Starting in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the Paris-based makers of the famous Birkin bag set up shop in a vintage commercial warehouse, drenching the space in iconic orange and inviting guests to sign up for workout classes every hour from 11 am to 6 pm during the space’s four-day run.

Of course, these sweat sessions were no ordinary sports fare. The Hermès website invited patrons to “practice stretching with belts, yoga with silk scarves, and voguing with hats!” Visitors were asked to choose one of three brand bracelets to wear during shadowboxing instruction. The instructors, dressed completely in Hermès’ signature orange, encouraged participants to “think elegantly” as they jabbed, crossed, and kicked. A display of Hermès products was also reflected in the studio mirror for all to ogle during the workout.

In a class called “Mirror Mirror with Small Leather Goods,” visitors were handed Kelly wallets with the brand’s signature “H” gold buckle to clutch while they aerobically leaped and jumped in circles.

Billed as an “unconventional event” where “fitness meets fashion,” the pop-up Hermèsfit gym flexed its muscles in places like Bangkok, Paris, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Taiwan. In July, it ended its first run at the famous Hollywood Athletic Club. Designed in 1924 by the same architects that created Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre, this swanky locale formerly played host to the calisthenics of early stars like Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and even Walt Disney.

For the Hollywood event, Hermès converted the space into an orange fantasy, with large graphic motifs in the style of ancient Greek athletes. Barbells in the shape of high-fashion shoes sat atop a weight bench, while a climbing wall worked double time as photo booth. For those less inclined to cardio, a juice bar and a giant circular ping pong table in bright orange were also available. Punching bags were wrapped in silk carré scarves, and athletic shoes and hats were strategically placed on walls to be touched, admired, and desired by patrons.

By night, the gym transformed into a dance club, with the boxing ring serving as a stage for performances by acts like the L.A. Dance Project, Neal Francis, Pearl and The Oysters, DJ Erez, and Spill Tab.

The limited Hermèsfit event is going Down Under next, with a booking in Sydney from October 14th to 16th at Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park.

For those unable to attend a live event, Maison Hermès has an entire line of goods to help you “choose your own choreography.” Visitors can browse the collection on the Hermèsfit webpage, including things like the $1,225 Freestyle Sneakers, the $480 La Selle Imaginaire scarf, or the sporty $365 Glenan H bracelet.

Hermès has a long and illustrious history as a brand. Initially established in 1837 as a saddle and saddle bag purveyor, they’ve gone on to make a name for themselves in high-fashion leather goods, homeware, and lifestyle accessories. The company has also hosted many attention-grabbing events over the years, including a yearly exhibit at Milan Design Week.

The post Hermès Pop-Up Gyms Let Guests Shop Fits While Getting Fit first appeared on Dornob.

The 2021 iF Design Awards welcomed innovators from around the globe eager to showcase their dynamic design concepts — and with an estimated 10,000 annual submissions from more than 60 countries, there was plenty to choose from. This year, however, the focus shifted somewhat among finalists to explore and create devices that bring the often lofty concept of automation closer to home.

AI, robots, and smart home technologies galore permeated some of the top winning designs this year, a shift that acutely represents our increasing reliance on technology within our homes as a way to make life more convenient. Taking Siri or Alexa to the next level, these designs show how sophisticated design technologies can be integrated into even the simplest daily tasks.

Below we highlight three of this year’s winners we were particularly impressed with, all of them devices meant to bridge the gap between automation and the home sphere.

Tokit Omni Cook Multi-Cooker

Home cooks everywhere will recognize this dilemma. Love that pressure cooker? Sure do! That slow cooker’s no slouch, either. But what about that rice cooker? Can’t live without it. The list goes on and on. Now more than ever before, there are all kinds of kitchen appliances built for specific purposes, each meant to fit seamlessly into your kitchen milieu — making life easier, yet somehow existing in their own autonomous space.

The reality is that many of us simply don’t have the space for all the kitchen appliances we need (or want). Enter the Tokit Omni Cook Multi-Cooker. Able to replace 21 traditional kitchen appliances all by itself, this little beauty combines precision and technology with a dash of digital flair to create the perfect cooking assistant. Throw in a smart display that provides recipes and video how-to instructions, and this winning entry from Shanghai Chunmi Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. hands down wins the kitchen appliance wars.

Kiwibot Plus

Robots delivering packages may seem like something out of The Jetsons, but thanks to innovations from tech companies everywhere, this tantalizing glimpse into the future is now right around the corner. While you may have heard of the “Amazon Scout” already, there are a host of other companies also working hard to develop this exciting new technology (Starship Robot, Buro, and AutoX, to name a few).

This winning entry in the 2021 iF Design Award competition is brought to you by Kiwibot, an already-established heavyweight in the world of robot delivery infrastructure. Affordable, accessible, and boasting zero carbon emissions, Kiwibot’s newest offering, the Kiwibot Plus, is tasked with becoming the tech company’s next-generation robot delivery superstar. Safe, effective, and most importantly, sustainable, the Kiwibot Plus is more than just a robot, it’s a bonafide member of the community.

Fit Bot

The COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult (and sometimes impossible), for people to hit the gym, spurring a slew of technology meant to make the at-home workout more effective, and most importantly, more social. From apps to YouTube videos, Nintendo Switch games to Peloton, the field for at-home fitness has never been more packed with options for everyone from devoted gym rats to casual fitness experimenters.

