Seven inimitable designs inspired by R2D2

SANKHA BHATTACHARYA:

Designs inspired by R2-D2Inimitable designs inspired by R2-D2

In the year 1977 a cultural phenomena in the form of a sci-fi movie called Star Wars took place. Since then more than 30 years have gone by. But, the characters of that movie are still popular. One of them is a droid R2D2 (who can speak in a mechanical voice with burps and clicks) who remains ever popular among kids and teens. Here is a list of 7 modern product designs based on that droid R2D2 from the movie Star Wars.

1. Beer R2D2

Beer2-D2Beer2D3 by Lockwasher

Beer is a favorite and a staple drink around USA. Therefore the beer manufacturers have opted for this design which is quite ingenious. It is also done in order to popularize the drink more to common people. This R2D2 beer can holds 4.7liter beer which has legs made of propane tank vale handles and feet from 3 mini bread tins. A vintage chrome BLC utility shell is used to build the head and a vintage movie camera is also there for eye.

2. R2D2 Water Bottle

R2-D2 Water BottleJapanese company Tanomi releases this water bottle

It is already mentioned that R2D2 has extreme popularity among school going kids around the world. And when kids go to school parents provide them with a water bottle from which they drink water whenever necessary. Keeping this in mind a Japanese company Tanomi had introduced this new kind of bottle in Japan which just looked like R2D2. You had to open the head or lid of the bottle and suck the nipple to drink the water from it. At that time it was priced $37.

3. R2D2 PC Case MOD

R2-D2 PC Case ModR2-D2 chassis was specially created by Australian firm Petric Engineering

As computers are becoming more and more popular and necessary here is a very modern PC case designed in the form of R2D2. It has all the components like disc trays, hard drives, sockets and console for important wire connections. Moreover other necessary gadgets which go usually with computer like USB ports as well as hubs and multimedia speakers, also can be found in the form of R2D2. R2D2 multimedia speakers come in two different designs, that is blue and orange.

4. R2D2 Aquarium

R2-D2 AquariumThis R2-D2 holds a 1 3/4-gallon aquarium tank in his central compartment

This brilliantly built aquarium has a whole fish tank which can hold 1 3/4 gallon of water in the form of R2D2. The rest (the legs and arms of the droid) are just for show. But, the voice activated head is built in such a way that it makes mechanical sounds exactly as the original droid from the film. It has LED lights built in it. Moreover, it can rotate. Besides a built-in periscope provides a nice view of the water tank with colorful fishes below. This tank has several stills from the movie Star Wars stuck on a water proofed card board as background. This R2D2 fish tank certainly revolutionizes the design of traditional house hold aquarium.

5. R2D2 Refrigerator

R2-D2 RefrigeratorR2-D2 mini USB can fridge

After aquarium now it is time for another house hold item of necessity. This time a complete mini refrigerator in the form of R2D2. It was made in Japan as a promotional material for the release of the film Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones. It was priced $1070 and 1000 of such ingenious R2D2 refrigerators were made at that time.

6. R2D2 Back Pack

R2-D2 BackpackR2-D2 bookbag

Seeing R2D2's increasing popularity among teens and kids who go to college and schools merchandise makers had introduced this uniquely designed backpack for books in the form of R2D2. It was designed for the occasion of Star Wars festival. This back pack which sold like a hot cake just after introduction was priced $65.

7. R2D2 Mail Box

R2-D2 MailboxUSPS goes postal with R2D2 mailboxes

In modern urban society hand written mails are threatened under the influence of electronic mail system because it can reach its destination quickly and flawlessly. Keeping this in mind the Government of USA had taken a step to popularize hand written mail system in 2007. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the movie Star Wars, the postal department of USA replaced a number of usual blue colored post collection boxes around 200 prominent US cities by R2D2 shaped mail boxes of the same color.

Eight futuristic hotels offering the luxury retreat

 Singh Rana:

There are several hotels around the world that catch us spellbound with their eye-captivating beauty and architect. However, it is time to look beyond and cling on human innovation and creativity as we have done since civilization. Be it computers, automobiles, entertainment or anything, we have always strived for better and beautiful. This time around, designers shifted their focus to hotels and came up with the hotels of tomorrow. These are exceptionally superior, hi-tech luxury hotels that will surely change the world we live in. Here we have listed the top eight futuristic hotels offering the luxury retreat.

1. The Ark Hotel Concept

ArkDesigned to withstand floods, tidal waves and rising ocean levels as well as earthquakes and other natural disasters, the hotel concept would float and function independently on the surface of a body of water

The Ark Hotel Concept is a hotel that floats on water. Designed by reputed Russian firm Remistudio with the support of International Union of Architects' program "Architecture for Disaster Relief", this hotel has received warm appreciation for its Eco-credentials and mesmerizing design. The hotel is designed using self-cleaning and recyclable ethyltetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) in such a manner that it can withstand any natural disasters and rising ocean levels. The innovative load-bearing system evenly distributes the weight of the hotel and also adjusts itself in order to withstand earthquakes and strong tidal waves. The shell inspired design of this hotel is integrated with photoelectric solar cells in order to minimize the need of electricity. In addition, a rainwater harvesting system is also installed in this hotel to harvest the precious rain water. The Ark Hotel Concept is all set to become the hottest holiday destination of 22nd century.

