Awesome Concepts

Japan’s Shimizu Corporation recently unveiled plans for a self sufficient floating ecotopia covered in vegetation that generates its own power, grows food, manages waste and provides clean water.

Racer X Design’s proposed 2+2 Bugatti Streamliner is actually based on the Bentley Continental GT platform, but it sure doesn’t look like any Bentley we’ve ever seen. Now if only it actually existed.

German designer Frederik Podzuweit has created Music For Deaf People, a concept collar that uses electricity to transform sound into vibrations felt in the user’s neck, shoulders and collarbone.

Matthias Pugin’s concept adds a bit of motion and magic to the digital clock. The digits of the Switchital concept clock are made up of magnetic bars that hide and rearrange as needed.

Mercedes Benz used the C111 series to test new engines and other technologies. The 1977 C111-III had a 230hp diesel engine, and broke nine speed records. Why didn’t they produce this car again?

While we don’t expect Audi to release an electric vehicle until 2012’s A2, the conceptual A1 e-tron hybrid will do for now. Despite its power source, the car could go from 0 to 60 in about 10 seconds.

ID student Adam Wendel’s Immersed Senses scuba helmet changes the way the diver sees, hears, and breathes underwater, allowing better integration into the surrounding environment.

Inspired in part by Santiago Calatrava’s València buildings, Daniel Garcia created this concept A9, featuring a unique electronic painting system that changes the car’s color at the touch of a button.

Dean Francis has created a concept Canon EOS 3D, to be used traditionally or for 3D photography by attaching an additional module. A grip can be added to the end to facilitate 2 handed shooting.

Nouphone J. Bansasine’s Volvo SC90 sports sedan concept has been described as having “immense amounts of convex and concave surfacing”, which is a long way of saying that it is damn sexy.

Edwin Yi Yuan’s Green Speed Air motorcycle is a concept land racer which runs on compressed air. A single gear rotary air engine means no gas, combustion or exhaust; also no gearbox or shifting.

Sure, there’s no steering or brakes, but you’d still be the coolest looking kid cruising at Derby Downs in Philippe Starck’s mahogany and leather gravity racer he created for Intersection magazine.

Barbellfish, the top-loading barbell concept from Sun Ho Sin, might make getting in and out of the gym quicker. Each weight loads from the top and easily locks into place with a sliding mechanism.

Already got an iPhone and an iPad? What’s next? iPhone 4G? How about a watch inspired by Apple’s gadgets? Not only would the iWatch tell time, but run apps, and have a mini-projector built-in.

We’re not sure about the shoe-like footprint of the Audi EXO car when viewed from above. Andrea Mocellin’s “human-powered exoskeleton” vehicle might help Fred Flintstone’s aching feet.

The latest concept from Tokyoflash features a stainless case, and a display that tells time with light-up rings which indicate hours, minutes and 5 minute intervals. Vote for it and it could get real.

Matt Clark’s Aerial Capture concept kit combines a lightweight digicam with a helium balloon and kite-like reel of cable connected to the camera, acting as both spool and remote shutter release.

Polaroid faces challenges reinventing itself in today’s world. Evan Jardee’s new Polaroid concept shakes things up with curvy modern looks, a large OLED screen, and wireless instant prints.

Look away from the light – this stage jacket from Taiwan-based designer Wie-Chieh Shih is loaded with 200 laser diodes and gives a fresh meaning to the phrase “you’ll shoot your eye out.”

Product designer Steve Gates created this concept microwave for cooking up quick meals without ever leaving your cubicle. The mini micro would use special meal trays and RFID tags to set cook time.

Alex Marshall has designed the Office Assault: Sticky Note Gun (rifle and steampunk versions too) for those “idea guys” at the office who need to get their concepts out into the world RIGHT AWAY.

Tokyoflash has made a concept LED timepiece with integrated USB flash memory for data storage. Just connect the hidden USB key on the strap to the port on your computer to grab your data.

Igor Chak designed the Izh-1 bike with a 140 hp V-twin engine, dual airbag system, on-board camera/computer systems, 3D LCD screen, real time GPS nav and wireless mobile device controls.