Awesome Concepts

Neither a speaker nor a headphone, Adam Miller’s Klang Ultrasonic Transmitter concept avoids disturbing others by precisely aiming low-level ultrasound waves at your ears.

Much of its tech is still in the future, but we like the Mobile Script; this solar-powered concept phone sports two screens, one of which unfolds and can stiffen when a voltage is applied.

We’re a decade or so away from the Trou Phone, but it’s fun to dream: when not in use the screen is a vacant hole, but when activated it projects holographic images and data.

iPhone 3GS not revolutionary enough? Kambalaphone is not only a hybrid headset and cellphone but can camouflage itself to your face, all thanks to a flexible screen and sensors.

This CODE X yacht concept is a 47-foot catamaran packed to the gills with tech: LED touchscreens, solar/hybrid power, a GPS virtual anchor and twin F1 engines good for 710hp.

The CrunchPad Launch Prototype is a giant leap in design over previous versions; the screen sits flush with the case, which measures 18mm thin and will be made out of aluminum.

Alp Germaner’s Peugeot Capsule concept is essentially an enclosed ATV, perfect for off-roading; it’s also green and wired, with an electric engine, GPS, LCD screens and internet.

Subaru’s Impreza WRX has been many things through the years, but it’s never been gorgeous; this hunkered down WRX STI concept by Lars Martensson is indeed a hot hatch.

We’re not sure if Eduardo McIntosh’s Autonomous Living Unit is designed for relaxing or eating us alive, but it sure looks cool; it squeezes all the functions of a home into a single chair.

Less metal-hydride and more sodium chloride, Antrepo’s Salt&Pepper Cell is only a concept, but we’d love to see these battery-shaped stainless-steel shakers on our coppertop tabletop.

3D camcorders exist but are ungainly and targeted towards pros; Nikola Knezevic’s concept would be a boon to consumers with a highly portable design and Blu-ray disc recording.

Winter is just a melting memory in the northern hemisphere, but Patrik Petersson’s Kvant Motorbike is actually designed for urban commuters (and Aspen snobs) who live in snow climes.

This Tea Kettle concept turns tea brewing into a (mad) science: its boiling and cooling stations resemble test tubes while a tea-dispensing aluminum stick looks like a nuclear fuel rod.

Jin-wook Hwang’s Seedbomb concept turns a weapon of war into a tool to combat desertification, replacing shrapnel with biodegradable plant capsules that contain seeds and soil.

Stephen Dettman’s solar-powered MotoMap GPS is motorcycle friendly; it mounts to the fuel tank with a strap and magnets and uses a flexible E-Ink display that works with gloves.

It looks like a droideka but this Croww 540 robot is purely benevolent; it not only acts as a pack mule that can traverse both sand and ice but provides shelter in the form of a retractable tent.

Stradivarius players would blanch, but the electric Squidolin takes the violin into the 21st century with amplifier output and the ability to teach beginners with a series of simple exercises.

Winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge, this RoboScooter is part of a fleet of vehicles that will reduce pollution by providing mobility-on-demand; think Flex cars on steroids.

We could probably build one of Nils Moormann’s Easy Readers for cheap, but props to him for the ingenious idea: it’s a combination bookshelf and bench with wheel for easy moving.

Its ergonomics leave something to be desired, but this concept NES mouse makes up for it with pure nostalgic value; it was done for a school project, so a real controller is unlikely.

Jan Rytir’s 7″ MID concept is a bit Sony Vaio P, a bit Touch Pro2 and a whole lot of sexy with an LCD touchscreen, 7 action buttons, two USB slots and 47-key QWERTY with trackball.

Gaetano Pesce’s Montanaro couches are pure awesome, with cascading waterfalls and snow-capped peaks that let you brag that you can move mountains (albeit only for game nights).

Pilotfish’s Ondo is a concept music editing phone: its spine can be twisted to edit music while three detachable OLED sticks not only form the main display but can act as standalone mics.