手機版
Hoverboards, intelligent space craft, edible food wrappers, and much much more— Welcome to TIME’s annual round-up of the best inventions making the world better, smarter and—in some cases—a little more fun.
歡迎來到《時代周刊》年終最佳發明彙總，這裏有懸浮滑板，智能航天器，可食用的食物包裝以及其他更多的發明，這些發明讓我們的生活更美好、更智能、甚至有時候變得更有趣。
1. The Real-Life Hoverboard
現實版磁懸滑板
The hoverboard—a type of skateboard that levitates like a magic carpet—had been a pipe dream since its fictional debut in 1989’sBack to the Future Part II. Now California-based tech firm Hendo has built the real thing.
懸浮滑板——一種像魔毯一樣懸浮在空中的滑板——自從在1989年的科幻影片《回到未來2》中出現以來就一直讓人可望而不可即。現在美國加州技術公司Hendo已造出了實物。
Hondo’s hoverboard can float only an inch or so above the ground, and even then only over conductive material like copper or aluminum. Just 10 are being made to order (so far). And battery life is 15 minutes—barely enough time to zoom past your enemies à la Marty McFly. But the technology that powers it could be revolutionary. Hendo founders Jill and Greg Henderson plan to develop magnetic “hovering” tech to stabilize buildings during earthquakes, protect valuable works of art and more. “The hoverboard is the first step to bringing this technology to the world,” says Greg.
Hendo公司的懸浮滑板隻能離地大約一英寸(2.54厘米)，即使這麼低的高度也必須是在導電材料如銅質或鋁質的表麵才行。目前為止，Hendo公司隻定製了10台。電池的續航時間為15分鍾——這點時間勉強夠從敵人à la Marty McFly身邊快速逃離。Hendo公司創始人吉爾和格雷格•亨德森計劃對磁“懸浮”技術進行開發，以達到在地震中穩定建築物以及保護價值連城的藝術品等目的。格雷格稱：“懸浮滑板是把這項技術推向世界的第一步。”
2. The Supersmart Spacecraft
超智能太空船
Nobody gets Mars right on the first try. The U.S. didn’t, Russia didn’t, the Europeans didn’t. But on Sept.24, India did. Building the craft cost India just $74million, less than the budget for the film Gravity. It portends great things for the country’s space program—and for science in general.
印度空間研究組織研製的“曼加裏安”號火星探測器。還沒有人第一次嚐試就能到達火星的。美國沒有，俄羅斯沒有，歐洲也沒有。但9月24日，印度卻做到了。製造該探測器隻花了印度7400萬美元，還不及電影《地心引力》的預算。這對於印度航天計劃以及整個科學界具有重要的象征意義。
3. A Reactor that Could Realize Nuclear Fusion
可實現核聚變的反應堆
Nuclear fusion has always been the holy grail of energy: it’s endlessly productive and largely clean—and so far, it’s remained elusive. But in October, Lockheed Martin said it had achieved a technological breakthrough that will enable it to make compact fusion reactors small enough to fit on the back of a truck within a decade. The design uses “magnetic mirror confinement” to control the reaction. Absent further details on how it works, some outside scientists are skeptical. But if Lockheed really can produce a workable fusion reactor, the world of energy may never be the same.
核聚變一直是能源中的聖杯：它取之不盡且基本上是潔淨的，而且到目前為止仍然難以把握。但在今年10 月，洛克希德•馬丁公司（Lockheed Martin）表示其實現了技術突破，從而將能在10年內製造出小得足以安裝在卡車後部的緊湊型聚變反應堆。其設計利用了“磁鏡約束”來lai控kong製zhi反fan應ying過guo程cheng。由you於yu缺que乏fa有you關guan其qi工gong作zuo原yuan理li的de更geng多duo細xi節jie，外wai部bu科ke學xue家jia持chi懷huai疑yi態tai度du。但dan如ru果guo該gai公gong司si真zhen的de能neng製zhi造zao出chu可ke正zheng常chang工gong作zuo的de聚ju變bian反fan應ying堆dui，能neng源yuan世shi界jie可ke能neng會hui為wei之zhi徹che底di改gai觀guan。
4. Wireless Electricity
無線電力
We already have wireless Internet and wireless phones. Why, then, are everyday appliances still shackled to the wall? WiTricity’s technology—involving a plug-in coil that creates a magnetic field, which in turn powers objects as far away as 2.4 m — has been tested on Toyota electric cars, Intel PCs and more. Within 10 years, says CEO Alex Gruzen, rooms could be wired so that all appliances—lamps, TVs, stereos—pull power from a central charging base.