2. Russian Space Hotel Concept

Space Hotel ConceptRussian Space Hotel Concept

Ever thought of enjoying your vacation in space? Well, in the year 2016, this may also become possible with Russian Space Hotel Concept that will take you 217 miles above the earth. Visitors will be taken to this proposed hotel via a Russian Soyuz rocket. It will take around a day to reach the commercial space station. On their arrival, the visitors will be taken to the hotel which has the capacity to accommodate around 7 people at a time. Visitors here can enjoy all the luxuries and amenities whilst enjoying the beauty of space at a speed 17,500 miles per hour. One can enjoy delicious food, aesthetically designed space showers and four different cabins to choose from. In order to combat any undesired situation, an International Space Station will be located at 62 miles from the Commercial Space Station.

3. The Floating Aerohotel

The Floating AerohotelDesigned by Alexander Asadov, this incredible floating Aerohotel features a lighter-than-air aesthetic that sits serenely atop an elegant system of supports

Going by the recent developments and trends, water-borne aquatectures seems to be the hottest choice in near future. Keeping in pace with the same, designer Alexander Asadov has designed The Floating Aerohotel. This spectacular wonder has a 200 meters wide circular hub that is lofted with the help of supporting arms stretching from the bottom of this site. This hotel is proposed to have cafes, restaurants, winter gardens and other luxuries one can think of in a niche hotel. The amazing fact about The Floating Aerohotel is that it can be installed in any body of water.

4. Lunatic Hotel Concept

Lunatic HotelLunatic Hotel concept will serve it all with spectacular views sprinkled with joys of low gravity and an alien feeling

There are a number of world-class hotels all over the world but what could be more awe-inspiring than a hotel on the moon. Yes, designer Hans-Jurgen Rombaut has come up with The Lunatic Hotel Concept that will be constructed on the moon to let one experience the joys of low gravity and beautiful space. Hans who studied architecture from Rotterdam Academy of Architecture, Netherlands is quite optimistic about completion of this ambitious project by the end of 2050. In order to protect the visitors from the harsh weather conditions and cosmic rays, a 50 cm thick hull will be made from the moon rock. If this concept turns successful, we may soon have a lunar city. Isn't it?

5. Regatta Complex

Regatta ComplexDesigned by Atkins, the designer company for Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Regatta concept is everything that connecting with sea

Regatta Complex is sky scraping estate complex that is situated north Jakarta. An inspiration of reputed designer Atkins who also holds to his credit the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. This complex will have massive 10 towers each one looking like a parade of tall ships. Each tower will be named after top exotic capital cities of the world namely Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Monte Carlo, Dubai, London, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo, Acapulco and Sydney.

6. Helix Hotel

Helix HotelThe design promises to make maximum use of renewable sources of energy like sun, wind, and ocean water while keeping guests comfortable in all 208 rooms

Helix Hotel is named after its unique helical structure. The design of this magnificent hotel got shortlisted in a competition held in Abu Dhabi's Zayed Bay which is also going to be the site for this hotel. This hotel does not have any storey but spiral section each one mounted on one another. Helix Hotel will be laden with world-class luxuries including retail stores to residential apartments, from suites to saunas, you just name it and they have it. Moreover, the architect of this hotel will be Eco-friendly and will utilize the renewable solar energy, wind energy as well as precious rain water.

7. Death Star

Death StarDeath Star Lunar Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan

Heerim Architects are planning to build a moon on earth with a futuristic hotel named Full Moon that will be offering luxury retreat. This hotel will be built on the shores of the Caspian Sea in such a manner that from one angle it will look like the Death Star and from the other Gherkin, a local name for Full Moon. It is proposed to be about 150 meter-high, 35 storey hotel that will consist of luxurious 382 rooms. Once completed, the Azerbaijani capital of Baku will have one of the most beautiful and extra-terrestrial structure of the world.

8. Aeroscraft

AeroscraftThe Flying Luxury Hotel

The future lies in the pages of history. Well it seems so true when you look at Aeroscraft, a hotel that can really fly. Inspired from Zeppelin and aircraft carriers of old times, this ferry will pamper the passengers while they fly across continents and oceans. Aeroscraft is a 14 million cubic feet hoist filled with helium that can carry a payload of about 400 ton. In addition to this, it can reach an estimated top speed of 174 mph while flying around 8,000 feet above the ground. This flying hotel will have almost every amenity including staterooms, restaurants, luxury suites, spas and even a casino. This ferry does not a runway to catch up flight but can just rise above the ground like a helicopter. It can travel up to a distance of 6,000 miles while carrying 250 passengers on board.