Melbourne Taxi 2020 is a vehicular and systematic TAXI design concept which is proposed for Melbourne city for the year of 2020. The concept utilizes an electric TAXI vehicle and supported infrastructure with recharging booths placed at vital points around the city. The design of the vehicle is mainly focused on safety of the driver and passengers, reliability, ease of use, iconic design and minimal environmental footprint. The highlighted features of the vehicle are GPS and mapping system for passengers and driver, Smart card system, passenger info and entertainment hub, hydrogen fuel cell, solar panel system including recharging hubs and battery generators.


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Mo:Ben is a handy food container that includes a built-in film heater component that can heat up foods to a pre-heated temperature. Mo:Ben’s main mechanism of maintaining the heat is the combination of foam-filled cavity insulation and the built-in heating factor. There are two main parts of the device; one is the external box that features a carry grip, slip protective rubber base and cutlery storage, and another is the temperature sensitive substance for food preparation indication. The internal box holds the food and can be detached for convenient dish-washing. The arrangements inside the box are designed to encourage variety of food and mixing of food is prevented by different available compartments.


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Leah Heiss, in collaboration with Nanotechnology Victoria, has developed a range of jewelry with therapeutic properties. Leah was NanoVic’s first artist in residence from September 2007-June 2008, supported by Arts Victoria and the Australian Network for Art and Technology.
Diabetes Jewelry
Diabetes jewelry is a neckpiece and rings for administering insulin through the skin via a nano-engineered patch. The Diabetes Neckpiece is a wearable applicator device to apply Nanotechnology Victoria’s NanoMAPs to the skin. NanoMAPs are small (10 x 2mm) circular discs which have an array of micro needles on their surface. They allow for pain-free delivery of insulin to the body, replacing syringes. The Diabetes rings are designed to keep the nano-engineered insulin patches against the skin once they have been applied.


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The new land mowing machine named Droplet is an electric mulching lawnmower. It is designed to address the issue of smaller lawn and storage spaces which is getting common in Australian homes. The device incorporates a unique mechanism alongside an unconventional wheel design, which results in new interpretation to what normally is a dull machine. The device is electric, and thus it increases user independence and hence eliminates the user to have technical knowledge and the device needs regular maintenance. The task of handling grass clippings is avoided as the device uses mulching technology and it also promotes betterment of lawn health.


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As the primary energy sources is depleting by the day, the emphasis is to find alternative energy sources. Solar energy is turning out to be one viable solution. Many devices are being developed keeping in mind the immense capability the solar energy can provide us. While doing this the prime motto is conservation. What best to do than to teach the same to the kids in school so that as the new generation grows up, they do so with conserving energy? Keeping the same in mind, Australian designers Buro North has come up with Solar Shades which educates school children of primary level about energy collection from the sun. It also provides shades to the playground.
The canopies (which look more like giant duck feet) have solar cells on top. The large handles on the base ensures that the canopy can be rotated by teachers or pupils to get the most efficient orientation from the sun throughout the day. The LED displays, communicate the energy generated and if the device needs to be turned around.


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