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Audi Avatar 3-Seater Electric Supercar for 2032

TheFuture — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:23:46 +0000

The Audi Avatar is a 3-seater electric supercar concept specially designed for the drivers of 2032 to enjoy the pleasure of driving that they experienced playing racing games during their childhood days. The appearance of the car is much identical with the science fiction flying cars we used to watch. This futuristic car concept features 4 extremely powerful in-wheel electric motors powered by supercharge-ion batteries. The ultra lightweight aerodynamic body along with the powerful backend, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and can achieve the top speed of over 360km/h with responsive handling.

Some explanation from Edwin :
The exterior desing of the car is inspired by the form of fabric blown in the wind. The form also carries traces of the historical Auto Union Type C Streamline race.

There are no conventional doors on the car, but instead, inspired by the jet fighters, there are three glass canopies. The main canopy opens forward together with the steering wheel and the dashboard; the two passengers’ canopies open backwards; and a side panel on the bodywork opens downwards to act as a step, making the event of getting in and out of the cockpit very special and easy.

The interior is simply one continuous sheet, starting from the dashboard, then being folded and bended to create floor carpet and seat.

The interior of the car is as simple and futuristic as the exterior. Single sheet transparent LCD dashboard displays all the essential data such as speed and mileage. The screen in the center of the steering wheel displays digital map. The information can also be projected on the canopy by a head up display. The
whole driving experience would be like flying a fighter jet. There is a small but handy luggage space behind the driver seat for handbags and suitcases. It is also an arm rest for the passengers.

Four wheels are housed inside the car’s four “legs”. Each wheel contains an Audi In-wheel Electric Drive Unit, making the car an evolution in Audi’s trademark “Quattro” all time four-wheel-drive system. The long range Supercharge-ion battery which powers the in-wheel motors are separated into two packs located in front of as well as behind the cockpit, creating a perfect 50:50 weight distribution of the car for excellent handling.

Specifications:
Length: 4480 mm
Width: 1900 mm
Height: 1060 mm
Wheel base; 3048 mm
Weight: 800 kg
En Engine: 4 Audi In-wheel Electric Drive Units
Power: 544 hp (4 X 100 kW)
Torque: 4500 Nm (3319.03 lb-ft)
0-100km: 2.9 s
Top Speed: 360 km/h

Designer : Edwin Conan

Incheon Main Stadium for 2014 Asian Games

TheFuture — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:21:52 +0000

The Stadium concept for 17th Asian Games 2014 in Incheon has been designed to house 70,000 people and a single sided park where another 30,000 people can enjoy their visit. The design of the stadium is based on an uneven configuration with corporate and management facilities on its permanent western side, ensuring both construction and operation efficiencies. The eastern side incorporates modular temporary seating structure which will disappear when the game is finished, and the stadium structure will become a local landscape. The flowing form of the stadium and surrounding spaces with dynamic movement symbolizes the traditional Korean culture. The extended main roof of the stadium creates a welcoming environment while giving the structure a beautiful look.

Populous says :
Incheon Metropolitan City is a world class city, and this will be an innovative design, benchmarked against world’s best practice.

The multipurpose stadium builds on the design developed by Populous for the main stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and illustrates a new level of sustainable design in public infrastructure built for major events such as an Olympics or an Asian games.

The key to the stadium’s success will be reducing it down and linking it into the surrounding parklands, to make it an open accessible building, for its people. This way it can achieve a connection with the community that is vital to securing its long term sustainability and a true legacy for the people of Incheon.

Designer : Populous and Heerim Architects and Planners

X-Mini Max II Speakers Review

TheFuture — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:08:12 +0000

X-Mini Max II speakers are available in three colors, Black, Red and White. The one I have is red and when I hold it for the first time, it gave me an impression that I am holding a hippopotamus egg. I must appreciate this expertly designed ultra-portable speaker that is precisely engineered to provide superior quality sound with around 12 hours continuous playback battery life. [Buy it here]

The speaker pair remains attached with one another and can be detached with easy twist and lift. The connecting cable contains two mini USB ports that go to both speakers, one USB 2.0 goes to the PC for charging and the 3.5mm audio output jack to the source of music, whether it is an iPod, Mac or usual MP3 players. Both the speakers have LED lights to indicate it as switched ON. The pop open Bass Xpansion System mimics the resonance of a powerful sub-woofer and enhances the style of these speakers.