Enter Fit Bot: an IF Design Award Winner developed by Samsung Electronics. But what sets Fit Bot apart, you may ask? Firstly, it’s a wearable technology, a “robot” meant to support the wearer and encourage safe, healthy exercise habits. Meant to “address the drawback of conventional exercise methods for the general population,” Fit Bot, through its built-in actuator, is intuitive and supportive. It’s designed to reduce the risk of injury for people everywhere, especially for those who may find more strenuous equipment or routines challenging, such as the elderly, or persons with previous injuries or health conditions.

Many of this year’s iF Design Award Winners hit closer to home, showcasing design technologies meant to bridge the gap between our daily lives and automation. As always, the designs were meant to inspire, and to make the world a better place through innovation. In 2021, that “world” just happened to include a little slice of home.

Want to know more? Visit the iF World Design Guide to learn more about his year’s winners.

The post These 2021 iF Design Award Winners Hit Close to Home first appeared on Dornob.

You can be sure to find everything on sale this June 21st and 22nd, from elegant jewelry and cookware to cutting-edge tech accessories and computers. The sale is exclusively for Prime members, but you can sign up anytime.

These 10 mind-blowing deals are just a taste of what’s to come, so mark your calendar and get ready to shop!

BENGOO V-4 Gaming Headset

This one’s for the gamers out there. Not only do these bad boys boast a beefy stereo subwoofer and noise-isolating microphone, they’re also compatible with most PCs, smartphones, tablets, the Xbox One and One S, and the Playstation 4 and 5. And at 83 percent off their original price this Prime Day (just $16.97), they’re pretty damn hard to pass up.

BENGOO V-4 Gaming Headset – Buy Now

Lush Decor Black and White Night Sky Curtain

Looking for a quick way to spice up your decor this summer? This glistening curtain pairs faux silk with sparkling black and silver sequins for an eye-catching design reminiscent of the night sky. On sale for just $24.10 this Prime Day (a whopping 81 percent off the original price), there’s really no better (or cheaper) way to bring privacy and panache into your home.

Lush Decor Black and White Night Sky Curtain – Buy Now

Alen BreatheSmart Flex Medical Grade Air Purifier

If you live on the West Coast, you already know that worsening fire seasons are quickly making air purifiers like this one a necessity. Do your lungs and your wallet a favor this Prime Day and pick one up for $205.16 (46 percent off the original price). Not only will you be safe from harmful wildfire smoke, but your home will also stay free of dust, allergens, pollen, fur, pet dander, cigarette smoke, and unwanted household odors.

Alen BreatheSmart Flex Medical Grade Air Purifier – Buy Now

NSdirect 36-Inch Round Coffee Table

Everyone needs a good coffee table to tie their living space together. This spacious 36-inch model from NSdirect makes for a quick and easy way to bring a rustic vibe to your home, and it only takes about 15 to put together from start to finish. Find it at 34 percent off its original price this Prime Day for $132.55.

NSdirect 36-Inch Round Coffee Table – Buy Now

Lush Decor Boho Striped Comforter

Boho chic may be all the rage right now, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to scour every thrift store on the block looking for the perfect furnishings. This bold 5-piece comforter set pairs floral and geometric patterns to dazzling effect, and at 75 percent off this Prime Day, it can all be yours for $50.39.

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Skagen Women’s RIIS Quartz Analog Stainless Steel Watch

Perfectly in keeping with the modern minimalism we’ve come to know and love from Scandinavia, this women’s wristwatch from Skagen boasts scratch-resistant mineral crystal glass and a 16-millimeter stainless steel band. Available for an unbelievable 70 percent off this Prime Day (just $40!), sophistication hardly ever comes this cheap.

Skagen Women’s RIIS Quartz Analog Stainless Steel Watch – Buy Now

Brazos Home Organic Wood Cutting Board Bundle

Barbecue season is officially here, but you can’t really call yourself a “grill master” unless you’ve got all the right tools for the job. Start yourself on the right path with these gorgeous cutting boards, made entirely from organic walnut. Best of all, they’re 68 percent off this Prime Day, totaling $50.63 for the whole kit and caboodle. Talk about price cuts!

Brazos Home Organic Wood Cutting Board Bundle – Buy Now

TKGOU USB Computer Microphone

After a long year of working from home, we all know the importance of a good home office setup. This nifty TKGOU USB mic takes your Zoom call audio to the next level for just 10 bucks, and it’s about as easy to use as it gets. Just plug it into your computer and talk away, using the one button to mute and unmute yourself as you please.

TKGOU USB Computer Microphone – Buy Now

Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020

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The post 10 Early Prime Day Deals You Can’t Afford to Miss first appeared on Dornob.

The new Healthy Interior line inserts weights and stretch bands inside common household items. For example, the “Le Coeur” looks like a sleek coffee or side table with its upholstered base and warm wood top, but its rotating lid and mod knobs are designed to aid with shoulder stretches and isometrics.

And then there’s the “Le Prie,” a padded stool (covered in a one of three chic fabrics) that also provides a core muscle workout as users tighten their abs and lower back to sit up straight. A separate version called “Le Prie Squat” provides both comfortable seating and help in achieving the perfect squat motion. The main stool bar pumps up and down with the weight of the user, working the legs and glutes.

The new collection also includes a petite gray ottoman called “Le Monyon.” Loaded with weights like an exercise ball, the entire ottoman can be lifted between the feet for calf and thigh toning, or the toes can be inserted under the resistance band strap to stretch out the foot muscles.

The “Ringretch” is cleverly costumed to look like a comfy throw pillow, but inside hides an exercise ring that can provide more strength-resistance training.

