Great 3-D Futuristic Illustrations

Think Syd Mead. Think Blade Runner. Think Jacob Charles Dietz. Jacob Dietz is a highly-proficient 3-D illustrator that has a fetish for futuristic, sci-fi scenes. The kind of stuff that belongs in video games, movies and book covers. If you like fantasy worlds full of flying cars, mega-skyscrapers and spandex-clad citizens, you should rush to his site right now. I think he'll sell you his models and textures. And maybe even some prints.

site.jacobcharlesdietz.com

Toyota's Violin-Playing Robot - Wow!

They're not just making cars over there in Japan. Toyota and Honda are in the business of developing robots, too. This video show s a demonstration of a robot playing a song on a violin. Incredible. Makes you ask yourself, just how smart and capable do we want these things to be?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzjkBwZtxp4

Nao - Robot Behavior Getting More Sophisticated

I think you'll be quite impressed with the Nao robots in this video. They know how to perform tasks, have complicated motor skills and can communicate with each other. Here comes the Robot Revolution.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2STTNYNF4lk

FFFFound - Random Design Images Of Interest

FFFFound is a weblog that allows users to post various design images they find to be noteworthy. It's a random collection of shots regarding the usual design stuff: art, photography, posters, packaging, products, books, furniture, architecture, etc... A good place to spend some time browsing for new ideas.

ffffound.com

C3PO's Robotic Great-Grandmother

Pink Tentacle offers up images of the HRP-4C fashion model robot, a crude walking android-like robot. Developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. They're getting closer all the time.

pinktentacle.com/2009/03/video-hrp-4c-fashion-model-robot/

People Riding The End Of An industrial Robot Arm

Well, here's the latest in amusement-park/simulator-type rides... hooking yourself up to the end of an factory robot arm and having it toss you around randomly. They should probably name it the "hurl-o-matic". I can't imagine the sensations this situation must produce.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoA-m5iHG9s



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www.youtube.com/watch?v=wITSZiHWJLI



www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7-GKezvAc8

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Robotic Snake Demo

Robot designers nowadays like to emulate animal forms from nature. Here is one team's attempt to produce a robotic snake with natural motion and simple intelligence. Hsssss.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJuNe50uuzk

Robotic Cubes That Copy Themselves

Some brilliant engineers at Cornell have developed intelligent machines that are able to copy and repair themselves. Made of individual "smart" modules, the separate elements self-combine into a specific shape. That collection then automatically reproduces itself using other modules available in the environment. A major step forward in the evolution of robots.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyzVtTiax80

Somewhat Frightening Walking Machine Demo

What is this? Robot monster from a Hollywood film? Advanced creature, part of an alien invasion? Bizarre nightmare from an evil genius? The form passing in front of the camera is yet another a work by kinetic artist Theo Jansen. It's steel and polyester structure is moved forward by the wind.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2KkGFuRLew

Fantastic Wind-Powered Walking Machines

A commercial for BMW featuring the jaw-dropping work of Dutch artist Theo Jansen. This highly-inspirational piece focuses on several of Jansen's multi-legged mechanisms moving along a beach. These other-worldly objects, now copied by numerous people, have a truly unique mechanical design. Take a look and see what happens when someone dares to "think outside of the box".

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcR7U2tuNoY

More Amazing Contraptions From Theo Jansen

Here is a longer, more complete video of kinetic artist Theo Jansen's wind-powered walking machines. 9:55 minutes of awe-inspiring sights.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx6fiGwmfzI

The Latest In Automotive Design

Are you a car nut? A compulsive admirer of industrial design? Then Car Design News is perfect for you. Keep up with the work of the world's best automobile designers. See what car manufacturers are rolling out of the factories and what they're thinking of producing in the future. You're bound to fall in love.

www.cardesignnews.com/site/home

Dezeen - Magazine Of International Design

Dezeen magazine's website features numerous examples of great design from around the world. Categories include: Architecture, Design, Furniture, Graphics, Green, Interiors, Lighting, Media, Transport.

www.dezeen.com

Amazing Vehicle Designs By Luigi Colani

The site Dark Roasted Blend features of collection of images regarding the fantastic work of industrial designer Luigi Colani. These include sleek and aerodynamic rockets, airplanes, trains and automobiles crafted in a futuristic style.

www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/05/extravagant-designs-by-luigi-colani.html