News & Events
Jun23
Lilium unveils electric aircraft concept
2016 at 05:38 pm by admin | Comments Off
German aviation company Lilium has debut a design for a potential personal electric-powered aircraft in a recent press release, showing off concepts and designs they hope to implement in the future. The craft, which takes cues from both standard planes and helicopters, will be able to achieve a vertical take off from a standstill, and can achieve max speeds of 250 mph. The plane will be powered by an electric battery, allowing for 300 miles of flight before requiring a recharge. All of this is achieved thanks to the plane’s ducted fan engines, which lighten the load of the plane significantly, as well as result in a much quieter experience compared to modern helicopters. The plane, intended for recreational flying in low airspace, will still require users to hold a standard pilot’s license, and will begin testing in 2017 for a potential 2018 release, but it is an interesting look into the future of flight for the average citizen.
Jun23
Artist creates massive state for BMW anniversary
2016 at 05:25 pm by admin | Comments Off
Every year, the Goodwood Festival of Speed hosts an international motor race event at West Sussex, England, challenging vehicles from across the world to its arduous and exciting hill-based course. Along with this exciting event, every Goodwood Festival since 1997 has featured an art installation featuring vehicles, creating a wide variety of designs and exhibits for visitors to enjoy. This year, to mark BMW’s 100th anniversary, the 2016 Goodwood Festival has commisioned artist Gerry Judah to create the largest sculpture in Goodwood history! The sculpture, which features several of BMW’s cars from over the years, is a feat in both engineering as well as artistry, as the car hover steadfast on massive pillars over onlooking crowds. At night, the installation is lit up with vibrant spotlights, creating a spectacle to be seen 24/7. The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016 will be running from June 23rd to the 26th.
Jun22
Sphero announces new SPRK+ robot
2016 at 06:08 pm by admin | Comments Off
Many have heard and experienced Sphero’s first robotic toy, SPRK, after its initial release last year, such as its use in the hugely popular BB8 remote control toy. Now, Sphero has announced the updated version of the SPRK, titled the SPRK+! The new release of the robot sports a new, scratch-and-water-resistant casing that is capable of taking more punishment than the original, as well as an upgraded Bluetooth connection that allows it to be paired with multiple devices at once. With the new SPRK+, Sphero hopes that the new robot will be useful in helping teach children about coding by allowing them to issue drag-and-drop commands to the robot, as well just generally be a joy to play and explore with. The applications for the new SPRK+ are wide and varied, leaving it up to the user’s imagination as to what they want their new little robot companion to do! The SPRK+ is currently priced at $129, and is sure to being hours of learning and fun to classrooms and homes across the world!
Jun22
University hosts open house with 3D installation
2016 at 05:57 pm by admin | Comments Off
All images © Felix Raspall and Carlos Bañón
At the Singapore University of Technology and Design, professors Felix Raspall and Carlos Bañón have decided to liven up the campus’ open house event with a large 3D-printed art installation! The piece was erected with the help of a student team, and spans 41 feet across the interior of the campus center. The installation is comprised of 91 unique 3D-printed nodes and 369 10mm aluminum bars, and was created to explore the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts, as well as show off the program’s contents to prospective students. The piece is also accentuated by several long platforms, which feature work and projects from the student body. The piece is able to be walked through and experienced up close, allowing for a cool interactive way of presenting the college’s contents to visitors and returning students alike.
Jun21
British designer's futuristic yacht concept
2016 at 05:51 pm by admin | Comments Off
All images © Schwinge Yachts
British designer Jonathan Schwinge has released a concept for a futuristic water vessel that lifts itself above the water’s surface for Schwinge Yachts. This super yacht, designed to travel at high speeds across the ocean surface, is designed around currently existing technologies, and is designed to take a look into the future of luxury cruise lines. The craft would be powered by hydrofoil propulsion, and would float on the surface at low speeds using standard hulls on the underside. Then, when the time comes to kick the boat into high gear, hydrofoils on the bottom arm of the ship would activate, lifting the ship above water level to provide a smooth, bump-free ride while at high speeds.
