The Zap 'Hike N Strike' hiking cane is a good accessory for wandering the hills. The end of the cane is equipped with a 950,000 volt stun gun - more than enough to stop a large aggressor. Cost: 76 USD
Available from Sportsman's Guide:
Seems like there's been a bit of construction out at Area 51 this year. Foxtrot Alpha at Jalopnik provides an excellent discussion of what could be housed in the mysterious new 'extra large' hangar. A little lengthy, but worth the read.
Area 51 Info via Foxtrotalpha/Jalopnik:
The sturdy 'Toyota Land Cruiser 70' has been a longtime staple for adventurers. For it's 30th Anniversary, Toyota is bringing it back for about a year. For sale in Japan only... for now. Cost: 35,000 USD
Read more about it via Toyota:
The 'iSopod Tank' made by Trendir is an isolation tank with a little more elbow room. The tank is 50 percent larger than most isolation tanks, has integrated lighting and MP3 sound options. Cost: about 23,000 USD
Read more via Trendir:
'Bump keys' are used to tease open locks by using a little finesse and key that 'sort of fits'. This technique is easier than ever using a 3D printed bump key.
Read more about it - and watch the video via Engadet:
Ralph Lauren is entering the 'wearable tech' market with a new sport shirt. The 'Polo Tech Shirt' is outfitted with sensors that can relay biological and physiological information to your smart phone. All while looking great.
Read more about it via Ralph Lauren:
Researchers at the University of Houston have devised a system that mimics a squid's camouflage technique. The prototype senses the area around it, and can manipulate a panel to blend in.
Read more about it via The University of Houston:
The 'Q Design Bracelets' will give you a little power boost for your electronics. The discreet unisex bracelets convert movement to electrical charge. Cost: 79 USD (pre-order price) Available in multiple finishes.
Info and order via Q Designs:
VSSL Supplies packages an entire survival gear set in one handy aluminum tube. Contents includes a flashlight, compass, fishing line, razors, wire saw, matches, fire starters, fishing gear, and much more Cost: 89 USD
Available from VSSL Gear:
Aboard the IXION Windowless Jet, all the seats are window seats - or none of them are, depending on your point of view. The entire interior is converted to video screens that are connected to realtime exterior cameras giving the illusion of a transparent fuselage.
Read more about it and watch the video via Business Insider:
Stealthy Nave Seals sometimes make their beach landings using an SDV (Seal Delivery Vehicle) - a tiny submarine launched from a larger submarine. Follow the link for photos and story.
Mini-Sub Navy Seals via Wired:
A team working in Japan has combined light projection and computerized tracking to alter facial appearance.
Watch the surprising video via Vimeo:
In Southern California, there's a new choice for 'occasional use' performance cars. The 'Fast Toys Club' will lend members high performance cars - delivered to your door - without the hassles of ownership. Cost: 3 month membership begins at 8,000 USD
Read more about it via the Fast Toys Club:
Patrick Priebe like making exotic weapons - his latest upgrade is a semiautomatic laser sighted wrist bow. A small magazine contains 8 carbon fiber bolts.
Read more via Interesting Engineering:
Everything you'd want to know about Whiskey is now available on your smartphone using the 'Distiller' app. Cost: Free Available for IOS and Android
Drink Distiller via the Web and the App stores:
For 2015, The Indian Brand Motorcycle will be bringing back the 'Scout'. The cast aluminum body will echo the original triangular shape. Available in black, red, matte grey, or matte black. Cost: 11,000 USD
Info via Indian:
Flint lace tips for your boot laces to be used for starting a fire in a pinch. You never know. Cost: 14 USD
Available from Rattlerstrap:
Researchers working at UCSB have developed a new wrinkle on using WiFi signals to look into rooms. Robots working in teams, use their own WiFi signals and wave propagation to analyze enclosed spaces.
Read more about it via UCSB:
A security researcher enlisted the help of a cat to help hack neighborhood wifi systems. Attaching a homemade device he calls the 'Warkitteh', he let the cat sniff out insecure networks and report back.
Read more via Wired:
Later this fall, the 'Polaris Slingshot Motorcycle' will be making it's debut. The reverse trike vehicle is configured more like a roadster, with side by side seating. Cost: 23,000 USD
Info and videos via Polaris:
Update: As reported long ago, the Icon A5 Aircraft is now available for purchase. The sport aircraft can fold for easy storage and transport. Production models are currently being shipped.
Info and details via Icon Aircraft:
The smart people at MIT have built an algorithm to reconstruct audio information from subtle visual information. Think of this: if you had a film clip of people speaking in a car, with a snack bag in front of them - the vibrations of the bag could be interpreted as sound.
Read more about it from MIT:
In an interesting visualization, the Telegraph recently published 'Inventories of War: Soldier's kit from 1066 to 2014'.
Soldier's kit from 1066 to 2014 via The Telegraph:
In 2017, you'll be able to get a great view of the Northern Lights from the Krystall Hotel, near Tromso, Norway. The 86 room floating hotel is planned as a large floating snowflake.
Read more via The Verge:
The 'Zero Military' is shaping up to be the stealthy choice for tactical travel. The small electric motorcycle is silent when idling, and can quickly accelerate.
China is beginning trial productions of the world's largest amphibious aircraft. If successful, the new Chinese TA600 will unseat Japan's Shin Maywa US2 as the largest.
Read more about it via India Today:
The 'Torch 250 Flashlight' will keep you from being in the dark. The low power usage device can be charged via built in solar, hand crank, or handy USB. Cost: 79 USD
Available from GoalZero:
