Ingenious fold-up Swissbike
Developed for military airdrop, the SwissBike XO is a mountain bike with 26” wheels that folds to 36" x 28" x 12" in under 30 seconds.
A1GP's Ferrari Race Car
The A1GP race series will use a 600bhp V8 Ferrari next season based on the highly successful F2004 F1 chassis.
Giant solar lily pads
Scottish ZM Architecture proposes floating Solar Lily Pads on Glasgow’s River Clyde to send electricity to the city's grid.
BlackBerry's Bold smartphone
The "Bold" is the first BlackBerry to support tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks and comes with GPS and a new full-QWERTY keyboard.
More iMitation IPhone iClones
No-one is in any doubt about how hot the iPhone since its June 2007 birth. Fueling the hype on the basis that “imitation is the most sincere form of flattery” are a bunch of phones spied by Todd Robbins this week in Bangkok.
My Plate-Mate stops mealtime mess
As well as minimizing mealtime mess, this invention from two entrepreneurial moms may assist young children to learn the tricky art of getting food from their plate into their mouth.
E Ink's paper-thin display cells
E Ink has announced availability of its next generation segmented display cells (SDC). The new SDCs are 40% thinner with a wider operational temperature range and viewable angle of nearly 180°.
The insect terminator tennis racket
The Bug Bat is a handheld insect killer that delivers a high voltage zap from a tennis racket. Once you’ve heard the electric crackle of death from a pinpoint backhand, you'll never be the same again
Pioneer’s 2008 KURO plasma displays
Pioneer’s new KURO plasma displays feature black levels five times deeper than previous models and can adjust the picture based on video and room light conditions.Telecommunications
Timetranslator delivers world times to your mobile phone
Timetranslator software for mobile phones converts numbers in your phone into the local time at the destination being called.
Baby Gizmo
Tummy Shield seat belt keeps mother and baby safe
Specially designed for pregnant women, the Tummy Shield is worn around the thighs to protect the abdomen from trauma resulting from a car collision.
Around The Home
iRobot expands pool cleaning range
iRobot has expanded its Verro Pool Cleaning Robot line to include two new models, the Verro 100 and 500.
Health and Wellbeing
Mini medical pump design provides accurate dosage
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany have developed an innovative mini medical pump system to administer tiny quantities of liquid such as medicines.
Personal Computing
New Travelstar 320GB notebook HDD from Hitachi
Hitachi’s Travelstar 7K320 7,200 RPM HDD features a SATA 3Gb/s interface, 400Gs operating shock protection and delivers 60 percent higher capacity than its predecessor, while improving application performance by 12 percent and power consumption by 22 percent.
Electronics
Each frame a 35-megapixel photo: JVC develops next-gen Super Hi-Vision
At 16 times the resolution of 1080p, Super Hi-Vision is beyond the reach of current bandwidth or data storage, but thanks to JVC, we do have a device that can display these massively detailed images.
Pet Gizmos
PupSTEP pet stairs for your pooch
If your pampered pooch or elderly cat struggles to get on the couch, the bed, or into the car, pet stairs could be the solution. This example from Solvit features a lightweight, portable design that's strong enough to support a pet or person of up to 120 lbs.
Spy Gear
ZRAD covert digital video recording pen
Vavolo has released this pocket digital video recorder hidden inside a functional pen that captures AVI video in 360 x 280 resolution via a 1/3 inch CMOS camera.
ecoGizmo
Massive zero energy digital media art wall to open in Beijing
The 24,000 square foot GreenPix Zero Energy Media Wall applies sustainable and digital media technology to the curtain wall of Xicui Entertainment Complex in Beijing, near the site of the 2008 Olympics.
- New software analyzes window film energy savings
- Scotland announces $20 million Saltire Prize for clean energy innovation
- Californian housing estate gets solar as standard
- eSolar announces funding boost for scaleable, pre-fabricated solar plants
- Energy-positive wind powered rotating skyscraper set to begin construction in Dubai
Robotics
BAE Systems to lead new miniature robotics research initiative
BAE Systems has signed a $38 million agreement with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to spearhead development of next-generation intelligence-gathering military robots with a focus on versatile, miniature platforms suited to use urban environments and inaccessible terrain.
Cameras and Imaging
New low cost HD camcorder from DXG USA
The low priced DXG-569V HD camcorder records HD video up to 1280 x 720 at 30fps, sports a 5 Megapixel CMOS sensor for still image resolution up to 8 Megapixels, and retails for US$169.99.
Automotive
Keating: the next British supercar brand makes a double debut
After an 8-year development process, the next British supercar is here: the Keating SKR and its racetrack-only TKR brother offer continental good looks, lightweight snappy handling, sensible service intervals and stonking power up to 1500hp.