The ship’s tetrahedron design isn’t just for show, either; each of the three sides of the yacht can fold down, creating deck areas for passengers to lounge as well as providing multiple angles for the ship to dock at. The design is currently suited to carrying 10 passengers on its carbon-fiber structure, and while no plans are currently underway to make this dream boat a reality, it’s certainly an interesting look at what’s to come!
Jun20
"Finding Dory" smashes box office records
2016 at 05:44 pm by admin | Comments Off
Disney’s “Finding Dory”, the anticipated sequel to the 2003 animated film “Finding Nemo”, released in theaters across the nation on Friday, June 17th, and has since earned over $9.2 million dollars on its Thursday preview night alone, and $136.2 million over the opening weekend. This accomplishment marks the new movie as the highest debut box office numbers of any animation film in history! Produced hand-in-hand with animation studio Pixar, “Finding Dory”’s gigantic numbers come after Disney’s “Zootopia” film similarly dethroned Frozen for the top opening weekend, earning $75 million on its opening weekend. “Finding Dory” continues the story from “Finding Nemo”, following the adorably goofy fish Dory as she explores the ocean to find her parents and escape a California public aquarium. The film is in theaters now, so make sure to find the time to check out Disney’s newest hit film!
Jun20
Christo's "Floating Piers" opens to public
2016 at 05:32 pm by admin | Comments Off
All images © Christo
After years of planning and preparation, artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s floating bridge art piece has finally been completed and opened to the general public in Italy! The piece, which was one of the couple’s last planned art pieces before Jeanne-Claude’s death in 2009, is titled “Floating Piers”, and contains over 200,000 floating fabric bricks that come together to create a bridge, linking Monte Isola and Sulzano with the island of San Paol on Lake Iseo. The project has been in planning since the 1970s, making this art piece an accomplishment for Christo in memory of his late wife. The exhibit is open and free for all visitors 24/7, barring weather and other restrictions, making this a prime spot for locals and tourists alike to check out this feat in design and art!
Jun20
Markus Linnenbrick decorates Miami hotel
2016 at 05:18 pm by admin | Comments Off
Artist Markus Linnenbrick, known for his work with large saturated color strips in architecture and design, has brought his work to Miami, Florida with his massive new installation piece! Painted alongside the upcoming SLS Brickell Hotel, the piece consists of dozens of vertical stripes all across the building’s front. The 40,000 square foot piece was created spontaneously, with each strip finished in one continuous “stroke”, and the strips bleed into each other create a wide array of vibrant tones and visual interest. Check out the video below to see this huge art piece in the making!
Jun17
Sanrio-themed dishes at Los Angeles restaurant
2016 at 08:14 pm by admin | Comments Off
Sanrio fans in Los Angeles now have a fun restaurant stop to look forward to, as the Plan Check Kitchen and Bar has collaborated with Sanrio in order to bring popular characters Pompompurin and Chococat to their menu! Following their past collaboration with Sanrio’s Gudetama character, the restaurant held a launch party for these delicious new treats on June 10th, and features all their new designs in one large multi-course Sanrio meal. Starting off with a small dish of mac and cheese as an appetizer, the main dish arrives in the form of a Pompompurin-themed hamburger and vanilla cream soda combo, sporting the dog’s adorable visage on both. Once that’s done, dessert is served with the large Chococat cookie and ice cream!
On top of this wide offering of Sanrio treats, customers who order the meal will receive a complementary hat featuring Pompompurin and Chococat, with a design exclusively available at the Plan Check Kitchen and Bar! The restaurant has even gone so far as to decorate their windows with adorable Sanrio decals to celebrate! The promotion will only be available for one month, and a portion of all proceeds will be donated to L.A. Love & Leashes, a non-profit animal adoption movement. So if you’re in the LA area, make sure to check out these awesome new foodstuffs for a good cause!
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