A wonderful idea for countries where earthquakes are frequent and people need to take shelter as soon as they feel a temblor. We have already spoken of a very similar idea here in the past, where a door was also used as a method of protection. Now, this idea takes things one step further, as it allows for a door to be installed in such a way that it offers total protection to anyone under the door, covering the entire body and protecting against any falling debris.

Seen on Geekalerts
Maria Mazariegos fromideas4all

Many of our ideators have shared ideas to improve the way we look for a parking space in big-city parking lots, a source of particular concern for many local governments.

Today I bring you an idea that is still only a concept, but that will surely be something many of you have thought about when you enter a parking lot: how about receiving an assigned, specific parking space, to save you from going round and round the building looking for one?

Many of us would be very happy to see this idea implemented.

Seen on Yankodesign
Maria Mazariegos from ideas4all

Here is a surprising and innovative idea developed by a company in Taiwan: dbRevO. Simply change the front wheel, and you can transform a normal bike into an electric one. It’s that easy.

The model is already being marketed in different colors and is extremely easy to use, which is what makes it so innovative. It is not particularly cheap for the time being, but it still is a brilliant idea.

Check out the video and see for yourselves.

Maria Mazariegos from ideas4all

The latest Challenge of the Month, sponsored by Fundación Promete, will be extended one more month, until May 31. You therefore have more time to send your ideas as we look towards the future of education and try to uncover what schools will be like in 10 years’ time.

Now you can make the most of this extension to participate with your ideas, there’s no limit to how many, so post as many as you want! You can win one of the three 100€ prizes that are up for grabs!

Remember that in order to take part in the Challenge, you must submit your idea using the “I have an idea” button in the Challenge of the Month section, which you’ll find in the ideas4all homepage.

Here is all the information you need.

The first idea won the 2011 edition of the Red Dot Design Concept awards. Deservedly too, as the concept helps people in wheelchairs to bathe independently, something that can become quite an uncomfortable task for them. It also does not require electricity, since the bathtub’s swinging adjusts with the weight of the water.

With the next idea, you will never need to choose between a shower and a bathtub again, as it lets you have both in one, in a way that is comfortable and functional. For safety reasons, bathtubs can sometimes become an obstacle, especially for the elderly or for children.

Maria Mazariegos from ideas4all

The solution to this problem will be of help to a Spanish Training company that is looking to implement a distance-learning course (virtual training, E-Learning), using tools that are already available in the market and that are inexpensive, suitable for the task, and make a distance-learning course as similar to attending class as possible.

There is a 300€ prize for the best proposal, selected by the problem’s sponsor, Prescal. You can share your solutions until May 30.

Access the problem here and share your solution.

For a window, great views and letting light in is not enough, is it? Not anymore, as this idea reinvents windows, making them elements that can adapt to the needs of a house’s inhabitants.

Capable of rotating 360 degrees, it can be cleaned completely and easily. And if you have plants on your windowsill, you can take care of them and keep them safe from changes in the weather.

Seen on Yankodesign
Maria Mazariegos from ideas4all

The man responsible for this achievement is French engineer Bernard A.J. Stroïazzo-Mougin, and he has already created a pilot plant in Alicante (Spain) that has been operating since April 2011. A system has been developed there using microalgae as raw material, feeding them solar energy and CO2 to obtain petroleum barrels at a very competitive price, costing somewhere between 60 and 70 dollars a barrel.

This price is made possible by the fact that a sub product is obtained during the process, namely fatty acids known as Omega-3, which currently have a high commercial value in the food industry.

This biopetroleum can become a great alternative to normal petrol. Another advantage is that microalgae are grown in methacrylate tubes that do not require much space, and are capable of regenerating by themselves, while they also absorb twice the CO2 that will later be given off in burning the fuel produced in the process.

A real breakthrough.


Maria Mazariegos from ideas4all

This new Challenge of the Month is sponsored by Fundación Promete, a non-profit organization devoted to the development of talent through projects in the field of Education.

You can participate until April 30 with your ideas about: What would you like tomorrow’s schools to be like?

There will be 3 winners, each receiving a 100€ prize. Share your ideas!

Remember that for you to take part, you need to publish your idea using the button: “I have an idea”. You can find this button in the ideas4all Homepage, under Challenge of the Month. If you do not submit your ideas through this button, you won’t be taking part in the competition

Here’s all the information you need.

This year, we join Earth Hour 2012 for the second time on Saturday March 31, in the struggle against climate change. An effort we all need to be making together.

A simple gesture, turning off the lights for one hour (from 8:30pm to 9:30pm) will be enough to make a difference. Individuals, institutions and companies around the world are supporting this initiative.

ideas4all is joining Earth Hour 2012, why don’t you join us too?