Belkin's PowerGrip is for those who shoot lots of video with their iPhone. It solves two problems at once: It provides all the juice you need for a long shoot, and it provides a comfortable camera-like grip.

It attaches magnetically, and can be used in either portrait or landscape orientations. There's also a physical shutter button, which works via Bluetooth.

The 15W battery has enough capacity to charge your phone "up to 1.6x," the company says. It also features a retractable USB-C cable and a second USB-C port, if you want to use it to charge other devices. And the bottom is tapped with a 1/4" thread so you can attach it to any tripod.

It can also be used as a phone stand.

Runs $80.

We don't think of Stanley Kubrick as the father of the digital watch, but he had more than a little to do with it. In the 1960s, while Kubrick was developing "2001: A Space Odyssey," he envisioned a futuristic watch that the astronauts would wear. He brought his concept to the Hamilton Watch Company and asked if they could create it as a prop for the film.

This was the resultant prop (which, ironically, is never once focused upon in the finished film):

For those of you who are younger, prior to this there was no such thing as a digital electronic watch. But Hamilton engineer John Bergey, the company's head of R&D, figured they could create one for real. Following the success of the 1968 film, Bergey got the company to partner with Electro/Data, a Texas-based electronics firm, to create a new Pulsar division within Hamilton. Their goal was to develop a digital watch.

By 1970 they had a working model, but it was a far cry from what was depicted in the film. Bergey somehow managed to get booked on The Tonight Show, and he showed the Pulsar invention off to several million Americans.

The LED display used so much power that the display was off by default. You had to push a button, then the red numbers would illuminate for 1.5 seconds.

Host Johnny Carson was shocked at the announced price of $1,500 (about $13,000 in today's money), and joked "The watch will also tell you the exact moment that you went bankrupt." That aside, the episode and the watch generated buzz. Bergey and Pulsar had a production model ready by 1972, and they leaned into the expensive price: The watch was now 18-karat-gold-plated and sold for $2,100, more than a Rolex at the time.

The 400-unit first production run sold out in a matter of days.

In 1973, Pulsar released a more affordable stainless steel version called the P2. It retailed for a more manageable $395.

James Bond wore one in "Live and Let Die," and the P2 became a giant hit.

Sales figures aside, the watch looked nothing like Kubrick's prop. In 2006 Hamilton created an homage to Kubrick's vision and released the ODC X-01…

…though they still couldn't nail the digits:

Today you can find X-01's for sale on eBay. And, wouldn't you know it, they sell for around $1,500.

The Colombian capital sits high on a plateau in the Andes at over 8,500 feet, cradled by steep green mountains. Here, design heritage and culture can be found in markets and murals, metal and thread, in historic places and purpose-built spaces.

In the city's historic center, the Museo Botero and the Museo del Oro anchor two ends of a cultural spectrum. Botero is Colombia's most internationally recognized artist, and his sculptures and paintings stretch forms into chubby satire, while the gold museum holds one of the world's most significant collections of pre-Hispanic ritual objects, designs made not for display, but for ceremony.

Botero

Fernando Botero, "Mona Lisa," 1977. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Fernando Botero, "Caballo" 1998.. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Gold & silver

I had a chance to see that sensibility first-hand in Chapinero, where gold- and silversmith El Metalero invited me into his workshop. He creates beautiful hand-forged objects that draw on ancient stories and a strong streak of rebellion, often interpreting forms borrowed from animals and humans in local mythology.

El Metalero. EPhoto by Anki Delfmann

El Metalero. Photo by Anki Delfmann

El Metalero. Photo by Anki Delfmann

El Metalero. Photo by Anki Delfmann

El Metalero. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Contemporary craft

Just around the corner, the concept store Diseño Colombia (by Artesanías de Colombia) presents the country's rich material and craft traditions in a contemporary context. The collection includes cane-fiber hats, barniz de Pasto lacquerware, charred and carved stools, hand-dyed hammocks, and maize-inspired jewelry. Many of their pieces have appeared at international design fairs like Maison & Objet and NY NOW – but they're all rooted in Colombia's diverse regions and long-standing craft techniques.