For a little arm and back toning, the pint-sized “Ballretch” weights are covered in soft alternating fabric, looking a bit like the hackey sacks of yesteryear. Each ball weighs roughly one pound and can be used for getting in some reps for the shoulders or biceps.

Mizuno’s Abs “Pulule” can double as a floor cushion and a scaffold for abdominal crunches. Covered in either yellow or gray, it features a seat and small back support that the company claims will effortlessly position the pelvis and sacrum for a traditional half sit-up.

There’s also a “Stretch Blanket” made from a special moisture-absorbing and heat-producing material. Users can slip their feet through the blanket’s straps to get a good calf stretch. The velvety wrap allows you to get a few exercises in while sitting at a desk during the work day or catching up on the latest Netflix shows in the evening.

All the new Mizuno Healthy Interior products can be purchased from the company’s online shop, ranging from about $28 for the Ballretch weights to roughly $182 for the La Coeur side table.

Mizuno Corporation, headquartered in Osaka, Japan, has been in business for over 110 years, becoming famous for their sports gear, including baseballs, gloves, golf clubs, and athletic footwear. They expanded to the U.S. market in 1961, opening up a factory in Los Angeles and soliciting sponsorship deals with several high-profile American athletes such as track and field star Carl Lewis and pro football quarterback Joe Montana. Today, the company produces athletic gear for all sports and outdoor recreation.

The post Mizuno’s “Healthy Interior” Furniture Doubles as Gym Equipment first appeared on Dornob.

Bissell BarkBath

A clean dog isn’t just a happy dog — they’re also welcome in almost anyone’s home. This compact cleaning system lets you bathe your dog on the go and doubles as a portable carpet and upholstered furniture cleaner. Its one-of-a-kind spray nozzle gently reaches deep down to the dog’s skin and deposits the dirty water into a separate tank. For $200, you can easily keep your dog and home clean without bulky equipment or frequent trips to the groomer’s.

Fi Smart Dog Collar

No more fretting over where your dog is when they decide to explore the world explore outside your yard. The lustrous Fi Smart Dog Collar tracks their location with a real-time GPS and reports the data back to you on your smartphone. It also tracks how many steps they take and their total exercise time to monitor their fitness. The collar is $149, and the additional $99 annual subscription fee is a small price to pay for the serenity of knowing your pooch’s whereabouts.

Mighty Paw Smart Bell 2.0

With a minimal amount of training, the Mighty Paw Smart Bell 2.0 lets your dog alert you to their need to go outside and take care of business. Priced between $30 and $40, the system is wireless and needs no batteries, with a customizable ringtone that’s activated by the simple touch of your pet’s paw.

PetChatz Interactive Pet Camera

You don’t have to be Dr. Dolittle to talk to your pet. Thanks to this nifty invention, you can now have two-way calls anytime you’re away from home, and even toss them “treats” or calm them with light bursts and therapeutic scents. The basic system costs around $350, but for a bit more, you can add on “PawCall” buttons that let your pet reach out to you from afar.

Petcube Bites 2 Smart Pet Camera

If you just want to keep tabs on your pet’s secret life when you’re not home, Petcube Bites 2 Smart Pet Camera is the perfect gadget for you. You can reward good behavior with a virtual treat or talk to them with the two-way audio feature. Even better, this system is a little cheaper than others at just $249.

PetSafe Smart Feeder

With the PetSafe Smart Feeder, you’ll never have to feel guilty about not being home to feed your dog on time. Instead, a simple phone app lets you set up an automatic feeding schedule. Set it to dispense an eighth to four full cups of food, or use the “Slow Feed” option to dispense a preset amount of chow over a 15-minute span.

SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder

No more food pilfering between your dog and cat thanks to the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. Using microchips, the food inside is only accessible to the right pet when they approach their respective dish. No worries if your pet isn’t microchipped, either: you can also use ID tags on their collars to activate access. At a price of around $150, you can make sure each and every pet gets the proper nutrition every day of the week.

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

Instead of making repeated trips to the door to let your pet in an out, simplify life for a meager investment of $85. The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door reads a microchip or programmable collar to let the pet in and out without concerns about strays or wildlife getting inside. You can also set up pre-selected times for the doggy door to automatically be locked or unlocked from the outside.

VARRAM Pet Fitness Robot

No more lazy pets that sleep all day while you’re away. The VARRAM Pet Fitness Robot plays with your pet using 16 preset frolicking moves that carefully avoid obstacles throughout your home. The $100 price tag includes a program that monitors your pup’s activity and advises on changes you can make to further improve their health.

Whistle FIT Pet Health Tracker

Finally, this Fitbit-like gadget tells you if your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise based on its breed, weight, and age. Set incremental goals and adjust food amounts to match their activity patterns and keep them at the peak of good health. The tracker costs $80, plus an annual subscription fee of $35.

The post 10 Cool Trinkets and Toys That Will Make Your Dog’s Day first appeared on Dornob.

Architecture and design studio MAGICARCH thinks so. Led by María José Marcos and based in Spain, the firm has created paradigm-shifting interiors for traumatology and physiotherapy clinic Nexus8 in Murcia, southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It’s safe to say you’ve never seen a doctor’s office that looks quite like this.

Images of the 2,551-square-foot space call to mind theater sets, sci-fi films, and children’s playgrounds much more than they do rehab clinics. Each room features unexpected geometries and a combination of bright and pastel mood-shifting colors designed to soothe or stimulate. The designers wanted to break the stereotypes associated with conventional clinics, focusing instead on the notion of “care” and all it can look like.

