From buses and cars to washing machines and submarines, countless objects are powered by the foot and pedal. Let’s take a detailed look at some of these really cool and bizarre things which are quite exciting and fun to use.

Pedal Powered Wire Lamborghini

You can never imagine of winning a race with it. However, this Lamborghini carved out from wire caught the attention of many in Britain. Designed by Ben Wilson and Benedict Radcliffe, the Lamborghini was displayed at the Art Car Parade somewhere in 2007 in Manchester. A perfect team of pedal car designer and sculptor to come up with such a weird yet attention-grabbing car!

Foot-powered Washing Machine

How about washing clothes in an unconventional way? Brainchild of Ji A You and Alex Cabunoc, GiraDora is indeed a washing machine that can be run by foot. Consisting of a spinning mechanism which is not noticeable, this washing machine looks similar to a blue bucket. All you need to do is sit on top of it and start using the foot pedal. This washing machine brings with itself a host of benefits. It helps reduce the back pain that arises out of washing clothes with hand and is highly portable. You can carry it near the water sources and start cleaning clothes right away! Its environment friendly as well since it uses less water.

Pedal Powered School Bus

Sounds interesting, isn’t it! Well, De Café Racer has come up with an out-of-the-box pedal powered school bus in the Netherlands. An exciting way for children to make their way to school!

Pedal Powered Water Purifier

Looks like a bike at first glance but is in fact a water purifier! Made by IDEO, this bike comprises of three wheels and can be used for making the water clean by pedalling. Named Aquaduct, the bike has won a handful of honours at an innovation contest. Things such as these are the ultimate answers to drinking problems faced by developing countries. A great way to drinking clean and pure water! Hats off to its designers!

Pedal Powered Personal Pod

Seeking to find an answer to the problems faced in this global warming era, designers have come up with what is known as the Schweeb or a pedal powered personal pod. You will already find this being used in New Zealand. Not only is it fun to use this personal pod but it can also solve a number of other problems as well. The pod can be used for commuting in congested traffic. Attaining a top speed of 31 mph, the Schweeb truly is an environment friendly way to travel. It uses a monorail system for guiding users along a pre-arranged path.

Our idea of robots and their appearance is based on the sci-fi movies, books and comics. Technology has advanced considerably in the last few years and there has been a huge improvement and changes in the field of robotics. The days of the humongous and funny looking robots are over, as they are soon going to be replaced by the swift and smart swarming robots. This technology works on the basis of the simple logic of team work. Swarm robotics uses many small sized robots which work as a team and is very flexible. The large size of the robots used before made them quite inefficient. Swarming robots will be acting on commands given to them and their small size will help them move faster.

What is swarm robotics?

Swarm robotics is a technological technique of using multiple simple robots to work as a team and follow instructions. This technology has been greatly inspired by the nature. There are many animals, insects and fishes which live in a swarm. For example the ants, pigeons and bees all form a swarm for finding food or protecting themselves. They work in unison and have their unique ways of signaling and communicating with each other. The same principle is applied on the swarm robots. They are coordinated to help in moving objects or finding things. It is easier to get tasks done by the swarm robots as they can divide in groups and change the pattern of their swarm.

How can the swarm robots help mankind?

The possibilities of swarm robotics are immense. It is now being considered the future of robotic technology. Swarm robots will be able to serve humans in a host of different ways. Following are some of the ways how swarm robotics can help mankind.

• The swarm robots will be a great help in the science labs. They can perform easy tasks like moving things and fetching things easily.
• The swarm robots can be used in space expeditions and sent to other planets for collecting specimens of soil and rocks. With improvement in technology the swarm robots will also be used to analyze soil and other specimens and carry out basic experiments.
• They can be used by the industries in the production departments. They will ensure that there is a safer environment of work for the laborers.
• The swarm robots can be used during wars and in the battlefields for reaching the areas where it is impossible for humans to go.
• The swarm robots can be used in surgeries. Miniscule swarm robots can be injected in the patient’s body to perform delicate surgical works.

Alone they do not amount to much, but together, they have the power to change the face of robotics in the coming years.

The drier is entirely shaped like a brassiere that resembles partly to an armor breast plate. It’s as easy as putting your bra atop the drier and the perforations in its honeycomb coating in the latter makes the moisture evaporate quicker than you can imagine. Yes, the shape does not get hampered too. Say goodbye to your washing machine drier or leaving them in cloth’s rack because your bras deserve better treatment now!

The new version has an appealing appearance that has not only lower production cost but also availability over a vast array of size and shape. Available in A to H sizes, the machine can cost you around $150 to $200. Since considering a good quality bra can cost you around $100, it does not really burn a hole in the purse.

Some might argue that heat degrades the linen and elastic. But then, what do you think driers employ? 90 percent of women are sure to tell you that they end up with wonky cups after few days wash and blow dry. The device makes sure you don’t have to untangle the machine washed undergarment again.

