NEURON The Car Knows What You’re Thinking

I’d love to travel back in time, point and laugh at all the futurists who thought we would be in flying cars by now. Of course they couldn’t have possibly foreseen a future where the challenges of navigable controls, integrated computers and an energy crisis dominate the landscape. The NEURON is an IMAGINATIVE look at how BMI (brain interface technology) could bring “man and machine” even closer. It doesn’t rely on physical dexterity. Just think it and it’s done. Now channeling Spock… “fascinating.”

Thanks to our sophisticated brains which contain both serial and parallel processors, we have the perfect machine to drive all our doo-dads. Research converting brainwaves into digital commands are still in its infancy but shows tremendous promise. For the most part this has been relegated the medical industry. What about the rest of us?

Think about a car that knows you, I mean REALLY KNOWS YOU. Hell, even your spouse can’t read your brain waves. TANGENT – if someone could invent sunglasses or something for men to be able to read women’s brainwaves, get the Sham-Wow guy to promote it. I heard he needs a job.

Back to the subject at hand. The car knows how you drive, your idiosyncrasies, your id if you will. This level of interaction could enable the driver to feel in control while significantly reducing human error. It also enables the machine to learn and predict what you’ll do even before you think it.

But how will this impact automotive design? On a basic level, it means interior spaces are no longer governed by a fixed internal architecture. If there is no steering wheel or dashboard full of controls, why does there need to be a fixed driving position’? Could users become so in tune with their products and able to control them with such precision that crashes become a thing of the past? Subsequently, if they no longer require as many safety systems, does the car have to be made of metal? Could we create a more efficient paradigm, a product that has less impact on its surrounding environment and that allows the car to be constructed in a simpler manner.

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HILO - Concept Computer (Tablet High On Felt!)

The HiLo is quite an interesting concept; it is a 10” OLED Tablet with a wireless felt keyboard. Now the thing about the keyboard is that it’s styled as a jacket to hold the tablet. At the same time it features fused (hot pressed – embedded circuitry) keys on the outside. Naturally, you use the keyboard as desired, however I’m getting a kick out of the casual interaction between the protective jacket and the tablet. It’s just too awesome!

Materials

Keyboard: Felt
Tablet Shell: aluminum and ABS plastic
Size: 280 x 160 x 14 mm
Weight: 1 kg

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Air Powered Beautiful Motorcycle

Designed for short-range use, this compressed air powered two-wheeler is perfect for the urban environment. Designer Jurmol Yao imagines the Transport Hornet as a viable means of getting around for businesses like the postal service that move at low-speed and could refill at stations between stops. The benefits: zero-pollution, reusable quick-fill air cylinders, and no noise!

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Ergonomic Aviation Headset For Sennheiser

I know I’m not alone when I say I want my pilot on my next flight to be as comfortable, rested, and confident as possible. Understanding the importance of clear speech, hearing, and comfort of a pilot’s communication headset, BMW Group DesignworksUSA created this customizable system that fuses ergonomics, audio functionality, and a streamlined interface for a comfortable, relaxed, and safe flying experience.

New features include a sliding control on the headband to find the optimum balance between comfort and a “tight” fit. Cushions are particularly soft around the temple area of sunglasses, keeping ambient noise out even more effectively. The special ear cup and inclined axis of the headset further improve passive noise attenuation.

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Squish, Splash, and Waft Beautiful Lighting

This series of interactive light objects by Viktor Alexander Kölbig aims to strengthen the relationship between object and user through light sources that not only illuminate the space they occupy but capture the users interest through a variety of unique interfaces and physical interactions like “smooshing” the smooth textile surface of the Seide lamp or stirring water in the Water Light to control power, color, and intensity.

Seide- this lamp develops its fascination the moment you touch the soft, smooth textile interface. Depending on how far it is pushed inside, the user can brighten and dim or turn it off by petting it gently.

Air Light- this lamp is developed to give the user the ability to adjusting the light without touching it. Just the presence of the hand inside the ring is enough to turn it on. A magic color change is triggered when the user simply turns their hand!

Water Light- fascinated by moving water and the reflections of light on the surface, this lamp consists of a light source and container holding water. The water not only spreads the light, but also acts as the interface for adjusting brightness and color. The amount of water added or taken away adjusts the amount of light, and stirring the water with your finger changes the color of the light- just like mixing water colors.

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Music Bell

Glocke is a unique cradle for an MP3 player and is inspired by the Korean Buddhist Bell. The bell works on the principle of resonance and amplifies sound, spreading its outreach. So when you dock the MP3 player on this device, it amplifies the low sound using the glass cylinder and glossy plastic body to full effect. The LED lamps are cute and glow according to the volume of the music…simply magnificent!

Glocke is a 2011 Sparks Awards Bronze winner.

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