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A Parasol that Inflates When the Sun is Shining

Toer never ceases to amaze me, whether it’s designing a table that can be mailed in a simple envelope or creating a mesmerizing light sculpture that interacts with sound around it, they always push the envelope and think outside the box. Their latest? Well, they’ve designed the Cumulus Parasol, a solar powered parasol that inflates itself when the sun begins to shine. I know, mind = blown.

Located on the top of the cloud-like parasol are solar panels. When it’s sunny, the panels power a fan that inflates the cloud in about 20 seconds. When the sun fades or sets, the parasol deflates. It can also be switched off by a switch that’s integrated into the pole.

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Just like a cloud in the sky, Cumulus blocks the sun when you’re outside enjoying the weather but don’t want direct sunlight hitting you. The puffy cloud is two-meters in diameter when inflated so you’ll get plenty of sun protection.

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Caroline Williamson is the former Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk and a writer with a passion for modern design, architecture, and creative culture. She holds a BFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, solving New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or curating Spotify playlists.