Rollerblades pretty much revolutionized the concept of roller skates, and now FATblades are looking to take the skating to the snow. These mini-skis, which can be worn with traditional snowboard boots are essentially a combination of skates, skis and snowboards for the feet. The designers, which are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to bring the FATblades to the masses, say these can be used in all sorts of conditions including ice, soft snow and even heavy powder. Video after the jump
Category: concept
Bicycle Design Signs Off
We’ve enjoyed reading the BicycleDesign.net blog for years. It has been going strong, showcasing the latest in bicycle innovation, since 2005. However, this week James Thomas announced that he’ll be ending the postings on the popular blog.
However, he had this to say on Thursday:
For anyone interested in only the bike related posts on my new blog, I have created a Bikes and Active Transportation category. There won’t be nearly as much bike design content as you were used to here, but I do plan to post a bit of it (starting with coverage of NAHBS next month).
Seems you can’t keep a good blogger from blogging! We look forward to seeing what he has to say on his new blog at JCT Design.
Mercedes-Benz Catches the Wave
While much has been made about BMW helping develop the Team USA’s Bobsled at the Olympic Games rival automaker Mercedes-Benz has been busy developing a surfboard with Garrett McNamara. The result is the “The Silver Arrow of the Seas,” which was used to catch the massive wave breaks at Nazaré North Canyon in Portugal earlier this month.
In addition to looking every bit a Mercedes-Benz this board offers built-in telemetry system capable of measuring surfing performance. Video after the jump
Tri It On
Want to try kayaking without the work of tipping over? This is where the TriKayak XS-1 comes in. It features outriggers that provide stability, while the V-hull design allows it to cut through the water. It features a raised seat with a soft yet supportive padding. The outriggers can be deployed into three positions, and can be removed so that the TriKayak can fit on most car carriers.
If you need to bring some gear with you, there is pleny of open storage in the back plus the designers also included a 13 liter compartment in the front, along with two small dry storage compartments on the sides.
The designers behind the TriKayak XS-1 have launched a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign, and plans are to deliver the first batch by May. Video after the jump
The Speed Play
If you commute by bike there is only so much stuff you can stuff in a bag. The Speed Up Bag could provide a bit more storage, but unlike other bags this one is mounted to the bike. Slovenian inventor Joze Petkovsek also claims that this is the most aerodynamic cycling bag around.
It is designed to mount on the handlebars and it provides less air resistance to the rider, less drag coefficient than standard bags and that all means higher cycling speeds. This bag is also waterproof so the contents inside can stay draw during the ride. The developers are looking to an Indiegogo campaign to get the Speed Up Bag up to speed and ready for launch. Continue reading The Speed Play
Infinity Plus One
When we think of the concept of infinity we think of more or at least endless, but the Infinity bicycle saddle is actually about less – or maybe it is more because it is less? We’re really confused on this one, but designer Dr. Vincent Marcel basically reinvented the saddle by inverting it. So instead of a convex shape to sit on he created a concave shape that has the bones rest inside the cutout with support on the muscles.
We first spotted the Infinity last fall when Marcel launched his Kickstarter campaign. He ended up with 1,330 backers and surpassed his $25,000 goal and then some. In the end he raised $188,340 to make the Infinity a reality. Now that it is a success he seems ready to get in production.
We’ve seen other saddles that look to do more with less, so we’ll be watching to see where this Infinity concept goes next. It could be nowhere it could be to infinity… you know the rest.
Infinity Kickstarter Site
[Via BikeRumor: THE RADICAL INFINITY SADDLE – THE ANSWER FOR GOING THE DISTANCE?]
Printed Flyer
3D printing continues to revolutionize the world, and the Flying Machine shows just what can it can do. This “printed flyer” is actually a full size bike that offers fully 3D printed titanium lugs. The Australian bike maker has utilized advances in EBM (Electron beam melting), which allows for thicker layers of material to printed and thus results in a quicker manufacturing time.
While this is still quite a ways from a fully 3D printed bike the Flying Machine could show that the sky is the limit.
Flying Machine Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Flying Machine’s 3D printed titanium frame]
Reinventing the Wheels
Introduced at the ISPO Munich show last month the AeYO looks to reinvent not so much the wheel, but perhaps the way wheels can be used. It is part bicycle, part skates and part scooter. While the feet are placed in in-line skates, it thus allows the legs to move freely and provide forward acceleration but at the same time the handle and front wheels keep the feet stable so there is little chance of falling.
While it again won’t reinvent the wheel it could create a new way to get rolling. Continue reading Reinventing the Wheels
Hug On
The Hugbike from Italy looks to reinvent the tandem. This bike is designed to put a parent in the back and the child I the front – thus giving the youngster a better view. Yet it still provides the older (and arguably more experienced rider) a way to steer.
This concept is very similar to the BuddyBike, which is designed for parents of special needs children, and Hugbike has employed some autistic children through a program that teaches them a new skill.
Taking AIMe
An action camera is great for providing a first person view of the action and it can even be used with various accessories to put the user in the action – creating a third person perspective as well. But if you want to track the action you likely need a cameraman to step in.
The alternative might be the AIMe from JigaBot, which works much like a robotic tripod. The company unveiled this product last month at CES and also took it on the road to the Outdoor Retailer Show. This device is designed to work with most action cameras and even camera phones and it features steel ball bearings inside that let the unit turn and even tilt to 240 degrees to capture a range of action. An internal sensor works with an infrared-equipped remote beacon to track the subject. No cameraman required. Video after the jump
SIA Snow Show: Worn Out
When it comes to our sporting goods these can become like old friends, and we use them until they are truly past their expected life. This is actually not a good idea. Shoes should be replaced regularly for example. In fact using old or damaged products can often result in injury. But how do we know when something is at its end of usable life? It isn’t like the product can tell us.
Actually, at the recent SIA Snow Show in Denver POC introduced a new helmet that features an internal sensor, which can report when it is past the point of no return. This multi-impact helmet is made of EPP (Expanded Polyproylene) and thus recovers it shape after a spill or two. While it can withstand numerous impacts it won’t last forever. To this end the company has integrated a Helmet Integrity Sensor that can report back when it’s had enough.
POC Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Sensor-Equipped Snowsports Helmet Alerts User When It’s Worn Out]
Backpack Cooker
Much has been made in recent weeks about the “polar vortex,” which has left much of the country in a deep cold spell. Those looking for some heat would no doubt appreciate the Vertex Ultralight Backpacking Stove – not that anyone should be camping in this weather.
However, for those times when camping weather arrives this is the thing you’d like to have in your backpack. It weighs just 1.8 ounces and folds down flat, thus taking up little more room than a map. It is map of tempered stainless steel and provides a sturdy platform for cookware. It works with Trangia Spirit alcohol burner as well as solid fuel tablets, so fire shouldn’t be difficult to make. Vertex is now looking to a Kickstarter project to get the fire started for the Ultralight Backpacking Stove. Video after the jump