我們已有了無線網絡和無線電話。那麼為什麼日常家電仍要插入牆上的電源插座中？美國無線電力公司的技術——利用插入式線圈產生磁場為最遠距離達2.4米的目標供電——已在豐田電動汽車、英特爾電腦及其他裝置上進行了試驗。無線電力公司首席執行官阿曆克斯•格魯森稱，在10年之內，房間裏可以布設導線，這樣所有的電器(電燈、電視、音響等)都可以靠一個中央充電基座供電。
5. 3-D-Printed Everything
3D打印一切
A machine that can build any object. It sounds like a sci-fi fantasy, but thanks to the rise of 3-D printers—devices that can build objects from digital blueprints, usually by layering plastic or other materials—it is rapidly becoming reality. That’s a boon for consumers and corporations alike. In the past year alone, middle-school students have 3-D-printed stock cars for physics lessons, scientists have 3-D-printed tissues for human organs, and GE has used 3-D printing to improve the efficiency of its jet engines. “This is one of those technologies that literally touches everything we do,” says Avi Reichental, CEO of 3D Systems, whose 3-D printers produce candy (as shown above) and musical instruments, among other objects.
可以造出任何物品的機器。聽起來像是科學幻想，但隨著3D打印機的崛起，這正在迅速成為現實。能夠通過數字藍圖、多層塑料或其他材料製造物體的設備正快速變成現實。對消費者和企業而言，這是個福音。僅過去一年，中學生們的物理課上有了3D打印汽車、科學家用3D打印了人體器官、通用公司（GE）使用3D打印技術改善噴氣引擎效率等。 3D Systems公司的3D打印機可以打印糖果、樂器以及其他物品，該公司首席執行官艾維•雷切托爾（Avi Reichental）說：“理論上說，這是能讓我們涉及所有領域的技術。”
6. Watches that Redefine Smart
改寫智能定義的手表
Most smart watches have proved to be anything but: they try to shrink down the experience of using a cell phone, with clunky results. Apple’s Watch, by contrast, wholly reimagines the computer for the wrist, using a novel interface that combines a touchscreen and physical buttons. Besides telling time, the Watch can send messages, give directions, track fitness and make wireless payments.
大多數智能手表已經證明純屬雞肋：它(ta)們(men)試(shi)圖(tu)濃(nong)縮(suo)手(shou)機(ji)的(de)使(shi)用(yong)體(ti)驗(yan)，結(jie)果(guo)卻(que)難(nan)以(yi)令(ling)人(ren)滿(man)意(yi)。相(xiang)比(bi)之(zhi)下(xia)，蘋(ping)果(guo)手(shou)表(biao)體(ti)現(xian)了(le)全(quan)新(xin)的(de)手(shou)腕(wan)電(dian)腦(nao)理(li)念(nian)，利(li)用(yong)新(xin)穎(ying)的(de)接(jie)口(kou)把(ba)觸(chu)摸(mo)屏(ping)與(yu)物(wu)理(li)按(an)鈕(niu)結(jie)合(he)到(dao)一(yi)起(qi)。除(chu)了(le)具(ju)備(bei)鍾(zhong)表(biao)功(gong)能(neng)外(wai)，蘋(ping)果(guo)手(shou)表(biao)還(hai)可(ke)以(yi)發(fa)送(song)信(xin)息(xi)、導航、跟蹤鍛煉情況及進行無線支付。
7. The Smartphone that Puts Privacy First
把隱私放在首位的智能手機
Nearly half of Americans don’t feel safe sharing private information over a cell-phone call, according to Pew. So how can phone owners conceal their data? Enter the Blackphone, a smartphone designed to put privacy above all else. The device, developed by the company of the same name and accelerated after the Snowden leaks, runs a customized Android operating system stripped of features that might make data vulnerable, like calendar sync. It also comes with software that encrypts calls, texts and browsing history at levels far beyond normal smartphones.
