Top 10 inventions of the Year
# 1. Straddling Bus
A boom in car sales has caused traffic mayhem in many of China's major cities. One company wants to improve the situation — by putting even more people on the road. But rather than add more cars, Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment is developing a massive "straddling bus."
This is the bus of the future, created to ease traffic, in a world which becomes more and more crowded. This bus is as high and as wide as to permit cars to drive under it. The straddling bus is not only functional but also attractive and futuristic. It is economical as welll because it uses sun panels placed on the roof.
Cheaper than a subway, the partly solar-powered behemoth will span two lanes and carry up to 1,200 people in a carriage raised 7 ft. above the roadway, thus allowing cars to pass, or be passed, underneath. Passengers on the new bus should rightly expect to feel above it all. The company is awaiting government approval for a trial project in Beijing. If that comes through this year, test runs could begin by the end of 2011.
This is the bus of the future, created to ease traffic, in a world which becomes more and more crowded. This bus is as high and as wide as to permit cars to drive under it. The straddling bus is not only functional but also attractive and futuristic. It is economical as welll because it uses sun panels placed on the roof.
Cheaper than a subway, the partly solar-powered behemoth will span two lanes and carry up to 1,200 people in a carriage raised 7 ft. above the roadway, thus allowing cars to pass, or be passed, underneath. Passengers on the new bus should rightly expect to feel above it all. The company is awaiting government approval for a trial project in Beijing. If that comes through this year, test runs could begin by the end of 2011.
#2. Stark Hand
Created by Mark Stark, The Stark Hand prototype provides an ingenious, comfortable, and very inexpensive alternative to the hook his friend Dave Vogt had worn all his life. With the new hand, Dave can now catch balls and grip wine glasses.
Prosthetic hands typically come in three varieties: purely cosmetic models; hooks and other low-cost mechanical appendages that provide a limited range of motion; and electronic versions that better mimic natural hand movements yet can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Mark Stark’s prosthetic incorporates the best elements of each. Although its minimalist plastic assembly is nearly as light and inexpensive as a common steel hook, it looks and moves like a high-end electronic hand.
Stark, who makes his living designing valves for dryers and other appliances, got into prosthetics in part to help his friend, Dave Vogt, who was born without a left hand. Stark’s creation is electronics-free, but its fingers each have three knuckles (two on the thumb) that bend separately to conform to anything the wearer grasps, including irregularly shaped objects that a hook can’t hold.
Prosthetic hands typically come in three varieties: purely cosmetic models; hooks and other low-cost mechanical appendages that provide a limited range of motion; and electronic versions that better mimic natural hand movements yet can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Mark Stark’s prosthetic incorporates the best elements of each. Although its minimalist plastic assembly is nearly as light and inexpensive as a common steel hook, it looks and moves like a high-end electronic hand.
Stark, who makes his living designing valves for dryers and other appliances, got into prosthetics in part to help his friend, Dave Vogt, who was born without a left hand. Stark’s creation is electronics-free, but its fingers each have three knuckles (two on the thumb) that bend separately to conform to anything the wearer grasps, including irregularly shaped objects that a hook can’t hold.
#3. Medical Mirror
Digital medical devices promise to transform the future of medicine with their ability to produce exquisitely detailed individual physiological data. As ordinary people gain access to and control over their own physiological data, they can play a more active role in diagnosis and management of their health. This revolution must take place in our everyday lives, not just in the doctor’s office or research lab. This project starts in the home environment by transforming everyday objects into health-sensing technology.
The Medical Mirror is a novel interactive interface that tracks and displays a user’s heart rate in real time without the need for external sensors. Currently, collection of physiological information requires users to strap on bulky sensors, chest straps, or sticky electrodes. The Medical Mirror allows contact-free measurements of physiological information using a basic imaging device. When a user looks into the mirror, an image sensor detects and tracks the location of his or her face over time. By combining techniques in computer vision and advanced signal processing, the user’s heart rate is then computed from the optical signal reflected off the face. The user’s heart rate is displayed on the mirror, allowing visualization of both the user’s physical appearance and physiological state.
