Monthly Archives: February 2020
‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ has more customization options than ever
Amazon is the next to pull out of GDC over coronavirus fears
This DIY Ball Bearing Racetrack is a better desktop toy than a Newton’s Cradle
The orb drop ii is the philosophical child of a Hot Wheels toy set and a Pinball arcade game. Designed to be something that kids can build themselves, the orb drop ii involves an intricate looped 3D track and multiple chrome orbs that follow the routine of running up and down them in a singular file.
There’s something enriching and therapeutic about the orb drop ii. The entire kit comes pre-fabricated with laser-cut MDF sheets and plastic rails that can be put together right out of the box. Running on a motor, the orb drop ii creates a looped rollercoaster racetrack for its 6 ball-bearings. A stepper motor and a 9-cam mechanism lifts the ball bearings to the very top of the track once they reach the bottom, creating a physical representation of a ‘soothing GIF’, while a clever track-stepper allows the ball-bearings to alternate between the two racetracks that come with the orb drop ii’s build.
Overall, the toy measures a little over a cubic foot, making it a wonderful addition either to a kid’s playspace, or even a workplace desktop. Engaging, meditative, and anxiety-busting, watching the ball-bearings follow the same path over and over again in a loop is almost as calming as repetitive breathing exercises. For kids, it’s as fun as watching cars zoom down self-made racetracks. It engages a child’s curiosity, and moreover, develops an appreciation for physics and mechanical automata at an early age, exposing them to many unique areas like Hands-On Construction, Tools, Mechanical Fasteners, Materials (wood, plastic, metal), Dynamics, Kinetic Energy, Gearing, Electricity, Cam Motion, Gravity, and much more!
Designer: Rian Suiter
Click Here to Buy Now: $99. Hurry, Only 7/200 left!
Orb Drop II | A Marble Run Track that you Build Yourself
The Orb Drop II is a DIY mechanical toy kit with a unique composite design that creates a rewarding hands-on experience and promotes STEM-related thinking.
Orb Drop II features a center stair-stepper lift mechanism driven by a series of 9 cams. These cams are located on a single shaft which is propelled by a gear connected to an electric motor. An alternating switch is positioned at the top of the track in order to supply orbs to two separate drops. The first drop is the shorter of the two and has a 60 degree drop into a loop de loop (3” loop compared to 2” loop on original Orb Drop). The second drop is longer and contains a sequence of small drops and inclines whiling banking around 13 curves. The orbs from both drops finish at the bottom of the stair-stepper to make their way back up to the top.
The overall design of the Orb Drop II is similar to the original but also has several improvements. Orb Drop II does not use any guard rails as the track width has been increased to better contain the orb as it reaches higher speeds. Another noticeable improvement is how we utilize the rail supports more efficiently and simplified their attachment method. This reduces complexity and helps make assembly more user friendly.
Orb Drop II creates a great building and learning experience for its users. All who assemble an Orb Drop II will be exposed to many unique areas: Hands-On Construction, Tools, Mechanical Fasteners, Materials (wood, plastic, metal), Dynamics, Kinetic Energy, Gearing, Electricity, Cam Motion, Gravity, and more…
Click Here to Buy Now: $99. Hurry, Only 7/200 left!
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Citroën AMI Is the Affordable Electric Vehicle Every City Needs
Citroën just announced the Citroën AMI, a two seater vehicle that costs very little. It is specifically designed for urban landscapes and to make individual travel easier and more comfortable. All one needs to do is to pay up an upfront payment of €2,644. The lowest-tier monthly installments are just €19.99. People who don’t want to invest in a Citroën AMI can also rent the vehicle for a measly sum of €0.26 per minute via Free2Move, a car sharing company.
What is the Citroën AMI all about?
Citroën is a company with more than hundred years of history, and it is popular for launching innovative and unique automobiles. It's also famous for its non-conformist design, and making urban mobility accessible to everybody. It's surprising solutions usually impress even the most critical reviewers. In fact, Citroën introduced the AMI One concept at the Geneva Motor Show 2019 to positive acclaim. The vehicle is an alternative to those who don’t want to ride scooters, mopeds, and other two-wheelers that are risky. It is also a more environmentally friendly alternative to cars.
Is this vehicle suitable in car-centric cities?
The vehicle seems to be made for European cities, and towns that have narrow roads. It is probably not the right vehicle for cities that have been designed with a car-centric approach. In other words, it may not be ideal for a city like Los Angeles, but will probably work in a place like Portland. This also brings us to the question of urban design, and how most cities are designed with cars in mind. Car-centric cities spew a lot of fumes, and have struggled with noxious air pollution, haze, and micro-climates that are oppressively hot.
Vehicles like the Citroën AMI need better marketing
Nevertheless, this vehicle is a positive sign that there could be alternatives to cars and two-wheelers. It is not clear when this vehicle will be available outside Europe or if it will be available at all. However, it would be great to see more electrical vehicles such as the Citroën AMI.
One needs more practical solutions to reduce the burden on cities, and make private transportation more economically and environmentally friendly. This will help people to move away from gas guzzling cars, and adopt more environmentally friendly solutions. The trick is to making sure that these cars are available everywhere, and marketed well, so that people start buying them earnestly.
The post Citroën AMI Is the Affordable Electric Vehicle Every City Needs appeared first on Walyou.