There are a lot of issues that we have in the world which could be fixed with just some brainpower and really clever people who can think out the box. Things like using less power or water or fuel energy. Thankfully, we do have people like this in the world. People who use veggies for clean energy, create desks that protect kids in schools, quiet kennels for noise-sensitive dogs, and gravity-powered clocks. Take a look at a few of these amazing products and designs that solve everyday modern problems and see if you could think up anything better than these.
Energy
Solar panels are a great way for producing clean energy and they’re advancing as the years go on. The only thing that still needs some work is how they can produce energy when the sun goes down or there are storm clouds in the air. That's how these colorful solar panels have one thing that is different, they are made from vegetable and fruit particles which naturally absorb sunlight and make the light into energy.
This Mapua student has taken what nature has given us and made it useful in a technically advanced world. And the fact that they’re colorful isn’t only a bonus, but extremely important for the energy.
After Life
When people plan what will happen to them after they die, there are a lot of normal options available like being buried, cremated, or whichever way may be suited for different cultures. But Jae Rhim Lee came up with a quicker and more natural way that removes toxins from the body and makes the decomposing process a lot faster. The suit has some mushroom spores implanted which makes this possible.
If you’re happy with the fact of being buried in a mushroom suit, then this would be the way for you. Let’s just hope your kids don’t have a mushroom trip off your body’s produce.
Comfort
One of the best ways to sit and work is on a bed, sofa, or the floor with your legs crossed. When trying to sit with crossed legs on a normal office chair, it does not provide the same comfort and causes back pain and dead legs. That is why the “Soul Seat” was designed and created, for our crossed-legs lovers to be able to sit at their desks comfortably.
This amazing innovation starts off at $1278.00, which seems like the price you would pay to sit the way you prefer. If you’re flexible enough to sit like that, maybe get yourself one.
Perfect Line
We all dream of being able to draw a perfect line without a ruler. While journalling or planning work tasks, it would look so much better to add in straight colourful lines rather than something that looked like lines being drawn while your room had a tremor. A Korean designer Giha Woo designed “The Constrained Ball” which provides the right support to be able to draw the perfect freehand line.
For all us people who have to scratch around looking for a ruler, this may just be the better solution. However, if we all lose rulers easily, imagine how quickly this little device would disappear.
Pattern
This is a password keypad that randomizes the numbers each time the password needs to be entered. This way, people can’t figure out the pattern of the pin you’re entering in. Now, as we have been lucky enough to experience this type of keypad, we can safely say that it would not be very useful after a couple of drinks, because you are bound to add in the wrong pin every time.
Nonetheless, this clever technology is perfect for unsafe areas worldwide and for preventing stolen passwords. Let’s just hope you will not come across one when you are out and about seeing double.
Self-Threading
Just before you run off and go find a needle to see if you have missed this your whole life, this is not a standard needle… we already checked. This style of the needle is called self-threading needles, which have a small opening in the threading hole to allow you to pull the cotton in easily. They come in a few different styles with different easy threading options as well.
After years of licking and trying to thread needles for hours, how has it taken so long for someone to come up with this idea? This should have been the first original needle design.
Meds
A problem that many people face daily, is remembering if you did or did not take the medication you were supposed to take. After a few months of taking medication, for most people it because so normal that you do not remember if you took it. The TimeCap is not only useful for everyone but especially people with dementia as it sets a time when the pill was last taken.
The only issue with this is that if you have inquisitive kids who like to play with pillboxes, you may think you have taken too many pills than you actually remember.
Recycle
There are an estimated 55 million potholes in the United States, and that is just from one of the most developed countries, image what some of the less developed countries have to deal with. A solution for this was invented by a student in a university in Mexico, where he uses recycled tires with additives in them that regenerates like putty when it gets wet, allowing it to close up any cracks when it rains.
For people who come from countries that have more potholes than actual roads, this invention could be life-changing. And all this from a young civil engineer student from the home of tacos.
Two in One
When we think of solar panels, we think of those massive dark mirror-like objects that sit in rows on top of people's roofs. But with modern technology, scientists have been able to create transparent solar panels that can be used as windows in houses, offices, buildings, cars, and even for smartphones. These will be able to generate energy while also acting as a window or screen. It's a revolutionary 2-in-1 package deal.
