Cool conceptual gadgets

Core77 is currently running a design competition for the best "green" gadget. Now, I support the idea that we should search for more innovative design, but I also like to point out there are number of people who misunderstand the real meaning of the word "green". 

Misunderstanding is clearly shown through a number of competing designs. Most relies on the similar idea that if I use cardboard instead of metal, then my design is green. I like to point out that while paper maybe recyclable, but we can't recycle the same paper indefinitely. Further, the process of paper recycling is in fact quite polluting, in particular energy-intensive process is required to clean the waste effluence from the plant. 

One thing that I notice is a lack of imagination. Having said this, there are some interesting concepts:

1. RITI Printer: This is an ingenious idea that uses coffee dregs as an alternative printing ink to normal ink which is toxic and difficult to refill. By moving the ink cartridge left and right, the printer will inscribe the desired image onto the paper. So, it doesn't even require electrical energy apart from when it tries to connect with the computer. If you don't have many pages to print, I think this is one cool little gadget to have. The only drawback to most people is the coffee smell on your paper. However, a math paper infused in smell of coffee is ideal for a mathematician wanabe.
   
   
   
   
   
2.  Zeer: This is a simple yet effective idea that exists for a long time. Quoted by the designer, Nigerian has developed the technique for storing vegetable and fruit. It uses the fact that when water evaporates it absorbs the energy and thus lowering the surrounding temperature. Apparently, a prototype has been tested and found that temperature of 10C can be maintained. As a result, vegetable and fruit can be kept at optimal temperature (normally vegetable should not be kept at 4C in conventional fridge). The drawback of Zeer is that it cannot keep meat. Hence, we still need a fridge, but probably a smaller one.

Web app idea

An idea came to me today while reading on the net. The idea is not new, but I see its potential to be implement in Melbourne. Inspired by the project in New York, I think I can inspire people in Melbourne to establish something similar. Here is a gist:

Notice that on Google map, one can get a direction from one place to another by clicking on the map. However, in the perspective of cyclist not all roads are created equal. While some roads is suitable for motorised vehicle, it may not be suited to the rider. To complicate the issue further, riders are different in term of their comfort on riding the same road. For instance, some riders wouldn't prefer to ride on Nicholson st during peak hour, but I don't see it as too dangerous. 

With this in mind, I suggest an idea to develop a web-based application that allow each rider to plan his/her route. I believe that it should have the following elements:

1. Each rider can select different minimum road safety level to travel on. 
2. The road safety level will be evaluated through the inputs of cyclists travelling on the road. The idea that is similar to Wikipedia. That is, you allow a public contribution or road assessment. The road safety level should be judged according to existence of bike lane, Copenhagan style?, tram?, traffic and road condition (like steepness). Initially, the project should only be opened for people to contribute their road assessment. Once, enough data is collected, then we can begin open for the general usage. 
3. The road assessment should be reviewed every year for more update information. 
4. The route should be weighed toward straightest path, and less so towards path with high number of right hand turn. In the next stage, the time dynamics should be included in the calculation. The road condition differs greatly over the day, and therefore it would be nice to include into the project. 
5. Therefore, evaluation for each junction will needed for all traffic direction.
6. If bike sharing system is implemented, the stations should be shown on top of other information.      
7. If impossible, the calculation should include the possibility of mix usage. Incorporating the train timetable into the calculation (I believe that you can receive real time information on train now), the rider can plan the route that integrates with travelling on train.   

Anyway these are just a quick inspiration from reading things. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. In fact, if anyone can start the project, that would be awesome.

Redesigning product towards behavioural change

I found something cool on the net today...

Heat-sensitive wallpaper: The idea is to redesign the product so that it forces the user to change his/her appliance usage behaviour. In the article I have read, the author draws on his experience with Prius., which force the author to lock the door from outside and thus ensure that he doesn't forget the key inside. Now, the idea here is that the usage of heater near the wall will force the flowers on the wallpaper to "blossom" (yeah, that's right). Although this product may not change the behaviour of the user, but it can indicate that the heater is on during winter. I mean most of us probably forget to turn heater off every now and then. This product could be one of the tools which helps by reminding us. 

no heat

with heater on

www.etre.com/blog/2007/10/shi_yuan_heat_sensitive_wallpaper/

Power aware cord: This is a cool idea. Instead of covered electrical wire, we have a glow wire. The idea is to increase awareness of power electrical usage. Apparently, this product is commercially available in Europe now.

Check for more energy awareness program at STATIC!.

Energy saving adaptor: The aim is to reduce the power consumption from the equipment on "stand by" mode. The adaptor monitors the power usage through each socket. If it detects an appliance connected to one of its sockets on standby mode, then it will signal a warning to the user to switch off the appliance. If the warning is ignored, then after a certain amount of time, it will switch itself off. According to the designer, it was hope to change the behaviour of the user, while ensuring that the objective of saving energy is met regardless to the user response. However, I have a slight problem with this. I don't believe that this product will change user behaviour at all. The user will most likely get used to the fact that adaptor will automatically turn itself off regardless of the user action, and thus he/she will continue to behave as before. Never the less, it is a little neat idea for lazy people like me.

Check out for more stuff at Gilles Belley's website.

Ecoshower: My personal favourite. I always a shower that tells me how much I use the water. Normally, I try to have less than 4 minute shower, but depending on the day, I might turn the shower a bit more than other days and hence I use more water even though I am in the shower for the same time. Now, you can go even further and recycle water used during shower. This product is designed by Peter Brewin, a design student at the UK's Royal College of Arts.