皮尤研究中心稱，近一半美國人覺得在手機上談論個人信息是不安全的。那麼手機的主人怎樣才能藏好自己的信息？Blackphone應ying運yun而er生sheng，這zhe是shi一yi款kuan把ba隱yin私si看kan得de高gao於yu一yi切qie的de智zhi能neng手shou機ji。這zhe款kuan由you同tong名ming公gong司si研yan製zhi並bing在zai斯si諾nuo登deng泄xie密mi事shi件jian後hou加jia速su推tui出chu的de手shou機ji，采cai用yong定ding製zhi版ban安an卓zhuo操cao作zuo係xi統tong，其qi中zhong剔ti除chu了le可ke能neng造zao成cheng安an全quan漏lou洞dong的de功gong能neng如ru日ri曆li同tong步bu等deng。它ta還hai帶dai有you以yi遠yuan高gao於yu普pu通tong智zhi能neng手shou機ji的de技ji術shu水shui平ping對dui通tong話hua、信息和瀏覽曆史進行加密的軟件。
8. The Cooler that Powers Your Party
讓派對更加火熱的便攜冰箱
Coolest is the world’s smartest all-purpose party starter. It stores food and drinks, sure. But it also touts a blender, an LED lid light, a USB charger, a Bluetooth speaker and big wheels designed to navigate many terrains (beach, parking lot). Since Grepper’s prototype first appeared on Kickstarter earlier this year, roughly 63,000 backers have contributed $13.3 million to make it a reality. It’s now the most funded creation in the site’s history, besting hits like the Pebble smart watch and Oculus Rift’s virtual-reality glasses.
Coolest便攜冰箱是世界上最出色的多用途派對用品。當然，它可以存放食物和飲料。但它還帶有攪拌器、LED門燈、USB充電器、藍牙揚聲器以及便於在多種地形(包括海灘、停車場等)上搬運的大輪子。自從樣機今年早些時候首次出現在眾籌網站“啟動者”網站上以來，已有約6.3萬網友出資1330萬美元支持使之成為現實。它目前是該網站有史以來吸引投資最多的發明，戰勝了像Pebble智能手表和Oculus Rift虛擬現實眼鏡等熱門發明。
9. The Chip that Stops Your Slouching
糾正姿勢的小卡片
As we always forget to stop slouching, we created a ultimate reminder. Once users clip the Lumo Lift, a chiplike gadget about the size of a thumb, onto their shirt, it analyzes neck and spinal positions and vibrates when they’re less than ideal. The system has exceeded its internal sales goals. Half of its users are women, which is impressive given that early adopters for gadgets often tilt male.
我們總是忘了糾正懶散的姿勢，為此Lumo身體技術公司發明了Lumo Lift姿(zi)勢(shi)提(ti)醒(xing)器(qi)。一(yi)旦(dan)使(shi)用(yong)者(zhe)在(zai)襯(chen)衫(shan)上(shang)別(bie)上(shang)像(xiang)小(xiao)卡(ka)片(pian)一(yi)樣(yang)的(de)該(gai)裝(zhuang)置(zhi)，它(ta)就(jiu)會(hui)分(fen)析(xi)頸(jing)部(bu)和(he)背(bei)部(bu)的(de)位(wei)置(zhi)，並(bing)在(zai)姿(zi)勢(shi)不(bu)理(li)想(xiang)時(shi)發(fa)出(chu)震(zhen)動(dong)。該(gai)係(xi)統(tong)的(de)銷(xiao)量(liang)已(yi)超(chao)出(chu)內(nei)定(ding)目(mu)標(biao)。有(you)一(yi)半(ban)使(shi)用(yong)者(zhe)是(shi)女(nv)性(xing)，鑒(jian)於(yu)電(dian)子(zi)產(chan)品(pin)的(de)嚐(chang)鮮(xian)者(zhe)通(tong)常(chang)以(yi)男(nan)性(xing)居(ju)多(duo)，這(zhe)一(yi)點(dian)著(zhe)實(shi)讓(rang)人(ren)印(yin)象(xiang)深(shen)刻(ke)。
10. The Car that Makes Electric Enticing
令電動車變得動人的汽車
For the most part, electric cars have been slow, sexless and stolid to drive—or stunningly expensive. So when BMW announced it would start selling them, it had a high bar to clear. The I3 delivers. In addition to getting 113 to 177 km on a single 3-hour charge, its novel design allows drivers to use a single ¬pedal to both accelerate and brake (press down to go, ease up to stop), which results in more energy-efficient driving. And because so-called range anxiety remains a top reason people don’t buy electric, BMW is pioneering ways to ease customers’ doubts. Among them: an optional backup gas motor that can recharge its batteries in a pinch and a program that lends owners a gas-powered vehicle for longer trips.
