Bajibot Musings: NASA's 3D experiment, wearable technology, and one cool lunchbox
For this recurring column, Bajibot scours the web for innovations in technology and comments on them. We pick three that make us think and ask: “What’s next?” Plus, they’re just plain cool.
Google Glass rival Telepathy One
Cool gadgets and toys always catch our attention. Telepathy One's wearable communication device is no exception. The Japanese company just raised $5 million to create its sleek silver headsets that wrap around the user's head, unlike competitor Google Glass that adorns the user's face. Mashable reports that both companies plan to release their products for consumers in 2014.
"I think Google will have the edge on the mass market, since it knows everything from your Google searches and emails--it can personalize experiences for users," says Bajibot's strategist Chris Ee. "However, Telepathy may stand a good chance if it focuses on developing specific utility-based apps, such as one to aid surgeons in difficult operations. Tons of developers may want to work on Telepathy if it takes an open source policy."
NASA’s 3D-printed Rocket Engine
It's no secret that we're fascinated by 3D printing. So we were excited to hear that NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne successfully tested their 3D-printed rocket engine injector. Produced with laser beams that melt and fuse metal powders into 3D structures, the injector has only two parts. This cuts production costs by 70% and the production time (usually more than a year through traditional processes), would take less than four months.
"Seems like a win-win no matter how you look at it," says Bajibot's 3D technologist Dmitry Prushak. "The fact that it's cheaper and quicker should be already enough to astonish most people. The ability to manufacture the whole piece in one spot, whether it's on Earth or aboard a space station is an added bonus. A moon sized bonus."
HotLogic Mini = Lunchbox + Microwave
Here at Bajibot, we take food seriously. When we're not tempted by food trucks (Korilla BBQ, we’re looking at you), we eat our homemade lunches and the microwave is our main cooking tool. So we loved the concept of HotLogic Mini, a deceptively simple-looking food container that heats up meals like a microwave.
"It's a great idea for people with no access to a microwave," says Bajibot's digital designer Jenn Nguyen. "But considering that most offices have microwaves, it's a cool-to-have but not a must-have."
Images: AlleyWatch, NASA, and HotLogic Mini