It may sound like pseudoscience, but colors and emotions actually are closely linked. Though our individual perceptions of color aren’t universal, and can vary depending on our cultural backgrounds and personal experiences, studies have shown that certain colors can be linked to specific physiological reactions. Red can raise the heart rate, blue can promote relaxation, and as a combination of the two, purple can provide a balance that encourages creativity.

MAGICARCH used pink and yellow tones in the rehabilitation gym spaces on the east side of the Nexus8 clinic to evoke the colors of a sunset, which can boost the production of relaxation-inducing melatonin in the brain. The west side, where the medical consultation rooms are, was mostly painted blue in an effort to help both doctors and patients focus during medical treatment and surgery.

The designers call the resulting aesthetics “Kubrick-ish,” and if you’re familiar with director Stanley Kubrick’s work, it’s easy to see why. Futuristic elements like circular hanging lamps, bright but diffused backlighting, and dynamic interior planes are interesting to look at, but they also add functionality and encourage air convection to make the building more comfortable and sustainable. The gym features softly fringed doorways and rehab equipment that actually looks fun to use, and the examination rooms are refreshingly devoid of intimidation.

According to the firm, the design “generates the therapeutic with thermodynamic strategy, creating different atmospheres for the climatic comfort. Nexus8’s design enables metabolic architectures that rely on rehabilitation techniques based on the hormonal response of the human being. Rooms are characterized by the intensity, direction, and saturation of the light that users perceive depending on the space they are located in. This is an essential part of the chromatic design process.”

“Therefore, the clinical space is designed from a CHROMATIC AND LIGHT METABOLISM perspective, spaces are articulated through EQUIPPED DEVICES that finish completing uses and energies, and the DESIGN OF THE INVISIBLE thinks about the atmosphere, the acoustic, the thermal…as construction materials.”

Ultimately, the feel of the space is just as important as its form. Walking in feels like getting an enormous, comforting hug, translating the word “care” into a physical sensation.

The post The Form of Care: Soothing Colors Enhance a Traumatology Clinic in Spain first appeared on Dornob.

As recently as the late 20th century, staying at a “luxury” hotel meant having access to an onsite gym, indoor pool, and complimentary full buffet breakfast instead of a measly danish and juice box. But 20 years into the 21st century, the competition within the hospitality industry has grown fiercer than ever — all of it driven by a clientele that demands much more, especially in terms of health and fitness options.

Guest Quest

Before planning and budgeting fitness amenity upgrades, hotels wisely conducted in-depth research to determine exactly what their guests wanted. Hilton started small and quickly learned that patrons wanted much more. Teresa Flyger, director of Global Brand Wellness for the iconic chain, revealed that “before we launched, we tested several different types of rooms — such as a room with a yoga mat and ball as well as a room with a spin bike. But guests said that wasn’t sufficient and that they wouldn’t pay a premium for a room that was set up for a single activity. We found that they wanted a more integrated workout experience, which led us to create what is now known as Five Feet to Fitness, a fully-fledged in-room gym with 11 different fitness equipment and accessory options.”

This knowledge quickly spread throughout the industry, and the competition began.

Shangri-La at the Fort

In 2011, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts unveiled Kerry Hotels in Shanghai and Beijing, both of which have adjoining clubs with impressive fitness options and plans free to hotel guests and available to others through public membership fees. Six years later, Shangri-La broke the bank with its third hotel in Manila, the 576-room Shangri-La at the Fort, with rooms starting at $222 per night. This multi-floor, 86,000-square-foot hotel boasts workout quarters with 90 units of professional-quality equipment, tennis and squash courts, an 82-foot lap pool, an NBA-grade indoor basketball court, and studios dedicated to yoga, pilates, spin, boxing, and mixed martial arts.

Equinox’s Maiden Voyage

In Summer 2019, Equinox opened its first hotel in Hudson Yards New York. Room rates started at $700 a night, and the lavish hotel included a 60,000-square-foot Equinox Fitness Club next to it, the largest Equinox gym on Earth. Although the club is adjacent to the hotel, and not physically inside it, it’s still open to guests 24/7. Besides including every piece of state-of-the-art fitness equipment available these days, it also offers members pools and fitness classes.

The Field House in Philadelphia

David Gutstadt, founder of the inimitable Fitler Club gym in Philadelphia and a major consultant on the Equinox gym concept, took things to a new level when he opened Field House in Philadelphia in 2019. As it is, the Fitler Club already combines 14 upscale hotel rooms with an incomparably magnificent gym, spa, and opulent dining room, with room rates starting at $400 per night.

For Field House, Gutstadt created a much larger, 25,000 square-foot hotel/fitness club to convey that same finely tuned fitness experience. The hotel is only a small part of the venue, of course, with the fitness program being the biggest draw. That’s why the Field House boasts first-class workouts in a range of choices, from splendid hot-and-cold plunge pools to a challenging climbing wall, a full staff of professional private trainers, and a wide range of health and fitness classes. Gutstadt proudly proclaims that “all of this happens in a very exclusive and elevated environment. There is no waiting for machines or fighting for floor space.”

Working out never sounded like so little work.

The post Luxury Hotels are Stocking Up on High-Tech Fitness Equipment first appeared on Dornob.

Thankfully, more and more gyms are starting to take ambiance into account, working in fun and stylish details that can make working out feel like less of a slog.

In Beijing, architecture and design firm STUDIO RAMOPRIMO have created a facility that looks more like a theme park than a gym. Located inside the Indigo East Hotel, MFIT SPACE 01 is a two-story, 6,500-square-foot fitness center that allows users to shape their own individual training paths during one-on-one classes, giving them the freedom to choose the exercises and equipment that feels right for them.