Science and Education
Space engineers to explore next gen lunar rovers
A collaboration between the Surrey Space Centre and the University of Beijing will boost development of future moon projects such as the UK‘s proposed Moonraker lander mission and the second phase of China's Chang'e program.
Military
Demron lightweight, lead-free radiation-proof suit
Radiation Shield Technologies' Demron protective garment is a flexible, cool, and lightweight jumpsuit which provides all the protection of a lead apron without any dermal or inhalation risks.
Home Entertainment
Camouflage speakers for the great outdoors
This new line of camouflaged outdoor speakers from Niles Audio Corporation is designed to blend in with your outdoor decor by mimicking the appearance of common backyard items.
Wearable Electronics
URWERK compressed-air powered wristwatch
URWERK has released the world’s first watch that uses compressed air to regulate the winding system. The UR-202 features a 3-position selector switch that controls the level of air compression generated by its miniature twin turbines, which in turn control the rate of automatic winding.
Sports
Basketball Intelligym computer game improves on-court basketball skills
A computer game that uses technology originally developed to help train fighter pilots is getting remarkable results in helping aspiring professional basketballers improve their real, on-court game.
Inventors and Remarkable People
French cyclist to attempt channel crossing on pedal-powered airship
If he's lucky enough to find one perfect day this June, Stephane Rousson intends to pedal the world's first pedal-powered helium airship, complete with twin tilting rotors, across the 21-mile wide English Channel.
Mobile Technology
HTC launches Touch Diamond mobile phone
Drawing immediate comparisons with Apple's iPhone, Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC has unveiled its new flagship product, the HTC Touch Diamond.
Holiday Destinations
Silver Rapids: waterpark meets ski resort
Visitors to Silver Mountain Resort in Idaho’s Northern Rockies will now be able to enjoy year-round adventure with the addition of a 42,000 square feet indoor waterpark.
Urban Transport
Shape-shifting bicycles to redefine the urban commute
The Everglide was foremost among the shape shifting, out of the box pedal-powered concepts that emerged from the recent International Bicycle Design Competition.
On the Water
PUMA Volvo Ocean Race entry makes final preparations
These images provide a tantalizing preview of the as yet unnamed PUMA entry for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 before it hits the waters of Boston Harbor for its official christening on May 12th.
Research Watch
Experimental Xerox Paper erases itself for re-use
Xerox Corporation scientists have invented a way to make prints whose images last only a day, so that the paper can be used again and again thereby cutting down on paper use in the office.
Games
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Review (PlayStation 3)
With the full Gran Turismo 5 not due until 2009, and the free downloadable Gran Turismo HD Concept now no longer available from the PlayStation Store, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is the only PS3-based option for simulation-style racing fans.
Motorcycles
Three-wheeled, GSXR-engined Stealth Tryke
In the vein of scintillating 3-wheeled conveyances like the T-Rex and Can-Am Spyder roadster, the custom made Stealth Tryke employs a GSXR 1000 engine to deliver what looks to be one ripping ride.
Music
Olive's 1000GB OPUS No4 home audio solution
Featuring an intuitive touch-screen interface and capable of storing up to 3000 CDs in their original quality, the OPUS No4 is pitched at music lovers who want to spend less time managing their collection, and more time enjoying it.
- Tiny MobiBLU Cube MP3 player with full color OLED display
- Researchers achieve music file compression 1,000 times smaller than MP3
- Edison’s first sound recording predated by 20 years
- Melodyne studio pitch correction now able to break chords down for editing
- Hearing Components $79.95 noise reducing Comply NR-10 earphones
Aero Gizmo
Diamond Simulation launches new generation of flight simulator
Diamond Simulation has developed a new generation of flight simulators adapted to ergonomic requirements and featuring intuitive touch-screen functionality.
- Boeing begins assembly on third flight-test 787 Dreamliner
- Odysseus: Aurora's radical, unlimited endurance, solar powered aircraft
- Falx to debut hybrid-electric tilt-rotor aircraft with inbuilt solar charging
- Vintage aircraft fest at Goodwood 2008
- DARPA advances plans for five year non-stop flying machine
Childsplay
LeapFrog Tag Reading System
LeapFrog’s next generation Tag Reading System uses special dot-printed books and a stylus fitted with an Infrared camera and speaker to allow children to hear the words of the story and read along.
Good Thinking
Two-mile high termite nest proposed to counter the population challenge
Capable of housing up to a million people and designed to be virtually impervious to wind, water and earthquakes, the Ultima Tower concept offers some ingenious ideas on energy production, water use and intra-colony transport.
Outdoors
The PLB – risk mitigation for adventurous people
Boating, camping, hiking, dirt biking, snowmobiling – they’re all fun to do, and they all carry much more risk on your own – a mishap can leave you unable to get out without assistance. The availability of the Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) changes that – it’s risk mitigation for adventurous people.
