Funny Inventions and Weird Crazy Inventions

Here's an invention aimed at those with envious bank account balances. We've seen the likes of supercars, bikes and boats but we've never before included a submarine. If you would like to avoid the busy streets or have a stretch of water completely to yourself what better way than with a submarine. The submarine is powered by a rechargeable battery pack which turns a series of electric motors, removing the necessity for fuel. The submarine will tow the vehicle though the water using a surface vessel and a generic propulsion system. This innovative tow system aims to offers the power of an internal combustion engine to an undwerwater vessel. This will allow the submarine to...

Everyone loves robots. Not everyone loves spiders. This might leave you uncertain over this product, which comes courtesy of the University of Bielefeld's Department of Biological Cybernetics. Named HECTOR, (obviously an acronym for HExapod Cognitive auTonmously Operating Robot), this spider-like robot measures in at approximately one meter in length and is 12 kilograms in weight. 13 percent of this weight belongs to the exoskeleton, with joints on its legs allowing the robot to move somewhat creepily like a spider. I'm not sure why the University chose to base the robot on an arachnid that tends to creep out the majority of society. Maybe exactly that, to creep people out....

Solar powered vehicles are beginning to be developed and introduced as our modern world goes 'green'. In a bid to create the best solar powered vehicle, to participate in the 2010 American Solar Challenge, a 1100 mile race from Tulsa to Chicago, emerges the Centaurus 2. The Centaurus 2, made by The Solar Vehicle Project team, looks to be powered by three wheels with the driver off the vehicle positioned off center. The Centaurus is approximately three feet tall, sixteen feet long and six feet wide. The car weighs around 400 pounds, which in comparison to a conventional car is rather light and should contribute towards improved aerodynamics. The solar cells only appear to cover...

Just occasionally a product comes along that simply blows us away. We get to see a lot of crazy and sometimes brilliant inventions, but Laser Cosmos is without a doubt the most superb one we've seen. There is no product out there that comes even close to the sheer excellence of this galactic wonder - sorry to sound quite so effusive, but really, it's staggering. Imagine lying in your room, and having the ceiling whipped away to reveal the vast outreaches of the cosmos whirling overhead, complete with misty blue nebulae (which you can turn on and off!) and the occasional shooting star. Fully adjustable and requiring no set up, this super powerful space projector scatters a random...

What do you get if you cross a scanner with a book? Well, erm, one of these I guess. This idea seems a little bizarre, but it is definitely unique and actually makes a rather bland looking scanner look slightly more impressive. A scanner has been modified to appear like a book, and charted his progress on his own website. Being tired of the boring aesthetics of a flatbed scanner, DataMancer took it upon himself to solve this issue, and add a degree of style to it. By hollowing out a book, the scanner was placed inside, and I'm assuming that any type of book can be used to suit your own personality. It's always the strangest ideas that seem to achieve the highest attention, and I...

If you're looking to uncover hidden treasure, then put your conventional metal detector to the side, and replace it with these pair of metal detecting sandals. Not exactly a trend setter, but a lot more practical than carrying a large pole around with you. The sandals are attached to a small black box, which can be strapped around one of your legs, concealed under your trouser leg. The right sandal has an inbuilt copper coil, which is powered by the battery pack, which straps around your leg. Once the sandals approach within 2' of a metal object, you will be alerted in one of two possible ways. A light is flashed, and then either a vibration or buzzing noise is emitted. The...

Here's an energy saving shoe which looks more like a broken electronic sandal. This is NTT's debut effort at creating a pair of power packing sandals, but unfortunately, despite the best of intentions, the visual aesthetics of the shoe leave a lot to be desired. These shoes are made to transform walking; into energy, but this latest gadget looks like a half-finished prototype more than a revolutionary new product. The shoe is designed to allow you to charge your gadgets, such as your mobile phone or i-pod, whilst you are on the move. NTT have a lot of work to do to make these appear fashionable in the slightest, or even safe enough to walk with. Sadly, I suggest walking all the...

Transforming a popular product into a wooden version is a bizarre development, but the cell phone has just undergone such treatment. The Maple Phone has been developed by two Koreans, Hyun Jin Yoon and Eun Hak Lee as they prove that phones do not need to follow the same trend of plastic products. The wooden phone exhibits a touch sensitive keypad and also a camera. For the touchpad to work correctly, we believe that some different materials are used, as this would be impossible based on wood alone. The phone is great from an environmental perspective, since wood is a natural source and completely renewable. Perhaps this will pave the way for future wooden products, for example...

This invention is still in its prototype stage yet aims to utilise defunct products and apply a different purpose to them. The Corona-Matic Waffle Maker makes waffles in the shape of computer keyboards. The gadget transforms an old style of writing equipment into a kitchen appliance which can cook up a few tasty treats. The inventor of the Corono-Matic is Chris Dimino, which was a group project at the School of Visual Arts. The task set for the students was to modify an exiting useless product into something which could be used nowadays, revolutionising the product and its use. The invention is yet to enter the mainstream market, but we think it will only be a matter of time, and...

For travel, many of us opt for a motorbike, whist very few of us have the time to learn to ride the more comical unicycle. Well, an 18 year-old scientist by the name of Ben J. Poss Gulak, has decided to merge both modes of transport, and develop what he has termed, 'Uno'. The bike caught the attention of many attendees to the 2008 National Motorcycle Show in Toronto, either because they thought it was cool or to determine what it actually was. The common wheel set-up, of one at the back and one at the front has been revolutionised into two wheels sitting side by side. The Uno also utilises rear footpegs and a considerably smaller chassis. Amazingly, the Uno weighs only 120lbs and...

