Web Log

And you thought Justin Bieber was a manufactured pop act. Z-Machines literally is. This band of robots plays their own instruments. They jam harder when the audience goes wild and can be programmed from visitors to their website. I'm not sure whether this is awesome or gives me dystopian nightmares. The fact they're sponsored by a Japanese soft drinks company makes it even more manufactured. I think Bob Dylan's off to dig a grave so he can spin in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK9n97fN1Go


A womb with a view
Irish digital illustration firm The Science Picture Company has developed a visually stunning new app, in conjunction with app developers Redwind Software, called Life in the Womb.

This iPad app offers a week-by-week visual guide to pregnancy using detailed 3D imagery. There are plenty of info-graphics and you can rotate the 3D images to see the developing baby from all angles. A great idea executed brilliantly. It's available from the iTunes app store now for €4.49.

http://www.lifeinthewombapp.com/

Charge your laptop with pedal power
The Kickstarter website has some amazing projects on it but I love the idea behind Pedal Power because it's a beautiful concept for creating clean energy. Entrepreneur Andy Wekin already builds pedal-powered machines called "dynapods" but wants Kickstarter funding to invest in research and development. One of his clients, brewery owner Evan Williams, uses a custom dynapod to grind the grain for his beers. How great would it be if office workers were encouraged to generate a percentage of their energy needs?

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1510207830/pedal-power-human-scale-energy-for-everyday-tasks?ref=category