2024 Halloween, Toyota Hydrogen, Assisting Robot, CMF Trend Today is Halloween! At our American design center, we’ve been getting into the spirit with pumpkin decorations and chocolates over the past few weeks. But today, one of our designers, M.H., added a unique twist with their own creative pumpkin display! For someone who’s never carved a pumpkin before, the skill they showed is impressive, so I’ve included a photo to share it with you. |
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As Halloween approaches, costume stores like Party City are still bustling with shoppers. However, some interesting trends have emerged this year that are worth sharing. Gen Z and Alpha generation, with their growing environmental awareness, are opting for costumes and decorations made from recycled or sustainable materials. Repurposing old T-shirts or clothing and using materials like cardboard boxes to create creative costumes is gaining popularity. For those even more concerned about the environmental impact, some are choosing simple face paint instead, aiming to reduce waste as much as possible. |
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With the popularity of vintage Halloween decor surging on social media platforms like TikTok, major retailers such as Target and Michael’s are rolling out retro collections. These decorations, inspired by past trends, are once again at the center of Halloween style, with content creators sharing authentic vintage pieces online, capturing even more attention.
Here in California, one of the hottest costumes this year is sure to be the LA Dodgers, who made a thrilling comeback to win the MLB World Series, claiming the championship for the first time in four years. Just like the nine-year-old boy below, everyone’s cheering, Go Dodgers!!!! |
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🚗 Toyota's Compact Hydrogen Tank: Power Anywhere, Anytime
- Sized for Consumers: Toyota has scaled down its hydrogen tank for everyday use.
- Backpack-Friendly: Portable enough to fit into a backpack for easy mobility.
- Universal Power Supply: From cars to portable stoves, it powers a wide range of devices. When empty, simply refill or replace the cartridge for uninterrupted energy.
At this month’s Japan Mobility Show Bizweek, Toyota unveiled an innovative portable hydrogen cartridge primarily designed for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Compact enough to carry by hand or in a backpack, this cartridge allows for quick fuel replacement without needing a trip to the fueling station. Toyota envisions this cartridge as a universal renewable energy source, suitable not only for cars but also for home appliances. In partnership with Rinnai Corporation, Toyota has even tested the cartridge in outdoor stoves.
This hydrogen cartridge addresses range anxiety by extending driving distances, eliminating the worry of reaching a fueling station before the battery runs out. Amid frequent extreme weather events and power outages, it can also serve as backup power for appliances, providing added peace of mind for users.
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📈 Jenna's Insight
The list of companies currently researching hydrogen vehicles is quite limited, with notable names like Toyota (Mirai), Hyundai (Nexo), Honda (Clarity), BMW (iX5), and Hyperion (XP-1) at the forefront. Toyota's development of a portable hydrogen cartridge marks a significant stepping stone in expanding hydrogen mobility energy into household applications. Automakers need to explore the versatility of energy solutions, as options that can be utilized in both vehicles and homes perfectly align with customer expectations for sustainability, reliability, and adaptability in renewable energy sources.
Consider the following scenarios:
- Healthcare: Portable oxygen generators and medical equipment.
- Telecommunications: Portable satellite communication devices.
- Agriculture: Solar-powered portable energy units.
- Construction: Mobile electric generators.
- Consumer Goods: Portable electric vehicle batteries.
- Defense: Tactical weaponry (like Hyundai's Hydrogen Concept Tank).
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Self-Installing Mobility Robot: Enhancing Independence for Individuals with Disabilities
- Autonomous Installation: This assistive robot automatically installs for individuals with disabilities, allowing for independent movement without caregiver assistance.
- User-Friendly Docking: Unlike traditional exoskeletons that are worn on the back, users in wheelchairs can dock from the front, improving convenience and usability.
- Designed for Lower Body Paralysis: Specifically engineered to help individuals with lower body paralysis, this robot enables independent walking and balance, significantly enhancing mobility.
What does true mobility mean? It could be about providing autonomous movement for those with restricted mobility, which is especially vital for individuals with disabilities. In recent years, the mobility industry has introduced various models aimed at factory workers, healthcare professionals, and hikers, but these products have largely remained functional assistive devices.
In 2022, Hyundai developed the H-Mex a compact medical assistive tool designed to support the walking of individuals with lower body paralysis. Its purpose was to provide training movements for lower muscle rehabilitation and walking recovery, featuring a compact design aimed at supporting these rehabilitation efforts.
This week, a new suit co-developed by KAIST and Angel Robotics in Korea goes beyond rehabilitation, offering an innovative solution that allows individuals who are unable to walk to move like anyone else, utilizing advanced robotic technology.
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The WalkON Suit F1 is an exoskeleton robot designed for individuals with lower body paralysis, allowing users to wear it directly from their wheelchairs without the need for caregiver assistance. By adopting a front docking system, it opens up the possibility for independent walking. Compared to existing rehabilitation devices, the WalkON Suit F1 is gaining attention for its innovative approach that significantly enhances user autonomy.
