Funky Find Of The Week: The Fe-tisch Coffee Table

The Fe-tisch coffee table is a limited edition art piece of functional furniture that is part of the "tisch" series by Draenert.

For the internationally renowned manufacturer of designer furniture and tables, DRAENERT, Peter, for once, wanted to be distinctly "giers-tisch". (a reference to designer Walter Giers). He intended to invent Giers-objects as limited editions in the shape of tables, which explain themselves by an adjective^*. These new types of objects for interior design, for collectors and museums, for proprietors of art galleries and action opportunities are "giers-tisch" in the true meaning of the word, which means they are aesthetic and at the same time filled with typically Giers-electronic, which again creates pure aesthetics. In one case there are optical effects of the finest, light and picture changes, optical illusions, which repeatedly dissolve.

Some tables, however, are pure diversion which were accepted as a favour to the joker or designer Giers, like the fe-tisch, the fantas-tisch or the elas-tisch. They are tables and they are not tables, derived at from the one adjective or misunderstood joke. And then the unique specimen "Stammtisch", no joke, also not an adjective, a grand idea of the electronic art of a Walter Giers for the topic ‘table’, namely, for a non existing table reserved for the regulars.

The artist took his inspiration from German adjectives with this ending, which as a noun "Tisch" is the German word for "table". This play on words can be explained but, unfortunately, not be translated. Just one example: "op-tisch" could be read as "optic table".

In short, tables, wherever one is looking: especially op-tische or akus-tische, typical Giers-tische, Phantas-tische. Many of them are unique specimens; some are as a limited edition of 6 pieces, others in a quantity of 50 pieces.

*Giers: "Originally there was the word: Fe-tisch. A screw clamp solution: the Fe-tisch utilizes used ladies underwear in a novel way. Objectively: Ladies underwear is fixed by two 4 screw clamps between two glass plates. The clamps serve at the same time as the table legs"

Fe-tisch table is a limited Edition: 1 piece

To see other tables in the "-tisch" series, go here.

A Trailer You'd NEVER call Trash! Tabbert's Paganini Caravan

In the last few years the Tabbert brand has undergone repositioning and has clearly rejuvenated its corporate image. With the luxe Paganini, their designers, developers, and product managers have created a new standard in the category. In the Paganini, Tabbert combines automotive design with innovative technology and quality to result in a trailer that's anything but trash. They refer to it as a "caravan" and so will I throughout the rest of this post.

The Exterior:


The flush F.AC.E window system that runs from the three-dimensionally overarched front of the caravan through to the rear, is unique to the Paganini.




A Silverline package features side walls in wood-free sandwich design, where an insulating core of XPS rigid foam plastic provides more static properties, strength, and stability at a relatively low weight.



One of the most important new constructions is the Tabbert premium roof. With a thickness of 6 cm this roof provides optimal thermal insulation and excellent noise protection when it rains.



The innovative air circulation in the Tabbert premium roof is of new design. Behind a double wall in the top cabinets (in both the front and in the rear areas) there are openings into the roof. The air in the interior is thus continuously exchanged, which guarantees a pleasant room climate and almost completely prevents heat accumulation.

The channels for the optional air-conditioning system also run in the roof. Through a special duct, cold air flows into the roof and then distributes into the air-conditioning channels and can uniformly exit at three positions in the ceiling panels. This technology allows completely draught-free cooling of the interior of the caravan.

The Interior:



Indirect lighting in the circumferential ceiling panels, inset LED spots, and reading lamps in the seat group and in the bedroom provide lighting not usually found in recreational vehicles.




The new light control system allows you to set individual lights that also can be dimmed.



And upon request the ceiling lamp above the seat group also is available with a backlit Tabbert emblem.



Luxurious details and materials are used throughout from the leathers to the wood veneers and stainless steel hardware.





The Kitchen:

Sophisticated functionality and first-class workmanship are also in the kitchen. The interior has a champagne-colored furniture decor and details such as a solid-surface worktop with chopping board and sink cover.



There is a three-burner Spinflo cooker with glass panel and a sufficiently large working area that is easy to clean.

The kitchen equipment is available with a powerful extractor hood and a 189 litre refrigerator (both optional).


The Bathroom:

A very special feature in the 655 DF is the spacious round shower with illuminated ceiling.


Mahogany real wood veneer and solid-surface materials also are found in the bath.


Practical stowage trays and a toilet with ceramic coating provide real 'at home' type comfort.