電動汽車大多行駛緩慢、毫無魅力和缺乏駕駛快感，要不就是貴得嚇人。因此當寶馬公司宣布將開始銷售電動車時，它需要跨越很高的標杆。寶馬i3轎車做到了這一點。除充電3小時可行駛113-177公裏外，其新穎的設計還使司機可用同一塊踏板實現加速或製動(前進時踩下，製動時抬起)，這(zhe)將(jiang)會(hui)提(ti)高(gao)能(neng)源(yuan)效(xiao)率(lv)。而(er)鑒(jian)於(yu)所(suo)謂(wei)的(de)裏(li)程(cheng)焦(jiao)慮(lv)仍(reng)是(shi)人(ren)們(men)不(bu)願(yuan)購(gou)買(mai)電(dian)動(dong)車(che)的(de)頭(tou)號(hao)原(yuan)因(yin)，寶(bao)馬(ma)公(gong)司(si)將(jiang)率(lv)先(xian)推(tui)出(chu)打(da)消(xiao)顧(gu)客(ke)疑(yi)慮(lv)的(de)措(cuo)施(shi)，包(bao)括(kuo)選(xuan)裝(zhuang)在(zai)緊(jin)急(ji)時(shi)刻(ke)能(neng)為(wei)汽(qi)車(che)電(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)的(de)汽(qi)油(you)發(fa)動(dong)機(ji)和(he)為(wei)車(che)主(zhu)提(ti)供(gong)長(chang)途(tu)旅(lv)行(xing)時(shi)以(yi)汽(qi)油(you)驅(qu)動(dong)的(de)程(cheng)序(xu)。
11. The Tablet that Replaces Laptops
取代筆記本電腦的平板電腦
Microsoft’s latest “hybrid” bundles the power of a laptop into a svelte 12-in tablet and can run desktop apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint. That, as well as a slim, detachable keyboard cover and a built-in stand, makes it more suitable than other tablets for professionals like doctors and businesspeople.
微軟公司最新的跨界產品把筆記本電腦的性能融入了12英寸平板電腦內。它還能運行Word、Excel和PowerPointdengtaishijichengxu。zheyitedianjiqixiuchangdekechaishijianpangaihefangbianzaizhuoshangshiyongdegudingjizuo，shitabiqitapingbandiannaogengshiheyishengheshangwurenyuandengzhuanyerenshi。
12. The Ring that Alerts You in Style
優雅地發出提醒的戒指
Like many professional women, Christina Mercando keeps her smartphone in her purse, which meant she was constantly digging it out to check for important notifications. But what if she could get that info from something she was already wearing? That’s the thinking behind Ringly, a line of rings that can be programmed to glow when wearers get an email from their boss, a text from their Uber driver or any number of other can’t-miss communications. Mercando raised more than $1 million to realize her vision. So far, the concept is working: the first 1,000 Ringly rings, which debuted in June, sold out within 24 hours.
與許多職業婦女一樣，克裏斯蒂娜•梅mei爾er坎kan多duo總zong是shi把ba手shou機ji放fang在zai包bao裏li。這zhe意yi味wei著zhe她ta要yao不bu斷duan拿na出chu手shou機ji查zha看kan重zhong要yao消xiao息xi。但dan如ru果guo她ta從cong某mou件jian自zi己ji佩pei戴dai的de物wu件jian上shang獲huo得de這zhe些xie信xin息xi，會hui怎zen樣yang？這zhe就jiu是shiRingly智能戒指的創意：通過設置，當佩戴者收到老板的電子郵件、出租司機的短信或是其他任何不能錯過的信息時，這種戒指可以發亮。梅爾坎多籌到100多萬美元實現自己的設想。這一想法奏效了：6月推出的首批1000枚Ringly戒指在24小時內即售罄。
13.The Pillbox that Gets Personal
個性化藥盒
T.J. Parker grew up in a family that owned and operated a pharmacy, he knows firsthand how confusing it can be for people to track which meds to take when, especially if they fill multiple prescriptions. That’s why the e-pharmacy he runs now, PillPack, doesn’t traffic in bottles. Instead, every two weeks, patients are sent a dispenser, which has their medication—all of it—sorted into a ticker tape of tearable packets, organized by date and time.
