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Showing posts with label Gadgets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gadgets. Show all posts
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Make LEGO Models, Not War: Hippie-Inspired VW Camper Van
Do you remember the 1960s? It was all about peace, love, Woodstock and a VW Camper van to go with the hippie and surfer culture -or so they say, as any of us under 50 have only heard stories or seen movies about the era.
LEGO's latest creation is harking back to that time. No, not the Woodstock festival or the anti-Vietnam riots, but the iconic 1962 VW T1 Camper, also nostalgically known as the “hippie van”.
The plastic brick van is as close to the original as possible with features like the V-shape color split at the front, the rounded roof and window frames and, of course, the opening front window and the pop-up roof.
LEGO designer John Henry Harris says: “Its unique character and charm have made it loved all over the world, which also means that it has become one of the most customizable vehicles ever produced."
“There’s lots of technical building within the model that I think LEGO fans will enjoy. I am also hoping that it will appeal to a wider audience. I think the VW community out there will really appreciate this model,” Harris added.
The toy company’s designers didn’t have an easy task creating the Camper. As they found out, despite its simple appearance, there were some challenging issues like the three curves at the front, but Harris is confident that LEGO has “managed to get everything right”.
“Everything” means details like the air-cooled flat-four at the back, the sink and the bench that folds down into a bed and the folding table, all of which are present in the model, along with a “Make LEGO models, not war” T-shirt at the window.
The LEGO T1 Camper van, complete with hippie colors, will go on sale on October 1.
What a Bright Idea: Bicycle LED Lights are Not Only Cool but Also Promote Safety
Working in what appears to be a basement somewhere in San Francisco, two biotech employees and a former NASA engineer have developed a radically new lighting system…for bicycles.
While advances in bicycle technology don’t typically arouse my interest, I’m a sucker for shiny objects and the wheel-mounted Revolights are actually very cool.Drawing power from a rechargeable lithium ion battery, the system consists of four “light rings,” each sporting a dozen LEDs and a dash of electronics. While stationary, the lights simply flash in sequence and are as every bit as boring as one might expect flashing lights on a bicycle wheel to be. But just get those wheels spinning and watch the magic happen!
While in motion, the lights merge, for all appearances, into solid bars at the front and rear edges of each wheel, illuminating the rider’s path without blinding oncoming traffic and making the cyclist clearly visible from all sides.
Though the “magic” has something to do with magnets and algorithms, knowing that doesn’t lessen the mystery - at least for me.
The system can be mounted onto any bicycle and should be available for purchase by the spring of 2012, when you too can amaze your friends and avoid being hit by a bus while riding your bike at night.
By Michael Denhardt
Story References: Revolights
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Awesom-o: Ford Builds Life-Size 2012 Explorer Replica from LEGO Bricks [with Video]
We have seen LEGO bricks used to craft just about anything one can imagine but we never cease to be amazed when somebody goes over the top to construct a freakishly big design. Case in point, a full-size replica of Ford's 2012 Explorer built almost entirely from LEGO bricks, which was made to mark the beginning of a new long-term alliance between Ford and the LEGOLAND Florida theme park.
Named the LEGOLAND Florida edition Explorer, the bright red SUV is the work of 22 designers who used more than 380,000 LEGO bricks for its construction. The plastic Explorer weighs in at a whopping 2,654 pounds (1,204 kg) and is supported by a 768-pound (348 kg) interior aluminum base.
Following its debut today at Ford's Chicago plant, which produces the real-life Explorer, the LEGO version vehicle will be loaded onto a trailer with see-through sides so motorists can see it as it makes its way to the new 150-acre LEGOLAND Florida theme park just outside Orlando. The LEGOLAND Explorer will be featured at the Ford Driving School for children, which is one of the park's attractions.
“Ford is excited to support the alliance between LEGOLAND Florida and the Southeast Ford dealers," said Tracy Magee, Ford Experiential Marketing manager. "The LEGOLAND Florida Explorer and the Ford Driving School attraction are great opportunities to showcase our products and safety messages to families and visitors in a unique way,” she added.
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