Smart Highway

Studio Roosegaarde, of the Netherlands, won Best Future Concept at the Dutch Design Awards for their Smart Highway concept. Where concepts like this generally end there, this one is actually being implemented this year. The Netherlands will begin the high tech make-over by experimenting with photoluminescent paint on roads that charges in sunlight and then glows at night to denote lanes, traffic markers and even cold weather conditions.

The paint is just one part of the Smart Highway concept though. It also calls for some other smart road features, like induction priority lanes that would charge electric vehicles as they drive over the road.

Thanks to Jorge Torneria for today’s fodder.

Tokyo University of Science Robotic Suit

Koba Lab, from the Tokyo University of Science, has developed a 9kg kit with a pair of pneumatic artificial muscles on the back, which are made by industrial equipment manufacturer Kanda Tsushin. When pressurized with air using electrical components, the lightweight, loosely-woven PET tubes contract and consequently provide support to the user’s back, shoulders and elbows.

Shown here lifting sacks of rice, this technology definitely has the capability to do greater things.

French Postcards of the Future

Sometimes it can be hard to keep up with the pace of chance in modern day society. But, clearly things haven’t changed as dramatically as a group of French artists from the 19th Century expected. A set of postcards designed by the artists – produced between 1899 and 1910 – try to predict what life would be like in Paris in the year 2000.

Sight: A Short Film

Here’s an amazing eight-minute-long short film created by art school (Bezalel Academy of Art and Design) grads Daniel Lazo and Eran May-raz as a final school project. The short shows a not-too-unrealistic future wherein we all walk around with contact lens-like devices that connect us to the cloud — everything from games to entertainment to instruction to dating coaches.

Thanks to Dave Bauer for today’s post.

Sight from Sight Systems on Vimeo.

Get Jiro!

Rebel with a culinary cause Anthony Bourdain recently launched his first graphic novel, Get Jiro!, published by DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint. Co-written with Joel Rose (Kojak & Miami Vice), the tale takes place in future L.A. where foodie culture reigns and chefs run the place like crime lords. The protagonist is a sushi chef who’s so serious about serving only the good stuff, he rewards patrons who make pedestrian requests with some swift beheading. Fast Co.Create ran some pages from the graphic novel and the stylised illustrations by Langdon Foss are some gritty good stuff.

Jeremiah McDonald

Jeremiah McDonald, a 32 year old Portland, Maine based filmmaker, was able to achieve the impossible, by having a conversation with his 12-year-old self. 20 years ago he created a VHS tape that was then placed in a time capsule for safe keeping.

Mars One

Mars One will establish the first human settlement on Mars in 2023. A habitable settlement will be waiting for the settlers when they land. The settlement will support them while they live and work on Mars the rest of their lives. Every two years after 2023 an additional crew will arrive, such that there is a real living, growing community on Mars. The mission will be financed by creating a global media event, allowing the entire world to see the entire process; from the preparations to life on Mars.

Thanks to Pat Harris for today’s fodder.

Nike’s BTTF2 Shoes

today’s fodder actually hit the headlines friday. but in cased you missed it, Nike has recreated the self-lacing shoes from Back to the Future 2. only 1,500 pairs have been created and will be auctioned off incrimentally on Nike’s eBay page until sunday, september 18th.

http://collider.com/nike-back-to-the-future-sneakers/113912/