Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Peel-and-Replace Walls: A New Hook-and-Loop System for Concrete

2025-09-05

Researchers at Austria's Graz University of Technology have developed a novel hook-and-loop system for concrete walls. Instead of traditional hooks and loops, they cast protrusions into the concrete and 3D print a flexible sheet with corresponding protrusions. This allows for the easy removal and replacement of wall coverings, flooring, and other elements, promising a cleaner, faster, and more efficient approach to construction and renovation.

(www.core77.com)

Hardware

Self-Playing Guitar System: 9400 Hours of Mastery, $40,000 Price Tag

2025-08-15

Michael Kuzma, a guitarist and electrical engineer, spent 9,400 hours developing his Kuzma Self-Playing Guitar System. This invention, attachable to any guitar, uses 3D-printed parts, motors, and actuators to pick and fret. While not quite ready for Hendrix, it can handle Oasis covers. Kuzma even uses it for hands-free busking. The robot guitar can play at speeds exceeding human capabilities (44 notes per second!). Kuzma custom-builds these systems, starting at $40,000, with the final price depending on customizations, the chosen guitar, and delivery location.

(www.core77.com)

Tech robot guitar

ChompSaw: A Safe Power Tool for Kids

2025-07-11

Designed by Kausi Raman and Max Liechty, the ChompSaw is a safe power tool for kids, specifically designed to cut cardboard. Unlike dangerous jigsaws, the ChompSaw uses an oscillating cutter hidden beneath a protective cover, preventing finger contact. Waste cardboard is collected in a built-in bin, promoting recycling. While priced at $250, it offers a safe and fun way for children to explore power tools, transforming Amazon boxes into creative projects.

(www.core77.com)

Hardware power tools cardboard cutting

Rural Engineer Brings Back Payphones, For Free

2025-06-05

Patrick Schlott, an electrical engineer, has taken up a unique hobby: restoring and installing free public payphones in rural Vermont. He argues that while most people have cell phones, they aren't always reliable in rural areas, and sometimes people just need a landline. His company, RandTel, currently operates three phones, one of which is even solar-powered. This nostalgic yet socially responsible project provides a valuable community service while showcasing a piece of American history.

(www.core77.com)

Misc

Retro Revival: Cyclauto's Front-Wheel-Drive Cargo Bike from the 1930s

2025-05-12

French company Cyclauto has revived a vintage cargo bike design from the 1930s, originally by French industrialist Auguste Reymond. Unlike typical cargo bikes, the Cyclauto positions the rider above the front wheel, directly powering it without a chain, reducing maintenance. Its detachable cargo section, like a semi-trailer, offers high modularity, carrying goods, passengers, or even commercial fixtures. The shorter wheelbase makes it highly maneuverable in urban settings. Cyclauto has been showcased at bike shows, but production dates remain unannounced.

(www.core77.com)

Tech cargo bike

Evolution of the American Mailbox: From Classic to Quirky

2025-05-03

For much of the 20th century, the classic American mailbox reigned supreme: galvanized steel, rounded top for water runoff, and a carrier signal flag. But the rise of e-commerce and package deliveries led the USPS to introduce a Next Generation Package Mailbox, which saw muted market success. This spurred a wave of diverse mailbox designs, ranging from plastic alternatives to modern aesthetics, showcasing practical functionality and individual expression. Some designs even reveal a more aggressive, unconventional style, reflecting the multifaceted nature of American culture and design preferences.

(www.core77.com)

Misc mailbox design american culture

Revolutionizing Drone Design: Ascent AeroSystems' Helius Challenges the Quadrotor

2025-03-21

For a century, airplane design has been bird-inspired. Drones, however, have taken a different path. Ascent AeroSystems' Helius drone uses an innovative coaxial twin-rotor design, revolutionizing the traditional quadrotor form. This design makes the Helius more compact, easier to store, and capable of carrying heavier payloads, performing better in harsh weather. The Helius features a low-light camera system, AI obstacle avoidance, and high-speed flight capabilities (up to 45 mph), with a flight time exceeding 30 minutes and weighing just over half a pound. Despite its $4,500 price tag, its powerful performance makes it ideal for industrial, government, law enforcement, and emergency response units, potentially shaping the future of drone design.

(www.core77.com)

Tech coaxial twin-rotor innovative design

Niigata's Geothermal Snow-Melting System: A Clever Solution

2025-03-09

Facing heavy snowfall, Niigata, Japan, developed a clever snow-melting system in the 1960s called 'shosetsu'. This system uses geothermal heat to warm groundwater, which is then pumped through pipes under roads and sprayed onto the asphalt to prevent snow from freezing. Niigata currently has approximately 571 kilometers of roads equipped with this system, offering a more environmentally friendly and car-friendly alternative to traditional salting methods.

(www.core77.com)

Tech snow melting

Revolutionizing Metal 3D Printing: Wire-Based Laser Deposition

2025-02-02

Spanish company Meltio has developed a revolutionary metal 3D printing technology that eliminates the hassles of powder-based methods. Using metal wire as feedstock, multiple low-power diode lasers melt the wire, building parts layer by layer. Called LMD (Wire-Laser Metal Deposition), this efficient and clean process requires no powder cleanup, handles various metals and alloys, allows for mixing metals, and enables repair of existing parts. Furthermore, Meltio's technology can be easily integrated into existing robotic arms or CNC machines, significantly lowering costs and barriers to entry.

(www.core77.com)

Tech metal printing

Eco-Friendly Laptop Stand Made from Recycled Paper

2025-01-11

Seoul-based design firm grape lab has created the g.stand, a laptop stand made from a single sheet of recycled paper. Weighing only 45g, it's sturdy enough to hold even the heaviest laptops. Its origami-inspired design provides optimal viewing and typing angles, while strategically placed creases ensure proper ventilation. Collapsing to a mere 3cm for easy portability, its carrying case doubles as a phone stand. This sustainable and stylish product retails for around $22.

(www.core77.com)

Design sustainable design recycled paper laptop stand