Design
The quest to build the world’s first ethical smartphone
For many people, smartphones are the first thing we see in the morning and the last thing we see at night. Yet despite our intimate relationship with these devices, we tend to know very little about how they are made—which is ironic, considering they put the world’s knowledge at our Read More...
In the not so distant future, glow-in-the-dark trees could replace street lights
According to Daan Roosegaarde, the future of art and design is awash with spectacular innovation. From giant vacuum cleaning systems aimed at eradicating smog to "smart" apparel that becomes translucent when the wearer is turned on, the Dutch artist/designer/architect has helped imagine some Read More...
Nature Offers Clues to Designing for Health
(Photo by Mikelzubi) Imitating nature might benefit fields from material engineering to urban planning, a group called the Biomimicry Institute says. Can it also improve artificial limbs? Biomimicry is a design philosophy that guides an innovative merger of natural evolution and modern science. Read More...
A solar-powered soccer pitch in Lagos uses players’ footfall to keep the lights on
Here’s another reason to love the game of soccer (football). In Lagos, Nigeria, a solar-powered football pitch which also uses kinetic energy generated by players running around to help power streetlights and other low voltage systems. While the game being played on the field may be interesting, Read More...
Fuel cell breakthrough: Expensive platinum catalysts replaced with cheaper nickel ones
Most electric cars are powered by rechargeable batteries. That comes with challenges like driving range, long charging times and even environmental issues. Fuel cells offer an efficient and clean alternative. They can be charged in less than 5 minutes and be driven for more than 300 miles in one Read More...
A tale of new cities: How automated driving will shape urban life
How will automated driving change our cities? Urban planner Jonathan Levine is determined to find out. He sees a unique chance to improve all our lives in urban jungles – if only we make the right decisions. Blog 5 How will automated driving change our cities? Urban planner Jonathan Levine is Read More...
Apple buys a startup that may help it read your facial expressions
The Emotient software could be used to make Siri more aware of the moods of her human masters. Apple wants its devices to understand the emotional states of human beings. At least its recent acquisitions and patents suggest so. The company today acquired a small firm called Emotient, whose software Read More...
The toilet you only clean once a year
An "intelligent" toilet that opens when you approach it and self-cleans with every flush is on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It also cleans the user with an aerated wand, which delivers warm water and warm air "from a seated position", a spokeswoman said. Despite a $9,800 Read More...
Let's hide wind turbines under bridges
The spaces under our highway infrastructure are the perfect place to gather extra wind power. As wind power quickly spreads—thanks to the fact that it's now cheaper than coal in some places—it usually ends up in sprawling wind farms. But some designers are hoping that it will start to Read More...
The nature lover’s guide to cyber security
Biomimicry is catching on in the cyber security field as engineers take inspiration from nature to develop improved technologies for protecting data and thwarting cyber crime. Imitation is readily acknowledged as the sincerest form of flattery—except among innovation purists. No one wants to Read More...