Tag: bamboo

Categories
Chargers/Batteries

Get a tan and power your devices with the SolarPad

The impressive functionality of the smartphones, tablets, and wearables in people’s lives makes it an absolute bummer when they die. Usually, power banks swoop in to save the day, but even those need to eventually be plugged in themselves. In response, products have emerged that charge devices with solar energy, but take a long, long time to do so.

The SolarPad solar charger comes in an iPad Air form factor and is outfitted with monocrystalline cells that are fully charged in just three and a half hours of direct sunlight. The product’s use of coated bamboo is attractive and keeps it that way, making it a worthy addition next to the beautifully designed devices everyone totes around. SolarPad features 2 USB ports for dual charging, and a USB in for daisy chaining or wall charging as well.

Every solar charger tries to pack solar panels onto something new, like the SolarHug and the SunnyBAG, so it’s refreshing to see it designed to be on its own. The SolarPad boasts a seven year warranty, so users won’t have to worry about anything but soaking up some sun. The product goes for $97, and its $35,000 campaign is looking to have it shipped out by March 2015.

Categories
Cycling Maker/Development

Bamboobee lets you build your own bike from bamboo

There’s a certain satisfaction from building things on your own that is unfortunately absent from an economy that wants us to buy everything pre-made and brand new. That experience doesn’t do much for us, so instead of going to your local bike shop and riding one out the door, why not make your own? The Bamboobee lets you do just that with a package that includes all the parts necessary to build your own bike frame from bamboo. Termed a BIY (build it yourself) bike, the Bamboobee makes it easy to assemble your own cross-country frame in just three days by giving you the instructions to do so along with a platform to do it on.

At this point in the campaign, the inventor is also offering a kit with everything but the wheels for an additional $139 so that you can be 99% at the end of the third day. The combination of beautiful materials and the excitement of riding a bike of your own making will have many interested in such an unique product. They’ll just need to be careful their assembly is up to snuff as it could lead to potential accidents. All in all, the Bamboobee’s customization options sure attract as does its $179 price tag. Backers can expect delivery of the bamboo bike in Februrary 2015. The campaign is hoping to raise $15,000.

Categories
Automotive

PURGGO naturally freshens, leggos the stench in your car

The Premise. Cars have a tendency to get smelly over time. They’re hard to clean and some smells just want to stick around forever. Air fresheners tend to add artificial fragrances to the stench and don’t actually eliminate odors. Other cleaning methods are costly, like shampooing your car’s seats, and only work once.

The Product. PURGGO is an all-natural product designed to take the stink out of your car. It loops around a car’s headrest and lays on the back of the seat. With a blue strap and hemp body, it’s stylish and unobtrusive. The product uses bamboo and charcoal to trap odors in order to purify your car. PURGGO is fragrance- and allergen-free and won’t exacerbate asthma. In addition, it’s made with bamboo and charcoal, two materials that are easily renewable.

The Pitch. PURGGO’s campaign videos goes through the harmful effects of car fresheners. They discuss how these mass-produced products aren’t doing what they promise to do and are also dangerous to our health. Not only is PURGGO all natural, but it’s also environmentally friendly. The rest of the campaign discusses the various odors that worm their way into your vehicle along with testimonials from satisfied customers. PURGGO hopes to raise $20,000 in a month-long Kickstarter campaign.

The Perks. For $29, backers will receive the PURGGO along with two mini PURGGOs. At the $54 level, backers get two PURGGOs for estimated delivery in December 2014. Reward tiers reach up to $10,000, which only earns a hug from the PURGGO creators.

The Potential. The market offers plenty of all-natural car fresheners. Most use essential oils to improve the car’s scent along with a diffuser that plugs into the outlet. Still, these products resort to strong-smelling cover-ups instead of long-lasting solutions. PURGGO claims to last for over a year while other car fresheners only make it a month and a half. While PURGGO does work slower than others, as clearly stated in the campaign, it seems the cleanest way to remove the stench from any kind of vehicle.