Lebanon-based design firm Post Industrial Crafts created these Tripod Lamps using recycled 5-gallon water bottles and a unique production method:

"The Tripod Lamps are an extremely simple, and iconic, assembly of three legs, one handle, and one shading cone. They are ground and table lighting additions, which can be transported along with their handle and fit anywhere on their three legs. The shading cone directs and filters the light.

"Using our 5D printing process, the Tripod Lamps are entirely made with local recycled polycarbonate, processed by our large-scale robot arm Hayete, (meaning "My Life" in Arabic). The robot arm moves our large industrial screw extruder in space, laying a line of molten local recycled plastic along a parametrically set path. Once the molten recycled plastic is deposited in space, it immediately starts self-setting as its temperature decreases.

"For easy recycling, the four mono-block, mono-material pieces, are assembled with only two large screws. For an extensive range of use, the lamps are easily transportable by their ergonomic handle. The lamps are colored using our home-brewed mix of pigments to give them a range of finishes, be it shimmering, translucent, completely transparent to even opaque. These lamps are designed as versatile companions to create a fine-tuned ambiance at home."

The deep blue model is a limited-run Sursock Edition, named for Beirut's Sursock Museum. The proceeds from this edition are going to the restoration of the museum, which was damaged by Beirut's devastating port explosion last year.

Of all the commonplace objects one could redesign, few would consider rubber bands. But one company felt they could be improved, and thus we have these Alco Rubber Sealing Rings.

"These rubber sealing rings with hooks are used to bundle strands of wire, rods or tubes. By virtue of their durability in low temperatures they are also suitable for fastening refrigerator bags. The little built-in grips make it easy to attach and remove them."

They're 32mm (about 1 1/4") in diameter, and cost a bit more than the ordinary kind: They run €2.2 (USD $2.60) a pop.

With Munich IAA Mobility (formerly the Frankfurt Auto Show) in full swing, I've been wading through a lot of kooky concept car renderings, trying to find a single design element with actual substance.

For instance, BMW's i Vision Circular is a compact car designed around the concept of recyclability. Some of the presentation is just renderings featuring call-outs highlighting recycled content…

…while other parts feature a lot of mood-board-like renderings that convey about as much functional information as an avant-garde fashion show.

But finally, I did actually find something noteworthy in this seemingly wacky seat:

Here the designers have at least taken a stab at a concept for how fully-recyclable automotive seating can be designed:

"The BMW i Vision Circular features a future-proof seating concept that uses only a few materials. The upholstery is made of recycled plastic which rests in an anodized aluminum frame. The back of the slim front seat shell is made of recycled plastic in a terrazzo look. There is a quick-release fastener for disassembly, allowing for metal and textile to be easily separated and reused according to type."

I desperately want to see more on this. Is the framing designed in such a way that the single shown fastener is holding the entire assembly together (and what is the logic behind making it "quick-release")? Can this design support airbag modules? How would these elements work with a seat that actually had reclining functionality?

These answers, of course, don't exist yet.

Volkswagen has unveiled an electric concept car called the "ID. Life." (Because they've joined the annoying trend of inserting punctuation into what's meant to be read as a single name, we'll henceforth refer to it as the ID Life.)

The unassuming exterior isn't much to write about—frankly, it looks like the renderings were done the night before the presentation, in a terrible hurry--but what the designers have envisioned for the interior is pretty radical, and again drives home the point that car brands are now trying to design for the younger generation:

"Its interior has a human touch focused on shared experiences, and its digital technology speaks directly to the needs of young target groups. Access to the vehicle is granted by means of a camera combined with facial recognition software. The interior can be transformed into a cinema or gaming lounge, thanks to a flexible seating landscape. Inductive charging trays for smartphones are integrated into the door pockets.

"…The ID LIFE is a reliable companion for digital experiences of various kinds. In no time at all, its interior can be converted into a cinema or gaming lounge, for instance. A game console and projector are on board, too, while a projection screen that extends from the dash panel as required serves as the screen. Other devices can be connected as required to the 230-volt / 16-amp power supply in the interior.

"For this purpose, the front seat backrests are folded forward to serve as leg rests for the occupants, who can make themselves comfortable on the rear seat, which is moved into a reclining position. A comfortable surface to lie down on can also be created by folding down the front and rear seat backrests completely."

It does seem strange, or perhaps wistful, that the ID Life's designers are imagining cars as a place for people to hang out and play videogames or watch movies in together. My understanding of gamers is that they prize their home set-ups, not to mention the convenience of being able to play others online without leaving the house. And I believe the prevalence of streaming services has made watching movies at home, alone, acceptable or even desirable, a trend that may persist even after the pandemic subsides. Apple's SharePlay, whereby folks can remotely stream content in synchronicity and interact with each other, might plug any social voids felt.

I suspect this might be a case of designers who aren't in the target demographic, trying to design for the target demographic. Then again, perhaps they've read the tea leaves correctly, and in future we'll all be Fortniting from parking lots.

The ZeLoop Smartphone app linked to blockchain cryptocurrency that gamifies and rewards recycling will have a US pilot by year’s end.

Not every conveyor is designed for robotic automation. Use the right type, and then think about these five considerations when adding robots to your packaging operation.

The FCC's move to pick a winner in the DSRC vs. C-V2X battle could slash the available bandwidth, according to Continental.

A sustainability-themed ad campaign, released as the US Congress was considering funding for the FDA and other agencies, backs a proposed FDA rule that would eliminate prescriber-directed paper inserts from pharmaceutical packaging and require electronic distribution of the information.

Infineon CoolSiC silicon carbide will bring high-voltage efficiency for EVs.

Packaging approaches like chiplet tech can extend Moore’s Law. But what does that mean for chip design product developers and fabs?

Cadillac has unfinished business following its 2000-2002 flop in France.

Just as people have senses that transmit movement and position to their brains, autonomous vehicles employ a collection of electronic sensors to keep them true to their intended pathways.

From the Project One hypercar to hybrid-electric city buses, Mercedes aims to exploit hard-won hybrid know-how for production vehicles.

A robotic system replaces labor-intensive manual placement of components into pouches.

User testing revealed to BMW the limitations of making selections easier for users, so they added the option of a "confirm" button.

Three polypropylene, polycarbonate/PET grades are the first of many to come.

Developed in 45 to 55 Shore A durometers, the new reSound R grades are suited for general-purpose applications in the consumer and automotive industries.

Automotive air-conditioning hose made of rubber–resin polymer alloy combines flexibility and heat resistance of rubber with gas-barrier properties of resin.

Partnering with Great Place to Work, PEOPLE has identified the top US companies to work for. Here are the tech companies on that list.

You’ll also find explosion-proof safety devices and artificial intelligence for high-end electronics assembly.