Lightsabers, shrink rays and teleporters: 5 Inventions JOE wishes were real

Here at JOE headquarters we were discussing how much better life would be if lightsabers actually existed...

You could toast bread in seconds, have a really, REALLY close shave and we doubt traffic wardens would be too quick to annoy us. With that in mind, here are five other inventions we wish existed. Hopefully someone will create them at the Design & Tech Hardware Hackathon next week.

Hoverboard

JOE remembers when we were just a little tyke, taking the wheels and trucks off our skateboard and jumping from a fairly high wall. We’re not saying we expected it to turn into a hoverboard like the one from Back to the Future; we’re just saying it would have saved us six stitches if it did.

Teleporter

Once or twice JOE has ended up in situations and had no idea how we got there. Unfortunately, this cannot be put down to a teleporter.

The Neuralizer from Men in Black

This would have been handy when we were asking for a new skateboard after the hoverboard incident (see above).

Dream-Rendering Machines

Imagine waking and watching the dreams you just forgot on your TV or laptop? Actually, this could be wonderful or terrifying. Probably terrifying... definitely terrifying.

A Shrink Ray

Another apt way for keeping the traffic warden away. We're also pretty sure we were at an expensive restaurant recently that used this on all its meals. We really wouldn't be surprised if they did. How cool would it be to make gadgets like this? You could, if you get a ticket to this weekend’s Design & Tech Hardware Hackathon at DCU Innovation Campus. If you’re an entrepreneur, designer, marketer or tech developer, and are interested in designing, creating and prototyping the connected devices of the future, over 36 hours, join PCH and DCU and innovators from around the globe this weekend, November 1-3 at the DCU Innovation Campus for Ireland’s first Design and Hardware Hackathon. The event will be run in conjunction with the Web Summit, and in partnership with NCAD, Airbnb, Allied Irish Bank (AIB), Design Partners, Each&Other, Intel and Nordic Semiconductor will co-sponsor the Hackathon and will also provide equipment, support and advice. The team that designs and prototypes the winning device will receive a €1,500 prize from PCH to further develop their product, consulting from Each&Other to perfect their design and tickets to the Web Summit. The runners-up will receive €1,500 and the third placed team will receive €500. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GqqFkAnOls Tickets cost €40 and there will be free workshops at 1.30pm on Saturday 1 November, open to the public, to demonstrate some of the latest hardware equipment, including Intel’s Galileo development board. A screening of Maker: The Movie also takes place on Saturday 1 November to inspire participants and spur creativity. A panel discussion with some of the world’s foremost technology leaders, including Liam Casey CEO PCH and representatives from tech and design companies Kano, Airbnb and the Paul Cocksedge Studio, will take place on Monday 3 November. Let’s get hacking!