Concept designers are also referred to as “visual futurists”.
These concept designs may not be on the market yet, but they can still inspire you to create something just as futuristic and exciting online.
The designs may be impractical in some cases, but the idea is to put the concept out to the world to see how it evolves and grows.
Remember that these are all just conceptual, you can’t buy them yet! Some may be closer to being produced than others, particularly when they come from a large company like Braun or Samsung. Otherwise, who knows if or when they will be available.
With that said, here you have some amazing futuristic design concepts that will make you crave more.
1. Cloud SofaThis is an elegant concept created by designer D.K. Wei. The Cloud sofa is supposed to give one the illusion of floating on their own personal cloud. A magnet in the base is supposed to generate enough magnetic force to hold the sofa aloft. The cloud is constructed from a plexiglass mold.
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Cloud Sofa |
2. Propulsion Powered Flying CycleCreated by designer Norio Fujikawa. This propulsion powered jetbike is a sci-fi concept that Fujikawa has taken to a whole new level in his design.
 Propulsion Powered Flying Cycle |
Propulsion Powered Flying Cycle |
3. Underwater Jet SkiNereus is a conceptual design by Mathias Koehler for a watercraft that would allow you to travel on water and dive or submerge for short periods. Wind energy would be used to propel the vehicle which could take the user from a swimming to a diving position through the use of intuitive controls and movements of the upper body. Steering would be through the footrests which are connected to the back rudder.
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Underwater Jet Ski |
4. Innovative Mouse DesignThe Alien Mouse from designer Mizanur Rahman sports an exciting construction composed of eight soft gel and cellulose pieces which are meant to not only support the hand and wrist, but the arm as well. The multi-piece design was envisioned to help combat repetitive strain injury (RSI) with a vibrator underneath the mouse for extra comfort.
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Innovative Mouse Design |
5. The iRingThis design created by Victor Soto is meant to control the Playback functionality of your iPod/iPhone device wirelessly through the use of a ring that you wear on your finger. The touch-sensitive function strip and the battery life of 12 hours make the iRing an object of intense desire.
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The iRing |
6. Spokeless Wheels BikeThis bike concept was created by Bradford Waugh. The concept completely replaces the traditional gear system of a mainstream bike with one that allows for spokeless wheels.
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Spokeless Wheels Bike |
7. Embrio – Bombardier’s Segway KillerEmbrio was created by Bombardier as their answer to the Segway. They utilize similar gyroscope technology to keep riders aloft, but with a much cooler design that Bombardier hopes will attract a younger demographic. It also uses one less wheel than the Segway and is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.
 Embrio – Bombardier’s Segway Killer |
Embrio – Bombardier’s Segway Killer |
8. Audi Shark – Flying SportscarThis impressive concept design by Kazim Doku is a flying sportscar. Meant to combine the raciness of motorcycles with the sleekness of aircraft, the Audi shark is the answer to our collective sci-fi dreams. This award-winning concept design is a two-seater that offers its passengers “strong sensations and high levels of safety”.
 Audi Shark – Flying Sportscar |
Audi Shark – Flying Sportscar |
9. The Grasshopper Electric BikeThis bike was the winner of the ‘merit prize’ in the 12th International Bicycle Design Competition and it was designed by David Gonçalves. The Grasshopper is a foldable electric bike which can also be easily carried when not in use. The folding bike is easily stored and recharged at home.
 The Grasshopper Electric Bike |
The Grasshopper Electric Bike |
10. Amazing LampA simple and and beautiful lamp by Julien Bergignat. The lamp can be lifted out of the stand and used as a portable lighting solution when needed.
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Amazing Lamp |
11. Peripheral Vision EyeglassesThe Nike Hindsight gives bicyclists a pair of bifocals for their peripheral vision. By using Fresnel lenses on the sides, riders can detect motion in a field of vision beyond the normal human limit of 180º. The obvious benefit is in the early warning of approaching vehicles, but a less obvious advantage is reducing the necessary head rotation to check behind. By Billy May.
 Peripheral Vision Eyeglasses |
Peripheral Vision Eyeglasses |
12. MIESROLO, The First Dynamic Cantilever ChairThis design took 1st place in the Wood Agency Design Contest Belgrade 2008, the University of Belgrade’s Award for Best Scientific-Professional Work in 2006/07, and a Golden Key Awards (sitting furniture and innovative concept) at Belgrade Int. Furniture Fair 2006 / 2007, ULUPUDS diploma 2007. Folds in on itself for easy storage. By Uros Vitas.