This is made possible by nanoparticles which are squished in between two panels. This invention is convenient for us humans and would seem rather uncomfortable for the nanoparticles. We’re not complaining though.
Language Gloves
It can be very awkward for people who come into contact with deaf people and they do not know sign language. If someone needs help or tries to communicate something important, there are not many other people who would understand sign language. A 25-year-old Kenyan man invented gloves, which when worn by someone using sign language, translates the movements to audio. Similar to a translate app, but reads hand movements instead.
Although some people might argue that people speaking should rather have something which translates to sign language for deaf people, these gloves are a step in the right direction to a full solution.
Duck Feet
Gone are the days of just having arms bands and flippers as swimming accessories, we now have the HydroHand, which allows people to swim a lot faster than they would without them. The idea was basically stolen from nature, as many aquatic animals have webbed feet which allow them to swim or paddle in the water. So now you can know how it would feel for a duck to be paddling its feet underwater.
It only took a few professional swimmers, surfers, and freedivers to create these webbed gloves. And they might not work for your everyday pool floating session, but if you’re a professional, they’re just for you.
Facial Recognition
Jing-Cai Liu created these face projectors which help people not be recognizable by facial recognition devices. Let’s face it, we will never get to the point that we can be fully incognito, so we guess that this is the next best thing. Liu came up with the idea when there were talks about facial recognition being used in surveillance cameras and it also stops people from fraudulently being able to use your face.
The projector fits around your head like a headband and projects facial distortions onto your face. You can look old, young, and completely deformed within a few seconds of wearing it.
Blync
The world of virtual reality is growing at a rapid pace, and each time we look there is something new to enjoy in the virtual reality world. With the 2020 lockdown, virtual reality almost became our only reality. This virtual bike simulator is called Blync. It was designed to allow people to set up their bikes in the comfort of their homes and rise through virtual worlds all without moving an actual mile.
With Blync, people can create terrains to ride on or can play virtual reality games, where you’re being chased by the cops or zombies. If that won’t get you moving, we’re not sure what will.
Dot Watch
This very simple, yet sleek watch is called the Dot Watch, designed by a South Korean company called “Dot Incorporated”. It is basically a smartwatch for the blind. It has 24 pins on it which can display notifications, the time, notes the person has created on their phone, and can messages. It can even let you know when you’re getting a call. And the best part is, this amazing design only costs $299.
Most devices for the visually impaired just read things out loud, which makes sense. But if you’re out in public and your wife starts sexting you, you may rather want to have the Dot Watch.
Clever Energy
Windmills are extremely useful devices to have, they generate a great deal of energy. However, they are only most effective when pointed in the direction of the wind, because that's what makes them move, obviously. This O-Wind Turbine is a little smarter than that because it can catch the wind from any direction it is blowing. It was made to hand off skyscrapers and create energy from the worst of worst wind conditions.
This clever creation was so brilliant it even won a James Dyson Award. So just know that when a hurricane hits, it’s so well made that you should have energy for days after.
Acid Trip
Some products do not necessarily need to solve any modern problems, but just provide some modern entertainment for our overly exposed minds. This psychedelic drinking glass takes your average-looking glass of water and turns it into something that looks like it has been on a good acid trip way back in the ’60s. Who needs normal glasses when you can have this beautiful trance experience just from pouring liquid into it.
Not only will we adults love it, but imagine how kids will freak out if they saw this. You could actually tell him a unicorn peed in their glass, and they’d probably believe you.
Chargeless
This is a battery-free cellphone. Can you believe it, we officially live in a world where you have the option to get a phone that doesn’t ever go flat. No more detangling cables, looking for chargers and waiting 2 hours for your phone to charge. The phone works with analog radio signals and converts patterns from an antenna into sound waves. It is all very scientific, but a genius idea.
Even though this is just a basic phone with some very basic features, it is a stepping stone for us to possibly one day have smartphones that will not need batteries.