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Weaving

Weaving in particular, and creating surfaces from canes, threads and leaves, plays a central role across cultures here. It is used both as a crafting technique and a way of telling stories. From the sombrero vueltiao to contemporary homeware, fashion, and even architecture, woven forms carry ancestral knowledge while continuing to evolve, and remain a defining thread in Colombia's design identity even today.

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Diseño Colombia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Bricks

Another material ubiquitous in the city is brick. Brick facades, lots of them from the 70s and 80s, define Bogotá's urban landscape. There are two primary reasons for this: Bogotá sits on a plateau with abundant clay deposits, and the city expanded rapidly experiencing waves of rural migration in the 70s and 80s. From family houses to skyscrapers, it gives the city a distinct reddish warmth that blends with the surrounding mountains.

Bogotá bricks. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Bogotá bricks. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Bogotá bricks. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Murals, markets & bamboo

A few miles away in La Merced, walls start to become more colorful and mix bricks with murals. Often depicting themes of indigenous heritage and native flora and fauna, they tell a story of local pride at street level.

Street art by Resistiza. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Equally colorful, Mercado La Perseverancia shows how grassroots creativity, paired with government support, can revive a city landmark. There is a strong female presence at La Perseverancia, where women reinvent traditional dishes from across Colombia, celebrating the nation's biodiversity and cultural richness. A state-backed renovation with public art and training programs helped the market earn the title of Bogotá's best place to eat in 2019 (and also got it featured in a Netflix street food documentary).

Mural by Draku. Photo by Anki Delfmann

La Perseverancia. Photo by Anki Delfmann

"Kuna Tule" by Carlos Trilleras. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Further south in colonial La Candelaria, the murals continue. Piqueteadero El Egipto is another place that tells the region's story through food, materials, and architecture. Just a street away from the once-notorious Barrio Egipto, long marked by gang violence, it works to restore neighborhood pride beneath a striking bamboo ceiling designed by architect Simón Velez, Colombia's master of structural bamboo and a global pioneer of sustainable design.

Piqueteadero Egipto. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Piqueteadero Egipto. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Bamboo roof by Simón Velez. Photo by Anki Delfmann

Bogotá's design landscape is as layered as its mountains: rooted in ancient history, reshaped by human hands, and fertile with creativity.

See a video of Design in Bogotá:

Watch the Bogota Design Postcard to get a more immersive feeling for the city

You've seen leather and steel chairs before, but probably never one that looked like this:

That's the Pepe, by Italian architect/designer Raffaella Mangiarotti.

I have no equestrian background and have no idea how comfortable this is, but I covet it.

The vegetable-tanned leather is stretched long over the steel frame and stitched into place, then the excess is sliced off by hand:

The chair is in production by Italian furniture manufacturer Opinion Ciatti.

Here's what we looked at this week:

String Ring: A creative way to manually create physical images with string.

The Clothing With Extreme Pockets trend continues, with Minimal Organised Wear's Nomade 58 jacket.

Chance the Pilot demonstrates the surprising way airplanes attach advertising banners after takeoff.

This DART drone can safely land on cars at high speeds.

Xiaomi's Bauhaus-ian Sound 2 Max speaker.

Industrial Design student work: Baptiste Marx's emergency housing from simple PVC pipes.

The portable AeroTrack Workstation System, for creatives on the go.

A clever jig that uses a router to create a sphere, by Stand and Build's Kristin Taibl.

Ikigai Cases: Two brothers came up with a much better design for pill cases.

Engineering for the sake of engineering? The Flutterbox's reversible butterfly lid.

Why type when you can dial? Google Japan's "revolutionary" Gboard Dial Edition keyboard.

Researchers at Canada's Polytechnique Montréal develop inexpensive, inside-out parachutes based on kirigami.

Industrial Design student work: Moritz Walter's elegant Hotspot space heater concept.

A novel membrane enables this greenhouse-like temporary library, designed by DS+R Architects.

