Yanko Design - Latest Posts

Posted: 13 Feb 2009 07:46 AM PST

We don't live in Utopia, traffic snarls and packed commutes are the stark realities that we live with. A lucky few get to satisfy their urge of zipping down empty streets, past peak hours. Those not so lucky, vent their fury by tinkering with their vehicles and displaying their prowess in arenas. Others like Norio slip into the fantasy world and conspire to ride/glide on a Jet Powered Bike!

"Envisioning a jet powered flying bike powered by an alternative method of propulsion!"

Does that sound outrageous to you? Maybe for the moment it is, but I won't grudge Norio for fantasizing such a beauty. After all he rides a motorcycle to work almost everyday. Such fantasies must be making the ride smoother for him!

Designer: Norio Fujikawa

Norio Fujikawa

The Zohan of Astromech Droids

Posted: 13 Feb 2009 01:03 AM PST

I’m sure you remember R2-D2’s brief stint as a server on Jabba the Hutt’s sail barge. I bet you’re aware of R2’s fancy-smacy real-world cousin Bar2-D2. But do you know about Ciclope, the hair stylist robot? Hello there, friendly one-eyed comb holder, what are you uh- AHH! ALIVE!

Oh, you pour me haircut coffee. Excellent.

The top of this happy robot holds the tools and “product” for the stylist to easily access, while the “product” is visible to the person getting their hair cut (so that they will want to further stimulate the economy.)

The bottom, (we’ll get to the middle in a sec,) acts as a robot vacuum cleaner when you press the yellow button! This is a totally new idea. There is no such thing as a robot vacuum! What are you talking about. Waste basket built in down there, too.

And then there’s the middle. The glorious middle. The whimsical designer of this robot has dubbed the functionality of this middle as “2nd Level : Entertainment, Customer Cuddling.”* It employs a Nespresso - Krups machine to dispense water or coffee for the waiting customer or the person getting their hair cut.

*ISNT THAT JUST THE CUTEST?

*For those of you at home keeping count: yes, I know this is not an astromech droid. Or maybe I’ve got some info about the way this thing can repair an A-Wing? You never know.

Designer: Maurizio Maiorana

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File Under Robot Infrastructure

Posted: 13 Feb 2009 12:55 AM PST

In Leeuwarden, Netherlands they enjoy the comforts of a robotic overlord controlling a road bridge. It looks less like a bridge than a giant transformer crouching next to the river, holding down a thin spatula of road surface. From the road lines on the bridge arm it looks like cars just drive over the entire surface of the thing. It’s a smart solution for a small bridge, even though its size is a bit ungainly, and they somehow thought painting cute post-modern pastel colors was interesting.

Via Jalopnik

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Fridge on Top of Fridge on Top of Fridge

Posted: 13 Feb 2009 12:00 AM PST

Have you rented a house lately? I’ve noticed something about rental places. They all (most) have just those white or yellow full old fridges. Made for people who have eyes on long tendrils. Or for hotdish, which I do not object to. Anyway. What we’ve got here is what modern folks in living situations (everyone in the world) should get their paws on for kitchen time. The “Celsius” - modular refrigeration unit.

From floor to waist, use the drawer units. For above the waist, use the cabinet-style. See all food though double-glazed and tinted doors. Custom inserts for every different little sort of item, and I quote, “fruit, vegetables, meat & fish, dairy, bottles & jars, pantry and win as well as optional shelf space.”

Each unit has 5 temperature presets, each of them tweakable. The temp inside the unit is displayed on its control panel’s LCD screen. Black satin cabinets with silky smooth features such as recessed handle grooves and streamlined glass panels. Adjustable feet allowing nice looks in the kitchen, the living room, or whatever room you like.

(Bathroom beertime?)

(I think so.)

Statistics and facts time from the source!

In order to maintain efficiency and standards, each cabinet is manufactured according to current practice. Cabinets are assembled from 0.5mm Cold Rolled Coil Steel with Polyurethane insulation. The compressor, condenser and evaporator coils as well as heat sinks are located in the base unit. The system includes an adaptation of existing airflow technology. Supply and return of refrigerated air takes place in the two airstream pipes located at the back of the refrigerator, each containing a system of fans, which create a forced airflow, drawing on refrigerated air generated by the base unit. A baffle in each cabinet opens and closes to regulate airflow and temperature inside the refrigerated space. A thermocouple located in the wall of each cabinet senses a rise or drop in temperature, relays to the CPU, which sends a charge to a bellows, which compresses or expands, pulling the baffle open or closed, depending on the temperature requirement.

Very nice.

Each unit sold separately.

Each little cabinet, that is.

Good idea.

Designer: Angeline Meloche

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Modular Pets Making A Good Footrest

Posted: 12 Feb 2009 11:58 AM PST

As if Fido didn’t have enough competition from would-be robot overlords; now comes yet another challenger that requires even less fuss. TOYS are modular furniture pieces all designed to look like man’s best friend. They come in a variety of shapes, materials and colors. Set ‘em up on the window to look out at the world or place ‘em under your feet because you know a real dog would never agree to be your footrest. The loving, dedicated companion bit is lost but at least there won’t be any “accidents.”

Designer: 2-B-2 Architecture

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Scratch A Date

Posted: 12 Feb 2009 11:38 AM PST

The Scratchender is a calender that use the same material used on those vile scratch cards, teasing me into believing I may have won something. I digress, you don’t cross out past days with a pen but just scratch them off. It’s a much more visual and dare I say interactive way to keeping your dates straight. I just have issue with the left over bits, shavings, and debris. Those things are murder to clean up!

Designer: Agustin Zea for Mr. Tom Design

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Bathing Pets Made Easy

Posted: 12 Feb 2009 09:00 AM PST

Try giving Lassie a bath to groom her, she'll be all over the place trying to wrench out of this ablution-time-situation. Pets like her go to posh salons, where they clip her nails and blow-dry her mane. On the flipside, easier said than done, giving a bath to your pet at home can be quite an ordeal. Not all of us can afford professional grooming for our pets but a DIY option not to miss is the OXO Pet Wash Kit.

Made up of 4 parts, a rubber anti-slip mat; silicone suction cup; a brush and portable container, the setup looks pretty functional to me.

This is how you do it:

- Place the rubber mat inside your bathtub or wherever you want to do the cleaning. Obviously the mat gives a better grip at keeping the pet stationary and also guards against scratch marks to the floor.

- The silicone suction cup has a nice little waterproof leash attached to it. Plug the cup to the floor of the bath and put the leash around your pet's neck. This way the pet can't really escape the bath!

- The brush I like the best because it has retractable bristles. Retract them and all's that left on the face of the brush is the shed-hair…easy cleaning! Another great part is that you can pour in the cleaning shampoo directly into the brush's container. This way your one hand is free to steady the pet while you lather on using the brush with the other.

- Stowing these above items is easy; just pack them into the OXO Kit container. Before you go humidity and stink, let me tell you that the shell has vents. Wipe and roll the mat and place it inside the container, the brush and the suction cup fit on either end as caps.

Go on, bond with your pet…give it a BATH!

Designer: Nicolas Lehotzky