Difference between these speakers and X-Mini 2nd Generation is quite clear. First one is X-Mini Max II comes in two pieces, whereas X-Mini 2nd Generation offers a single speaker only. Another remarkable difference is the volume controller is embedded with the connecting cable in X-Mini Max II, on the other hand, you can find it on the body of X-Mini 2nd Generation. Moreover, the tiny connector cable in X-Mini 2nd Generation that remains tucked with the base is absent in X-Mini Max II. And finally, the size is also an important factor about these two. Max II is larger in size, therefore, it is able to produce louder sound as well. Aside from the identical shape, there are few similarities among them too, such as both of them are using 40mm driver and features “Buddy Jack” design, allowing connecting many speakers like a chain. So, when buying one of them, you should consider the portability along with your need of greater sound.

The making of these speakers seem quite strong to me. I can feel that it is strong enough to survive minor fall in the ground or any rough surface. There are rubber soles under the base to make it slip-resistant. Overall, I think as a portable mini speaker set, the X-Mini Max II has it all.

[Buy it here]

From : X-Mini

Saucer Vehicle : You Can Sleep While You Drive

TheFuture — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:47:57 +0000

The Saucer is a modular self-driven vehicle that features a single size bed arrangement, allowing the driver to sleep in peace while the vehicle takes him or her to the destination. This innovative idea is specially targeted for those who have to drive a long way home from their night shift work place. The soundproof interior of this vehicle is equipped with various programming consoles for self-driving the vehicle. Moreover, if you don’t want to sleep when you are commuting, there is enough space to lay back and relax or perhaps reading a newspaper or a magazine, or just enjoying some entertainment. The rear end of Saucer has a medium-size baggage compartment where you can store your required stuffs like suitcase, briefcase, etc.

Text from John :
Imagine sleeping while you drive. This notion may sound insane, but it is very possible with the Saucer. The world today is growing at a very fast pace and will continue to do so, meaning that people will not have enough time for anything and sadly that includes our precious sleep-time. Just to mention a few, perhaps you often have late nights from work and are too tired to drive or you need to get to an appointment, which is hundreds of miles away, early as possible the next morning or maybe you were invited to a party, but too drunk to drive back home. This is where the Saucer comes in…

Of course, the vehicle is not designed for an alcoholic individual or to cure insomnia, rather it is designed for those with very busy lives that leave them with little or limited sleep time.

The Saucer is a self-driven vehicle with a single size bed arrangement, where the driver is no longer the driver and instead take the time to sleep as he/she travel to his/her destination. This unique vehicle is especially targeted at night-shift individuals who are a long way from home. Simply put, if you’re feeling too tired to drive, don’t leave home without it.

The interior is soundproof and is equipped with a set of programming consoles that self-drive the vehicle. Even when awake, while traveling to your destination, there is enough room for you to lay back and relax, and keep yourself busy. Perhaps reading a magazine or newspaper, or simply turning-on some entertainment. A medium-size cargo compartment is also integrated at the rear end of the vehicle where you can store up some of your gear, such as a briefcase or a suitcase. – inspired by the Alien Flying Saucer.

Designer : John Bukasa

GlucoGrip Detects Your Blood Sugar Level and Leaves No Scratches on Your Skin

TheFuture — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:13:08 +0000

GlucoGrip is a high-tech concept kit for detecting blood sugar, specially designed to avoid additional medical instrumentation expenses by combining agronomy and technology in a simple and easily manageable way. This single device incorporates lancing and blood analyzer, reducing the timing and gestures for the collection through one object at your fingertips. The smart needles that are used to get the required blood drop are optimized by interchangeable disks which leave no scratches on the skin. The intuitive interface of GlucoGrip allows the user to manage it easily and get results through pictogram status tracking system. It features a logbook where users can store their day to day readings for further review of their health condition progress.