Here is a security gadget with a few twists, literally. The Defendius Door Chain at first glance looks like some kind of puzzle game, which attaches to your door and the door will only open once the maze has been completed. OK, this sounds good for those wanting to gain unauthorized access but what about trying to get out, and having to complete the puzzle each time? I'd rather not have to waste time figuring out a puzzle if my home was on fire and I was attempting to escape as quickly as possible. It's all well and good trying to improve a home's security, but as once was reported on a crime program, if the door becomes indestructible the burglar will try to break through the...

Conserving space is very much a must for those living in small apartments or flats, where space is few and far between. Therefore it is imperative to take advantage of the space you do have, and create an illusion of having more space than you actually do. Many use subtle colours on their walls, or mirror effects to achieve this illusion, but a practical solution has only entered the scene recently, in the form of the TurnOn Multi-Functional Spinning Wall. The Wall is essentially a room which makes use of the ceiling also - allowing for additional space and room. In order to feel the new dimension of space you climb into the hamster-like wheel and then roll it you’re your desired...

Power naps are fantastic, and also proven to rejuvenate a person during the day. We all long for these power naps, but unfortunately there is never a bed around at the time, especially in the work office, leaving you nodding off with your nose pressed hard down against the desk. Did you ever dream of a portable bed which you could quickly assemble and then catch up on some much needed sleep? Well, the solution to such problems has finally arrived. A German study which was undertaken in 2004 concluded that a daily power nap can be beneficial in the workplace by both improving efficiency and morale. Designed by four students to demonstrate these findings, the Nappak was invented....

Are your kitchen cupboard looking rather bare? Do you often traverse around the Supermarket only to leave without those precious items which you only realize you've forgotten to purchase only when you arrive home to unpack? Well, fear no more. Rest assured that every item you require is added to your basket and then stacked into your bulging kitchen cupboards and fridge. The SmartShopper Automated Grocery List Printer comes to your rescue, allowing you to print out a grocery list with minimum of fuss. The device is voice activated, which allows you to talk into the handset which then compiles a textual list ready for printing. It sticks via a magnet to your fridge. The list is...

There is no better alarm system than a vicious dog barking ferociously at the prowler's awaiting entry point, but the primary disadvantage with this protection method is the incessant cleaning up, albeit with the aid of a pooper scooper. Now you can have the best of both world; a barking protection system which leaves no mess (from the dog anyway, the intruder may mess himself). This invention is called an Alarm Security Bar which adds instant protection to any home without the need for expensive installation and monitoring. The alarm noise is sounded whenever the door knob is touched or door is pushed, so the alarm is designed to be set off under the slightest of pressures. The...

Snakes are often feared, but these Movin' and Groovin' Snakes are as tame as they come, considering they are made of plastic. These snakes plug directly into your music device and dance to the rhythm of the song being played. The snakes also come with a set of speakers which will omit the sounds of all your favourite tracks, in a surprisingly good quality. So they can play music and dance simultaneously, half pop artists can't even manage that. So if you're after some light entertainment albeit from a snake, then keep the cobras out of sight and opt for the Movin' and Groovin' snake, a much safer alternative. There is a switch on the snake which allows you to control...

USB's are commonly used in the modern world and variations continue to emerge, revealing new interesting concepts and means of portable data use. The latest USB accessory comes in the form of a tie, suited towards those who feel the heat around their neck whilst sporting a tie. Limited market we believe, nonetheless invention company Thanko have manufactured the idea in Japan, named the USB Powered Necktie Fan. Nice and catchy title they have there, and it does do exactly as the name suggests. The USB powers a small fan built into the knot of the tie to keep you cool, in at least one sense of the word. The tie's portability is restricted to the length of the USB cable, which may...

In an effort to improve the flexibility of cycling on a regular bike, Michael Killian has invented a bicycle with a distinct twist, quite literally. The sideways bike allows the cyclist to travel sideways rather than straightforward with a more flexible and dynamic approach. All that is required by the cyclist is to convert the traditional left to right balance, to a more complicated front to back balance. All well in theory, but this change is more difficult to adapt to than one would think. The bike also exhibits wheels which work independently allowing more control (after much practice) as to the direction you would like to manoeuvre in. With this in place, it becomes possible...

This device attaches to your computer via simple USB connection allowing you to transfer and store any audio clip of 30 seconds or less. The device then attaches itself as an extension to the existing doorbell wiring to replace the sound with the stored file. Surprise your guests by resonating any sound which you choose as they approach and press the doorbell. The device is wall mountable and can be attached by a hook to keep the doorbell well concealed. The doorbell is designed for low power wiring homes, where circuits are of a low voltage. The doorbell is sure to make a buzz when guests arrive for dinner. Ding dong!

Creepy crawlies may appear dull and boring, but this 'AntWorks' brings action and intrigue to an otherwise mundane viewing. Ants can lift up to 20 times their own body weight; have two stomachs and three eyes. They often work together, commonly in large groups, to achieve everyday tasks. The guys over at NASA have worked together in a similar fashion to create a healthy habitat for your ant collection. The habitat allows you to view the routes taken by individual ants as they alter the aqua blue gel into a spectrum of different colors. AntWorks is based on an advanced form of gel which ensures a safe and vibrant existence for both the ants and the onlooker. The effects are...