Aesthetically, the gym has a bit of a futuristic edge, taking inspiration from space exploration facilities for its metallic surfaces, geometric room dividers, and built-in LED strip lighting. Its primarily silver and white color scheme is accented with different shades in various rooms and spaces, including metallic pastels, soothing blues, and motivating monochromatic red. The latter is particularly striking in the locker room, with its striped ceiling lights.

The fitness center’s iron blue lattice structure adds more than just visual flair. It’s also a permeable surface offering support for hanging ropes, hooks, and doing exercises. Elsewhere in the gym, a stark black room decorated with illuminated emoji-like symbols contains a water fountain, and the shower rooms are finished in black textured Bisazza mosaic tiles.

But the two features that really make MFIT SPACE 01 feel like a playground for adults are located within the double-height atrium: a climbing wall and a tubular stainless steel slide that wraps around a white spiral staircase. So if you’re just way too tired to take the stairs by the time you’re done working out, you can simply hook your bag over your shoulder and slide right down to the main level.

STUDIO RAMOPRIMO explains that their “design projects range from urban planning to architecture, interior design, and graphics. The main focus of the studio is the interaction between the social and built environments, offering at different scales vibrant design solutions for any contemporary urban living need. [The studio is also] involved in the INSTANT HUTONG project, investigating [the] contemporary process of rapid urbanization in China, relations between social and physical aspects of everyday environments, and ways for people to reinterpret the urban landscape.”

The firm adds that their name “refers to the way they call in Venice some hidden lane, and it’s the Italian translation of the Chinese term Tou Tiao, which indicates the first lane of a series of hutong alleys in old Beijing carrying the same progressive name. It marks the beginning of a newly born urban process.”

Loving these chic gym designs? Check out the Waterbeat Society, an aquatic sports center decked out with lots of fun neon lights, and Paris Pilates, an LA fitness studio that’s unapologetically feminine and glam.

The post MFIT: Space-Inspired Gym Features a Spiraling Slide first appeared on Dornob.

Some people who work a lot might even consider getting a robotic pet in place of a real one so they can have some sense of companionship without all the responsibilities. But what if instead you could get a robotic companion for a real animal? “Varram” is billed as a smart robot for your pet, which helps make sure they’re healthy and active even when you aren’t at home.

Shaped like a cylinder with two little electronic “eyes,” the Varram pet fitness robot rolls around on the floor to play with your pets, keep them entertained, dispense treats, and also monitor and record interaction data. Aimed at pet owners who are worried about their furry friends not getting enough stimulation and exercise, which can lead to boredom, depression, and obesity, the robot moves on its own, complete with a built-in obstacle avoidance system.

An accompanying app for both Android and iOS lets you set your own schedule for your pet’s play time, activity routines, sleep time, and treat time. But it’s also equipped with AI technology and capable of analyzing your pet’s behavior and mood to adapt to their personalities, so shy pets will get gentler movements. Touch sensors recognize pet interactions and understand when they want a treat.

The bot’s official crowdfunding page features a first-person narrative that reads: “People who have created me are quite handy. Actually, they have more than 10 years experience in creating pet-related smart gadgets like me and delivering the best experience to people like you. There are thousands of pet parents worrying about their pets left alone while they are working and have to be away from them. And there are thousands of pets out there suffering from being overweight and obesity that impact their quality of life. I was created to be the perfect combined solution to all these problems. Animal behavior specialists help to develop me every step of the way! A dedicated team of experienced engineers spent two years rigorously working to create me.”

If you’re a dog owner, you’re probably wondering just how quickly your pet would utterly destroy this robot. The creators say its durable FDA-approved polycarbonate material “can withstand any outside pressure or impact,” which sounds like big talk when your 15-pound Boston Terrier can tear up the strongest Kong chew toy in 3.5 seconds. But during performance tests, the robot was strong enough to withstand a 630-pound weight test, well beyond the strongest bite force of the English Mastiff (556 pounds).

And yeah, it’s also water resistant, so you can periodically wash off all the drool. One would imagine that your floors better be clean, too, or it’s just going to track pet fur and lint all over the place. Maybe use it in tandem with a Roomba?

Rechargeable via USB cable, the Varram is now available for $99, which doesn’t include any of the accessories. You can purchase extra rubber tires, two different sizes of treat containers, or a feathery cat toy separately for $7 to $21 each. Buy it at the Varram website or on Amazon.

The post Varram: A Smart Robotic Companion for Your Pet first appeared on Dornob.

THE WELL’s official website bills the center as “your complete ecosystem for wellness,” in which “your health is integrated, proactive, and personalized, leading to a more balanced you.” The company behind THE WELL uses the science of Western medicine and the wisdom of Eastern healers to foster holistic healing both physically and mentally. The facilities include a Meditation Dome, spa, private training gym, co-ed sauna, Movement Studio, Reflexology Lounge, library, organic restaurant, and annex for private parties. Not only does the club provide physical treatments like acupuncture and yoga, but it also offers several health education options, including sessions with personal trainers and weekly curated fitness programming. The intention is to help provide necessary services while also empowering members to take wellness into their own hands.

The club was designed by Rose Ink Workshop, a creative agency that mainly works in interior design. The company’s goal is to “place extra emphasis on crafting unique branded experiences … that make people smile.” THE WELL mixes luxury and simplicity to create a completely serene aesthetic. The motifs are apparent all throughout: light open spaces, neutral tones, lush greenery, and natural wooden fixtures. The design was specially planned to help members appreciate the design of human body and feel at one with all living things.