T•J•帕克在一個經營藥房的家庭中長大。對於人們要記住什麼時候該吃什麼藥是多麼難的一件事——尤you其qi是shi如ru果guo同tong時shi要yao吃chi多duo種zhong藥yao，他ta有you切qie身shen感gan受shou。這zhe便bian是shi為wei什shen麼me他ta現xian在zai經jing營ying的de電dian子zi藥yao房fang不bu銷xiao售shou整zheng瓶ping藥yao的de原yuan因yin。作zuo為wei替ti代dai，藥yao房fang每mei兩liang周zhou會hui向xiang患huan者zhe寄ji送song一yi個ge分fen藥yao器qiPillpack藥盒，裏麵的藥物都按日期和時間分裝在一撕即開的紙袋中。
14. Bananas that Prevent Blindness
預防失明的香蕉
In sub-Saharan Africa, up to 30% of kids under age 5 are at risk of going blind—among other conditions—for one simple reason: they don’t get enough eye-nurturing vitamin A. But what if the bananas that make up a lot of their diet could be re-engineered to deliver it? Australian biogeneticist James Dale and his team began developing a vitamin-A-enriched “superbanana”. “These bananas could potentially solve” a major health problem, Dale says.
在撒哈拉以南的非洲地區，多達30%的5歲以下兒童存在失明危險，原因包括一個簡單的事實：他們攝入可保護視力的維生素A不夠多。如果在他們飲食中占很大比重的香蕉被改造為含有維生素A，情況會怎樣呢？澳大利亞遺傳生物學家詹姆斯•戴爾和他的團隊開始培育一種富含維生素A的“超級香蕉”。戴爾稱，“這些香蕉有可能解決”一個重大的健康問題。
15. The Wheel that Gives Bikers a Boost
為騎車人提供助力的輪子
We know that biking is good for us and good for the environment. But getting around on a bicycle can seem daunting, especially in a large city with a hilly terrain. To lessen that burden, Cambridge, Mass.–based Superpedestrian has developed the Copenhagen Wheel, a standard-size wheel—it can be attached to the back of most bicycles—that boasts a rechargeable, battery-powered motor. Depending on rider preferences, entered through a smartphone app, the motor can kick in power throughout the ride or just on hills. Sensors also track road conditions, air temperature and potholes, so cyclists can share real-time information about best routes.
我(wo)們(men)知(zhi)道(dao)騎(qi)自(zi)行(xing)車(che)對(dui)身(shen)體(ti)和(he)環(huan)境(jing)都(dou)有(you)好(hao)處(chu)。但(dan)騎(qi)著(zhe)車(che)到(dao)處(chu)奔(ben)波(bo)似(si)乎(hu)是(shi)件(jian)苦(ku)差(cha)事(shi)，尤(you)其(qi)在(zai)擁(yong)有(you)丘(qiu)陵(ling)地(di)形(xing)的(de)大(da)城(cheng)市(shi)。為(wei)減(jian)輕(qing)這(zhe)種(zhong)負(fu)擔(dan)，美(mei)國(guo)馬(ma)薩(sa)諸(zhu)塞(sai)州(zhou)的(de)超(chao)級(ji)步(bu)行(xing)者(zhe)公(gong)司(si)開(kai)發(fa)了(le)可(ke)加(jia)裝(zhuang)到(dao)大(da)多(duo)數(shu)自(zi)行(xing)車(che)後(hou)輪(lun)上(shang)的(de)“哥本哈根輪”，tadaiyoukezhongfuchongdiandediandongmada。genjuyouzhinengshoujiyingyongshurudeqicherenpianhao，madakezaizhenggeqixingguochenghuojinzaishangposhitigongzhuli。chuanganqiduidaoluzhuangkuang、氣溫和坑窪進行監測，以便與騎車的人分享有關最佳線路的實時信息。
16. The Seamless Sign-Language Translator
天衣無縫的手語翻譯器
For the millions of deaf people who cannot speak, everyday communication often requires costly human translators and tedious note writing. Enter the Uni, a tablet and attachment that leverages motion-sensing cameras and voice recognition to translate American Sign Language into spoken words—and spoken words into text—in real time.