This La Libreria project, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro Architects, is based on a concept by Diane von Furstenberg and is currently being showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale. The project's execution relied on a special textile membrane called STFE developed by the Serge Ferrari Group, a French materials manufacturer. (STFE is made of polyarylate, a type of durable polyester with good optical clarity and UV resistance.)

La Libreria is a creation by the American firm DS+R Architects, aiming to promote reading and access to knowledge. Its lightweight and mobile design allows the library to be moved and brought directly to its audiences. It draws inspiration from tensile lightweight architecture, and in particular from the experimental work of French engineer Robert Le Ricolais in the mid-20th century, who explored the concept of "tensegrity."

"We considered several ideas around nomadic, tent-like structures," says DS+R Architects' Matt Ostrow. The main challenges were: it had to be quick to assemble and dismantle, potentially reusable, and respect a tight budget. The site itself also posed difficulties for transporting and assembling materials. We wanted people to feel like they were in a garden—even inside. The transparency allows natural light in, which is important since the structure is primarily used during the day. It also connects people to the surrounding environment. But we needed more than just transparency: we also needed shading, durability, and security. Additionally, we had to adapt to the site's linear constraints, which influenced the overall design."

"We naturally began exploring the use of a transparent material for the outer shell. As we were working with a spindle-like system—a 24-meter cable-reinforced steel structure—we knew that deflection would occur and heavy materials would compromise stability. To preserve the span and overall lightness, we turned to a textile membrane. We explored several materials, but many lacked the necessary stiffness or didn't offer adequate security. We needed something more robust to protect the books and furnishings inside. Ultimately, STFE emerged as the solution, offering greater natural light and improved interior visibility."

"This project is an experiment. It embodies themes we've explored in past proposals: creating social spaces centered around books and learning—not digital media. It's like an outreach library concept—something that could pop up in a park or public space rather than a central, permanent building. For the Biennale, we also wanted to experiment with structure. The lightweight, cable-stayed system allowed us to enclose a significant area without heavy components. And of course, the Biennale encourages experimentation—so the use of advanced materials and a design intended for multiple future lives was a natural fit."

Says the manufacturer: "STFE is extremely lightweight—ten times lighter than glass—and reinforced with polyarylate fiber, providing high structural strength. This composite material can span wide distances without the need for extensive secondary support structures. Its transparency, strength, and flexibility make it ideal for maintaining tension while allowing for great freedom in the final shape. These characteristics make it an optimal solution for meeting the technical demands of advanced architectural applications."

The material looks ideal for greenhouse construction, but I suspect its cost is more in line with high-end architecture projects.

[Images: Iwan Baan]

This re-thinking of central heating systems is by Moritz Walter, done while pursuing his Master of Industrial Design degree at the Weissensee Kunsthochschule Berlin. Rather than relying on central boilers and radiators, Moritz took a cue from space heaters—minus the metal fins. Instead, Walter did testing with electrically-heated fabric, then experimented with a variety of elegant forms to support the fabric.

HOTSPOT - DECENTRAL HEATINGHow do we want to heat in the future? We will have to switch to sustainable and renewable energy sources, as fossil fuels do not offer a long-term perspective. Furthermore, conventional heating systems with complex infrastructure only insufficiently meet individual heating needs. The project HOTSPOT explores the possibilities of decentralized, electricity-based heating.

By creating small heat zones in the room, heating is both more comfortable and efficient. I developed a product-family with two objects: a heat panel for large-area radiant heating as well as mobile, modular heat-storage units for near-body heat transfer. The objects are capable of responding flexibly to individual heating needs and they fit seamlessly into residential environments.

Walter, now a dual-degree industrial designer, won a 2025 Rising Talents Award for the project.

You've heard of origami, but perhaps not its cousin, kirigami. Origami involves folding paper. Kirigami goes a step further, adding cuts to the paper that allow it to form new shapes.

Researchers at Canada's Polytechnique Montréal started messing around with kirigami "purely out of curiousity," to see what would happen if they cut precise patterns of slits into a parachute. Their findings were surprising. By using a lasercutter to slit a plastic sheet…

…they found that when they dropped it from height, it achieved a remarkably smooth and straight downward flight.

