This building shaped outline is extremely dynamic by its artistic yet kinetic skin.

The Flare structure is made of flake metal outlines which are moved by pneumatic cylinders. These shapes either reflects the bright sky or dark ground, thus creating different imagery and scenery on the building’s outer layer.

Besides an attraction and visual imagery, I could see this used as a presentation platform if implemented correctly. By smaller metal flakes, and predetermined settings, this project could be like an interactive billboard.

Just imagine a college building presenting campus announcements for all to see, a city street where you may see a running advertisement, or perhaps a stock or news ticker changing continuously. This could create a dynamic presentation within the building’s actual skin.

Additional information on the Flare Facade may be found at their site, including videos, images and explanation.

Via: Mobbit

I always thought my ex-girlfriend’s cat was a little weird: It would avoid drinking from its water bowl at any cost and would only quench its thirst by drinking from a running faucet.

When I used to arrive at her apartment, it would lure me behind it either to the kitchen or bathroom sink, jump up and stare at me until I would turn on the faucet.

While this sounds cute and adorable, it provided a certain restriction. If I wasn’t going to be home until late, how else would it drink? If I filled its bowl with water, the cat would just nudge it, play with it, and spill the water across the floor. Although this is harmless, after it walked in the small puddles, the house and the bed sheets would receive a beautiful share of its footprints.

An automatic faucet, which would turn on when the cat is thirsty and turn off as its thirst is quenched would have made a wonderful solution.

Sixerdoodle Electronics have provided a neat Do It Yourself project of this desired automatic faucet. It is installed with a tiny infrared (IR) sensor to turn on when the cat is by, and turn off when the cat is done. Full instructions, images, and how to of this amazing DIY creation is provided at their site for all cat lovers to view.

I may not need it anymore, but I am sure that many have hoped for such an invention and may want to make one on their own.

Via: MAKE

How many of us have seen the extreme sports videos or photographs and wondered what it felt like to be the actual person in the director’s chair?

When I ride my motorcycle, I sometimes have “close calls”, which a rush is oozing through my body. Of course, I am grateful for surviving a dangerous situation, but I am also disappointed that I wasn’t able to have a copy of it.

What can I say? I would love to have the extreme situations photographed and taped for future archives, inspiration, or reminders.

RUSH is a camera concept that may be attached to any bike helmet or bar on your bike or motorcycle. In addition, by the use of a suction cup, you can also use it while snowboarding or surfing.

This camera can be directed to take pictures in many different angles, so great, timeless action moments are taken. Since it is shockproof and waterproof, it is created for the use within extreme and fun situations. By a wireless trigger on a ring, it can take photos or videos of these memorable moments with just a click of your thumb.

Now you can stay concentrated on the task and sport, without endangering yourself with awkward mechanics to etch the moment within a photograph.

Designed by Martin Ruegg, the RUSH camera device is something I have longed for many times. Since it is meant for the Extreme Sport Fanatic in all of us, no wonder it is called RUSH.

The RUSH site above has additional information, images, action video, and also a “making of section”.

Via: Yanko Design

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) may be old and gone, but the love and cult following of avid fans goes on.

We run across many different modification of the famous Nintendo video game console, and there are none as beautiful as this NES controller coffee table.

Not only is this a great art piece for your living room for daily use and presentation, but it is also an actually functional video game controller. Now, it may not be as easy or convenient as the original NES controllers, but you cannot argue that you do not want one in your home.

By the way, it also opens up to store all your favorite Nintendo memorabilia without taking extra space. Sounds like a total winner to me.

You can watch a video of the NES controller mod right below.

Via: Gearfuse

Do you ever misplace your cellphone? Is it ever an inconvenience to get it out of your pocket to retrieve a call? If you could just talk to your hand, would that be more practical?

The Handphone from Biodomotica may be going into production or just a concept, but is a neat device if it would truly surface.

This cellphone will attach to the back of your hand (not your palm) and grant you the talking features that any regular cellular would. Besides voice calls or number dialing, this would also include actual hand gesture calling.

A speaker would attach to your thumb, while a mic to your pinky. As we would “act out” a regular phone call, this cellphone would allow to naturally speak to friends, family and business colleagues.

While the pictures make it seem attractive, comfortable, but slightly bulky, would you personally like to actually try out this new handphone cellphone?

Via: TechEBlog via: Gizmowatch

Is Google Earth friendly? Seems so with this mouse they offer.

This optical mouse is as simple as they come; it is lightweight, portable, and comes with a built in storage for the wireless dongle.

The actual mouse is made out of recycled plastic, and the packaging is from recyclable materials as well.

Your choice for this practical mouse is either red or blue, and you can purchase your own for less than $20 at the Google Store. In case youare asking, yes, batteries are included.

Via: Coolest Gadgets

A neat homemade project of an LED table.

This table was built with the lights embeded right beneath the surface, so as you run your hand across, it is still flat, smooth and beautiful. Since the lights are not installed on the table, when it is not running, they are not visible, and it looks like a regular table. As the LED is started, the table comes to life with different patterns and messages.

As seen in the video below, it seems the patterns of lights are interchangeable and customizable for preference of messages and shapes.

The images are of the actual construction of this project.

Via: Hacked Gadgets

This clock creation is beautiful and is made of only a circuit board, a small motor and LED’s.

On the surface it looks like a simple circuit board and nothing else, but once you spin it, the LED’s light up and the time is presented clearly.

I am not sure if it is something actually useful, but I take my hat off for the creator and its simplicity.

Via: CrunchGear

I have always liked Giraffes. I am envious of the size and height, for it seems that they will always get to see things first.

Russel the robotic giraffe has been introduced at MakerFaire and is really receiving a lot of love from children and adults.

The seventeen foot robot has webcams installed as its eyes, and sensors to feel the audience’s touch. As individuals pet it, it responses by claiming it enjoys the touch, and that it sometimes tickles along with a short giggle.

Russel introduces itself by its given name and seems like a wonderful technological interaction at local fairs. I myself am hoping to run into Russel in the near future.

You can see the robot giraffe mingling with the audience in the short video below.

Via: New Launches

Most of us have seen the intriguing Microsoft Surface commercials and their possibilities, but can we really afford one? A Do It Yourself version has been developed by Eyebeam.

For the much lower cost of $500-1000, the Cubit Project is available, allowing you to download the software and also instructions of building one all by your own.

In addition, a Cubit kit including all the hardware necessary to build the Surface like product is being talked about. This would consist of all the necessary materials, instructions, and requires you to just provide a computer to hook up the table to. Although a price has not been mentioned for the full kit, additional information is available at their site.

This DIY may not have the Microsoft brand stamped to it, but I believe that many may look at that as one of the more attractive features of the project.

If you have been interested in the Surface product, would you consider a full purchase of the original, building one all by yourself, or getting the Cubit kit?

Via: Slashgear