The quest to stay on the cutting edge of gadgetry never ends, and the concepts of today are tomorrow’s iPhone. Or HD-DVD.
From kitchen kit to military espionage, we’ve rounded up the best ideas of the year so far.
Fancy a peek into the future? This list of wild, wacky and downright clever concept gizmos is exactly what you need!
1. Solar powered TV
Calculators have been running off the sun’s juices since about 1750, but Sharp’s light-fuelled telly is genuinely revolutionary. A 26 inch screen that will run in the park? Now all we need is a dose of good weather, or a holiday in the heat!
2. Newspaper e-reader
This concept by designer Mayo Nissen could save newspapers from their plummeting circulations. As you unroll the e-paper, more of page three – sorry, we mean the paper’s scrolling headlines – are revealed. It can even update itself on the move using Wi-Fi. If a global catastrophe occurs, you’ll read about it first on this flexible ‘paper.
3. Finger watch
Timex’s TX54 prototype is for those with too many charity wristbands to fit a watch on their arm. Translucent and super thin, it slots perfectly onto your fingernail for some seriously futuristic time telling. Designed for nosepickers, they’re completely disposable.
4. Robot spy plane
BAE Systems unveiled their next-generation sneak jet earlier this year, and unlike current remote controlled drones it’s completely autonomous. With any luck, it’ll do a better job than current US Air Forces of telling the difference between troops and terrorists.
5. Zero emission roadster
Now you can own a swish sports car without the greenhouse gas guilt, thanks to Honda’s zero-emission speedster. The OSM is still a concept, but with the the car giant’s FCX Clarity hitting the tarmac already, perhaps it’ll see production sooner than you’d expect.
6. Mobile projector
Texas Instruments looks set to be first past the post with a portable projector powered by your mobile phone later this year. It’ll beam pictures and video against any surface you like. Now all you need is a flat white wall on the train and you can get that real cinematic experience on the move.
7. Alarm clock ring
No more annoying beeping destroying your mornings. This concept alarm clock gently awakens users by vibrating a wireless rubber ring on their finger. It’s designed to gradually coax sleepy gadget fans out of their slumber. There’s even a shake sensor to flick it into snooze mode. We can’t stress enough that it goes on your finger.
8. Licentia gesture TV remote
Button pressing is a chore, let’s face it. The world will be a better place when everything is controlled by a flailing of the limbs. This remote control is a start, with twists and twizzles easily selecing what you watch. When it hits production you’ll be able to quite literally wave Jamie Oliver from your screen. What a relief!
9. Portable carbohydrate cooker
The simplest concepts are always the best, and this one is as obvious as they come: a rice cooker with a computer. This prototype cooks grain-based carbs on the go, and stores previous settings so it’ll always cook your pasta to perfection. Bellissimo.
10. Jumping robots
It doesn’t do anything at all useful, but the awe factor of a 7g electronic insect propelling itself 27 times its own height into the air is off the chart. The Swiss creators still haven’t figured out how to get it to land properly, but they’re working on it. Robo fleas? They’re the future we tell you!
