【推荐1】You can’t always predict a heavy rain or remember to take your umbrella. But designer Mikhail Belyaev doesn’t think that forgetting to check the weather forecast before heading out should result in you getting wet. That’s why he created Lampbrella, a lamp post with its own rain sensing umbrella.

The designer says he comes up with the idea after watching people get wet on streets in Russia. “Once, I was driving on a central Saint Petersburg street and saw the street lamps lighting up people trying to hide from the rain. I thought it would be all right to have a canopy (伞蓬) built into a street lamp.” he said.

The Lampbrella is a standard-looking street lamp fitted with an umbrella canopy. It has a built-in electric motor which can open or close the umbrella in need. Sensors then ensure that the umbrella offers the pedestrians (行人) shelter whenever it starts raining.

In addition to the rain sensor, there’s also a 360° motion sensor on the street lamp which detects whether anyone’s using the Lampbrella. After three minutes of not being used the canopy is closed.

According to the designer, the Lampbrella would move at a relatively low speed, so as not to cause harm to the pedestrians. Besides, it would be grounded to protect from possible lightning strike. Each Lampbrella would offer enough protection for several people. Being installed (安装) at 2 meters off the ground, it would only be a danger for the tallest of pedestrians.

While there are no plans to take Lampbrella into production, Belyaev says he recently introduced his creation to one Moscow Department, and insists this creation could be fixed on any street where a lot of people walk but there are no canopies.

【推荐2】Do you know there are apps that make it easy to help others, our planet, and ourselves so we lead more giving and meaningful lives? Check out four of the best ones and spring into action!

Be My Eyes

This app connects visually-challenged people in need of some help with sighted people with a few minutes of spare time to offer through video calls. The help needed may be something like finding a missing object in the home. This app is available in over 150 countries and in more than 150 languages. Volunteers register and detail which languages they speak. When someone needs help, a message reminder appears on their device.

Zooniverse

Want to help with cutting edge global research? Zooniverse is an app with millions of registered volunteers that lets you become a citizen researcher! Help professional scientific researchers through your mobile device or the companion website. Global volunteers don’t have a scientific background but their contribution is highly valued.

My Selfless Act

This is a social networking site and app promoting the idea of giving back to the community through volunteering. It offers information on local volunteering opportunities globally and encourages the sharing of ideas and activities.

Aloe Bud

Created by someone who struggles with his mental illness, routine and remembering daily self- care, Aloe Bud is a welcoming and simple self-care pocket companion app. It gently reminds users about self-care activities in physical, mental and emotional needs. These reminders relate to anything from drinking enough water to taking screen breaks to maintaining connections.

【推荐3】Four remarkable inventions

For more than half a century, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been the place for companies and inventors to display their newest and coolest gadgets.

Here are our picks for some of the most interesting and creative inventions.

The Sweet Little Rolling Robot

Sangsung has released Ballie, a tennis-sized robot that can follow you around the house, answer your questions, and entertain your pets. Since it’s equipped with a camera, it can keep an eye on your home while you’re away. It’s like a smart assistant that goes wherever you do, rolling into your bedroom to ring your wake-up alarm, rolling to the kitchen to turn on the toaster and giving you the weather report as you brush your teeth.

The Insoles to Pick Up Your Pact

Any runner knows the right shoes are key to your speed. But Nurvv insoles promise more than mere cushioning. The insoles transmit data to a coaching app, which offers information on your technique and performance. It measures your foot strike and assesses your injury risk. The app then generates personalized workouts to set targets and help you beat your best speeds. Half marathon, here you come!

The No-Studio-Needed Yoga Class

Can’t keep up your commitment to a yoga studio membership? The Yoganotch personal yoga assistant lets you drop into a virtual class any time you want. Follow along with a set series while 3-D sensors tell you whether you need to straighten your legs a bit more. The idea it that it improves your from while reducing the risk of injury.

The Dau-Enhanced Grill

While working by sight, smell and feel, a chef may appreciate Weber’s new Smart Grilling Hub. It can monitor your pork and turkey while an app gives advice about cooking technique and safe temperatures.

【推荐1】Beltana Station —— Stay with a difference

Beltana Station is a fully working sheep and cattle station, and a great place for a holiday with a real difference in Australia. Here the animals are not just to be looked at. They are part of everyday working life at the historic Beltana Station.

What to do

See how a station really works. Join in the daily working life with station workers.

Shearing (剪羊毛) and camp-outs are part of Beltana Station's activities.

Farm animals to see: sheep and cattle. For the kids, depending on the season, there will be animals to feed — lambs and calves.

The station is a joy for painters and photographers. There is a family games room.

Three roads for 4-wheel-drive cars through the station take in such views as Lake Torrens, Mount Deception, relics in Old Beltana town and much more.

Where to live

• the historic 1860s shearers' rooms

• two-room small houses (1860s)

• one small historic country house

Beltana Station is not a resort (度假胜地) hotel. Unlike other places, you can experience real life with real people in Beltana.

【推荐2】If you’d like to go sightseeing, the following World Heritage Sites may be your best choices.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area

Jiuzhaigou Valley, which lies in the northern part of Sichuan Province, China, reaches a height of more than 4,800 m, with a series of different forest ecosystems (生态系统). It’s particularly famous for its excellent waterfalls. About 140 kinds of birds live in the valley, as well as a number of endangered plants and animals, including the giant panda. Jiuzhaigou Valley was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

Khami Ruins National Monument

The city of Khami, which developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe had been given up in the mid-16th century, is of great archaeological (考古的) interest. The discovery of objects from Europe and China shows that Khami was a major centre for trade over a long period of time. It joined the World Heritage List in 1986.

Henderson Island

Henderson Island, which lies in the eastern South Pacific, is one of the few atolls (环礁) in the world whose ecology has been untouched by humans. It’s particularly famous for the 10 plants and 4 birds that can only be seen on the island. It was recorded in the World Heritage List in 1988.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the finest example of the late style of Indian architecture. It was built by the emperor Shah Jehan, who ruled India in the 17th century. It was in memory of his favourite wife who died in 1631. The architecture was given a World Heritage Status in 1983.

【推荐3】Cool inventions

With this turbocharged(涡轮增压的) snowmobile, getting over snow and ice will besnowproblem. The snow Crawler snowmobile is designed with two skis under its front end. Below its back end is a pair of tracks, or rubber belts around a set of wheels. Inside it's heated, so jump inside, start up the engine, and listen as the wheels start to turn the tracks. Each track is designed to grip (抓住)slippery surfaces easily, allowing the snow-mobile to move over them without difficulty. Let it snow!

It's easy to fall asleep in the special bed. This comfortable sleeping place features a plastic, water-filled mattress (气垫)that's designed to adapt to the shape of the person lying on it. Simply kick off your shoes and climb onto the bed. As you lie there, the mattress will hug your body. Meanwhile, the water in the mattress will gently rock you from side to side. It is a similar feeling to floating on your back in a pool. The mattress even heats up to make you extra comfortable. Now that is a dream bed.

This might take shoes in a new direction. The Lechal company has created shoes insoles that "tell" wearers how to get from one place to another. How do they work? Put the insoles into your shoes. The insoles are built to vibrate(振动). They are also connected wirelessly to your smartphone. Pull up the Lechal app on your phone and type your destination. The app uses GPS to map out the quickest path for you to walk. Every time you need to take a left or right, the app signals the correct insole to vibrate so you know which direction to turn. That's amazing.