The Reflexology Lounge, for example, has white washed walls decorated with off-white macrame. The room also boasts gray and beige lounge chairs, gray side tables, and similarly neutral-toned blankets and baskets. The only pop of color here comes from racks of lush green plants. The wellness center’s Mindful Movement Studio is painted in the same stroke, with soft white walls and gentle lighting present all throughout. This space is mainly open and features a full-size mirrored wall.

The other areas of the club keep the same aesthetic but include elements designed to boost their unique intentions. The Meditation Dome has plush carpeting and a table filled with tall off-white candles, while the gym features color-coordinated weight-training machines and rope light fixtures made to complement an actual climbing rope. Rose Ink clearly put a lot of thought into designing interiors that not only accompanied THE WELL’s experiences, but enhanced them, too.

As great as all these spaces may be, the library is by far the most colorful room in the wellness center. The walls are of course white, but they’ve been paired with a teal carpet and a blush pink couch. This room is also decorated with colorful accent pillows and centerpieces, while the shelves on its walls are adorned with artworks in varying shades of yellow, pink, and orange. In here, members receive educational programming from doctors, teachers, and authors.

General membership for THE WELL costs a hefty $375 a month, but the price is cut to $210 if you’re under 32. While that price tag might still make you wince, it will certainly hurt a lot less with a face mask on and a tasty green juice in your hand.

The post Luxury Wellness Center Designed by Rose Ink Workshop Opens in NYC first appeared on Dornob.

Thankfully, more and more gyms are getting the memo. Among them is Waterbeat Society, the first and only hydrospinning center in Italy. Located in Milan, it’s got a highly memorable (and Instagrammable) look courtesy of NoMade Architecture and Interior Design.

Located just around the corner from the city’s iconic Duomo, Waterbeat Society is a two-level space decked out in a soothing palette of blues, greens, and violets, emphasizing its connection to aquatic sports. While a lot of standard gyms are more evocative of grunts and body odor than anything else, Waterbeat hits the trendy #wellness vibe with living plants, neon signs reading “BE A HYDROLOVER,” billowing curtains in rich marine blue velvet, and spaces that feel minimalist and welcoming all at once.

The architects explain: “Waterbeat Society was conceived and designed as an innovative place, significantly different from any fitness gym you are used to. WBS is a place where ‘cool,’ ‘friendly,’ and ‘pop’ are the key words, connoting an innovative character able to convey a fresh and colorful mood. The goal was to make you feel immediately Californian atmospheres. The colors of the project focus on a range of green, light blue, and blue, [with] walls and ceilings pervaded by the freshness of these colors.”

On the ground floor is a reception area with a small waiting room and three massage cabins, two of which are housed within velvet “cocoons.” The workout spaces themselves are underground, including a swimming pool that fits 13 hydrospinning bikes, another waiting area, and several changing rooms.

The NoMade team says they wanted the space to feel fresh above all else, accented by unexpected materials and bright colors that are “the ingredients that characterize Waterbeat Society.”

They add: “From the waiting room, it is possible to see the swimming pool through a large window. Through a long, white, and bright corridor, a sort of chromatic pause, you can access the male and female changing rooms and the pool. The access to the pool is through a short staircase, where the back wall is covered in water-repellent wallpaper, on which there are [a] logo and foliage.”

“The niches, used for storing exercise tools and showers, are covered with the same tiles present in the reception. Changing rooms are characterized by very fresh accents. Here, there is a game of two colors, water blue for women and blue for men, while the showers are covered in white tiles, with black grout in this case.”

The fact that it feels so much cooler than the average gym probably says more about the standard lack of ornamentation than it does about any real innovation, but it works nonetheless. Do you care about whether your gym has an interesting look? Do aesthetics enhance your experience while working out, just like they might in other aspects of your life?

The post Waterbeat Society: A Stylish Gym Full of Neon Lights and Plants first appeared on Dornob.

Social media “fitness influencers” make everything look easy, from performing circus-worthy yoga poses to dawning fresh faces after grueling workouts. But Instagram-perfect shots aren’t always what they seem, and some of them perpetuate unrealistic ideals of health and fitness. Still, it’s not hard to see why many people find them inspiring.

Naturally, the Insta-famous (and those who aspire to be them) are always looking for supremely photogenic places to work out, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s all about looks and selfies. You might not think the setting has much to do with the quality of the exercise, but if a beautiful studio helps motivate you to stick to your routine, it’s probably worth seeking out.

Among the most visually striking fitness studios in Los Angeles is Paris Pilates, which is every bit as chic as it sounds, despite all the sweat. While many other boutique fitness facilities find a cool, relaxing minimalist vibe most appealing, Paris Pilates takes things in a slightly more Baroque direction, all the while remaining just as effortless as the stereotypical fashionable French woman.

From the moment you step in the door, this pilates studio has the feel of a shop on the Champs Elysées or Rue Saint-Honoré. Set in a bright modern space on Sunset Boulevard, it gets much of its immediate impact from its color palette, which includes Paris Pink and Chalky White from Portola LA on the ceiling and walls, respectively, as well as white oak, brass details, and a striking deep blue-green accent wall behind the lobby desk.

Oversized mirrors with scrolled, gilded frames lean against a wall behind the machines, while a neon logo captures the mood of the city after dark. Outside, a mural reads “Let them do Pilates.” Somehow, even the pilates machines arranged on the chevron hardwood floors have a sort of casual elegance to them.

