2011 was a year of magnificent technological progress. Humans seem to be on an endless quest for knowledge. Here is a list of the top ten most interesting inventions of 2011, in no particular order.
1) The BodyGuard
Essentially a high-tech gauntlet, this armored sleeve comes packed with a laser pointer, video camera and a taser for all of your crime-fighting needs. It’s painted all black too, for maximum stealth.
2) The Terrafugia Transition
The flying car is finally here! While not produced commercially yet, the Transition has had numerous successful flight missions and is looking like an excellent entrant into this brand new industry. Whether or not the flying car catches on remains a mystery, as a drastic overhaul of all major travel mediums would have to take place, requiring a significant amount of money.
3) Synthetic Cells
Cells whose genetic information was created by a computer are in the early stages of development, and researchers are extremely excited about the potential. With this discovery, it is likely that scientists in the future will be able to engineer ultra-efficient cells for rapidly delivering vaccines and such throughout the body.
4) The Martin Jetpack
This jetpack, named after Glenn Martin of New Zealand’s Martin Aircraft Company, is touted as being the first jetpack pragmatic enough to deliver emergency supplies and such in dire situations. It’s also large enough for bystanders to mistake you for a small aircraft, so avoid no-fly zones when possible.
5) The Stark Hand
This synthetic hand is giving disabled people a second chance. With individual knuckles that bend just like their organic counterparts, the Stark Hand is quickly becoming the prosthetic-of-choice for the disabled. Best of all, it’s produced with low-cost materials and is easily affordable by those in need.
6) The Medical Mirror
Developed by MIT student, Ming-Zher Por, this mirror senses information about your heartbeat via a tiny webcam that measures the light bouncing off your face. Por idealizes a future where information about your heart can be instantly transmitted to your doctor, simply by looking into the mirror.
7) The Katal Landing Pad
After a nasty snowboarding accident, engineering student, Aaron Coret, and his friend Stephen Slen set out to design a landing pad that was safe for boarders and skiers alike. Their design is unique in that upon impact, the rider is given enough cushion to comfortably land without being enveloped by the material out of which the pad is made.
8) The Printbrush
The Printbrush is basically an ultra-portable printer with the ability to print any picture onto almost any surface. Created by Alex Breton, the Printbrush easily fits in a briefcase or purse and weighs less than a pound!
9) Dynamic Eye Sunglasses
During a particularly blinding commute, inventor Chris Mullin decided that a new breed of sunglasses needed crafting. Enter the dynamic eye sunglasses, with liquid crystals embedded in the lens that darken your glasses depending on where the sun is striking them!
10) Kymer Motorized Body Board
Perfect for those who are looking to putt around the lake but don’t want to go through the hassle of lugging a boat out there, this board-boat hybrid can reach speeds of over twenty-five miles per hour!