Transformable
Given that people such as myself already have a tendency to mistake streamlined car-top boxes as whitewater kayaks, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that someone has gone and done the obvious – made a roof box that converts into a boat. Instead of serving as a kayak, however, the Boatbox can be rowed like a dinghy, or even fitted with a small motor or a sail. Read More
Blandito is a "transformable pad for lazy living" from Oradaria Design that can be used as a rug, a sleeping bag, a bean bag, or an armchair – at the very least. Read More
Convertible Sofa transforms into a dining table and chairs
In cities where ever-growing populations need to be squeezed into the existing urban sprawl, living space is at a premium. This means more and more people are seeking (mainly out of necessity) dual-purpose furniture that saves space by transforming to fulfill different needs at different times. The aptly-named Convertible Sofa from Julia Kononenko is the latest attempt to fill this emerging need. Read More
Barcode Room: The Optimus Prime of apartments
People living in cities are increasingly being squeezed into smaller and smaller apartments, a reality that is driving a search for new living space designs that can adapt, transform, and evolve as the needs of those residing in them dictate. Barcode Room from Japanese design company Studio_01 is an attempt at doing just that. Read More
Japanese hobbyists amaze with latest robot creations
Kenji Ishida, a hobbyist known for building impressive Transformer-like robots, has shared some new videos of his project on YouTube. Likewise, a robot based on the virtual J-POP idol Hatsune Miku has surfaced that shows what is possible when you combine the current crop of hobby robot servos with hard work and dedication. Don't miss the videos after the break! Read More
ASUS has unveiled a prototype of its latest all-in-one PC at Computex 2012. The Transformer AiO is the first desktop targeted device designed to run both Android 4.0 and the upcoming Windows 8 OS, and while an all-in-one case design isn't new, the difference here is that the 18.4-inch multi-touch display can be completely detached to function as a (very large) tablet. Read More
We’ve seen cars that transform into boats, into airplanes, and even into helicopters, so why not one that transforms into all three? That’s the idea behind UK designer Philip Pauley’s Halo Intersceptor concept. Now, before you start picturing a kind of Swiss Army knife-type vehicle, you should know that the Intersceptor concept revolves around a central car that remains unchanged, that simply “plugs in” to different attachments. It’s definitely an intriguing idea, even if you may never be able to buy one. Read More
Researchers at Harvard University and MIT have created an origami-inspired “smart sheet” that can fold itself into various shapes, without any external manipulation. The sheet is composed of rigid triangular tiles that are linked together by elastomer joints, and studded with flexible electronics and thin foil actuators (motorized switches). The scientists foresee a day when such sheets could be used to create things like smart tools, that could take the form of anything from a wrench to a tripod. Read More
April 15, 2009 Work vehicles are evolving rapidly thanks to some clever design being applied to target niche markets, with the latest example being Kubota's transformable four-passenger 4WD utility vehicle. The new RTV1140CPX quickly converts from one-to-two-row seating, allowing the operator to choose between additional passenger capacity or cargo space, depending on the task at hand. We're betting such clever functionality will provide a unique solution for a wide variety of applications. The 24.8 horsepower diesel can carry a cargo of 1,100 lbs., or tow 1,300 lbs. Read More
