Wikipedia

Search results

Friday, March 21, 2008

Nokia's concept mobile phone -- Morph

Nokia and the University of Cambridge on Monday introduced a nanotechnology concept called Morph, which demonstrates how future mobile devices could be flexible enough to transform into different shapes. 

Morph, jointly developed by the Nokia Research Center and the University of Cambridge, entails stretchable and flexible materials, transparent electronics, and self-cleaning surfaces that will give nanotechnology ultimate functionality, according to Nokia.


Imagine a self cleaning communication device that will analyse air pollution for you and will fit into your shirt pocket without feeling bulky.

With nanotechnology, anything and everything seems possible. Nanotechnology can benefit the following areas of mobility development for the future.

Watch the video below showing the MORPH concept.

Flexible & Changing Design

Nanotechnology enables materials to be flexible, stretchable, transparent and strong. “Fibril proteins are woven into a three dimensional mesh that reinforces thin elastic structures. Using the same principle behind spider silk, this elasticity enables the device to literally change shapes and configure itself to adapt to the task at hand.

A folded design would fit easily in a pocket and could lend itself ergonomically to being used as a Traditional handset. Further, utilization of biodegradable materials might make production and recycling of devices easier and ecologically friendly.”


Self-Cleaning

Nanotechnology also can be leveraged to create self-cleaning surfaces on mobile devices, ultimately reducing corrosion, wear and improving longevity.


Advanced Power Sources

Nanotechnology holds out the possibility that the surface of a device will become a natural source of energy. Built-in solar absorption might charge a device, whilst batteries become smaller, longer lasting and faster to charge.


Sensing the Environment

Nanosensors would empower users to examine the environment around them in completely new ways.

The device is ample proof of how nanoscale technologies can create a world of radically different devices that are bound to create some unbelievable opportunities for mobile devices.

Source: Nokia & youtube

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Innovative design ----- The Chameleon truck

Nature didn’t make many mistakes with organic forms and wise designers like Haishang Deng understand solves for our problems can often be found just by studying what nature has already done. Enter the Chameleon Truck.


This bionic cargo transport uses an innovative segmented body remarkably like that of a centipede. This enables the truck to adjust its size to the cargo load. The resilient soft tarpaulin shelled body is strong enough to protect its cargo but also absorbs impacts in case of accidents. As an added benefit fuel savings abound since the truck’s weight is slashed in half.


Another innovative design feature is the drive cockpit which cranes over its cargo instead of being built into the frame like most vehicles today. This enables automated front loading without the need for additional support.

I would love to see this one in action. Lucky driver!

Designer: Haishan Deng

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Toyota IQ concept : A small & beautiful car

Toyota is touting the iQ as the ultimate refined mode of transportation and at less than 118 inches in length, it’s certainly small enough to be a devoted city runabout.

The iQ is called a 3+1, meaning it is capable of carrying up to three adults along with a child or luggage in comfort.

Toyota is especially proud of the six engineering innovations it utilized to maximized interior space in the iQ in addition to the long wheelbase of nearly 79 inches, which minimizes overhangs but maximizes the space between the wheels. The first includes a newly developed compact differential, alone said to be responsible for over 100mm of added length in the cabin in comparison to the B-segment Toyota Yaris.

The rest includes rear-angled shocks and a flat fuel tank under the seats, a smaller heater / air conditioner unit that’s just as efficient, a center take-off steering column, an asymmetrical dashboard as well as slimmer seats claimed to contribute about 1.5 inches in length to the interior. Despite its small size, the iQ received a 5-star safety rating in Euro NCAP testing.

“We came to the conclusion that, in order to ensure a sustainable future, there was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a break-through, away

from the traditional belief that small is basic,” said Kazuo Okamoto, Executive Vice President in charge of Research and Development at Toyota.


The pushed-forward dashboard features temperature controls with an LCD display, as well as a 5.8-inch screen for satellite navigation system.


The iQ showed at Geneva sat on 16-inch wheels and powerplant choices will include two gasoline and one diesel engine. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 units of the iQ in its first year of production globally.