Paris Pilates creative director Jenny Williams is the multitalented mastermind behind the aesthetics of the space, taking inspiration from summers spent in the city, where she picked up on some essential style elements that are distinctly French.

She explains: “I was in Paris and after a long walk near the Seine, I rested for a glowy evening picnic. I dreamt what I wanted to bring back to LA. I wanted the feeling of French flair, of French carefree elegance, and feminine strength. I wanted a place that would transport me to Paris everyday. A place that had beautiful creaky floors like my apartment in the Marais, wooden beam ceilings painted a soothing color, modern lighting, and gilt mirrors.”

“I wanted to hear the music I heard when I was eating at my favorite restos or at the discotheque in Pigalle and feel my body move in a rhythmic pattern on the Reformer. A true experience-based environment was born. A story for the senses. We have equipped the studio with all you need to take a beautiful class, be inspired, dream of design, buy a French pharmacie favorite, and take home a souvenir.”

The results are intentional without being overly precious. They’re not the sort of self-conscious stylings you often see in contemporary businesses that are trying a little too hard to attract the Instagram crowd, like backdrops with a self-promoting hashtag painted onto them.

As you may have already guessed, you can check out more photos of the space on the pilates studio’s Instagram page.

The post Chic L.A. Fitness Studio Paris Pilates is Intentionally Instagram-Worthy first appeared on Dornob.

With the new school year on the horizon, students are slowly starting to dust off their laptops and anticipate new challenges. But aside from more powerful, faster, and lighter portable PCs out there, there are some other really cool new gadgets that make learning easier and more fun.

Livescribe 2GB Echo Smartpen

Think your head will explode trying to catch every word of a lecture? With this nifty tool, you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss a thing. The Echo Smartpen records everything you hear and write and automatically saves it to your computer. It also comes complete with software for Mac or Windows, a 50-page Starter Notebook, two ink cartridges, and a micro USB cable to transfer data and keep your pen charged. The pen is so compact (6.8 inches long) it fits in your pocket, so you’ll have no problem taking it around and recharging in between classes.

Astrohaus Freewrite

If you enjoy taking notes but hate the bulk of a tablet, Freewrite is the tool for you. It’s a word processor that connects with the Cloud, so whatever you type is automatically saved. Whether you’re taking notes in Psych 101 or composing iambic pentameter for poetry class, this tool allows you to write on with the confidence that nothing will be lost. The Freewrite’s advanced e-ink screen is clear even on sunny days, too, so you can relax on the beach while you compose if you so please. The battery life lasts for over a week with regular use, so there’s no need to constantly recharge either.

ThirdEye Gen X1 Smart Glasses

Many lecture halls are massive, so if you’re not in the front few rows, it’s difficult to see formulas on the board or other visual aids used by educators. Slip on a pair of these Smart Glasses, and you’re guaranteed to have the best view in the room. These spectacles transform your view to one comparable to viewing a 90-inch screen from a distance of 10 feet, with a whopping 13 megapixels making sure that everything is clear as crystal. If necessary, the X1’s photochromatic lenses can also be replaced with prescription ones.

Garmin vívosmart 4

No matter how many gadgets and tools you bring to a classroom, you always have to be of sound mind and body to maximize learning. vívosmart helps keep you on track. Besides offering standard info like daily steps and exercise, notifying you of medication and supplement schedules, and tracking the number of calories you’ve burned, the device also keeps track of your sleep quality, stress levels, and pulse oxygenation. Before you head out the door for an all-night session, the compact vívosmart can tell you if it might be better to chill and relax at home.

TI-84 Plus CE

Of course, there’s more to education than writing and listening, especially if your passion is math, science, or engineering. The Plus CE graphing calculator displays connections between data, equations, and graphs in full color and includes graph lines for easy reading. The 2019 model is also 30-percent thinner and lighter than past versions, and is ideal for Use for Pre-Algebra, Algebra I and II, Trigonometry, Statistics, Business & Finance, Biology, Chemistry, Geometry, Precalculus, College Math, and Linear Algebra. Last but certainly not least, the TI-84 is also approved for IB exams, AP exams that permit graphing calculators, and the PSAT, SAT, and ACT college entrance exams.

The post 5 Electronics Every Student Needs for Back to School 2019 first appeared on Dornob.

Let’s face it, shoes are often much more about function than comfort. They typically aim to offer pressure-point support or fill the arch void, but the reality is that shoes are not a one-design-fits-all kind of arrangement. This is no surprise to shoe manufacturers constantly hitting up the R&D department for a more cushioned and comfy footbed or low-impact design. In fact, comfort or superior performance often equates to a low fashion grade. But Nike’s new Joyride technology might just tackle the need for support, comfort, and trendy design all at once.

The secret is microbeads. Where predecessors like Nike Air Soles and Adidas Boost shoes have previously added more cushion, Nike claims that their shock-absorbing beads add the highest possible level of comfort. That’s because previous designs added cushion to the heel or inside footbed, whereas the Joyride technology fills the entire sole of the shoe. The beads are then free to shift around, creating a custom fit for the foot of the wearer.

This innovation provides consistent support wherever the user needs it most. The regular shifting of beads gives extra cushion in the heel when running many miles, while the toe area gets the brunt of the support while climbing stairs. Users describe the experience as standing on unpoppable bubble wrap.

The goal is to incur less impact on the body while running, and therefore make running a more enjoyable and less painful experience. If you haven’t been a fan of running in the past, this might be the motivation you’ve been waiting for.

Will Moroski, the Senior Product Line Manager for Nike Running, says: “Every runner faces the same problem: stress from pounding the pavement. We knew we needed a completely new cushioning system.”