(Click the image for bigger view)

Designer : Giulio Sbarigia

Luxury WHY Wally-Hermes Yacht Redefines The Art of Living On The Sea

TheFuture — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:25:24 +0000

The WHY yacht is a concept yacht dedicatedly focused on bringing luxury living lifestyle on the sea through offering maximum durability, space and cutting-edge technologies at every single turn. The yacht is contained in a triangle shaped hull measuring 58 x 38 meter and the interior is furnished with water resistant buffalo leather with calpinage technique. Aside from the 25 meter long seawater pool on the bow, the boat creates a completely flat water surface behind it, similar to an Olympic-size pool where boarders can swim in peace. The boat is powered by a diesel electric engine and a central computer manages the different sources of energy. Moreover, about 900 square meters of photovoltaic surface panel generates a part of the energy that is required to subsist the boat.

[Press Release]

Ancona, Italy. September 22, 2009. WHY, Wally Hermès Yachts, today unveils a revolutionary
approach to cruising in motor yachts with the presentation of a full size model of its first born, an
innovative 58 metre-long 38 metre-wide yacht, in Ancona’s shipyard.

Wally Hermès Yachts: a joint-venture.
WHY is the result of the joint-venture signed in June 2008 between Hermès and Wally, to develop a new type of motor yacht redefining the art of living on the sea. The iconic Parisian house and the iconic Monaco yacht brand formed an equal partnership whereby each company is fully involved in all aspects of the conception and design of each project. Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Artistic Director of Hermès says : “When we met, in autumn 2007, Luca Bassani Antivari, President of Wally had thought about asking Hermès to accessorise the interior of one of his boats. I was impressed by the daring of his projects. My instinct was to get on board with him and go and seek out new territories in yacht design, but I had no interest in speed.”

Luca Bassani Antivari explains: “What I’ve always liked about Hermès, aside from its intrinsic quality, is its audacity and radicalism; its desire to go beyond trends, to make no compromises and to maintain the authenticity of the house. Wally shares the same values, ‘Hermès-on-Land’, ‘Wally-on-Sea’: inevitably our paths had to cross.”

WHY 58×38
The common values of the two brands have led to a first yacht that offers an unparalleled living space at sea. WHY was developed to give life to this concept assembling a team of dedicated talents in design, engineering, and naval architecture.

Then the tried and tested Norwegian Ramform hull characterised by exceptional and unprecedented stability and volume and spotted by Luca Bassani Antivari, revealed itself as the ideal choice to be adapted to the WHY 58×38 project.

Following this unique adaptation, the decks and the interiors were developed in accordance with the fundamental credo of WHY, ‘form-equals-function’. Thus were born other innovations in the world of mega yachts: patios generously flooding the interior with natural light, photovoltaic panels on the glass hull sides, as well as on the roof opening, like Venetian blinds, a 25 metre-long forward end swimming pool, and a 36-metre aft deck beach.
WHY 58×38 offers comfort, privacy, stability, space, independence and sustainability.

Sustainability
“We are very interested in creating a yacht that will have a low environmental impact”, says Pierre-Alexis Dumas. “Its relationship with the sea must be respectful and easy. WHY intends to offer a new way of moving over water by creating an innovative way of managing and recycling its sources and uses of energy.”
“If you want to go totally ecological, it’s only sailing yacht. The reality is that today, 90 % of the market is powerboats, echoes Luca Bassani Antivari. Our aim is to reduce diesel consumption per year and per yacht: 20 to 30 % for propulsion and 40 to 50 % for generation.”

Thanks to its specific hull, WHY 58×38 requires less power at cruising speed than a boat of equal size. Its diesel-electric propulsion is the most efficient motorisation today, and the surface of the photovoltaic panels, almost 900 square metres, covers most of the boat’s auxiliary system needs.

WHY Research and Development plan to optimize this project’s energy consumption by improving the isolation of the yacht and the heat recovery of its engines, and is also investigating the latest wind energy production and wind propulsion system technologies.