They then began testing higher drops using a drone, with a payload attached to the 'chute.

The inside-out parachute works because the slits all generate a slight amount of turbulence, and these work in concert to slow the descent. Furthermore, they don't drop precipitously faster than a conventional parachute, as you might expect:

We show that at low load-to-area ratios, kirigami-inspired parachutes exhibit a comparable terminal velocity to conventional ones. However, unlike conventional parachutes that require a gliding angle for vertical stability and fall at random far from a target, our kirigami-inspired parachutes always fall near the target, regardless of their initial release angle. These kinds of parachutes could limit material losses during airdropping as well as decrease manufacturing costs and complexity.

The research team is also investigating how the parachutes could sort their cargo by weight. "We could have parachutes that move to one side if they are carrying water, while those carrying a lighter payload would move to the other side, so the cargo would be sorted as soon as the parachutes are released," he suggests. "The idea is to see how we can program the descent in different ways."

It's time for Google Japan's annual wacky UI experiment, where they design an absurdist keyboard. (See previous ones here and here.) This year's iteration of the Gboard, as the object is called, is the Gboard Dial Edition. Its design harkens back to the time when rotary phones were king.

The pitch video for the design is hilarious (turn the subtitles on); the developers sing the praises of the "revolutionary" design completely deadpan.

Who says engineers don't have a sense of humor?

Aerohart is a Boston-based company that makes metal EDC-style objects inspired by flight, whether by airplanes or butterflies. Their business model is untraditional: Company founders Steph and Seb Emerson (of whom no details exist online) design something they like, then Kickstart it so that they can get paid to make a batch of them. In this manner they've done over a dozen projects.

The object of theirs that we're looking at today is this butterfly-inspired Flutterbox. CNC-machined out of aluminum, it has an absurdly overengineered hinged lid system that sort of turns inside out.

There are people for whom this type of mechanism scratches an itch, and the Flutterbox was successfully Kickstarted last year. For the campaign they sold them below-cost, by their own admission, at $57 a pop. Now that the campaign's over, they're selling them for $300 each.

Brothers Tavish and Breton Rice shared an unfortunate experience: Watching their father, who suffers from a neurological condition, struggle with the vessels containing his numerous medications. "We watched our father go through every issue imaginable with his pill containers," they write. "Breaking, spilling, accidentally opening--constantly. Handling a flimsy plastic pill box is already a hassle, and even more so when your hands aren't working very well due to his disease.

"We tried every pill case we could find. Unfortunately, none worked for him."

The Rice brothers then set about producing a better pill case, and launched Ikigai Cases.

The company produces sturdy, minimalist, anodized aluminum cases with a spring-loaded ball mechanism that keeps the lid securely closed; pressing down on the textured part of the lid allows you to slide it open. Furthermore, hidden detents make it so the lid clicks open at each pocket. " This makes it super easy to dump single pockets out while holding the case with just one hand," they explain.

They also offer engraving.

The cases come in multiple sizes, and draw rave reviews from owners. They come with a lifetime warranty, and have a 100-day return policy—even for the engraved cases.

Simply put, "We make the best pill cases in the world," they write.

Design/build firm Stand and Build operates out of a workshop in Long Island City. The staff, consisting of a dozen creatives, turns out furniture, fixtures, cabinetry, displays and more for both retail and residential clients.

An upcoming project required them to produce a large sphere, about two feet in diameter, made out of blue foam. The firm's clever Kristin Taibl, a/k/a KT, built a simple jig that gets the job done with a regular ol' router:

I well remember working with blue foam in my ID school days. I can almost guarantee that stuff is all over not just the studio, but was also tracked back to their apartments....

When designers rove between spaces, they're typically spaces equipped with desks. But for furniture-free fieldwork, the laptop wants a surface to rest on, and a mobile desk would come in handy. This problem has been solved by Tether Tools, an Arizona-based manufacturer of photography accessories.

