Treating a bicycle like a work of composite hardware (rather than a fixed object, this modular approach allows users to replace pieces and parts more easily as well as allowing incremental upgrades over time.

Developed by product design graduate student Kasper Schwartz as a thesis project, the RubyBike is (optionally) an ebike designed to address changing transportation needs and general individualization desires.

The bicycle includes a compact and lightweight frame, smaller wheels (as well as collapsible handlebars and pedals) for a slimmer total package, and reactive steering for urban environments.

The motorization is optional, and can be achieved without changing the appearance of the bike by placing the battery in the middle of the frame and swapping out the front wheel. A smartphone holder allows for easier GPS navigation, speed measurements and other tracking integrations.

The appearance and functionality are “targeted at people looking for a city-friendly everyday bicycle that is stylish, refined and characterful, but which is also practical, useful and durable, and can be easily adapted to suit their needs – even if they would eventually change.”

The post Life Cycle: Customizable Modular Bike with Swappable Parts first appeared on Gajitz.

A viral hit when it was just a concept, Project Ara is now coming to life in 2015: a mobile phone with interchangeable modules you can exchange on demand to vary its functionality, upgrade its components or potentially even hack your own additions. A ‘Ship of Theseus’ approach means buyers can trade up parts as needed or replace broken pieces without scrapping their whole phone.

Spearheaded by Google’s Advanced Technology & Projects group, the newly-released design is dubbed Spiral 2 and includes “a 1280 x 720 display, 5-megapixel camera, wifi and bluetooth connectivity, light & proximity sensors, a 3G modem with either a band 2 or band 5 antenna, thermal imaging system, battery, speaker module, USB charger and space for 2 different types of processors.”

But it doesn’t end there: imagine a whole range of potential parts, acting like apps do within the phone’s digital world, that plug in and swap out as desired – you could add unique, custom and/or personalized tools and pieces that only you need, or change configurations for home versus work versus travel.

Injection-molded polycarbonate plastic parts are stylistically versatile – they can be user-customized to feature images, colors  and patterns chosen by individual users. An initial roll out will take place in Puerto Rico but buyers can expect to get their hands on this in the mainland United States within the year.

The post Hot Swap: Google’s New 11-Piece Modular Phone Prototype first appeared on Gajitz.