In comparison to a yacht of the same size, WHY 58×38 has been conceived to reduce drastically its energy consumption, saving up to 200 tons of diesel per year.
The WHY R & D program includes tank testing for hull stability in the SSPA facilities in Sweden, and the construction of a full-scale mock-up in order to allow the design team to fine tune the living areas correctly in accordance with the hull’s unique shape.

“The WHY 58X38 yacht looks very unfamiliar but it remains on a human scale. Space is the greatest luxury on the sea, but I believe the new luxury will be the time to enjoy it”, concludes Pierre-Alexis Dumas.

Designer : Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Luca Bassani Antivari, Gabriele Pezzini, and MauroSculli

Futuristic Cosmic Tractor for Future Farmers

TheFuture — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:38:52 +0000

The concept Cosmic Trac is actually a fashionable experience on the currently available tractors in the market. It is named as Cosmic Trac and is designed with futuristic looking, yet simple and stylish elements, unlike other futuristic concepts with complicated or organic shapes. The designers have emphasized on manufacturability, safety, useful functions and cost affectivity during designing the tractor with an innovative and modish look.

Key features of the Cosmic Trac include single sheet hood, safety head lamp, FRP head lights, serviceability, cost affectivity, etc. The head lamp cluster is designed in a housed way, ensuring complete safety for the lights unlike traditional projecting head lamp that always tend to break easily. The exposed engine parts and projected grill gives hi-tech feel which helps for the strength and aggression of the tractor. The fender is covered partly aiming complete driver’s safety. The dark grey and shiny blue color scheme has improved the visual impact of the tractor as a functional futuristic farming vehicle instead of making it a not acceptable tool for the target future farmers.

Designer : Vipin George

Portable Parabolic Cooker Collects Solar Energy to Cook Your Food

TheFuture — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:35:06 +0000

Parabolic cooker concept is a perfect cooking solution to avoid producing lot of CO2 and other harmful particulars when using liquid gas or wood as cooking material. This concept has utilized the endless and clean power source, solar energy, which has many environment friendly attributes and great potential to become the most effective traditional cooking material replacement. This cooker heats rounding oil through solar energy and store the hot oil in an insulated tank that can store heat for days. Users can control the movement of oils in the heater or oven through appropriate valves. With this concept, users may have an oven and a heater in a single good looking and functional package.

(Click to view bigger image)

Designer : Xiao-Fang Shen and Nikolai Ruola

Tabelit Sensory Toy for People with Learning Disability

TheFuture — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:35:56 +0000

Tabelit is a learning toy concept that will help people with learning disability to paint by pushing buttons with different coloring facility, allowing expressing their creativity. It has been designed with five different layers and features two mini speakers to produce quality sounds. The left sidebar includes an illuminating touch strip, on which the user can slide their finger to select a color that will come across the switches. The user can learn shapes by following the randomly appearing shapes and accordingly, press the appropriate button for that shape. A rewarding sound will be played with every successful trace. The user can express their feelings with music by utilizing the individual sound assigned for each button such as piano, drums, etc. Moreover, it offers single or multiple player games which will develop the social and responsive skills of the user. Tabelit can be used both at home for a relaxed, multi-sensory room environment and at workplaces with maximum functionality.

Designer : Trudy Cheung

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 with 8.1 Megapixel Camera is Lighter Than X1

TheFuture — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:18:05 +0000

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 with its 3.2” touchscreen has been officially unveiled after its sleek-looking predecessor X1. If you consider dimensions, the latest X2 is close to its previous version; however, it’s lighter than the X1. The X2 features a redesigned keypad just like that of a netbook and reveals by sliding out the upper portion. The 8.1 megapixel camera is one of the major upgrades of X2. The custom panel interfaces have been enriched with fourteen preloaded and sixteen more downloadable ones. Besides, it is the debut of Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system as default on a Sony Ericsson handset.

[Press Release]

Live life in the fast lane with the XPERIA™ X2 from Sony Ericsson. Designed for those who always need to be connected, whether it’s for business or personal life, the XPERIA™ X2 blurs the boundary between work and play.

