Technabob » elevator

Stair Lift for Fat Lazy Dogs – Why Not Just Carry Them?

Technabob — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:30:48 +0000

The way we treat our pets like our children, most domesticated animals are lazy enough already. But judging by the looks of this wacky invention, we’re ready to take things to a whole new level – the second floor.

Designed by UK pet insurance company MORE TH>N, this prototype lift would help lazy and fat animals get up the stairs without having to lift so much as a paw. Dubbed the “Stair of the Dog 2022,” the lift is based on those ones designed to help the elderly and disabled get up and down stairs. The insurance provider designed the concept to raise awareness about pet obesity, but says that they’ve actually been approached by retailers who want to manufacture and distribute the lift.

Based on the timing, I’m wondering if this is an early April Fools’ prank. However, after living with two elderly 100 pound plus dogs who couldn’t get up or down the stairs, I could actually see a practical application for a version for larger, disabled pets. That said, any of you who want to use it to help your 8 pound pekingese up the stairs just need to get to the gym more often.

[via Newslite via Petslady]

Giant Elevator Carries Up to 80 People: Talk About Raising the Bar

Lambert Varias — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:18:55 +0000

The new building where Hankyu Department Store is in also has several floors of offices, and is situated right on top of one of the largest train terminals in Japan, which means a ton of people will pass through or go to that building everyday. That’s why the building was installed with 24 elevators, each capable of carrying up to 80 people at one time. Eighty people! According to my calculations, that’s about 4 sumo wrestlers!

The elevators were made by Mitsubishi, and each one is about 12 feet wide, 9 feet long and 8.5 feet high. Now imagine every cubic inch of that space filled with sweaty businessmen, shoppers and screaming children. Almost makes you want to take the stairs doesn’t it?

[via Gizmag via Gizmodo]

Elevator Art in Antwerp: Through the Roof

Lambert Varias — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:19:41 +0000

Elevators have become a common fixture in urban environments. People don’t really acknowledge them anymore; we just pass through them to get somewhere else. Kind of like the Midwest. I’m kidding. But anyone who goes to advertising company Dubois meets Frogger‘s Antwerp office will definitely take note of the building’s warehouse elevator.

The elevator art was designed by Darrin Umboh, who is a member of the Dutch artist agency Shop Around.

The people who work in the building probably get the urge to ride the elevator up and down just to get a better look at the art.

Check out Shop Around’s website for more pics plus a video of the elevator.

[via Josh Spear]

Welcome Robot Awkwardly Greets People for You

Karen M. — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:20:49 +0000

Welcome Robot 1.5 is a funky little homemade robot that greets people in your absence. It was made by Armanda Lewis as part of 5 Projects in 5 Days. That means she had to make the robot, from start to finish, in only one day.

Welcome Robot 1.5 is red and yellow as an homage to Ironman. When you turn him on, the LED lights come on to let you know he’s in sensing mode. Input to his sensors from people passing by triggers the waving. Check out this video to see WR 1.5 in action.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Sure, he kind of welcomes people with a Nazi-like salute, but let’s recall the robot was made in just one day. It would take me like a year to make anything even approaching this. Besides, Armanda says that now that the whole one day thing is over, she plans to fix that wave right up, plus add an elevator sensor and sound. Until then, check out more of her robotic LED mashup art projects here.