Ori
The design of the steel-rod umbrella has changed little since it was introduced in the 1850s. Now, a team of mechanical engineers and origami experts has created an umbrella that works by folding.
Umbrella design has just received its first major improvement since its invention 175 years ago.
The presents a structureless designwith a laminated composite material cover, which fits into a 3.5 centimeter cylindrical smart cable with an OLED screen.
This means that there are no steel elements which could break down and leave the user with a deformed umbrella when caught in a windstorm. It looks like we finally have an umbrella that looks truly 21st century.
The design team included origami expertswho usually work in aerospace areasresearch and advanced deployable structures. And therein lay the key.
The team used an origami technique called Many timescreated by Japanese astrophysicist Koryo Miura in 1970 to replace the functionality of the steel frame. Miura-ori allows a compact folding — and has since been used in satellites.
“Everyone has one, but the umbrella is a forgotten objectstuck in the past. We wanted to transform it into a modern device: smart, purposeful, premium and designed as a true contemporary device”, he says Modest Balcytisfounder of Ori, speaking to .
The coverage feels solid when openas it is not fabric stretched over a structure, but rather a single continuous origami surface.
“When it opens, you can feel the geometry fitting togethertransforming a flat surface into a strong, self-supporting structure”, explains Balcytis.
The umbrella is wind resistantunlike traditional ones that easily turn inside out. According to the company, Ori’s surface is also resistant to UV rays and lasts longer than conventional umbrellas of sticks.
The umbrella can now be reserved and deliveries are expected to begin on spring or summer this year.
With a pre-order price of $249, about 215 eurosthe cost of Ori is far above that of umbrellas common products sold in pharmacies, and this is how it is being promoted: the advertising images could very well belong to Dyson or Apple campaigns, says Fast Company.
The company presents the product as an alternative to rod umbrellas, which are often poorly designed, easily broken and have little use. durability.
The umbrella is available at blue, silver and gold; charges via a USB-C cable; and opens and closes with a single click.
According to Ori, the umbrella was tested between 400 and 500 cycles opening and closing. It is a high-tech umbrella, and the company already has plans to create more products using the Miura-ori technique.
“Ori is not here to sell umbrellas”, concludes Balcytis. “We are build a new language for foldable objects”.
