Flat-pack tubes draw on origami and bamboo for super strength

Tubular structures that fold flat for storage may not take up much room in that form, but they also tend not to be very strong when deployed. That isn’t a problem with an experimental new type of tube, that’s inspired by both origami and bamboo.Continu… Continue reading Flat-pack tubes draw on origami and bamboo for super strength

Origami bike rack snaps into cargo basket in milliseconds

Sometimes a bicycle commuter needs a big, old basket for carrying groceries or other everyday sundries. Sometimes a big, old basket is the last thing he or she needs. Sure, you’ll find plenty of bikes with modular basket solutions, but what if you don’… Continue reading Origami bike rack snaps into cargo basket in milliseconds

Seed-inspired one-winged drone shortens its wingspan to boost agility

Multirotor drones may get all the glory, but fully rotating “monocopters” are actually much more energy-efficient. A new one distinguishes itself even further, as it can squeeze through narrow spaces or drop like a falcon by reducing its wingspan while… Continue reading Seed-inspired one-winged drone shortens its wingspan to boost agility

Oru streamlines base camp with multifunctional origami furniture

After years of releasing one origami-inspired foldable kayak after another, Oru has really stepped out of its comfort zone of late and diversified. It reached out to a market of folks who might not be able to paddle as far as they’d like with its first… Continue reading Oru streamlines base camp with multifunctional origami furniture

Oru motorizes origami kayaks with portable electric outboard

Oru Kayak has long offered some of the market’s most compact, conveniently portable watercraft. Now the company is expanding the appeal of its lineup by pairing its vessels with an equally compact, portable electric drive system. Teaming up with the fo… Continue reading Oru motorizes origami kayaks with portable electric outboard

Space-age origami truck camper pops into hard-wall Toyota-top habitat

Hard-sided pop-up pickup campers and camping toppers seem to be a growing trend of the early 2020s, evidenced by a steady wave of new launches like the Oru Designs Bruin, Cube Series QB and AntiShanty Dwell Shell. Ohio startup Hardsider is deep at work… Continue reading Space-age origami truck camper pops into hard-wall Toyota-top habitat

Space-age origami truck camper pops into hard-wall Toyota-top habitat

Hard-sided pop-up pickup campers and camping toppers seem to be a growing trend of the early 2020s, evidenced by a steady wave of new launches like the Oru Designs Bruin, Cube Series QB and AntiShanty Dwell Shell. Ohio startup Hardsider is deep at work… Continue reading Space-age origami truck camper pops into hard-wall Toyota-top habitat

Leaf-inspired origami “microfliers” change shape to change flight

If you’re trying to distribute environmental sensors over a wide area by dropping them from a drone, you definitely don’t want them all landing in the same place. In order to keep that from happening, University of Washington scientists have created ti… Continue reading Leaf-inspired origami “microfliers” change shape to change flight

Wing-like origami solar panels bring hundreds of watts to home or camp

One of the complaints we heard about the Sego Innovations origami-inspired solar charger we covered a week ago was that it delivered a rather paltry 25 watts with no option for increasing capacity except buying more units. Well, wouldn’t you know – the… Continue reading Wing-like origami solar panels bring hundreds of watts to home or camp