From the automotive industry's perspective, the technological advancements in the WalkON Suit F1 draw parallels to those in autonomous vehicles. Just as self-driving cars can perceive and navigate their environment without driver intervention, this exoskeleton robot utilizes advanced visual recognition systems and obstacle detection technology to assist users in moving safely. This suggests that future mobility solutions will not merely transport individuals but will provide customized mobility experiences tailored to each person's needs. There is a strong likelihood that similar autonomous and personalized technologies will be integrated into other modes of transportation in the future.
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Accessible Design for Everyone: The Mira Select Flex Shower Mixer
- User-Friendly Operation: Designed with high-contrast colors and clear icons for easy manipulation, ensuring that users can operate the mixer with confidence.
- Intuitive Controls: The loop handle and lever allow for simple adjustments of temperature and water flow, making it particularly beneficial for individuals with arthritis or visual impairments.
- Consistent Settings: Users can maintain their preferred shower temperature and water flow with just one button press, greatly enhancing the overall user experience.
With its commitment to accessibility, the Mira Select Flex shower mixer utilizes contrasting colors like black and white, along with easily readable icons, making it accessible for individuals with visual impairments. The intuitive controls not only aid in seamless operation but also provide significant support to those with limited mobility, ultimately improving the shower experience for everyone. |
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The design of the shower mixer emphasizes a minimalist approach, eliminating unnecessary elements to create a concise yet functional product. This not only extends the product's lifespan but also simplifies the user's experience. It evokes memories of the frustrating moments spent in university shower facilities.
In contrast to typical shower mixers, which often lack intuitive indicators and are overly simplistic—as shown in the photo below—those unfamiliar with the American shower system may find themselves enduring cold showers due to the absence of clear guidance. This highlights the importance of thoughtful design in enhancing usability and ensuring a positive shower experience for all users. |
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A user-friendly shower control system, designed to be both intuitive and elegant, has the potential to enhance daily experiences and maintain a positive mood throughout the day, starting with a warm shower. However, it may be susceptible to issues like mineral buildup and require regular cleaning to maintain its appearance and functionality. |
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2024 CMF Trend
The 41st Cersaie exhibition held in Bologna, Italy, showcased products that reveal key directions for CMF (Color, Material, Finish) trends this year. Common elements observed in bathroom furniture and wall and floor products include:
1) Calm and Clean Aesthetics: A predominant use of serene blue tones that create a tranquil atmosphere.
2) Realistic Materials: With rising prices of finishes and raw materials, there is a noticeable shift towards the adoption of realistic wood, brick accents, and matte clay finishes.
Let’s explore the remaining major trends as well. |
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1) Color Blocking
The exhibition featured a range of products that allow for bold and daring combinations of core elements. Many designs emphasized Kidult Playfulness, showcasing opportunities to personalize walls and floors through the use of striking contrasting colors. Eye-catching sinks and tiles featuring mixed colors were particularly prominent, capturing the user's attention and inviting creative expression in bathroom spaces. This trend encourages a playful approach to design, making it possible for individuals to infuse their unique style into their environments. |
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2) Mirror and Shine
Recently, The Polishing Guy unveiled a beautifully polished Tesla Cybertruck, transforming its original matte surface into a mirror-like finish through a meticulous polishing process. This transformation highlights the growing popularity of materials that utilize shiny metals and finishes to reflect light, creating a captivating narrative filled with futuristic elegance. Such polished surfaces not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also embody a sense of sophistication that resonates with contemporary design trends. |
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Park Avenue offers countertop sinks in a variety of metal finishes, adding an elegant touch to classic bathroom designs. By incorporating a front mirror beneath the sink, they create the illusion of a larger space, which is particularly beneficial in smaller bathrooms. Additionally, the inclusion of a full-length mirror on the towel heater exemplifies their commitment to optimizing wall space, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to both functionality and style in modern bathroom design. |
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3) New Angularity
Many products are emerging that transform bathrooms and restrooms into new spaces while promoting efficient use of area through innovative surface designs. Instead of traditional, flat mirrors, designs that introduce subtle angles create a refreshing look. Three-dimensional tile designs that can be arranged at different angles, polygonal faucet designs, and unexpected, free-spirited storage solutions provide smart options tailored to fit the space. These solutions ensure that even small areas are utilized effectively. |
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😊 Check Out This Fun App!
If you ever come to the U.S., be sure to try the app Too Good To Go. It offers leftover food from restaurants at a steep discount of 60-70% off the original price, especially during closing hours or when they have surplus stock. While not all restaurants participate, areas with high population density, like Irvine, tend to have more options.
Many of the participating eateries are bakeries and donut shops that need to sell their products by the end of the day to avoid waste, and you'll often find surprise bags available to encourage participation. So on days when you don’t feel like cooking, why not snag a meal this smart way? I’m looking forward to trying it out in Koreatown, LA, next time I'm there! (The donut picture below shows the tasty donuts my friend scored for just $4.99!)
Tips:
- Avoid restaurants that consistently have a lot of surplus food. The more extra food they have, the smaller your portion may be.
- Be sure to check the restaurant’s ratings and read the food descriptions before ordering.
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Kia Design America / By Jenna Chwee / Jchwee@hatci.com
101 Peters Canyon Rd. Irvine, CA 92606
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