The company's Aerotrac WorkStation System recalls workshop T-track jigs. It's made of aluminum extrusions arranged in two leaves, like a book. Folded shut, it measures just 8.5" x 11" and is just ¾" thick.

Once unfolded, the two surfaces are rendered into one by a locking insert bar.

The worksurface can then be attached to a tripod, via a threaded insert integrated into the underside. (You can also use optional quick-release tripod adapter plates, if you don't feel like screwing the thing on each time.

Two orange-knobbed "tech clamps" hold your laptop in place, securely enough that you can even carry it while attached to the worksurface. A handle is included.

Additional accessories allow you to manage cables and attach hard drives and other accessories.

Overall it's pretty versatile, as you'll see below:

The AeroTrac runs $300.

This CINTRE project is by Baptiste Marx, done when he was pursuing his Masters of Industrial Design at France's ENSCI. Marx's pre-ID degree was in "composite materials project management," and both disciplines inform his approach.

"I base my practice on contextualized object design," he writes. "Sensitive to an aesthetic resulting from materials and manufacturing processes, I favor an experimental and reflective approach, where research occupies a central place. Between sensitive and technical creations, I seek to develop a multidisciplinary and conscious design."

CINTRE is part of an approach to designing emergency housing, intended to respond to crisis situations following natural disasters or those linked to conflict. In a context where sustainable reconstruction is delayed, if not impossible, shelter becomes an immediate necessity. CINTRE responds to this emergency by offering a system that allows shelters to be built quickly while guaranteeing long-term safety and dignity.

Using a process of hot bending PVC tubes, CINTRE offers simple and structural assemblies, allowing the interior and exterior construction of shelters in emergency situations. Resistant to moisture and corrosion thanks to its intrinsic properties, PVC pipe is a resource frequently available at disaster sites, where it can be recovered and reused. Lightweight, modular, and easy to transform without heavy tools or specialized know-how, PVC lends itself to rapid implementation. Hose clamps (flex clamps), used as a joining system, are a robust, economical, and easy-to-deploy solution for large-scale humanitarian missions.

CINTRE is not a fixed solution: it is an exploratory project aimed at encouraging the emergence of new types of emergency housing. Its purpose is to be appropriated, adapted, and enriched by the people concerned, in order to best respond to local realities and specific needs.

Developed in partnership with the French Red Cross, CINTRE is intended to be a tool serving affected populations, to be activated in various contexts and aspires to be part of a collaborative approach.

Xiaomi has been referred to as the "Apple of China," and it appears they're taking it seriously. This is their new 100W Bluetooth Sound 2 Max speaker, of unibody aluminum construction and seemingly designed at the Bauhaus:

Multiple units can be wirelessly linked.

The company offers three different magnetically-attached faceplates, each of them stark and minimalist.

The speaker runs 1,999 yuan (USD $275), but it's not clear if it's coming to the U.S. or not. We are, after all, no longer their most important market. It's interesting to watch the divergence of the two countries' product landscapes.

If you are into convenient package price holidays to relax on a deck chair by the pool, this might not be the place for you. The Mashpi Lodge in the Chocó-Darién rainforest in Ecuador, a 3-to-4-hour bumpy drive from Quito (depending on the rain and roads) is a place for adventure, education, and full immersion into the primary rainforest.

Photo by Anki Delfmann

Built on 2,500 hectares of land purchased from loggers and gold miners in 2001 by Roque Sevilla – a former mayor of Quito and conservation visionary – and the Grupo Futuro, the primary goal has always been to conserve this unique biodiversity hotspot, and to work with scientists and local communities to keep it that way for the future. It wasn't until 2012 that the stunning, glass-fronted, Roberto Burneo designed 5 star lodge was opened on the unlikely site of a former sawmill, without a single tree being cut down.

Photo by Anki Delfmann

So why is this relevant for designers? Apart from the obvious local design challenge here to create something new without impacting the natural environment, it comes with the systemic challenge of engaging local communities that used to live off industries that destroy the rainforest, together with scientific conservation and research requirements, and the need to cater to tourists that pay for a 5 star hotel experience. So rather than designing a hotel, the task was to design a system that enables all of the above.

