Provides more interior illumination, renewable energy, and privacy

Architecture startup Prevalent has developed Solgami, a new window blind that aims to tackle the energy crisis while improving living conditions for the ever-growing population of urban environments. On the front of the blinds are thin film solar cells paired with reflective ink while the back hides the wiring.

The origami pattern is used to reflect remaining light that can’t be absorbed by the solar panels into the room. This creates more natural lighting while maintaining privacy and also generating energy in a space that doesn’t normally permit the inhabitant to create solar energy.

Origami window blind generates solar energy

Tonal provides routines, progression tracking, and functionality

The new home gym designed by Tonal comes in the form of a functional mirror to fit aesthetically into your home while providing the convenience of exercise. It’s interface provides classes available 24/7, the ability to connect with trainers and friends, and over 200 exercise routines.

The mirror is a two way screen with embedded cameras, speakers, and adjustable pull-out arms for cable resistance. It removes the time commitment of traveling to your local gym while providing many of the same functions all in the comfort of home!

https://www-lsnglobal-com.meredith.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/health-wellness/article/22847/at-home-fitness

Innovator of the “Wallace Cut” and now porcelain stronger than steel.

Wallace Chan has been working with precious gemstones, amongst other materials, to create stunning jewelry pieces with philosophical meaning since he was 16 years old. Forever fascinated by the arts, he created the “Wallace Cut” after viewing a photography exhibit featuring double exposure. This technique enables a double exposure effect to appear through the top surface of a stone that has been carved on the backside.

His most recent innovation has been creating porcelain that is five times stronger than steel, allowing the beauty of porcelain to be combined with precious gemstones.

https://mashable.com/video/wallace-chan-jewelry/?utm_campaign=hp-r-2&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=onsite#BkaLKFF0kEqT

Coleen’s design is reminiscent of Jean Prouvé

This X-framed bike is designed for the high end urban consumer that values style, technology, and comfort. Coleen drew inspiration from the iconic 1941 Jean Prouvé design that provided workers with a more accessible commuter bike.

It is impressively light weight coming in at 4 pounds, which is due to being made from aircraft grade aluminum and carbon. It charges fully in just over two hours with a range of 62 miles and hosts a nice little display to track speed, travel distance, and battery life. Leather detailing on the handles and seat add further vintage value as well as the chain being swapped out for a belt. As this is a luxury e-bike it costs a pretty penny ranging between $5,300 to $8,500.

https://www.gessato.com/coleen-luxury-electric-bicycle/

“Coffer” took the metalsmith two years to complete

Inspired by the skill and precision of pre-industrial lock smiths, Gould studied their designs to create his own unique puzzle box, completely from scratch. That’s right, every single bolt, spring, and the complex mechanisms that utilize them were made using only basic tools.

Gould was studying at the Penland School of Craft in North Carolina during the conception and creation of “Coffer.” His process from fabrication to execution was documented above by filmmaker Jesse Beecher.

https://gizmodo.com/it-took-two-years-to-make-this-complex-puzzle-box-from-1832016927

Caltech drew inspiration from birds to develop a hybrid thrust assisted bot

Leonardo, which clearly is an acronym for “LEg ON Aerial Robotic DrOne,” was debuted today by Caltech robotics. It currently resembles a bird and is rather small in stature, standing two feet six inches tall while weighing six pounds. In the age of robotics where the primary focus is on bipedal locomotion, what makes Leo stand out?

That would be its thrust assist that enables it to handle difficult terrain and recover from potential falls. Bipedal bots have been pursued for years, but have not been able to recover from falls or seamlessly account for the constant micro adjustments required to stand upright.

The thrusters in this scenario can make the system almost fault tolerant.

Alireza Ramezani

For other robots that begin to fall they can only attempt to recover by taking a few steps before being immobilized. Leo can use the thrusters to self correct the fall or assist it while maneuvering difficult terrain. While still in the earlier stages of development, the scalable potential of this hybrid is undeniable.

https://www.wired.com/story/this-bird-like-robot-uses-thrusters-to-float-on-two-legs/

Kiliii Yuyan, a Photojournalist, documents their indigenous conservational techniques

Yuyan lived with the Iñupiaq people for four years in order to become fully immersed in their traditional methods of Whale hunting. He found that the traditions brought the people together as he shared watch duties with a whaling crew and lived amongst them.

The Iñupiaq specifically hunt Bowhead Whales, which are a primary source of food given that the cost of living on Alaska’s North Slope is three times that of the rest of the US. In 1977 the government granted them the right to manage the Bowhead population while maintaining traditional hunting methods. As of 2011 using their traditions for subsistence had quadrupled the Bowhead population.

In this part of Alaska, the government allows co-management of wildlife with Native communities.

Kiliii Yuyan

The hunt involves waiting for Bowhead migrations to come past the sea ice’s edge, where the Iñupiaq watch for whales to approach. Once one is close enough a crew uses an umiaq, a boat made of skin, to paddle towards the catch.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/feb/04/people-of-the-whale-a-portrait-of-traditional-hunting-in-alaska

Designed by Sing-Sing studio’s Adi Goodrich and partner Sean Pecknold

Superfocus is a refreshingly simply approach to other available planning apps in that it really is bare bones and provides exactly what the user needs with no added distractions. In the digital age where we are constantly bombarded with information it can be difficult to keep track of your goals and creative thoughts, especially with unnecessary features.

it’s designed to reduce the noise of today’s technology and help you remember what you want to do and who you want to be.

Sing-Sing

Aesthetically pleasing while intuitive to use the app features customizable categories, color ways, and reminders of either dream goals or just your to-do list.

https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/adi-goodrich-superfocus-app-digital-graphic-design-240119

A wearable that could detect weight, movement, and when you’ve fallen

Alphabet’s life sciences research organization Verily is reportedly working to develop smart shoes according to sources from CNBC. The shoes would incorporate wearable medical technology in order to sense shifts in weight gain, which could be an indicator of heart failure, as well as being able to record movement and send alerts when the wearer has fallen.

It is unknown if the project will come to fruition as Verily is currently searching for a partner to develop the concept with.

https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/01/alphabet-verily-smart-shoes-leak/

Debuted at the 2019 Davos Summit

US packaging company Terracycle worked with Unilever, P&G, Nestle and PepsiCo in order to develop this supposedly zero-waste service Loop.

It’s a critical part of our commitment to work with consumers to protect our planet for future generations.

Laurent Freixe, Nestlé

It would supply consumers with aluminum or glass packaged products from partner brands, which would be delivered in a reusable tote bag. Once the products are used the packaging can be placed back into the tote to have it picked up by UPS per request. The packaging is then returned to be sterilized and prepared for the next order. Loop will be launched this spring in New York, Paris, and in the UK in September.

http://www.stylus.com.meredith.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/gqmfch