Best Inventions 2005: Live Wires
A Rope That Knows
Inventor: Squid Labs
Availability: Prototype only
To Learn More: squid-labs.com
As any fire fighter or rock climber can tell you,
a simple rope can save your life—as long as it doesn't fray or break without warning. Because Smart Rope is embedded with electrically conductive metal fibers, it can sense the amount
of weight it is bearing and alert users to a load
that is too great. A handheld receiver relays any problems to the owner with a warning message. Smart Rope can also be used for mooring boats,
securing valuables or in rescue operations.
Next Product: Rise and Shine >>
- 1
- 2
- 3
- NEXT PAGE »
Most Popular »
- Why American Kids Are Brats
- The Voice: Whitney Houston (1963-2012)
- Whitney Houston: A Life in Photos
- North Dakota College Shaken by Fake Degrees
- Whitney Houston, Superstar of Records, Films, Dies at 48
- It's Official: Linsanity Is for Real
- Whitney Houston Remembered at Clive Davis Gala
- Icelanders Avoid Inbreeding Through Online Incest Database
- Kate Middleton's Amazing Fashion Evolution
- 10 Things We (Still) Kinda Hate About The Phantom Menace
- The Upside Of Being An Introvert (And Why Extroverts Are Overrated)
- Friends With Benefits
- N. Dakota College Shaken by False Degrees
- Syrian Rebels Plot Their Next Moves: A TIME Exclusive
- No More Tears
- Playing Favorites
- The Street Fighter
- Halftime and Hyperbole
- Why Is Your Boss Moving to Brazil?
- Eat like an Italian
Top Stories on TIME.com
Quotes of the Day »
GEORGE LITTLE, Pentagon press secretary, on the decision to ease the restrictions on women in combat roles; women currently make up nearly 14% of the U.S. armed forces
