Three-wheeled experience pod proposes customizable interiors to radically change future of autonomous vehicles

Posted on 31/10/2021 by Gaurav Sood

There is no second thought about the future of mobility being fully autonomous, providing a sustainable and predictably safer way for people to move about at the touch of a button. When the future is here, we could have autonomous experience pods gliding on the roads with interiors alterable at will.

Future casting is a term used loosely to imagine whatever the will permits in order to stay ahead of the curve. But thoughtful designers are not liberal about the idea; they deliver upon concepts that set a base for getting things right in the future. They do not predict the future, they make tech and innovation flow in mannerisms best suited to grab people’s imagination and make their lives better in the future. The ease with which such artists and designers put forward an idea that could be a norm in the future leaves me perplexed every single day. It’s the interesting part of my job but things really become overwhelming with designs like the HOMM Autonomous Experience Pod that intends to make people’s lives better in more ways than one.

Leveraging upon the concept of autonomous vehicles – akin to the Volkswagen’s Sedric concept car – that sense their environment and operate without any human intervention; the HOMM envisions the future of such AVs as Experience Pods. The basic intention of the HOMM AV concept is to propose possibilities of how the space within a Pod-like autonomous vehicle can be used with greater flexibility. To give people various possibilities to conjure up their own layout, the HOMM starts out as a black canvas that can be customized for an unprecedented experience.

Since carmakers realize that autonomous vehicles are the future of transportation, they are shaping how the future would look like. In that scenario, the HOMM experience pods fit well for a reason: the pod-like design is not too far from how the Volvos, Toyotas or even Volkswagens foresee the future. Where it differs though is its three-wheeled design and the option to modify the interiors at will. This democratization of space permits users to plan a layout from select specific interiors. For this new concept of urban mobility (considering the three-wheel design will limit it to well-designed roads) and honoring an interconnected relationship between people occupying the vehicle, NOMM arrives with five presets. The pod experience can be tailored effortlessly for a kinetic tour, mobile party, multi-living, solitude or for work and adventure.

Before the AV’s are radically changed, we must contemplate the real-world scenario where the complexity and nature of our roads have rendered full anatomy in transportation still a dream we are chasing. But this distraction should not sway us to believe otherwise. Someday a large part of humanity would be traveling in driverless vehicles, and if those will allow the occupants to change the interiors to suit their travel – no other future can be more inviting!

Designers: Rodney Loh, Thomas Tellier, Jexter Lim, Sim Hao Jie, Winnie Lim

This ergonomic laptop stand doubles as a sleeve for your most valuable gadget!

Posted on 10/09/2021 by Gaurav Sood

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

A laptop sleeve that doubles as an ergonomically comfortable stand for people who travel a lot or work remotely, and don’t want to compromise on the compactness and portability aspect.

Travel on the go or working remotely from any location has evolved into the mainstream realms lately. So have the co-working spaces which all culminate to the desire for a multifunctional accessory for laptops that has a no-nonsense function in the most subtle way. Hence comes into the picture the FLIKK Laptop Stand and Sleeve with the unique functionality of deploying the laptop sleeve into an ergonomic stand in the blink of an eye.

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

The designer came up with this idea after observing the irking drawbacks of traditional laptop stands. Most of them don’t provide the desired elevation and the right viewing angles. Also, they are very complicated to deploy which mars the whole purpose. This prompted Jexter Lim to plug all the gaps that spoil the user experience and function of the accessory. The laptop stand gives you the desired viewing angle for a comfortable working regime anytime, anywhere. The goodness doesn’t end there, as it seamlessly transforms into a laptop sleeve to head to your next destination without all the bulk of a traditional laptop stand.

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

I’ve seen many users going for everyday props like books or anything that the laptop can be rested on for an elevated position. And I won’t lie, I’ve done that too to get a comfortable viewing angle at times. But expecting a sturdy position for the laptop with such methods is a success by chance. This is where FLIKK stand brings the promise of lightweight, slim and sturdy into the picture. It’s as simple as “Pull and Pop” action to deploy the laptop stand when needed.