The future might hold driers specialized for particular garment. Pants dryer, shirt drier, shorts dryer, briefs dryer, sock dryer thong dryer-everything might just be customized for our needs. The honeycomb shaped device can look like a modern art sitting at the centre of your room. No need to feel embarrassed by its form. So, what are you waiting for? If you aren’t pound foolish then this is the product that should be a part of your home!

The product

Orion is a watch, not so much of a conventional watch. The name states it all. It has taken its core concept from the star belt, Orion. There are no iconic numbers scattered all over the dial. It has a minimalistic design, yet a very confident and unique look about itself.

The Benefits

The most apparent and the most potent benefit about this watch is that it stands high as a style icon. It is not gender-specific. You can flaunt its beauty, no matter whether you are a male or a female. The basically clutter-less interface makes it attractive. An important feature that draws a distinction line around it is the fact that there is still an amount of concealment in the way time is shown in this watch. The onlooker has to ponder for at the least, 30 seconds to make out what time it actually is!

What makes it so special?

It is all about the design! There are three different time markers. The largest star specifies hour, the smaller one-minute and the smallest one, seconds. Now, normally, your watch would be showing 12.00, by default. In order to know the time, you would have to touch the dial. The stars would immediately rearrange themselves to present the accurate time of the day; and after a few seconds would again return to their default position.

Well, it would bring about a great change in the very way watches are viewed today!  A blend of classiness and innovative introductions makes it a revolution in the watch town!

We have always dreamt of the impossible when we see ourselves 15-20 years from now.  Technological inventions and innovations are increasing exponentially with new hi-tech gadgets being rolled out every few months, hence a decade or down the line, we would be using gadgets that would entirely redefine our lives.  Here is what would be ‘in vogue’ in the year 2030:

• Linking dreams with pillows

In 2030 we might be able to monitor the brain’s electrical signals through special conducting fibers within the pillow’s fabric.  Not only will we be able to find out when the person next to us is dreaming, but we might also be able to determine what all they are dreaming of.  This cool technology might also make two people share their dreams, if they are in the state of dreaming, and to make things more interactive- they might be able to be present in each other’s dreams!

•  Brain linked to the computer to share ‘consciousness’

With this technology we might be able link our brain to the computer and share each other’s consciousness by benefitting one another.  The computer would be able to gain a human touch out of this, while the human would become as smart as a computer.  This link would also enable us to share our experiences, memories and feelings with other people, creating a new benchmark for online intimacy.  However, this technology might have its downside too- hence precautions are mandatory!

• Extraordinary contact lenses

These contact lenses are very much similar in appearance to regular contacts, however, they are composed of three microscopic lasers along with a micro-mirror that would create high resolution pictures on your retina and you can actually see your media streaming in right in front of you just like a complete 3D movie.  With this, you could read messages, watch videos and movies without having to open your eyes!

•  Video-enabled tattoos

Now this one is for those tattoo-enthusiasts who have to go through excruciated pain to get themselves tattooed, and if the tattoo job has been poorly done, then that is something that you have to live with unless you opt for a medical procedure.  However, with a video tattoo, things would be simpler, these electronic displays that are built on extremely thin plastic membranes can be stuck to your skin and you can decide the electronic tattoo of your choice.  You could keep altering the tattoo according to your requirement and mood.

• Twisting reality with hi-tech visor

This hi-tech visor is much like the ones superheroes wear in the sci-fi flicks in which they can see data scrolling in their view field.  Well, this one is a little different as it will give you the liberty to decide who you see.  You could have the street lined with witches and zombies, or perhaps you could alter the people with popular musicians and so on!

• Superhero exoskeletons

Now you could own a superhero costumer complete with the polymer gel muscles and detailing with the superhero hi-tech exoskeletons which will give you the powers that your favorite superhero possesses.  With inbuilt super senses, bullet proof technology and great comfort, these might just become a common sportswear in the near future.

• Super active skin cells

Tiny electrical capsules that look like skin cells when fitted inside the skin would be able to record the signals that we receive from the nerves by keeping a copy of the sensation we felt at that point.  These super active skin cells would be able to help us relive the amazing experience through the various senses.

However, the Hotello “room” concept could revolutionize the way we see extremely short term accommodations in public spaces. Created by Swiss firm daskonzep’s Antonio Scarponi and Roberto De Luca, the hotel-room-in-a-trunk idea is derived from the popular sleeping bag trend though it does class it up many notches and allows you to set up a hospital ward like “room” right in a public waiting area or other space.

The concept is based on the idea that most people who stay in a hotel room for a few hours in between flights only use the bed and nightstand to unwind a bit before they need to take off again. The concept hotel room thus comes allows people to erect a 4 square meter space that has a table and chair or a desk or a double bed and enjoy the convenience of a semi-private hotel room anywhere. The “room” is shelled from public eye by sound-absorbing curtains translucent hung from a metal frame though couples should not think that this would provide them with the same kind of privacy as a walled room would. The entire kit can be flat packed into a trunk and configured into various pieces on demand.

