Driving is often such a monotonous activity that it becomes mindless, and these zombified drivers aren't the best at looking out for hazardous situations. So, Swedish agency If Insurance designed a way to snap drivers out of their glazed-over state of mind: when near a school, GPS navigation instructions are spoken in childrens' voices. It's a great way to use an unexpected change, and the instinctual response of adults to the voice of a child, to mind-hack drivers into a state of awareness. As I've always said, little things like this can add up to make big differences!
[via Gizmodo]
Product design use and usability, designs new and old, inspired and unspired. The little things that matter.
Airhook, for how we fly now...
Many airlines are moving in the direction of eliminating built-in entertainment systems, since we're all carrying our own systems in the form of smartphones and tablets. But actually using your mobile device in a plane is still a pain: there's nowhere to put the darn things! The Airhook looks to solve that problem, with a system that looks to be versatile enough to hold any number of devices in any orientation on the seatback, and a cup holder to boot. It looks like they're saving upfront costs by 3D-printing the final products, which I think is prudent - it may take off, it may not, so make each one as it's ordered.
[via Gizmodo]
[via Gizmodo]