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

After getting in touch with countless laptop users, Jexter determined the 4cm or 6cm height range (15° or 20° angle) for the stand to be optimal for comfortable viewing and relaxed wrists. Even better, it can be deployed with just one hand and takes the weight of 120 pounds with ease. The stand cum sleeve is 25cm in width which is great for most popular 13 and 15-inch laptops.

Designer: Jexter Lim

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

The post This ergonomic laptop stand doubles as a sleeve for your most valuable gadget! first appeared on Yanko Design.

These tableware designs use a silicone flap to improve the visually impaired’s eating experience

Posted on 09/07/2020 by Neha Mistry

Tableware essentials such as spoons, cups, plates and bowls are classic designs whose forms have remained unchanged over time. While the majority of us find these designs beneficial in their current form, what evolution for a society entails is evolution of our everyday designs to suit not only the majority, but to be inclusive and cater to all humans alike. It is this progress and inclusiveness Jexter Lim brings to the world with his tableware design named Eatsy.

Jexter’s design process started with a relatively simple question, “How might we design an adaptive tableware to enhance dining experience for the visually impaired?” The answer was Eatsy, a set of multi-functional tableware consisting of a plate, a bowl, a cup and utensils designed with a unique feature, a silicone flap that can be bent to increase ease of usage while reducing the stigma by blending in with the existing tableware. The silicone flap is one of those minor changes that make all the difference – they provide unique sensory cues in a subtle manner for the visually impaired, helping them feel the edge of the container to guide them in their tasks – be it pouring water correctly into the cup, scooping food from the edge of your plate or even balancing your spoon on the edge so it does not slip into the food. For example, the cup’s indent or silicone flap bends inwards, helping the user identify the spot and secure that location for pouring from a jug. The raised corner of the plate is sloped in nature, helping you capture, corner and scoop food onto your spoon, making it easy for the user to scoop the food towards this corner and judge the content left on their plate. Such tasks that commonly do without realizing our dependency visual cues and taking the action for granted.

Eatsy is also user-friendly for both left and right-handed users while its stackable design makes it easy to store. The simplicity of the design ensures it is easy to implement across restaurants and home. Given the fact that it helps prevent spillage, Eatsy is user-friendly not only for visually-impaired but for the elderly, children or just about anyone who has a tendency to spill – Eatsy is just as useful for everyone as it is for the visually impaired and that’s what makes it a truly inclusive design!

Designer: Jexter Lim

Pouring water

Cup silicone

Silicone plate

placing spoon

About Eatsy

Design Process

User Testing and Reviews

Get curved toasts with this toaster…because it makes absolute sense!

Posted on 20/02/2020 by Srishti Mitra

A toaster is a staple in every household, and toast a part of almost everyone’s breakfast. We’re all used to the usual rectangular box-like form of toasters, however, Jexter Lim’s Arctoas is a breath of fresh air. Arctoas is said to serve toast with a whimsical smile. Intrigued? Me too! Unlike the shape and structure of conventional toasters, Arctoas has a curved circular form. To be honest, it almost looks like a small air purifier! Two cylindrical sheets of mica were combined, with a nichrome wire running vertically through them (which prevents the bread from getting stuck) to create the toaster’s ergonomic form. And on hindsight, it makes absolute sense to have a curved toast!

Lim’s aim was to create a unique bread toasting and breakfast experience. He wanted to provide a refreshing touch to a family’s breakfast routine in the morning. Arctoas comes with a circular slot that runs all around the toaster. You simply slip your toast into the slot. A curved Capacitive Touch Switch is provided as an alternative to physical buttons. You can adjust the settings of the toaster using the switch, according to your personal toast preference. Once the toast is ready, a motorized carriage lifts up the bread, so you can pluck it out! However, the curved form of the toaster molds the toast, giving it a curved shape as well!

The curved toast looks almost an arc and is much easier to hold and eat as compared to your regular square-shaped toast. The curved toast fits seamlessly into your palm, allowing you to easily spread butter, jam, or any condiment of your choice. You can even pile on some eggs, avocadoes, tomatoes or more without fear of them spilling or falling over! Ingenious isn’t it! In fact, the curved slice of bread looks like a smile. With Arctoas even your daily bread will greet you with a cheerful grin and keep you stain-free as you head out to start your day! Now, why didn’t someone invent this before?!

Designer: Jexter Lim