Awesome Concepts

By combining projection mapping with a regular Xbox 360, Kinect and flat screen TV, Microsoft Research immerses players in games that literally fill the room – without silly 3D.

Audi shows a concept demo of a prototype tech that replaces the tail lights on a vehicle with a curved OLED display. As incredibly cool as it looks, we can only imagine how distracting this could get.

As part of their CES 2013 lineup, ScottEVest created this concept design for a futuristic upgrade to their Technology Enabled Clothing line, which envisions all kinds of wearable tech we wish we had today.

We’ve seen personal apartment customizations that make the most out of a limited space. Simon Woodroffe wants to make this concept available to the masses with his high-tech YO! Home.

Invented by Jun Fujiwara of Tama Art University, Re:Sound Bottle is a concept device that records everyday sounds and automatically mixes them together upon playback to create original music.

Kevin Ferguson and Eric Brittingham’s brilliant chair for auto mechanics. It swiftly transforms from a chair to a creeper. It has neck and back support and magnetic tool trays. More here and here.

A concept timepiece from Art Lebedev studio, the Lentus’ polished exterior and digital facade hides a simple analog mechanism: the digits are made from intersecting strips of transparent tape.

The Lumiblade is a modular diffuse light source that uses OLED panels. It’s bright but very thin and does not get uncomfortably warm, making it easy to integrate into various surfaces. More at Dezeen.

Designed by Malgorzata Ratajczak and Sebastian Szlabs of Emandes, Atomic Lighting Tubes are glowing tubes connected to PVC pipes. Its modular nature allows for an infinite number of layouts.

A concept smartphone being developed by Russian company Yota Devices, the YotaPhone is an Android phone with two displays – an LCD touchscreen in front and an always on E-ink screen at the back.

A three-door electric version of the i3 Concept, the design of the i3 Coupe is focused on spaciousness and intelligent, hassle-free navigation. It has a range of 100mi and can charge to 80% in 30 mins.

An upcoming product from Quirky, Dolce is a scoop designed to conquer ice cream that’s been frozen solid, thanks to its integrated scraper. It has a textured handle to ensure a firm grip.

The successor to the 3-Series coupe, the 4-Series concept is wider, longer and more stylized than its predecessor, bearing the sculpted blimp look of the 6 Series. Detail video here.

Barcelona design group In-Tenta’s eco-friendly concept hotel provides guests with individual “pods” which can be set directly onto the ground so as not to disturb natural surroundings.

Back when the Apollo Missions were still fresh in the mind, NASA’s Ames Research Center was hard at work conceptualizing what the future of space exploration might be. Where’d our imagination go?

Designed by Ben Warhlich for An/Aesthetic, the Jack Speaker is made using a unique molding process that makes it appear that its concrete body is seamless. The wooden crossbar reduces vibration.

A research group at Keio University is using optical camouflage technology to make a car’s backseat appear transparent from the driver’s perspective, so they can see everything behind the car.

Dejan Hristov presents an impressive concept study for a Tesla compact he’s dubbed the Tesla C. Some of the eyecatching design solutions include sliding doors and a bumper with a retracting cargo drawer.

A card wallet that’s simple and fun to use. How could a wallet be fun to use? It has a thumb loop that lets you flip it around. It would be a lot more fun if it was cheaper though.

Division Furtive’s Type 46 watch has a double linear mechanical movement. In order to raise funds to produce the watch, the company is offering a much cheaper LED version as a Kickstarter reward.

Designed by Julian Vidame, the surface of this versatile table can expand from 31in to 62in, thanks to wooden boards that can be rolled from upright to flat and vice versa.

Invented by Dean Benstead, the O2 Pursuit is a prototype motorcycle that runs on compressed air. It has a top speed of 87mph and can go for about 60mi on a single diving cylinder. Field demo here.

Developed by researchers at the Tokyo University of Technology, Pinch makes multiple mobile devices act as one, enabling them to form a larger interactive display and extend and app’s screen.