Mashpi Lodge does a stellar job of bringing it all together: The expedition guides are mostly from the area, combining inherent local knowledge with scientific education that is paid for by the lodge. The hotel's own conservation research station is financed by hotel revenue, and enthusiastic guests often co-finance projects.

So how did they build a user experience that makes hotel guests so engaged? They designed a fully vertical and 24 hour immersion into the rainforest.

Let's break it down by altitude:

Canopy level (60-20 meters)

Let's start with the loftiest, and one of the most spectacular experiences: The Sky Bike

The Sky Bike at Mashpi Lodge. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to fly like a barred hawk: Built like a tandem bike on a cable, guests pedal themselves silently above and through the canopy of the rainforest, up to 60 meters above the ground. The sky bike is situated at the spot where the rainforest becomes the cloud forest, so spectacular views with clouds lingering below are guaranteed. It's the closest you can feel to flying without actually taking off.

Trunk level (20-4 meters)

The Dragonfly at Mashpi Lodge. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to lazily travel through the trees like a sloth: The Dragonfly is similar to the sky bike, but there's a motor, so you don't have to pedal yourself. And talking about lazy: it's also quite likely you will spot a sloth and many rare birds along the way.

The Chocó rainforest at night from below. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to dive into the foliage: At any time of the day, but especially during night walks, guests are always encouraged to look up. The rainforest flora is simply spectacular, and offers a whole new colour scheme when lit up by a headlamp against the black of the night.

The terrace at Mashpi Lodge. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to fall from my bed directly into jungle immersion: The hotel terrace is built at the perfect height for forest and bird watching. You can even see Toucans in the early mornings.

Human level (4-1 meters)

The research lab. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to know more about the science: Every day, there are lectures about the local wildlife. There is also a fully equipped research station that guests can visit and dive deeper into any scientific topic.

3D physical map in the lobby. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to know where I am: a 3D model of the reserve in the hotel lobby helps guests to orient themselves and retrace their adventures with their fingertips. (There is no phone reception on the rainforest expeditions).

Locally inspired haute cuisine. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to taste the local food: The kitchen creates truly local dishes, refined for 5 star expectations. You can look forward to local wild garlic, chillangua, palm hearts, peanuts and other organic ingredients.

Expert guide Estuardo. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to connect with local people: You'll likely have to, as most of the staff and expedition guides are from the area. You can learn all the Latin, Spanish and English names of all the creatures and plants around you, and their significance and role in the ecosystem. You might also learn that your guide is the first one in their family to learn a foreign language, or go to school at all, and that during their lifetime the village completely changed their approach to how to live from and with the rainforest.

Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to get down and dirty: The river walk is one of the most immersive and unique experiences. Walking sticks and rubber boots are provided by the lodge, and very necessary: you will get wet as you walk through rapids and depths, with a slightly precarious but otherwise unachievable and magical point of view.

Photo by Anki Delfmann

I can't walk that well but want to see the rainforest: You can't do steep and muddy jungle walks? No problem, there's a lift built into the thicket right by the hotel to make things accessible for almost everyone.

Ground level (1-0 meters)

Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to walk through the mud: The walkways through the muddy and rainy jungle are secured by repurposed bottle crates. Organic materials would either deteriorate too fast in jungle conditions, or be tricky to source or install. The crates ensure a sturdy walk even when it rains a lot, they were freely and cheaply available when the project started. Any shards or broken crates are picked up by guides and guests alike, and this has become somewhat of a gamified activity during expeditions.

Tarantula saying hello. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to see the danger of the jungle: The guides constantly encourage guests to look down. Sometimes it really pays off, like when there's a big tarantula waiting by the toilets.

A frog at night. Photo by Anki Delfmann

The illusive Mashpi glass frog, a fascinating creature with transparent skin. Photo by Anki Delfmann

I want to see something incredibly rare and unique: If guests haven't caught the rainforest fever yet, they probably will when 4 expedition guides climb through thick foliage over a river in the darkest rainy night to find the pièce de resistance: The Mashpi glass frog, one of the 20 endemic species that were discovered, described and protected here... because someone once designed and built a 5 star hotel in a very unlikely place.