對千百萬聾啞人來說，日常交流通常需要昂貴的人工手語翻譯和冗長的書寫。Uni裝置是一台帶專用附件的平板電腦，它利用運動感應攝像頭和語音識別技術，把美式手語實時翻譯成口語，並把口語轉換成文字。
17. The Filter that Fights Ebola
抗埃博拉過濾器
What makes the Ebola virus so frightening is its speed. In a matter of days, it can pump out enough copies of itself to overtake the immune system. But the Hemopurifier, a specially designed cartridge that attaches to a dialysis machine, can tip the balance back in the body’s favor: its lectin filter attracts Ebola viruses and sucks them from the blood as it flows through. It’s been used only once, on a patient in Germany, but it did the trick—effectively curing his Ebola infection.
埃博拉病毒的可怕之處是它的傳播速度。它可以在幾天之內進行大量自我複製，攻破免疫係統。但Aethlon醫療公司開發的Hemopurifier過濾筒可加裝到血液透析機上，能讓機體恢複應有的平衡：其qi植zhi物wu凝ning血xue素su過guo濾lv劑ji可ke吸xi收shou埃ai博bo拉la病bing毒du，並bing在zai血xue液ye流liu經jing時shi把ba病bing毒du清qing除chu。該gai產chan品pin僅jin在zai德de國guo一yi名ming患huan者zhe身shen上shang用yong過guo一yi次ci，但dan它ta產chan生sheng了le奇qi效xiao，真zhen的de治zhi愈yu了le他ta的de埃ai博bo拉la感gan染ran。
18. The Selfie Stick (and Hairbrush)
自拍助手
If 2013 was the year in which selfie became a buzzword, then 2014 was the year selfies became a cultural phenomenon. Look no further than a recent Pew report, which found that at least a quarter of Americans have shared a selfie on a social-networking site. Sensing a new market, several companies have launched devices designed to streamline the selfie-taking experience. Many of them, like a hairbrush that holds your smartphone, are more goofy than game changing. But the selfie stick (produced by multiple brands), which enables users to position their smartphone beyond arms’ reach to get better photo angles adds genuine value.
如果說2013是“自拍”成為熱詞的一年，那麼2014便是自拍成為一種文化現象的一年。最近的皮尤調查顯示，至少有1/4的(de)美(mei)國(guo)人(ren)在(zai)社(she)交(jiao)網(wang)站(zhan)上(shang)分(fen)享(xiang)過(guo)自(zi)拍(pai)。感(gan)覺(jiao)到(dao)新(xin)商(shang)機(ji)的(de)幾(ji)家(jia)公(gong)司(si)推(tui)出(chu)了(le)優(you)化(hua)自(zi)拍(pai)體(ti)驗(yan)的(de)專(zhuan)門(men)裝(zhuang)置(zhi)。大(da)部(bu)分(fen)像(xiang)發(fa)梳(shu)一(yi)樣(yang)的(de)自(zi)拍(pai)裝(zhuang)置(zhi)形(xing)式(shi)大(da)於(yu)實(shi)際(ji)意(yi)義(yi)。不(bu)過(guo)，讓(rang)用(yong)戶(hu)能(neng)把(ba)手(shou)機(ji)放(fang)到(dao)雙(shuang)手(shou)夠(gou)得(de)著(zhe)的(de)範(fan)圍(wei)之(zhi)外(wai)取(qu)景(jing)的(de)(多種品牌的)自拍助手真正達到了增值效果。
19. The AC that Lowers Your Energy Bills
幫你節省電費的空調
The Aros air conditioner, which is developed by Quirky, the GE-backed site that turns people’s concepts into creations. It’s smart. Thanks to a companion mobile app, Aros can track owners’ movements via GPS and turn itself on and off depending on their proximity to home. It also tells people exactly how much money they’re spending to cool their residences. That’s how Quirky knows it’s working: so far, the company says, Aros owners who use the “smart away” feature that turns the unit on and off automatically have trimmed their energy use by nearly 10%.