Purification
Water purification is not a new term to us. Some of us either have a jug that purifies water at home or something installed into our taps that cleans out the water, but how clean is clean enough? Well, the AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier can turn Diet Coke a Cola back into the water, only leaving behind a slight bit of carbonation, so we think that that is clean enough.
This water purifier can remove up to 83 contaminants that are found in water. It is basically like the everyday holy water that will cleanse as much as your soul.
Pack up
You know when you have a fight with your partner and you get to the point when you threaten to pack up your house and leave, well now you literally can pack up your house if you have one of these foldable homes. They are great for those who need to get up and go quickly, or if you just like moving around a lot. They are also perfect for storage.
Once you’ve emptied the place, you can fold it down again and slide it into your parking garage. It is quite a nifty little invention and ideal for almost anyone.
SteepGear
This is not just some guy sitting on a roof and those are definitely not your usual shorts either. Calling all handyman dads, this one is for you. These shorts are “SteepGear Roof Safety Anti-Slip Shorts”, they prevent you from slipping down a roof while doing work on it, or hanging Christmas decorations for your wife. So no more seeing people hanging from roof gutters from slipping down a roof.
But we know what will happen with these. Dads everywhere will be testing their durability on staircases, car roofs, and children's slides, so someone is bound to hurt themselves in a pair of these.
Hoodie Pillow
There is nothing worse than being on a flight and realizing you have forgotten your neck pillow at home. You will probably spend your first hour on the plane trying to get a comfortable position that doesn’t make your neck feel like it is going to need to be realigned when you land. But, if you have this hoodie with a built-in inflatable neck pillow, then you won’t have any more flight neck problems.
All you need to do is blow up the hood part and you have yourself a neck resting place. You just gotta hope it doesn’t pop mid-flight… bomb sounds on planes don’t work well.
Holograph Table
If you are into designing 3D objects, then this fancy product is just for you. This is a holograph table that brings your designs to life by previewing them in 3D. You can design, twist, turn, move and adjust your design all while watching it in real life as if it was right there with you. Imagine making a new animated character and you could watch it come to life.
This product would be the perfect thing to play around on, even if you don’t know how to design. Everyone takes a kick out of inanimate things coming to some sort of life.
Electric Motorbike
This is not an art piece designed for an exhibition-themed “‘60s meet the future”. This is an electric motorbike called EV-1, which has the most beautiful wooden finish. The bike runs completely off a lithium-ion battery pack which can be fully charged within 40 minutes. That is quicker than most smartphones take to charge. And the battery is big enough to stay charged for 136-183 miles depending on if you’re riding in the city or on the highway.
This bike is so smart that it is connected to an app on your phone that tells you how charged it is, lets you change settings, and tracks your driving history.
Earthquake Desk
It is by the time that someone created a design like this one, however, making the prototype image look like the kids are trying to stay protect themselves during a meteorite shower, may not have been the best way to portray it. These desks are designed so that if kids are at school during an earthquake, they have a safe place to hide under which will protect them from falling debris.
All schools should have these in their classes as there are other disasters or not-so-great happenings that could occur and these would definitely keep kids safe from most of them.
Ivan
These are glasses that were made to block out other screens around you so you can just see the one you need. The classes were designed by a normal guy named Ivan Cash, and not some angry sports fan who didn’t want to see the other teams. We know, we are just as shocked as you are. The idea behind them was to prevent an overload of unnecessary screentime that puts pressure on your eyes.
Cash should look into making glasses that block out adverts next. And then after one, we know a few people who would love a pair that blocks out the haters too.
Hard to Reach
One thing that grinds our bones (and we’re sure yours too) is having to take screws out of something that is in the weirdest spot, or screwing something in that has a tone of obstructions around it. But, because people are clever and love solving problems, you can get a flexible screwdriver just like this one. It bends in any direction and in a few different places so you can get into those hard-to-reach areas.
Bring one of these out at a party and you’d probably be the most interesting person there. It could be your new party trick and your guests will definitely have you over for a screw.