This project illustrates an innovative approach to pervasive health monitoring based on state-of-the-art technology. The Medical Mirror fits seamlessly into the ambient home environment, blending the data collection process into the course of daily routines. It is intended to provide a convenient way for people to track their daily health when they use the mirror for shaving, brushing teeth, etc.
The Medical Mirror is a novel interactive interface that tracks and displays a user’s heart rate in real time without the need for external sensors. Currently, collection of physiological information requires users to strap on bulky sensors, chest straps, or sticky electrodes. The Medical Mirror allows contact-free measurements of physiological information using a basic imaging device. When a user looks into the mirror, an image sensor detects and tracks the location of his or her face over time. By combining techniques in computer vision and advanced signal processing, the user’s heart rate is then computed from the optical signal reflected off the face. The user’s heart rate is displayed on the mirror, allowing visualization of both the user’s physical appearance and physiological state.
This project illustrates an innovative approach to pervasive health monitoring based on state-of-the-art technology. The Medical Mirror fits seamlessly into the ambient home environment, blending the data collection process into the course of daily routines. It is intended to provide a convenient way for people to track their daily health when they use the mirror for shaving, brushing teeth, etc.
#4. The Print Brush
In 2000, one of Europe’s largest rubber-stamp companies approached Alex Breton, an engineer from Stockholm, Sweden, for product ideas. Instead of dreaming up a new stamp, he designed the PrintBrush, an 8.8-ounce handheld gadget that uses inkjets, computer-mouse-like optics and navigation software to print uploaded images and text on any flat surface, including paper, plastic, wood and even fabric.
Conventional printers move paper through the machine in large part because it’s the only way to accurately track the position of the page relative to the print head. With such constraints, Breton realized, a printer could never be narrower than its paper—unless the inkjets had an entirely new way to navigate across the page.
Conventional printers move paper through the machine in large part because it’s the only way to accurately track the position of the page relative to the print head. With such constraints, Breton realized, a printer could never be narrower than its paper—unless the inkjets had an entirely new way to navigate across the page.
#5. The Body Guard
For police and corrections officers, preventing and defusing confrontations can save lives, and that’s the premise behind the BodyGuard.
Equipped with a highvoltage stunner, video camera, laser pointer and flashlight, the armor sleeve is intended to prevent violent situations. The invention was designed by David Brown, a cameraman, editor and producer who makes a living filming musical acts such as Rage Against the Machine and Snoop Dogg, as well as behindthe-scenes movie footage for the actor Kevin Costner, a friend and BodyGuard investor.
Brown developed the concept for the device one evening in 2004, when he and some friends were discussing a recent mountain lion attack in a nearby Orange County park that had left one cyclist dead and another maimed. During an attack like that, Brown recalls thinking, even if you have a knife or other handheld weapon, you’re going to drop it. He wanted something that a person could deploy instinctually.
As he refined the idea, he realized that his natural market was police forces, corrections departments and the military. He made a prototype in 48 hours from a medical arm brace, an off-theshelf stun gun and a fire-alarm button from Home Depot. When Costner saw that early version, he became an active partner. “I could see the application. I could see the deterrent. I could see how it could work,” he says, “and those are the things that get my engine going.”
Seven years and 30 prototypes later, Brown has his first demo model. The components are arranged for ease of use, comfort and to prevent users from stunning themselves. The green laser pointer helps aim a high-definition video camera because, Brown says, a suspect who knows he’s on camera is more likely to cooperate. If the camera doesn’t do the trick, the wrist mounted stunner might. It looks and sounds painful when electricity sizzles between its electrodes, which may encourage an attacker to back off. As a last resort, it may be used to briefly incapacitate a particularly stubborn suspect.
