noah: emergency capsule for tsunamis
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noah: emergency capsule for tsunamis


shoji tanaka, president of new cosmopower, demonstrates the use of the 'noah' emergency living capsule
image © itsuo inouye (AP)


the fiberglass 'noah' capsule by japanese company new cosmopower is a personal-sized work
of emergency architecture, offering shelter in the event of earthquake or tsunami.

watersafe although not fire-resistant, 'noah' measures 1.2 meters (4 feet) in diameter and can house
up to four adults, costing approximately 3900 USD. entered through a locking hatch,
the cabin has a small lookout window and breathing holes, while its bright yellow colour
makes it easy to be located by rescue crews. the device has been heavily tested for safety and durability.

the company is also working on models that fit six and twelve persons.



full views of the device
image © itsuo inouye (AP)



example use
image at left courtesy of the daily what


via gizmag

jenny db
10.05.11  
26
The only flaw I see on the design is the bar thing... Yeah, it´s a good way to make people get in fast and hold themselves, but... You need strentgh to hold on, a old lady will bounce around and smash herself into that bar, braking a lot of bones.

It´s better to have a pair of seats with safety belts or just safety belts directly attached to the walls, so the person can be tightly straped and prevent her to bounce around during the strong waves or hearthquakes.
What?   10.05.11
Space for two people and two dogs!
gork platter   10.05.11
Terrible design - better die in freedom.
HK   10.05.11
chihuahua's...
c   10.05.11
Needs a deployable signal light/beacon and more windows. Bar is fine. Straps/belts would be good. Compartment for first aid kit and radio. Need to be able to control the breathing holes.

Needs a massive price drop.
Frob   10.05.11
the government should buy the capsules and contribute to every citizen. Why is it not fireproof ? what about hit resistance ?
Vanine   10.05.11
great idea
dadap   10.05.11
I agree with comment about safety belts. Love the idea though. If there's only one opening hole, what happens if the capsule is wedged-in, and the person can't get out. Would be a painful existence if trapped inside. I think radio & beacon would be ideal. Too bad if you live at the top of a hill, because it's going to be a hell of a ride down. Nice to see someone working to save lives.
BS   10.06.11
where would you keep this ball while there is no tsunami (on the balcony? i doubt it would fit into tiny japanese mansion balcony). Also If smashed into obstacles would it survive?
bubble   10.06.11
Lots of questions. Does it float? If it floats, does it always end right-side-up (as in, the door will open to air, not water).

If a tsunami hits, and you're in it, do you just roll around bouncing about on the inside of this thing?

If the building collapses around you and is on fire, do you just melt inside the ball (yikes).

Should a little bit more attention and study be applied to these before distributing them? This can be an amazing safety space, or it could be a death-trap.

Great idea - I just think it needs some more work and thought applied.
Mikey   10.06.11
Sounds great! Everyone likes the thought of being buried alive! Yay!
Austin   10.06.11
C-o-o-o-l.

Not.

The first rash of comments from people distracted by the 'design' and 'innovation' are clearly missing the glaringly obvious flaws (ably pointed out by bubble, Mikey, and Austin).

Imagine being thrown about by the whim of a tsunami sea; crashing against rocks, jagged building rubble. Or swept out, rather than inland.
douglas m.   10.07.11
THAT WOULD BE THE MOST EPIC RIDE EVER!

Needs more padding though.. and an emergency beacon....


Also needs to be white and red instead of yellow.
MrMak   10.07.11
a design that has lot of potential.....but lotsa improvisations to go through.... maybe then it'll fit the need.....otherwise its just too soon to call it a product , really!
siji   10.07.11
...don't forget the salt, pepper & vodka, the human bloody-mary will taste better.
buzzoff   10.07.11
Shaken, not stirred.
Bond, James Bond   10.08.11
2 people AND 2 dogs? GROSS. a few bounces and you'll be licking your mangy dog's but
Buster Hyman   10.08.11
I'd greenhouse that biah!
Surlistyc   10.08.11
pokeball
Rovva   10.09.11
fuck good idea ,,, needs to be improvised ,,,
abbas ali   10.09.11
sounds like id be buried alive. just imagine your going down an over flooded river and you get caught under a bridge.
Zaswa   10.09.11
The mechanism for injury is much to great this would never work. No human could possibly hold on to a small bar considering the energy produced during a tsunami.
thisismoronic   10.10.11
why not live in them!?
yoda   10.10.11
All of these negative commenters seem to be expecting some magical impenetrable orb which absorbs all shock. Would you rather be buried alive in a small sphere or buried alive in nothing but muck and rubble? Would you rather be thrown around inside of a 1.2m space or thrown around without such a container. These arguments are akin to dismissal of car airbags because they can burn you and break your nose (disregarding the overall mitigation of injury provided).
C'mon guys   10.10.11
This is where all the Pokemon monsters come from. It's only good for guinea pig.
Pikachu   10.11.11
you people are all idiots, criticizing the design... did you guys invent something to save a persons life in the event of a natural disaster?? Its either hop in this ball and if your an idiot dont hold on and break some bones, or die from drowning or from being smashed into something by the force of thousands of gallons of water.
sherlock   10.11.11
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