Automotive / Cars
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Background: It can be difficult to safely drive down the street AND find a parking spot at the same time. Many locations look like parking spots until you get right next to them (Figure 1) and see the fire hydrant / driveway / red curb (Figure 2). Fig. 1: This is a road with two…
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The issue: When you call for transportation in a crowded area (Fig. 1), it’s often unclear both: 1) For you, the pedestrian, which of the numerous indistinguishable late model imported silver cars is picking you up 2) For the driver, which of the many pedestrians is actually the one who summoned that specific car. Fig…
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Background: Bank robbers have occasionally been foiled by dye packs, which can be placed into a bag of stolen cash and then detonated as the robbers make their escape. The dye sprays out everywhere and contaminates the stolen money, making it valueless. Fig 1: The bag of cartoon money (top left) is rendered…
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Background: It’s often hard to assess the total cost of renting vs buying. For example: Renting a house (plus renters’ insurance) versus owning a house (plus homeowner’s insurance, property tax, and maintenance, and possibly offset by property value appreciation) Owning a timeshare versus renting a vacation house once a year Taking a taxi / using…
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Background: Parking is a problem in many large cities, and extremely small cars are manufactured specifically to allow drivers to pick smaller parking spots. The issue: If a person buys a large car, they may be unable to park it. But if that person buys a small car, it may be insufficient for their people-and-goods-transporting needs. A…
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Background: Sometimes, different tasks call for different tools. The idea of being able to mix-and-match different components of a mechanical device to fit the job at hand has been around for a while. For example: Many screwdrivers let you change out the bit. Now you only need one screwdriver for multiple types of screws. Vacuum…
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The issue: Lack of Parking Availability In many areas of high-density housing, parking spots can be an incredibly valuable commodity. This is especially true of areas with heavy snowfall, since the snow temporarily reduces the amount of parking spots available. Unfortunately, there is no extremely easy way to add additional parking spots without major demolition…
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Background: If you stay in one apartment or house for a long time, you tend to accumulate a large number of superfluous possessions. But it’s hard to get an idea of exactly how much stuff you have. Proposal: Moving trucks should have a weight sensor on them to tell you how many pounds of stuff…
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Never be confused by a signaling bus again, assuming you frequently drive behind buses instead of taking public transit (you monster)
automotive, blinker, car, emergency blinkers, hazard lights, is amber even a color or what, is the light yellow or amber or orange or what, official color names are lacking, what are those emergency lights even called, what if the lights are like tangerine or something, who came up with that double triangle icon anyway
Background: Every vehicle has two turn signals on the back. These can indicate one of two things: 1) Car is turning left / right. 2) If both lights are blinking: “hazard / emergency / vehicle is stopped in roadway.” Fig 1: The emergency / hazard lights are usually activated by this button. The issue: Unfortunately,…
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Background: Housing is incredibly expensive in many major cities. Some people try to cope with high housing prices by living in their cars. However, it is generally illegal to sleep in a parked vehicle. Additionally, there are often restrictions on vehicle height for parked vehicles. Proposal: None of the caveats above apply to a moving…
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