Aros空調是由通用電氣公司自助的創意網站Quirky研發的。它是智能化的。利用一款配套的手機應用，Aros空調可以通過GPS跟蹤主人行蹤，並根據他們離家的遠近自動開關機。它還能告訴用戶他們正在花多少錢來給屋子降溫。Quirky網站稱，使用自動開關機功能的Aros空調為用戶節省了近10%的電費。
20. The Prison Room that Helps Inmates Relax
有助於囚犯放鬆情緒的監獄活動室
For 23 hours a day, the 200 inmates in solitary confinement at Oregon’s largest prison see nothing but a tiny, white-walled cell—an experience some research suggests can heighten mental illness and make prisoners prone to suicide attempts and violence. Last year, officials began letting some of them spend their free hour in a first-of-its-kind “blue room,” an exercise space where a projector plays video of open deserts, streaming waterfalls and other outdoor scenes. That imagery, says creator Nalini Nadkarni, who studies how nature affects behavior, is designed to calm prisoners.
每天有23個小時，美國俄勒岡州最大監獄裏被單獨關押的200名(ming)囚(qiu)犯(fan)除(chu)了(le)白(bai)色(se)的(de)牢(lao)房(fang)牆(qiang)壁(bi)什(shen)麼(me)也(ye)看(kan)不(bu)到(dao)。有(you)研(yan)究(jiu)稱(cheng)這(zhe)種(zhong)體(ti)驗(yan)會(hui)提(ti)高(gao)精(jing)神(shen)疾(ji)病(bing)發(fa)病(bing)率(lv)，使(shi)囚(qiu)犯(fan)容(rong)易(yi)具(ju)有(you)自(zi)殺(sha)和(he)暴(bao)力(li)傾(qing)向(xiang)。去(qu)年(nian)，監(jian)獄(yu)官(guan)員(yuan)們(men)開(kai)始(shi)讓(rang)一(yi)些(xie)囚(qiu)犯(fan)在(zai)獨(du)創(chuang)的(de)“藍屋”裏度過1小時放風時間，這是一個內有放映機播放空曠的沙漠、奔流的瀑布和其他室外景色視頻的活動室。這個屋子的設計者納利尼•納德卡爾尼的專業是研究自然界如何影響人類行為，而這個屋子也意在使囚犯平靜下來。
21. The Tablet Toy that Gets Physical
讓孩子動起來的平板電腦玩具配件
Like many kids, Pramod Sharma’s daughter loves the iPad. But “when her face is glued to the screen, six inches away, all day long—I wasn’t too happy,” he says. (Studies have shown that too much screen time can lead to attention problems and obesity.) So the ex-Google engineer and his former colleague, Jérôme Scholler, devised a way to bring virtual play back into the real world. Osmo’s “reflective AI” attachment enables the iPad camera to interpret physical objects—allowing kids to mimic an onscreen pattern with colored tiles, for example, and get rewarded for doing it correctly (while also refining their motor skills).
與許多孩子一樣，普拉莫德•夏爾馬的女兒喜歡玩iPad。但是他說：“每當她目不轉睛地盯著屏幕，距離隻有6英寸(約合15厘米)，而且整天都是這樣的時候，我就不是太高興。”於是這名前穀歌工程師和他以前的同事傑羅姆•舍勒想出了一種讓虛擬遊戲回歸現實世界的方法。Osmo公司的“反射式人工智能”附件使iPad上的攝像頭可以捕捉實物目標，從而使孩子可以仿照屏幕上顯示的圖案擺放彩色模塊，並在擺放正確的時候獲得獎勵(這同時也能提高他們的運動能力)。
22. The Coaching Basketball
智能化教練籃球
This basketball comes embedded with nine sensors and a Bluetooth chip that sends performance data to a mobile app—allowing players to measure, say, the arc of their jumpshot. If something’s off during game play, the voice of a coach (via the app) can even implore you to “go faster” or “snap your wrist.” “We get excited when we see someone improve,” says Michael Crowley, whose company, InfoMotion Sports Technologies Inc., makes the 94Fifty Smart Sensor.
