Awesome Prototypes

Zung Hoang’s LEGO ZH1 is a fully functioning 35mm film camera. The ZH1’s components are all standard, available LEGO pieces, including the magnifying glass lens. It captures soft, dreamy photos in daylight conditions. It achieved the 10,000-supporter milestone in LEGO Ideas, so it might become an official set. Lens expert Mathieu Stern tested a prototype.

Sick of the hinges on your glasses breaking and rendering your otherwise beloved frame useless? Better hope Paul Cohen’s one-off creation catches on. The product designer made eyeglasses for himself where the arms attach to the rest of the frame using magnets instead of hinges. The arms easily come off, allowing its case to stay compact.

The BMW Concept Skytop is a chunky yet clean two-seater that takes cues from the Z8 and the 503. Its muted silver coat transitions into a reddish-brown tone at the rear. The latter matches the interior and the two-piece hardtop, both of which are clad in leather. BMW Blog has an extended look at the concept car.

The prototype of Aston Martin’s topless, V12-powered 2-seater takes to the English countryside as it prepares for more rigorous dynamic testing. Created by the company’s Q division, the sexy 700 hp car pays homage to Aston’s racing traditions. Just 88 will be made, with deliveries starting in 2021. (Thanks Nathan!)

Among the rows of giant televisions and folding computers at CES 2020, Samsung turned up with something we’ve been dreaming of since we were kids – a robotic assistant for your kitchen. The lightweight robot arms attach to the bottom of cabinets, and can download recipes to help with meal prep and assembly.

Industrial designer Chia-Wei shows off a slick prototype for a mini-cruiser skateboard that can be collapsed down into a circular shape when not in use. It uses a series of hinged braces that unfold into a familiar oval skateboard shape with enough strength to be ridden on.

The NiteLanding lamp is a framed map of one of the world’s famous cities. It doubles as a night light, illuminating the structures with LEDs. The end result is a nighttime cityscape. Sign up on their website to be notified when its crowdfunding campaign launches.

Lenovo has unveiled a prototype of its folding ThinkPad X1 touchscreen laptop. It has a 13.3″ 2K OLED display, a sturdy hinge, and batteries that are at the “bottom” half so it stays stable in laptop mode. The final version will come with a Wacom stylus and a keyboard when it drops in 2020.

LEGO is testing a set of special bricks with studs that form Braille symbols. The kit will consist of 250 pieces, which consist of the alphabet, numbers, math symbols and more. LEGO will make it available to select institutions for free by 2020.

Genesis’ Mint is an electric car made for the city. Despite its compact size, it offers a spacious and luxurious interior for two people. Its storage area is accessed via unique scissor doors, and inside it has has a central touchscreen console mounted on its steering wheel.

Volkswagen turned its Atlas family SUV into a trail-ready camping vehicle. The Atlas Basecamp Concept has a custom body, lift kit, custom wheels, all-terrain tires, roof rack with bike mounts, and LED light bars. It also comes with a HIVE EX trailer that has a queen size bed.

Jeep and Mopar’s concept vehicles for the 2019 Easter Jeep Safari include the tent-equipped Gladiator Wayout, the 1980’s Gladiator Rubicon JT Scrambler, and the badass supercharged 700hp Gladiator M-715 Five-Quarter resto-mod.

MIT’s food computers are small robotic gardens that let people control, gather and share data about the conditions of a plant’s growth. Such systems can be built anywhere in the world, greatly accelerating learning and experimentation to improve crop yields.

Audi’s concept for a smaller and more affordable electric SUV. Like the e-tron, the Q4 e-tron has two motors that provide all-wheel drive. There’s a 200hp rear motor and a 100hp rear motor. It goes up to 112 mph and has a range of over 280 mi.

While many carmakers unleashed their biggest guns at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen brought out this silly little number. The ID. Buggy is a modern take on the Meyers Manx buggy. This electric off-roader has a 201 hp motor and has a 155 mi range.

IKEA’s innovative curtain has a mineral-based coating that is activated by both indoor and outdoor light. When activated, it breaks down odor-causing compounds as well as formaldehyde. The coating can be applied to different kinds of textiles. Available in 2020.