 MIESROLO, The First Dynamic Cantilever Chair |
MIESROLO, The First Dynamic Cantilever Chair |
13. Audi OThe 2008 Audi O concept was designed by Ondrej Jirec, a design student from the Czech Republic who is beginning studies at the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California in 2008. The car design was inspired by the iPod. This bad boy features the mother of all audio systems with internet connectivity for downloading music onto the built-in 650 GB hard drive, a Bluetooth system for connecting two or more Audi O cars together, making for the largest rolling club ever. Best yet, it comes completely decked out with a couple of DJ decks and mixer.
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Audi O |
14. Aerodynamic Concept CarThis is an airflow concept design by Pierre Sabas. It features smooth and contoured lines that run throughout the entire car. The artist writes: “I believe that space sensation doesn’t depend on the size of the volume we are in but on the perception we have of the environment. Therefore, based on my structural solution, we can imagine new solutions in terms of design and driving experience.”
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Aerodynamic Concept Car |
15. BMW 2015 Concept CarThe final thesis of the Transportation Design students at Turin-based IED (Instituto Europeo di Design), developed in partnership with BMW towards the goal of creating a car for 2015 within the BMW brand philosophy.
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BMW 2015 Concept Car |
16. Swatch Infinity Concept WatchThis watch is like no other that you have seen before. It is a concept watch design presented by Swatch under the name “Infinity” and features video, mp3 music and photo sharing. It not only plays back video, it records it as well.
 Swatch Infinity Concept Watch |
Swatch Infinity Concept Watch |
17. Nokia 888 PhoneThe Nokia 888 phone allows you to change its form according to your needs during the day. The bracelet-like design uses a liquid battery, speech recognition, flexible touch screen, and a touch-sensitive body cover which lets it understand and adjust to the environment.
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Nokia 888 Phone |
18. Vaio ZoomThe Vaio Zoom notebook computer uses holographic technology to create a PC that may be more minimalist than a MacBook Air. When off, the screen is completely transparent and the keyboard goes opaque. Turn it on and the touchscreen holographic festivities begin. Even the mouse buttons are holographic.
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Vaio Zoom |
19. Sonic ChairThe Sonic Chair riffs off the design of chairs in 2001: A Space Odyssey and adds a killer sound system. The Sonic Chair comes in 35 different colors and allows users to connect an iPod or a notebook computer to enjoy their favorite music in a self-contained setting.
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Sonic Chair |
20. First-Grass Relaxation SofaPhillip Grass, a Danish designer, created the Accelerator Sofa with an aerodynamic design that any starship captain would be proud of.
 First-Grass Relaxation Sofa |
First-Grass Relaxation Sofa |
21. Jetson Family DiningTurkish designer Fatih Can Sariöz created the Kure six-person dining set as an expression of his philosophy that family dinner times are special. It’s not much of a space-saver but it DOES glow with white light above and blue below. The whole thing folds up into a ball when not in use, making for a great conversation piece.
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Jetson Family Dining |
22. Canova Dual Screen LaptopCanova Dual Screen Laptop possesses two sensitive touchscreens. Not only can it be used to handle your daily computing tasks but it also lets you read articles as if you were reading a newspaper.
 Canova Dual Screen Laptop |
Canova Dual Screen Laptop |
23. Futuristic GlassThis concept by Mac Funamizu of Japan would act as a scanner, a digital camera, and an internet-connected wireless device all in one package.
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Futuristic Glass |
24. Compenion Laptop ConceptThe Compenion laptop by Felix Schmidberger features a slide-up touchscreen panel which reveals an OLED touchscreen keyboard which can change layout depending on preference or language. The multi-touch screens are responsive to both finger-presses and its own dedicated pen called a “senstylus”.
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Compenion Laptop Concept |
25. Nokia MorphNokia Morph is a
Tablet PC, a
wristband and a
smart phone. The device was concept designed by Nokia Research Center (NRC) in collaboration with the Cambridge Nanoscience Centre (United Kingdom) and aims to incorporate nanoscale technologies that will potentially create a world of radically different devices that open up an entirely new spectrum of possibilities.
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Nokia Morph |
26. Mobile Office of the FutureDesigned by James Mower, this futuristic mobile office on wheels includes an eco-friendly toilet, electricity, wireless internet, built-in GPS and glass panels. Park it and meet.
 Mobile Office of the Future |
Mobile Office of the Future |
27. EyeMove PCThe EyeMove PC combines the functionality of a digital projector and computer into one circular-shaped device. Simply hang it on your wall or place it flat on a desk and project games, movies, or applications. Designed by Ricardo Baiao.
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EyeMove PC |
28. Transparent ToasterThis innovative “Transparent Toaster” concept uses special heating glass to warm a single slice of bread. Unfortunately, the glass does not reach a high enough temperature — at this time — to actually toast the bread.