這種籃球內置了9塊傳感器和1塊藍牙芯片，後者可把表現數據傳送給一款手機應用，從而使打球者可以作出自我評估——例如他們投籃的弧線等。如果比賽不順利，那麼手機應用裏甚至會有一個教練的聲音要求你“加快速度”或“手腕用點勁”。生產94Fifty智能傳感籃球的InfoMotion體育技術公司的邁克爾•克勞利說：“看到有人提高了球技，我們就覺得興奮。”
23. Wrappers You Can Eat
可食用的包裝
“Edible wrapper” sounds like an oxymoron—unless you’re WikiFoods founder David Edwards, who has devised a way to encase yogurt, cheese, ice cream and more in shells strong enough to hold their shape (in water, heat and cold) until you take your first bite. The secret lies in science: Each shell is made of particles of dried fruit or other natural substances that are tiny enough to be electrically attracted to one another; they are combined with calcium and sugar to strengthen the form.
“可食用的包裝”聽起來自相矛盾——除非你是WikiFoods公司首席執行官戴維•愛德華茲。他發明一種(在遇水、遇熱和遇冷時)保持不變形的外殼，可以把酸奶、奶酪、冰激淩及其他食物裝入其中，在你張口咬開之前不會變形。這其中的奧秘來自科學：每個外殼都用水果幹或其他天然物質的顆粒製成，這些顆粒小得足以因為帶電不同而相互吸引：它們又與鈣和糖混合起來，以加固外殼。
24. Screens that Showcase Digital Art
數字藝術展示屏
“There are so many artists” making beautiful works on and for computers, says digital artist Jake Levine, referencing the burgeoning Tumblr community (among others). But putting that art on physical walls has been nearly impossible. Levine’s Electric Objects, which has raised almost $3 million in funding, aims to change that. The sleek, 22-by-13-in. flatscreens are wired specifically to display art. Their brightness dims in tandem with sunlight, and their matte finish blocks glare so they resemble actual paintings. And a companion smartphone app lets users switch what is displayed on a whim.
數字藝術家傑克•萊文說，“有如此多的畫家”在電腦上或在為電腦創作美麗的作品，他指的是日益紅火的Tumblr等網上社區。但把這種藝術掛到牆上卻一直幾乎是不可能的。萊文的Eletric Objects公司旨在改變這一現狀。該公司生產的光滑的平板顯示屏規格為22×13yingcun，neizhilewangluolianjie，keyonglaixianshihuazuo。tamendeliangdukeyuyangguangtongbubianhua，biaomiandemoshachulikexiaochufanguang，congeryingzaoyouhuabandezhigan。peitaodeshoujiyingyongshiyonghukesuiyiqiehuanxianshideneirong。
25. Action Figures that Empower Girls
讓女孩變得強大的動作玩偶
Studies have shown that girls’ career ambitions can be heavily influenced by their playthings. But when moms Dawn Nadeau and Julie Kerwin started searching for female action figures that were athletic and empowering—as opposed to dolls like Barbie, most of which cannot even bend their limbs—they were dismayed to find … none. So using funds they raised on Kickstarter—$162,906 to be exact, more than quadruple their goal—they designed and commissioned a firm to build their IAmElemental series of action figures, meant to portray women as heroes with strong personalities. Each figure embodies a different “element” of heroism, like persistence or honesty. “The idea that girls could save the world—that’s a very powerful fantasy,” says Nadeau.
研究顯示，女孩的職業抱負在很大程度上會受到玩具的影響。然而，當唐•納多和朱莉•克爾溫兩位母親開始尋找與芭比娃娃截然相反的健壯、強勢的女性動作玩偶時，她們卻沮喪地一無所獲。於是，她們籌集了16.2萬多美元，設計了自己的“我是強者”係列動作玩偶並委托一家企業生產，這些玩偶意在把女性塑造為具有強勢性格的英雄。每款玩偶都代表一種不同的“英雄主義”要素，例如恒心或誠實。納多說：“女孩可以拯救世界的概念是一種非常有力的想象。”
