This otherworldly Audi Avatar concept throws out all kinds of unlikely performance figures–the 2.9-second 0 to 62 mph time and 223 + mph top speed seem like pretty tall orders from an electric. Then again, why not throw out all kinds of ridiculous numbers; it’s just a concept, anyway. Plus the designer has until the self-imposed 2032 to get the tech up to the vision. High performance hopes aside, the odd-looking mechanical creature features four, wheel-mounted electric motors powered by long-range supercharge-ion batteries. Assisting the motors with performance is an aerodynamic, lightweight body. The car is designed to deliver drivers with the “joy of driving that they had playing racing games when they were kids”. That is, assuming they can find the wheels. Designed by Edwin Conan. [via Coroflot]

Judging by the multitude of planter designs we’ve seen of late, the design world is far from satisfied with the traditional flower pot, garden and lawn. In the latest, Dutch designer Sander Brouwer hides the pot within the table, providing a minimalist way of housing your favorite greenery. The base of the table, which bears some resemblance to the unmistakable curves of a female nude, doubles as a standard planter. Holes on the table surface allow the plants to be showcased when you need a spot to place your cocktail or cappuccino. The top also features a cup holders and a dish for keeping snacks at ready. The Paradox, as it’s called, seamlessly blends a metal top with porcelein base, creating a beautiful piece for the home. [via The Design Blog]

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Known simply as ‘Nature’, this ceramic planter offers a world of versatility to green thumbs everywhere. The shape of the pot may remind one of a hairy pine cone, but it’s actually designed to allow you to plant a multitude of herbs or plants in one place. Each opening serves as the home to an individual plant and plants are stacked according to root size–those with the largest roots go on top. The hand-finished planters are available in yellow, grey or white. They measure 18″ x 22″ and are suited to either indoor or outdoor use. [via Tuvie]

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The reNEW Solar Battery Charger provides a convenient way to organize and charge the batteries for those bazillion gadgets lying around the office and living room. The charger features a protective pouch that allows one to drop the batteries into the top and press a little lever to drop them into a hand when fully charged. It’s like a public bathroom soap dispenser for batteries. The charger can stand on its own or be hung on a wall or window. Frankly, the solar power aspect of the design appears to be an afterthought, but what good modern electronics design doesn’t include solar power? Toward that end, it is also produced with sustainable materials. No indication as to how many batteries designers Tracy Subisak, Donn Koh & Herlinda envisioned being charged at once, or how long it’d take, but it certainly is a nifty, functional little concept. [via Yanko]

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Ever stare at vintage pictures of the giant-wheeled Penny Farthing bikes and wonder exactly how anyone balanced and moved forward with one? Now you can find out, albeit on a shrunken, streamlined version. With a big wheel in front, small wheel in back and handlebars on the sides, the Yike Bike looks about as counterintuitive and foreboding as the original Penny Farthing. It’s a folding electric “mini-Farthing” that gets up to 10 kilometers per charge–perfect for commuting to work so long as you don’t mind looking like a total dufus…and spending 3,500 Euros on an automated Big Wheel. On the plus side, it folds down small and weighs only 21 pounds thanks to carbon composite design. It’s expected to ship in the middle of next year. More info. [via Core 77]

Seeking to design a car that “allows one to interact and accomodate the outside world”, a design team led by Himanshu Bhardwaj presents this concept vehicle. Unfortunately, it appears to bring the driver a little too close to the outside world, what with its door holes and apparent lack of windshield. Bhardwaj calls it the Aston Martine Agora. We call it the most unsafe looking vehicle we’ve ever seen. While the design certainly leaves a visual impression, its incomplete body leaves a bit to be desired. But since it’s just a sketch on paper, safety concerns are minimalized. Enjoy pictures in the gallery after the break and check out the link to IDS for a video that is more dramatic than a car should ever be.  [via Industrial Design Served]

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Don’t look now, but we fear these eerie, industrial Cohda clamp-on table legs are slowly infiltrating dorm rooms across the world. Indeed, we can’t think of a more fitting place for impromptu furniture than the college dorm or apartment, dwellings where doors, tabletops and flat objects of all forms are precisely set and balanced to create modified eating surfaces and beer pong tables. Outside of college, clamping these imposing legs to a door off its hinges won’t complement many interior designs, but it will certainly makes for a versatile, last-minute solution. Excellent for recycling unneeded rectangular wood into tables or desks, the Cohda legs support weights of up to 66 pounds and hold the table at a dining height of 29 inches. They are available from Cohda in orange, black and metal finish. [via Core 77]

Ordinarily, the feeling of the sun burning a crimson tattoo onto the forehead is enough to indicate that the UV rays are bad and one should glop on some sunblock. In fact, just seeing that blinding ball of gas in the sky and knowing that you’ll be outside for any extended period should inspire a subtle nod toward some protection. On the other hand, if you want to add a new little gizmo to your electronics collection, you could make use of this Tarius UV detector designed by Julien Bergignat. The Tarius was designed for a client with the purpose of providing a simple method of measuring the intensity of natural and/or artificial UVs on any given day. It’s meant for people whose work exposes them to constant sun. Apparently, it also replaces marked underwear in reminding the user of his name. [via Industrial Design Served]

Pretty sure that cutting down trees for no compelling reason isn’t quite in the spirit of “green”, but some are calling this radio log a green design anyway. Crafted straight from an oak log, the radio makes use of both solar and crank power, keeping it off the grid. In case you’re wondering, the dial with the indent is the dynamo. The other two dials handle power/volume and radio tuning. Designers Solène le Goff and Christophe Gouache aimed to eliminate manufactured materials, and focused instead on the use of the natural–80 percent of the piece is wood, while the other 20 comprises simple components required for its operation. It would certainly make an interesting upgrade to a standard home entertainment center. [via DesignBoom]