Equipped with a highvoltage stunner, video camera, laser pointer and flashlight, the armor sleeve is intended to prevent violent situations. The invention was designed by David Brown, a cameraman, editor and producer who makes a living filming musical acts such as Rage Against the Machine and Snoop Dogg, as well as behindthe-scenes movie footage for the actor Kevin Costner, a friend and BodyGuard investor.
Brown developed the concept for the device one evening in 2004, when he and some friends were discussing a recent mountain lion attack in a nearby Orange County park that had left one cyclist dead and another maimed. During an attack like that, Brown recalls thinking, even if you have a knife or other handheld weapon, you’re going to drop it. He wanted something that a person could deploy instinctually.
As he refined the idea, he realized that his natural market was police forces, corrections departments and the military. He made a prototype in 48 hours from a medical arm brace, an off-theshelf stun gun and a fire-alarm button from Home Depot. When Costner saw that early version, he became an active partner. “I could see the application. I could see the deterrent. I could see how it could work,” he says, “and those are the things that get my engine going.”
Seven years and 30 prototypes later, Brown has his first demo model. The components are arranged for ease of use, comfort and to prevent users from stunning themselves. The green laser pointer helps aim a high-definition video camera because, Brown says, a suspect who knows he’s on camera is more likely to cooperate. If the camera doesn’t do the trick, the wrist mounted stunner might. It looks and sounds painful when electricity sizzles between its electrodes, which may encourage an attacker to back off. As a last resort, it may be used to briefly incapacitate a particularly stubborn suspect.
#6. Portable Motorized Body Board
The Kymera was designed by Jason Woods out of necessity: his sky boat was too heavy and too large and could not be transported and stored easily. This is why he came with the idea of inventing his own watercraft, as light and easy to transport as possible. He finally came up with this design, auctioned by a hybrid electric-propane four-stroke engine and it weights 15 kg only.Put it on the roof of your car and you can head to the water!
Woods estimates that with mass-produced parts, a basic model could retail for $1,000. But he says it’s not the market potential that keeps him going. It’s the idea that everyday people would finally have their own way of getting out on the water. “What would make it worth it,” he says, “is just seeing it on the roof of someone’s car, headed for the lake."
Woods estimates that with mass-produced parts, a basic model could retail for $1,000. But he says it’s not the market potential that keeps him going. It’s the idea that everyday people would finally have their own way of getting out on the water. “What would make it worth it,” he says, “is just seeing it on the roof of someone’s car, headed for the lake."
#7. Terrafugia Transition
This is world’s first flying car. It was designed by students, at MIT and it was developed by a small American company, called Terrafugia. Though the concept of the car was invented in 2006, when it was also rewarded, the first aircraft is about to be released, this is year. It seems that it can be used both as an aircraft and as a car, due to the ability of folding its wings. The driver, or the pilot, depending on how you put it, will need 20 flying hours to learn how to keep this beauty in the sky ad will be able to buy it at a price starting from $ 194,000.
The Rotax 912S piston engine powered, carbon-fiber vehicle is planned to have a flight range of 425 nautical miles using automotive grade unleaded gasoline and a cruising flight speed of 107 mph. It does not include an autopilot.
On the highway, it can drive up to 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) to keep up with traffic. The Transition Proof of Concept's folded dimensions of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) high, 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) wide and 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) long are designed to fit within a standard household garage. When operated as a car, the engine powers the rear wheel drive. In flight, the engine drives a pusher propeller. The Transition has folding wings, pusher propeller and twin tail.
The Rotax 912S piston engine powered, carbon-fiber vehicle is planned to have a flight range of 425 nautical miles using automotive grade unleaded gasoline and a cruising flight speed of 107 mph. It does not include an autopilot.
On the highway, it can drive up to 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) to keep up with traffic. The Transition Proof of Concept's folded dimensions of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) high, 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) wide and 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) long are designed to fit within a standard household garage. When operated as a car, the engine powers the rear wheel drive. In flight, the engine drives a pusher propeller. The Transition has folding wings, pusher propeller and twin tail.
