everyday, including the standing time when they wait for passengers, resulting huge wastage of fuel and harm to the environment. The Taxius is a small and light built taxi concept that uses electric power to transport people over different areas of busy cities or countryside towns. This taxi comprises an organic inspired sculpture which is simplified using tough fabric, strengthened chords and welded hollow tubes, forming a functional volume with great visibility. The diverse functionality of the taxi concept includes structural interior on an electric architecture, which runs on a six wheel track over diverse terrains and the visual aesthetic has been boost with transparent exterior skin with composite panels.

Designer : Francis Gomes

E-Ink Display Technology Implementation by Continuum

TheFuture — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:05:32 +0000

E-Ink is a concept display technology with very thin, durable, flexible and low power attributes, which is also referred to as an electronic paper sometimes. This project is a continuum challenge for the designers to create innovative applications for this unique technology. Among many, we think that one compelling solution was to evolve the E-Ink film into the top exterior of a snowboard, since the riders of snowboards often require information about the mountain they are surfing and don’t want to take the hassle of pulling a compass, maps or other supplies. The E-Ink technology, with the stability and low power attributes, has made it an ideal fit for this application.

Text from Continuum :

Snowboard graphics powered by Piezo generator

The top surface of a snowboard is a perfect place for a changing graphic display. This concept suggests several graphic functions for a snowboard, including a compass, a reminder, directions display, altimeter, and a graphic proximity alarm that can be set by the owner of the board that activates a large “STOLEN” sign that flashes when the board is too far from its owner. The graphics are powered by a Piezo generator embedded inside the board that is activated when the board is flexed.

Pill bottle labels that can display changing information about contents

The Pill Bottle concept seamlessly integrates E-Ink display technology into a common package design. Using E-Ink technology in a prescription bottle label allows the bottle to be reused by recoding the label, thus reducing waste. The clear text also improves prescription legibility and is therefore safer.

The bottle cap serves as the “brains” of the bottle. It contains a tiny battery as well as the microchip where the label information is stored The label in the bottle contains a contact that engages with the bottle cap to activate the graphic. A smaller E-Ink display on the top of the cap is magnified by a clear lens, and helps to quickly identify the contents from above.

Flipping the bottle upside down activates the scale function of the bottle and tells the user how many pills are inside. The ability to weigh the contents helps eliminate mistakes (or theft) by pharmacists. When flipped around the display can also inform the user when they took their last dose as well as how far they are from needing another refill.

Designer : Continuum