While it’s a good idea to wear a headlamp when running at night, the things do have a way of bouncing up and down, and they only shine straight ahead. That’s why the Torch Ring was invented, as it’s worn on the hand – just like a championship ring. The device was created by entrepreneur Kevin John Nadolny, who clearly […]

There are few things more exciting in our modern world than watching and waiting for a parcel to arrive – and by the same token, few things more frustrating than when it arrives broken or doesn’t arrive at all. To prevent that, or at least make it easier to figure out what went wrong, European start-up LivingPackets has now unveiled […]

There are now numerous “smart” bike helmets available, most of which incorporate remotely operated LED turn indicators. Well, if that’s the feature you really want, Blinxi lets you add it to your existing “dumb” helmet. Created by Paris-based company Overade (which previously brought us a rather clever folding helmet), the Blinxi system consists of two main parts: the actual LED […]

When it comes to video-camera-stabilizing gimbals, some are motorized, and some work solely by the force of gravity. The GravGrip is among the latter, but is unique in that it incorporates hydraulics. Invented by Philadelphia-based product designer Kevin Thomas, the GravGrip is made to work with both actioncams and smartphones. Like other battery-free mechanical gimbals, it keeps the camera’s shot […]

It was seven years ago that we first heard about Harvard University’s HAMR cockroach-inspired robot. Although the bot was already on the tiny side, its designers have now created a version that’s just half its size – it’s time to meet HAMR-JR. The original HAMR (Harvard Ambulatory MicroRobot) measured just 4.4 cm in length (1.7 in), and used its four […]

Among other things, hydrophobic (water-repelling) surfaces can be used to keep medical devices germ-free, to help airplane wings shed ice, and to keep solar panels clean. A new process could soon make those surfaces much more durable, allowing them to ward off water for a longer time. Most of the hydrophobic surfaces we’ve seen incorporate “forests” of nanostructures that protrude […]

Perovskites are synthetic compounds that – in some ways – are a better alternative to the silicon semiconductors currently utilized in solar cells. And while there are still some hurdles to be crossed, a new application process could soon help them enter widespread use. Among the advantages of perovskites is the fact that they absorb light and convert it to […]

One of the main proposed uses for legged robots is the exploration of disaster sites. In order to walk across all that rubble, though, they would definitely need to be sure-footed – which is where new coffee-filled robot feet are designed to come in. Being developed by scientists at the University of California San Diego, the feet each consist of […]

Tennessee’s Fred Pearson has taken to the outdoor gear market with an interesting take on the trusty survival axe. The designer’s Kukrax aims to combine the best bits of a modern-day tactical tomahawk with the curvy nature of a kukri machete, offering a unique and seemingly highly efficient way to cut through your timber. The Kukrax is intended as a […]

You might be used to finding your lost smartphone on a map, but what about your other gadgets? Skullcandy has teamed up with tracking experts Tile to create a new series of true wireless earbuds that you can locate using an app on your phone, should they get mislaid. The tracking technology looks impressive too. Each earbud works as a […]