London, UK – September 2, 2009 – Today Sony Ericsson announces the XPERIA™ X2 a new Windows® phone that offers a best in class email and multimedia experience. In the modern world where 24/7 communication is key, users can instantly synchronise their mail and calendar and open and edit Microsoft® Office Mobile documents quickly and efficiently to stay connected with colleagues wherever they are.

The XPERIA™ X2 also includes the unique SlideView feature, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities. Providing quick interaction with contacts, messages, media and more, SlideView gives an overview of missed incoming activity, notifying the user of any missed calls, e-mails and text messages so users don’t overlook an important contact.

With 14 specially designed preloaded XPERIA™ panels and 16 more to download, users can work with no boundaries with the XPERIA™ X2. From Skype, Mytopia and Google™, to games, CNN and Windows Live™, the panels ensure users are up-to-date with what matters most to them. With an improved touch interface and new 3D signature panel users also benefit from flexible desktop panels designed to categorise business, fun and communication features. Just set favourites to appear during certain times of the day and can get the latest news in the morning, YouTube™ at lunchtime and games for the journey home.

Powered by QWERTY messaging, Windows Mobile® users can even show their presentations on the big screen with the TV out cable – the XPERIA™ X2 makes a day at the office a walk in the park.

“In the fast moving world we live in, the need to stay connected has never been so important.” said Sumit Malhotra, marketing business manager, Sony Ericsson. “We constantly rely on our mobile phones as an extension to the office and the XPERIA™ X2 debuting with Windows Mobile® 6.5, allows users to work quickly and efficiently while on the move. The XPERIA™ X2 also features a new range of interactive panels as well as SlideView, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities – perfect for those who need to see any missed incoming activity at a glance.”

Entertainment is not compromised on XPERIA™ X2. Enjoy amazing multimedia with the 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality and take advantage of the 8.1 megapixel camera to capture and instantly share experiences with friends and family. Personalise the panels and users can access Facebook™ to upload their party or holiday images and they can chat with friends across the world via Skype. Whether it is music, photography, email, video or gaming the XPERIA™ X2 has it all.

“Windows® phones allow people to manage their whole world – from work to home to play – on a single handset,” said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager, product management, Microsoft Corp. “The XPERIA™ X2 taps the powerful messaging and multimedia capabilities in Windows Mobile® so customers can be in touch, productive and entertained wherever they are.”

With the need to stay connected 24/7 Sony Ericsson has designed XPERIA™ Services, a bespoke and unique after sales package designed to help XPERIA™ X2 users get the most out of their mobile phone. With a specialised technical team standing by to support busy users and talk through the outstanding features the XPERIA™ X2 has to offer users can get help from troubleshooting to how to access their favourite websites. And if their XPERIA™ X2 stops working while they are abroad, XPERIA™ Services can replace the mobile phone via a simple phone call.
XPERIA™ Services really has been devised with the consumer in mind and to help consumers discover more about their XPERIA™ X2.

Live life without boundaries

* Windows Mobile® 6.5 – work on the move easier
* Make the most of the day – flexible desktop panels categorised for life: communication and fun, multimedia, business and internet
* Work without boundaries – instant synchronisation of mail, calendar powered by QWERTY keyboard messaging and Windows Mobile®
* Slide view – quick access to frequently used phone activities and overview of missed incoming activity
* Present documents on the big screen – TV out cable
* Never get stranded – XPERIA™ exclusive travel insurance
* Enjoy amazing multimedia – 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality
* 8.1 mega pixel camera with Photo light – easily upload images to web albums
* Real 3D panel – 3D effects and zoom, music playback controls

Big business meeting? Arrive charged with the Car Charger AN300 – ultra fast, ultra-safe and ultra-reliable. A perfect accessory for the XPERIA™ X2, it charges 40 per cent faster than most car chargers – just plug into the cigarette lighter and go.

XPERIA™ X2 supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 850/900/2100. XPERIA™ X2 will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Elegant Black and Modern Silver.

Designer : Sony Ericsson