The design incorporates separate compartments under the foot so that the 8,000-10,000 beads in each sole don’t all congregate in one area at once. These compartments, or pods, hold the beads within a particular section of the shoe. Instead of the beads rolling to a new location as needed, pressure from the foot initiates a unique response in each pod. This response is to flatten or expand the beads, thereby filling the pod and providing new support. The pods also vary in size depending on which area of the foot they’re covering, including large pods for the heel to absorb impact and smaller pods for the forefoot.

The description of the Joyride technology might have you envisioning those puffy white beads that oozed out of your children’s stuffed animals or ended up dispersed around the house thanks to your dog’s chew toy. In reality, Nike design engineers evaluated 150 different materials before deciding on TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), a substance made from a combination of rubber and plastic that offered the expansion response qualities Nike was looking for.

The company will soon offer the new technology on a sneaker called the Nike Joyride Run Flyknit, but eventually they plan to make the Joyride sole an option for all the shoes in their catalogue. It will, however, only be available for the Nike brand for the time being. Nike members can score the new technology now, but the general public and the rest of the world will have their chance beginning August 15th.

The post Nike’s New Joyride Technology Makes Shoes More Comfortable first appeared on Dornob.

Standing desks offer one way to tackle this problem, with designs ranging from portable desk platform add-ons to stands that hook onto the back of your chair. If chronic pain, disability, or just plain preference dampens your enthusiasm about being on your feet all day, other options include chairs that require active balancing to keep more of your muscles engaged, or even eschewing furniture altogether. But for those who like sitting down to work (or find themselves fidgeting a lot in the process), a new product presents a happy medium.

The HOVR is a leg swing that attaches to the underside of your desk, giving you an active foot rest that helps you burn significantly more calories than you would by simply sitting at an ordinary desk. While under-desk exercisers like ellipticals and step machines can require some focus to keep moving while performing your usual tasks, the HOVR is designed to encourage unconscious, non-distracting movement.

The design is pretty simple. Two non-slip foot pads sit on either end of a bar, hanging from a strap that mounts to the underside of your desk by way of six screws. Alternatively, there’s an independent stand version that’s more portable and requires no attachment points. Just put your feet on the pads and move in any way that’s comfortable. According to the desk swing’s creators, there’s really no wrong way to use it, since staying balanced on it naturally causes you to move your legs, improving your circulation and helping you stay alert during work hours. HOVR even backs up these claims with studies by the Mayo Clinic, the University of Chicago, and the University of Tokai.

HOVR’s creators say that their under-desk leg swing is the closest people can currently get to the motions of walking while sitting down, adding that it burns 17 percent more calories than sitting, gaining it NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) certification from the Mayo Clinic. If you want to track exactly how much more you’re moving than usual, you can connect the swing to an accompanying smartphone app or an optional FitBit-like wrist device.

Too much fidgeting may be frowned upon in some workplaces, but depending on how your office is set up, sliding one of these swings under your desk could help you channel that energy in a way that flies completely under the radar. In any case, it seems like using it would be a lot less distracting than moving all your stuff around to assemble a stand-up desk.

HOVR is now available on the company’s website, starting at $59 for the desk-mounted version and $119 for the freestanding one.

The post $59 HOVR Desk Swing Offers a Distraction-Free Seated Workout first appeared on Dornob.

To get things started, the company set us up to operate remote control cars with our minds. As strange as that concept may seem, the headband we used to do so made it feel incredibly natural. More specifically, our brainwaves were being converted into digital instructions that told the cars to move around the track they were on — an especially amusing feature given the fact that human beings can think faster than they can react. No need to remember which button did what.

Once the thrill of racing with our minds subsided, we started thinking about all the other potential applications for BrainCo products. With their FocusFIT headband, the link between mind and body is strengthened even more. Its accompanying tablet app uses neurofeedback technology to give users actionable information both before and after their workouts. The headband is put on pre-workout, with cognitive games available on the app to help sharpen your focus and achieve an ideal performance. Once your workout is over, FocusFIT uses guided meditation to help your muscles recover more efficiently. You can then track their progress over the course of several sessions.

In the classroom, BrainCo’s FocusEDU could be used to quantify a student’s level of engagement with course materials in real-time. In this scenario, each student would be given a headband to help them calm down, concentrate, and meditate on course material. If a student is having difficulty in mathematics, the teacher will instantly know exactly where the breakdown in comprehension has occurred. If they’re simply not paying attention, the educator will know that, too, no matter how hard the student may try to conceal their daydreaming.

Over the course of the school year, teachers could also use FocusEDU to critique their own teaching methods based on the brainwave data collected. Were the technology to become ubiquitous in schools, there would no longer be a need for report cards or teacher evaluations — the data would tell the students, teachers, school administrators, and parents almost everything that they needed to know.

Even if you’re not a fitness buff or a student, BrainCo’s FocusNow can help you work more efficiently, tracking your performance for you and determining the areas where the quality of your work could be better.

As double-amputee athlete Mincheng Ni showed us, even the most challenging of tasks can be done if we put our minds to it. Ni performs using one of BrainCo’s award-winning AI-powered prosthetic hands, which learn their users’ habitual motions to create a more fluid piece that feels like a real arm, further proving the company’s motto, “your brain controls everything.”

Considering the millions of people that stand to benefit from the convergence of machine learning and neuroscience, it’s safe to say that BrainCo’s potential is more pronounced than we can even begin to think about.

The post BrainCo Blows Minds at CES 2019 first appeared on Dornob.