The Bedroom:






All inclusive

* Tabbert premium roof with integrated air-conditioning channels for optimal cold air ventilation
* Furniture flaps (mahogany real wood veneer) with gas pressure springs
* Ceiling panels covered with Alcantessa and featuring state-of-the-art LED light technology
* Solid-surface worktop in the kitchen, incl. chopping board and sink cover
* Solid-surface panel in the bath
* Alloy wheels painted in black
* High-quality hinges and exclusive SafetyLocks
* Dimmable 20 W bulbs
* Light control system
* Ventilated seat stowage boxes, and rear-ventilation of the top cabinets into the roof (in the front and in the rear)
* High-quality surfaces
* Exclusive fabric groups: Avantgarde, Elegance, Noblesse
* Comfort door with safety concept
* Illuminated entrance step with Tabbert lettering (integrated and insulated; for a clear plus in safety and comfort)
* Integrated aluminium bottle box bottom with spare wheel holder


Standard equipment

* Wide-track safety chassis with axle shock absorbers
* Smooth running chassis
* Stabiliser safety coupling (AKS 2004) with softdock
* Low-profile tyres
* Service hatch in the side wall (depending on the layout)
* Dometic toilet CT 3110 (except 655 MDW)
* Mini-Heki, with forced ventilation
* Lift-tilt sunroof, version 2
* Hinged frame windows, tinted for sun screening
* Combination roller blinds and mosquito protection
* 12 V tent light above the entrance door
* Safety tail lights with round single lights
* White smooth plate (front window or blind panel depending on the layout)
* Comfortable manoeuvring handles
* Truma SL5002 heating, two fan motors and heating circuits, heating fan (12 V) with engine speed control
* 13-pole connector plug, «Jäger» system (DIN 72570)
* Gas pipe (Ø 10 mm) from gas bottle to distributor block
* 45 l fresh water tank, built-in
* Warm air system with automatic speed control, 12 V
* SAT antenna cable laid
* Converter / switching power supply 250 VA
* Hinged bed base with mattress holder (spring mattress)
* Hot water supply (in kitchen and toilet, with Truma-Therme)
* Drawbar cover
* Corner shelves with indirect lighting
* PVC floor covering
* 655 DF exclusive shower with illuminated ceiling and solid-surface covering in the shower column


www.tabbert.de

Tabbert Caravan GmbH
Sandweg 1
36391 Sinntal-Mottgers
Germany

USt.ID-Nr.: DE154871125
Handelsregister Hanau, HRB 90459
phone: +49 (0) 66 64 - 89 0
fax: +49 (0) 66 64 - 61 98
tabbert@tabbert.de

Wakamaru: Mistubishi's Personal Robot, No Longer Personal, But Still 'Alive'

Let me start out this post by letting you know that this 'personal' home robot by Mitsubishi, which initially listed at $8,500.00 USD when introduced to the market in 2005, is no longer available for purchase. When he first came out, there was a lot of news about him and I wondered what had happened to Wakamaru?

Apparently he got a job as a salesman at the New York Soho Uniqlo store!

Yep, I saw on Engadget that he's now being used in the SOHO Uniqlo store as a salesman (salesrobot?) of sorts.


Read the story about that here.

Back to our little "Wakamaru". He was created by the development staff at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., incorporating advanced robot technology and designed by Toshiyuki Kita. "Wakamaru" was created to communicate with people and all of his features were developed to enable such communication.



"Wakamaru" is not a home electric appliance you just turn on when you want to use it. Nor is it a robot that will activate after receiving a command. Rather, it remains active without the assistance of humans as long as it is powered on. "Wakamaru" has its own rhythm of life and moves around autonomously. It will want to be near people in movement, stay active throughout the day by charging itself, and rest up at the charging station at night.



"Wakamaru's" rhythm of life may be left autonomous or set to a pre-determined schedule.
He can recognize the faces of people that have been recorded, respond when spoken to, meet a person's gaze, offer up subjects of conversation, etc., all to ensure naturally rich communication. As "wakamaru" freely moves about a predetermined area and decides for itself when to recharge, its movement require no human assistance.



How does he work?

"Wakamaru" may operate continuously as long as it is powered on. The owner may set a time at which "wakamaru" will become active in the morning, or stop at night.
"Wakamaru's" daily activities may be set by day of the week.
The following four modes of activity may be selected:
1) Stay at charging station.
2) Stay near office.
3) Circulate around designed area.
4) Sleep at charging station.
"Wakamaru" will recharge or move as necessary when in modes 1) - 3) , When in mode 4), It will be inactive unless instructed for activity. During the night, he will remain at the charging station as per mode 4).





Eyes
"Wakamaru's" eyes are not only necessary from a technological viewpoint, but their size and shape were created to take on and express emotions. This is intrinsically connected to "wakamaru's" personality. Wide eyes express understanding when being spoken to, indicating that reliable communication is established. Eye expressions have been choreographed to create a partner of credible intelligence.



Mouth
The mouth may take on a slight smile or even express an air of melancholy. As with the eyes, the mouth will change depending on the emotions of the person with whom the robot has contact. This robot actually assumes a role when "living with humans."





Eyebrows
Although the eyebrows were designed to serve a functional necessity, their position and shape ended up giving rise to "wakamaru's" character. In fact, the name "wakamaru" came from the resemblance to 12th century warrior Ushiwakamaru's eyebrows. As with Ushiwakamaru, who grew up to be the famous Yoshitsune, we can expect growth and development in the future.



So, if you really want to meet Wakamaru, I guess you'd better go mosey over to the Uniqlo store in Soho and ask him to help you out.


Above: designer Toshiyuki Kita

By the way, if you really want your own personal robot, Gecko Systems just announced the release of their latest, the CareBot MSR 3.8 Read the press release here