If there's one thing to look for in a peaceful bicycling experience, it's the relaxing sound and exhaust of a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine! The RevoPower "Wheel" is a hub-based bicycle motor that can easily be swapped with the front wheel of almost any adult bicycle. The Wheel contains a balanced 23cc, two stroke internal combustion engine and gear train that can achieve speeds of up to 20 mph. A simple throttle device on the handlebars controls the speed of the engine, and a fuel tank in the water bottle holder powers it. The Wheel should be released in late 2006 to early 2007; shortly after which the product will be taken off the market when the Wheels begin disconnecting from their bicycles en masse and slamming into congregations of old ladies, kittens, and newborn babies.
The Origami DVD Player is a new concept being developed by Israel-based MagInk. When not playing a DVD, the Origami can be folded down, compressing the screen so it is approximately the size of a portable CD player. This concept relies on a flexible screen, which MagInk plans to manufacture with full-color e-paper technology. I like the idea of giant, newspaper-sized screens on portable electronics, but folding up a screen might create some problems. What happens when a crease in the screen blocks out some important plot information? Where would I be if I didn't know Willy made it over those rocks? I wouldn't have "Willy is free" tattooed on my neck, that's for damn sure.
If back alley knife fights get in the way of juggling your job and family, you might want to consider picking up the Shocknife. The Shocknife is a training knife that delivers a localized shock of up to 7,500 volts. The blade itself is incapable of cutting, and the shock will deliver only temporary pain, not serious injury or incapacitation. The blade is mainly targeted at police training exercises, offering a drastic improvement over the commonly used wooden and rubber training knives. A case of two goes for $900, and let's face it, nightly knife fights provide an easy and quick way to settle those pesky dinner table arguments.
The NorthStar Stroke Recovery System is a new form of stroke treatment that implants electronics in the various nooks of your body. A three-fold design, the system places an electric stimulator in the chest which connects to an electrode implanted in the brain, which are both controlled by a handheld programming system. The system stimulates the healthy brain tissue adjacent to the stroke, working to enhance and speed recovery. It's still classified as an "investigational device," so they're exactly sure of the side effects. I'm sure it's totally safe. You know who else has electronics in his brain and chest? Robocop. I don't think you see him complaining about stroke recovery problems.
Singaporean researchers have developed a credit card-sized battery that is powered by urine. Made of copper chloride paper sandwiched between strips of copper and magnesium, that battery only requires a simple drop of urine to create a chemical reaction that produces the charge. The battery can generate power equivalent to that of one AA battery, and it's targeted to become a power source for electronic urine testers or as an emergency power source for mobile phones. Although the potential is large, in its current condition it should only be able to power a "digital watch" or "calculator." That's what "physicists" say. I say that it won't be long before you're powering your television with these batteries, so you might as well start preparing now. Take a cue from that coworker who lives in his car and start making the most of your empty Ziploc bags.
Philips recently held a show displaying prototypes and potential future products. Some of the featured products included ambient MRI lighting, lamps that change color depending on the color placed near a sensor, garden lights that change color as the wind blows, remote control wands for television mirrors, touch-based mirror message boards, "albino cactus" air purifiers, and a self-watering and self-lighting herb garden. Pictured is a prototype for a futuristic memento that displays random video clips after it's lightly shaken. When asked about the inspiration for this last product, a spokesperson said the design came from the enchantment and randomness of a snow glove and the satisfaction one gets from furiously shaking puppies.
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