See a video of the experience

Watch the Mashpi Lodge Design Postcard to get a more immersive feeling of the Ecuadorian rainforest.

I don't know if you've seen the footage—some of it quite disturbing—but high-speed quadrotor drones are being used to kill people with chilling accuracy in the Ukraine conflict. The progression of that technology will of course outlast the conflict itself, impacting modern warfare worldwide.

Meanwhile, researchers at Canada's University of Sherbrooke are making more peaceful progress with high-speed drones. They've developed this Direct Approach Rapid Touchdown (DART) drone, which can safely land on vehicles traveling nearly 70 mph.

In order to land on a target moving this fast, the drone has to swoop down at an angle. But unlike the drones being used in war, it then needs to suddenly slow itself and properly land, rather than crash.

The researchers solved this with two physical tricks. The first is that right before impact, the drone levels out and quickly reverses its thrust, hitting the air brakes, so to speak. The second is that its four legs have been designed with friction-based shock absorbers in its joints, allowing it to splay its legs to spread the force out.

It's pretty cool to watch in action:

If this was equipped with some kind of vehicle-disabling feature--like some kind of electrical jammer that would automatically engage a vehicle's brakes--perhaps police chases (another thing that's all over YouTube) will go away.

As our lives become increasingly digital, more and more people are seeking to create tangible things with their hands. It's no wonder that LEGO, gardening and tool purchases are all on the rise.

We'll probably start to see more objects like this String Ring, a creative way to turn digital images into handcrafted art.

It was invented by an Atlanta-based group of creatives called Heartistry. "Our journey started when we first discovered this art form and spent a full day building a makeshift loom with wood and nails. It was beautiful, but also stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. We knew there had to be a better way to let people enjoy the creativity of stringing without the hassle of building their own ring.

"After dozens of prototypes, we developed unique pin shapes that let your mind flow through the loom twice as quickly as with nails."

The way it works is, you upload a photo to their website. Their software then generates a string-by-number sequence, which it announces (audibly) through your phone; you can dial in the pace at which the sequence is announced.

Then it's a matter of connecting the dots, so to speak.

The process, they say, is meditative and soothing.

The $54 String Ring kits have been successfully Kickstarted, with 28 days left to pledge at press time. Units are slated to ship this December.

"On average, we touch around 600 objects a day," Karim Rashid told us ID students, decades ago, at Pratt. (He still cites the stat in interviews.)

What's strange is that today, we seem to be carrying many of those objects around with us. Last year we looked at Storm Labs' Storm Jacket, which had an absurd 18 pockets:

The approach had precedent: A year earlier, a company called Minimal Organised Wear (MOW) released this Isola jacket. It has 20 pockets and was Kickstarted to the tune of $330,919.

Now MOW is back with the Nomade 58, a waterproof zip-up hoodie with 58 different "features."

The $117 Nomade 58 has also been successfully Kickstarted, with 24 days left to pledge at press time.

Given our current product landscape, we expect this trend—where people walk around carrying more gear than a paratrooper preparing for a mission—to continue.

It's kind of weird, if you think about it. Cargo pants came from the military. Now the civilian sector is creating clothing with way more pockets than what guys who jumped into Normandy had.

Aerial advertising banners are a kitschy, eye-catching way for companies to get their message out.

I always thought they were an American thing, but I was wrong.

Anyways: Did you ever wonder how they attach the banners? The airplanes can't take off with them; dragging the banner down the runway would foul or destroy the banners, as well as provide unwelcome drag.

Chance Mitchell, a/k/a Chance the Pilot, demonstrates how it's done. The plane takes off without the banner, which is on the ground, attached to a rope that's slung between two poles. The pilot makes a dive run towards the banner, throws a freaking grappling hook, then pulls up:

This might be a tough watch for desk-bound office workers. This is Chance's daily view at work:

And you thought "industrial designer" was an unusual job to explain to strangers.