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Transparent Toaster |
29. U.S.S. Enterprise Inspired Nissan TerranautDesigned for “scientists, geologists, archaeologists or adventurers”, Nissan’s 4×4 Terranaut features a “spherical laboratory” that is accessed from a 360 degree swiveling seat. Unfortunately, all these workstations leave room for only one passenger side door.
 U.S.S. Enterprise Inspired Nissan Terranaut |
U.S.S. Enterprise Inspired Nissan Terranaut |
30. Segway Robot RMPThis Segway Robot RMP design looks like its been taken from a futuristic Science Fiction movie. Its tough wheels and base could probably carry more than just one person and could be used to haul things around.
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Segway Robot RMP |
31. Noah High Performance Personal VehicleThe Noah, designed by Andrei França, is a Segway influenced design. Without a pedal, buttons, or levers, the Noah will react to the driver’s movements. Although it looks like a unicycle, it actually has two wheels that are installed side-by-side.
 Noah High Performance Personal Vehicle |
Noah High Performance Personal Vehicle |
32. Futuristic iPhone ConceptSee-through Apple iPhone concept designed by Robert Davis. While there are a lot of iPhone concepts out there, this one is probably one of the coolest.
 Futuristic iPhone Concept |
Futuristic iPhone Concept |
33. Elegant Water PurifierThis water purification device idea combines two things we love – simple design and reuseable water bottles. A user simply fills the BPA-free bottle with tap water, and, like a french press, pushes down on the water filter. Purified water can then be sipped from the container. Simple, elegant, and easy to use – three qualities we love in design – and it’s great for people who want to quench their thirst on the go, even if all that is available is a questionable water source. Designed by Gretha Oost, Paul Charlwood & Andrew Howley.
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Elegant Water Purifier |
34. The Power HogPower-Hog is a power consumption metering piggy bank designed to sensitize kids to the energy cost associated with running electronic devices. Plug the tail into the outlet and the device into the snout; feed a coin to meter 30 minutes of use. Designed by Designed by Mathieu Zastawny, Mansour Ourasanah, Tom Dooley, Peter Byar, Elysa Soffer, and Mathieu Turpault.
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The Power Hog |
35. Aperture: Volume-Aware Shower HeadA volume-aware shower head might just be the thing to put a cap on unecessarily long showers. The Aperture displays the volume of water consumed while showering and allows the user to mitigate water consumption with a built-in flow regulator.
 Aperture: Volume-Aware Shower Head |
Aperture: Volume-Aware Shower Head |
36. Digital Pet PlantThe digital pet plant is designed to measure your plants health and provide feedback on a variety of factors which determine how well your plants are doing. Your plants show their digital emotions through smiley or frowning faces on the LED monitor. Designed by Junyi Heo.
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Digital Pet Plant |
37. iCoffeeDesigner Alisson Wilson Ströher created the Nilko “IMO” coffee maker to fold up, look cool and brew three average sized packets of coffee. Now if we could only plug it in to a USB port.
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iCoffee |
38. Eco & Ego CarThe idea behind this “EE” car is pets, yes pets. Not a dog or cat, but a plant. The plant sits above the engine bay in clear sight of the driver. It’s hooked up to some futuristic electronics and can tell you how “polluted” you were that day. There’s also an extension to the idea in that you take your plant out every time you drive, sorta like walking your dog. Designed by Slava Saakyan.
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Eco & Ego Car |
39. Have A Different Car EverydayThe MOY Concept car was made for a generation used to using media to express themselves. The idea is everyone can design their own car on their own computer and then apply the design to their vehicle wirelessly or share it with others thru a website or even email. For those lacking creative skill, there’s a slew of templates to choose from. The car is always connected so imagine dynamically changing your vehicle’s skin in motion. Designed by Elvis Tomljenovic.
 Have A Different Car Everyday |
Have A Different Car Everyday |
40. Escape Into Your CaveThere are times that we wish we could have a little more privacy, retreating into our own space of quietness. Adults crave this just as much as children. With Cave, we are given the opportunity to embrace our escape. Created as a bookshelf with its own Cave inside, allowing the user to retreat with a good book, or just sit and relax in their space. The Cave bookshelf is large enough to be used as a divider between rooms creating a wall of separation of my space and yours. Available in two sizes: Children and Adult. Books may be stored on both sides of the bookcase with a cave crawlspace in between. Designed by Sakura Adachi.
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Escape Into Your Cave |
Which of the above designs have inspired you to design, develop, and create? Let's hear your thoughts...