Mitchell Heinrich

Fenix ReadySet

mitch — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:29:21 +0000

The Fenix ReadySet is an intelligent battery that can quickly and safely charge from many sources including the Fenix Velo bicycle generator, the Fenix Solar panel, as well as from the grid using our wall adapter. This electricity is immediately available to power lights, charge mobile phones and other applications through plug & play USB and cigar lighter adapter ports. Drove the design and engineering from sketch to production.

Fairy Juicer

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:56:39 +0000

Le Pressoir de la Fee is a whimsical machine built in collaboration with software engineer David Fine for Roboexotica, a cocktail robotics festival in Vienna, Austria. It’s mechanism squeezes absinthe from a captured green fairy into your glass. It won the “serving” category at its debut at Roboexotica 2008. The robot was also prominently featured at the 2009 Edwardian Ball in San Francisco.

Le Pressoir de la Fée (Cocktail Robot) from mitch heinrich on Vimeo.

One-Way Mobius

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:49:36 +0000

This giant Mobius strip was created in collaboration with mechanical engineer Luigi Oldani and graphic designer Rob Cerrato. The one way street signs highlight the fact that a mobius strip is a one-sided three dimensional object.

Splinter

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:40:49 +0000

Inspired by the clean lines of Japanese cutlery, this simple magnetic knife block is made from rapidly renewable bamboo. The Splinter incorporates hidden high-strength rare earth magnets to both hold itself to a metal surface and hold cutlery safely and securely.

Goban

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:33:42 +0000

A new take on a centuries-old gaming board. Traditionally the highest quality gobans are built from rare Japanese kaya wood and are prized for the satisfying “knock” made by playing a piece. My goban is designed to honor the tradition and craft but updating it with a contemporary design aesthetic. It’s built from purple heart and birdseye maple and is designed with a hollow resonating chamber to accentuate the knock of thepiece being played.

Whisper Lamp

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:28:18 +0000

This modern task lamp is a collaboration with graphic designer Stefan Andrizzi. It features a sturdy stainless steel base, aluminum articulating arm and a handsome bamboo inlay.

Blade Charger

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:24:16 +0000

An ultra fast-charging portable battery pack and flashlight. The Blade was designed to be highly rugged and sealed for harsh environments. This product was coupled with a matching Potenco pull cord generator for a series of user studies in rural Uganda. The Blade receives its charge from the generator and stores for later use via two USB ports or a Nokia phone charging port. It’s also a highly efficient and incredibly bright flashlight.

Hex

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:18:33 +0000

A quick study for Potenco that sought to demonstrate the usefulness of portable electricity generation. The Hex is a hub for charging personal electronics as well as an efficient replacement for hazardous open flame illumination which is standard in developing countries. This product concept incorporates magnets tofacilitate connecting multiple Hex lights together to encourage users to come together and build a beehive of light for communal gatherings.

Potenco Tiger

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:14:07 +0000

A highly efficient micro power generator designed for families living off-grid in developing countries. This prototype generator is an enabling technology designed to allow people living in rural areas the ability to charge their mobile phones and light their houses. The Tiger is designed to be super rugged and highly affordable. The form and function were guided by user studies in both rural Bangladesh and Uganda. Lead industrial designer, collaborator on mechanical assembly and market research field studies.

Potenco PCG-1

mitch — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:10:36 +0000

An evolution of the OLPC YoYo, the PCG-1 is a pull-cord generator that can power any USB mobile device off the grid. The Potenco PCG1 was honored with a 2008 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award. Lead industrial designer and collaborator on mechanical assembly.