With so many cool things coming out each week, it can be hard to wade through all the rock-awesomeness. With ‘Cool Tools’, we’ve done the hard work for you. This week we saw everything from a revisit to Marty McFly’s iconic black Toyota pickup from the Back to the Future series, a 3D printable chess set inspired by the Milanese skyline, instructions for building your next conference table from scratch, how to build a ‘smart’ coat rack and more… Ready? Let’s go! This week we look at: DESIGN Back to the Future Toyota Tacoma Concept “Toyota, which provided the customized pickup that McFly’s character lusted over in the beginning of…

Liberty Trike is killing its Indiegogo campaign with a stylish new spin on the conventional motorized scooter. The makers claim it offers more versatility, more power and easier transport than traditional mobility assistance devices, but the price may leave you limping. Mobility is something we all take for granted, until it’s gone. Liberty Trike wants to change all that. That’s why Electric Bike Technologies CEO Jason Kraft and Worksman Cycles President Wayne Sosin teamed up to create the Liberty Electric Trike – a revolutionary electric tricycle that’s essentially a souped-up version of a conventional mobility scooter. Liberty Trike restores freedom for those who need an easier way to get around.…

Time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile device, be it iPhone, Android or Windows! The Weekly App Smack is the best of design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional and this week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it in to tips@www.solidsmack.com. Hit it! Graphic by Autodesk “Graphic has all of the tools you need to create everything from detailed technical…

The tech world is swarming with stories about the latest drone innovations. Before you know it, someone else has built a drone that can draw, follow you, or build a bridge. It can be overwhelming, especially if you want to join in on the drone-driving party. Now, one group of Greek engineers have a challenge for you, that will scratch that DIY itch and give you ‘I built a freakin drone’ bragging rights. Developed by Andreas Gad, John Sioulas and Haziq Ismail, the X01 Project calls for people to construct their own coaxial UAV using 3D printed parts. Inspired by Masten Space Systems’ 715lb Xombie B-class Type A lander, the…

As Moore’s Law continues to grant us ridiculously powerful computers that we can fit inside of our pockets, the experience of using some of the earliest personal desktop computers continues to become an even further distant memory. Unsurprisingly, some people aren’t ready for that memory to fade yet. Among others is Philippe Lang, an IT specialist and self-described “early Commodore Amiga Fan” who regularly enjoys discussions about his “Amiga years” with IT buddies. One topic that the group kept coming back to was that the early-90s plastic housings had been “yellowed, like super yellowed” and in some cases, feature cracks and/or holes. “So the idea came to buy new cases…

This week’s Spotify-powered SolidSmack Radio Playlist knocks you in the pop sockets with head-boppin’ groove tunage to help propel you through the work week in style. Whether you find yourself inking markers until they’re dry, grinding material through a bandsaw or working that 3D geometry all day, consider these tracks as a tool for your process. This week we’ll start off with “Over Your Shoulder” from Chromeo and work our way through some Rolling Stones, The Knife, Nosaj Thing, Cornershop, Crystal Castles and others before wrapping up with the 90s classic “#1 Crush” from Garbage. Have suggestions? As always, let us know what you listen to, what you want to…