The demonstration and the presentation on the upcoming mobile technologies by global industries including: Telecom Italia, Huawei, Comverse, CSR, Interop Technologies, Sensinode, Gemalto, Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems, Invisitrack and Red Band Software and OMA members, audience will witness the new technology across wireless value chains, certainly some of them might not be commercially available.

M2M, Rich Communications Services, Mobile Federated Social Networks, Location Based Services, Small Cell Networks, Augmented Reality, Future Internet Mobile Advertising will be some of the hot topics of the agenda.

Telecom Italia is going to inaugrate its first Smart Home Integration solution into M2M Mobile Operator Network, influencing an OMA – DM gateway for M2M. Ferruccio Antonelli, Head of Wireless Devices at Telecom Italia said that the infrastructure of the Device Management Standard can help the operators to make value propositions stronger for the business of M2M. He added that it is possible with Devise Management Standard infrastructure to go ahead of M2M section of niche market and build more cost – effective solutions.

The General Manager of Open Mobile Alliance, Seth Newberry added that their company is very eager to demonstrate the work of OMA Enablers and how they are bringing developments in mobile industries and this is achievable to display the technology of next generation at the world’s primary mobile event. Further he said that they are very proud of working with the world’s leading operators and vendors who are participating in the event and are using OMA Enablers before now to set mobile applications in a wide range.

Mobile Demonstration will be seen on February 27, 2013 Wednesday  at Theatre District, Theatre C, and Hall 8.0 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Notes for the Editors

What is Mobile World Congress 2013?

A must – attend affair in Fira Gran Via in Barcelona will be held from 25^th February 2013 – 28^th February 2013. The Mobile World Congress 2013 is all set to draw the attention of about 70,000 audiences from the world’s leading operators, equipment providers, software companies industrial sector organizations, Internet companies and industries such as healthcare, transport, utilities, media and financial services. Government Delegations are also expected to be a part of the attendees.

Mobile World Congress comprise of industry headed conference which has speakers of C level from all around the world. The event will showcase innovative mobile technology, developer focused programs, products & services, government & ministerial programs along with educational programs. Free seminars will also be there for the attendees.

OMA

OMA commonly known as Open Mobile Alliance release open specifications which are used to generate interoperable services which can work across the physical boundaries on all the bearer networks. OMA carries billions of existing as well as new mobile terminals with multiple mobile networks. With huge requirement of mobile services across the globe, member parties of OMA accept all the new and improved communication, information as well as entertainment solutions.

The logo and the name of the OMA or Open Mobile Alliance are the Open Mobile Alliance Ltd’s registered trademarks whereas other company or product names mentioned above may be trade names or trademarks of their holder or the vendor.

The effect of open space

Being locked up within windows or any outdoor opening is known to irritate or burden the mind and make a person feel really low. That maybe explains the theory of keeping the most agitated or harmful criminals in closed cells without any windows to heighten the psychological impact on their minds and get them to break down. An open space is known to have a very refreshing and positive impact on the human mind and can help in aiding patients in their treatments. Just a small glance outside the window into the beautiful skies can do wonders in reducing stress levels of the human body. A simple stroll in the garden or in your backyard can help in reducing your anger when you lose your temper or have a heated argument. That also explains why we are mostly attracted to paintings, posters, wallpapers of images with open landscapes or beautiful scenery as they have a calming effect on the mind and body. The mind is able to breathe in the beautiful surroundings through the eyes which in turn soothes and reduces the tensed nerves and calms the body from any heightened tension.

The human mind tends to remember things that we see more vividly than things that we hear and that is the reason we often forget the stories that we mostly read in novels but we rarely forget those that we read from comics with animated pictures or that we see in the movies or on the telly. Children tend to memorize alphabets and numbers better when they have pictures associated with the alphabets or numbers rather than when plainly listed in a book.

Mindset of artists

Great artists and painters understood this crazy thought process of the brain and those is why they always knew what to paint or draw to get a wider audience of appreciation, no wonder we still have their art selling for millions even today. All of us have seen a lot of pictures of women in different painting but we all tend to remember Monalisa more than the others because of the simple reason that she had no eyebrows and that made her different from the other pictures. The architecture of buildings is something even a common man with no knowledge of architecture tends to appreciate simply because of its shape and styles. You do not need to be a pro in architecture to differentiate between a good shape of a building from a bad one and that is possible because of the triggers in the brain on seeing the different shapes and patterns.

Even though the coffee machine doesn’t really use any real science to deliver a number of coffee variations, it looks just so darn incredible. Created by Israeli designer duo Adi Schlesinger and David Budzik, the scientific aesthetic of the Laboratory Coffee Machine allows users to see the making of a single cup of coffee in great detail. The machine uses principles of thermo dynamics and a law of physics known as the “Venturi Effect” to transform ingredients into a magnificent cup of the beloved beverage.

The machine employs espresso capsules that are punched using a technique employed in automatic weapons to add the coffee at just the right strategic moment. The entire machine is made using a classic-style barometer, an aluminum frame structure and reinforced glass and polymer elements that make it look authentically old school. The entire set up is cool enough to be displayed on the mantle though it does take up a lot of space on the kitchen counter!