A list of intriguing things
One: This is exactly the wardrobe makeover you need: a $5,000 jacket dyed by bacteria. Biotech fashion brand Normal Phenomena of Life (NPOL) is using synthetic biology to create one-of-a-kind clothing. Like its signature product: Exploring Jacket, which is coloured using the bacteria Streptomyces coelicolor. The process is called bacterial fermentation—and the pattern is determined by how particular bacteria interacts with a specific kind of fabric.
Apparently, it has a much lower carbon footprint than other kinds of sustainable clothing—because it needs less water and farmland. In fact, the only thing unsustainable about it may be its price. We were no less entertained by the launch trailer for the collection—which is hilariously cinematic. You can get a closer look at the jacket below. (Fast Company)
And here is the launch video:
Two: Most people are a wee bit creeped out by the robot dogs developed by Boston Dynamics. So the company decided to make them a bit more pleasant. For example: turn Spot into a chatty tour guide with a top hat, moustache, googly eyes—and a British accent! It can also assume the personality of a 1920s archaeologist, a teenager, and a Shakespearean time traveller. All this courtesy a clever integration with ChatGPT. You can get a glimpse of the Brit avatar below. The full vid is here. And you can read more about them over at Boston Dynamics or The Verge.
Our fave robot doggo: is AICCA—as in 'Artificially Intelligent Critical Canine'—who literally poops out art critiques. You can see her in action below. (Independent UK)
Three: Last not least, we leave you with the Surf Bench—which mimics the flow of a kinetic wave. Designed by German designer Kim André Lange, it is meant to keep you entertained while you’re stranded in boring places like a waiting room. Yanko Design has lots more. You can see it in action below.