Fireworks
Fireworks and animals do not work well together. In some countries, fireworks are actually banned because of how much they traumatize animals, specifically dogs. Even with a ban, some people still continue to use fireworks, so Ford designed this noise-canceling kennel that creates a quiet place for dogs to sleep while people make the sky sparkle. Ford made use of the same technology used in cars and noise-canceling headphones to create this.
Not only does it look really fancy, but it also works really well to keep dogs safe from the anxiety of New Year and any other loud celebrations. And it only costs $679.99.
Sanitation
Since Covid took over the world, we have had a newfound respect for sanitizer. It’s almost hard to believe how we lived without it before the pandemic. Knowing this, Sum Ming Wong and Kin Pong Li, students from Hong Kong, designed a door handle that sanitizes itself. It can kill germs that come from the dirtiest bathrooms. The glass tube is covered in a photocatalytic coating which kills germs from its reaction to UV light.
It only costs $13 to make and with just a slight movement from opening and closing the door, the kinetic energy produces energy for the UV light to keep it going.
Masks
We have seen the damage done to our environment from all the masks used since they become part of our everyday fashion, which is why there are many companies looking for more sustainable ways to make masks. These masks are made from abaca, which is a fiber found in teabags and banknotes in the Philippines. Making masks from this fiber will mean that they will completely decompose within 2 months.
They do sort of look like something you could even plant with. A mask compost heap could be a thing and with abaca, it could very well be made possible.
Microfiber Cloth
We bet that there is not one person who has used the inside of the jacket, shorts, shirt, or dress to clean off their glasses, but did you know that can cause scratches to the lens, which would only irritate your eyesight? A company designed a shirt that has a microfiber cloth inside of it especially for cleaning your glasses safely. If only all companies that make clothes would do this.
It’s a brilliant idea. It’s so much more useful having the cloth on you as needed. We might steal this idea and go sew our glasses cleaner clothes on a few of our favorite shirts.
Clock
Gone are the days of winding your grandfather clock and replacing batteries in your wall clock, because this clock works off the power of gravity. This vintage clock works its way down the wooden slope over 24 hours, once it reaches the end of the slope, you just have to pick it back up and place it on top again. It may not be extremely modern as gravity has always been around, but it is clever.
And not only do you get the time without power, but you get a daily workout in too because this clock weighs about 5 pounds. It’s a small price to pay for having the time.
Tomatoes
Have you ever seen someone munching on tomatoes while running a marathon? Neither have we. Apparently, it is a thing, commonly found in Tokyo. A Japanese juice vendor called Kagome had teamed up with some mechanical artists from a company called Maywa Denki to create this piggyback tomato feeder called Petit-Tomatan. It is designed to feed you tomatoes while you run, giving you just enough of them to sustain your running time.
Tomatoes have a lot of antioxidants in them and eating them while running gives you some sort of antioxidant power. We are not sure if this counts as dopping, but if it's natural it should work.
Shadow Clock
This cool clock tells you the time by the shadow made from your finger pointed at the center. But in order to tell the time, you need to be able to read which number the long and the short hands are pointing at. That’s why, although this clock design is clever, it seems very difficult to see which one is the long hand and which one is the short hand.
The only problem is you actually have to get up and touch the clock to know what time it is, which does not seem too convenient for us lazy people at all.
Umbrella
Getting caught in a surprise rain burst is not so fun, especially when you do not have your umbrella with you. But, if you owned a Rolls-Royce, you would never have to worry about that ever. Rolls-Royce has an umbrella slot in their car's doors, which makes it easy to store your umbrella and never get caught off-guard again. This brilliant design seems easy enough for all cars to create.
They all come with a Rolls-Royce umbrella for $700, which can be accessed just by a quick push of a button. For that price, it should be able to stop the rain too don’t you think.
Mat
Nguyen La Chanh designed this mat for a project she did while studying at a university in Switzerland. This bath mat is both beautiful and ecologically sound, both good for your health and the environment. The mat is made of plastazote latex foam and has a few different moss species embedded into it. When you step on the mat after a bath or shower, the water from your body helps the moss grow.
Because there is no soil necessary for this, your feet will not get dirty when you step onto it. It’s just a fresh drying experience that you can watch grow from body water drops.