#8. Martin Jetpack
Every depiction of future transport since Buck Rogers includes a jet pack, so who are we to mess with invention convention? The Martin Jetpack positions itself as the planet's first practical jet pack — as if it were some kind of airborne Swiffer. New Zealand inventor Glenn Martin spent nearly 30 years developing a successor to the proven but impractical Bell Rocket Belt, which first flew in 1961.
Martin's version doesn't look practical: he appears to have welded two enormous leaf blowers together and thrown on a harness. But the carbon-fiber composite frame houses a gasoline-fueled, 200-horsepower engine — more power than a Honda Accord — that turns a pair of carbon-Kevlar rotors. Theoretically, the Martin Jetpack could take its operator up 8,000 ft. Since it holds only 30 minutes' worth of fuel, though, you won't want to linger. The commercial application may be more for first responders than for early adopters. The Jetpack will sell for about $100,000; field tests start in 2011.
Martin's version doesn't look practical: he appears to have welded two enormous leaf blowers together and thrown on a harness. But the carbon-fiber composite frame houses a gasoline-fueled, 200-horsepower engine — more power than a Honda Accord — that turns a pair of carbon-Kevlar rotors. Theoretically, the Martin Jetpack could take its operator up 8,000 ft. Since it holds only 30 minutes' worth of fuel, though, you won't want to linger. The commercial application may be more for first responders than for early adopters. The Jetpack will sell for about $100,000; field tests start in 2011.
#9. The Bed Bug Detective
New technology could soon have bed bugs on the run, as inventor Chris Goggin hopes to launch his ingenious hand held device the “bed bug detective” in the near future.
This brilliant little gadget works on the same principals of a sniffer dogs nose! It is programmed to “sniff” out pheromones given off by the bugs and can track the little blood sucking pests down in every crack and crevice which may be inaccessible to humans.
Possibly this could not have come at a better time as people will be looking to track down and kill bed bugs even more quickly and efficiently if the possible links between bed bugs the spread of super bug MRSA is proven further.
At a retail price of $200 it may not be for every household but for the pest control industry it could be a sound investment, especially when you consider that it can cost thousands of dollars a year to keep a trained dog happy and healthy.
This brilliant little gadget works on the same principals of a sniffer dogs nose! It is programmed to “sniff” out pheromones given off by the bugs and can track the little blood sucking pests down in every crack and crevice which may be inaccessible to humans.
Possibly this could not have come at a better time as people will be looking to track down and kill bed bugs even more quickly and efficiently if the possible links between bed bugs the spread of super bug MRSA is proven further.
At a retail price of $200 it may not be for every household but for the pest control industry it could be a sound investment, especially when you consider that it can cost thousands of dollars a year to keep a trained dog happy and healthy.
#10. Dynamic Eye Glasses
The most annoying part of any commute is driving head into the direct sunlight. The glare will give you headaches and make it tough to see oncoming traffic. A good pair of sunglasses are hard to find, until now. The new sunglasses are called Dynamic Eye Sunglasses, when the sensor detects glare, it alerts a microcontroller that commands the LCD lenses to display a glare-blocking black dot.
Invented by Chris Mullen, he studied the material extensively while getting his doctorate. A smal sensor on the bridge of the nose detects glare and it turns and instructs the liquid crystal lense to display a black square in front of the eye to black the glare. The square moves with the your eye to block all glare at any angle, but you can still see all around.
The battery and sensor data are all in the glasses frame, in the beginning he had it all sitting in a laptop, but now due to technological advances, it is compact. The glasses still are not market ready, they are still be ing tested.
Invented by Chris Mullen, he studied the material extensively while getting his doctorate. A smal sensor on the bridge of the nose detects glare and it turns and instructs the liquid crystal lense to display a black square in front of the eye to black the glare. The square moves with the your eye to block all glare at any angle, but you can still see all around.
The battery and sensor data are all in the glasses frame, in the beginning he had it all sitting in a laptop, but now due to technological advances, it is compact. The glasses still are not market ready, they are still be ing tested.