Orbit Baby Making Adapter for Maxi-Cosi Car Seat

Orbit Baby should be releasing an adapter for the extremely popular Maxi-Cosi Mico . The adapter will be for use with the stroller and rocker (But not for use in a car.) Built around Orbit revolutionary hub, the car seat will rotate. And the adapter arms fold down for easy storage.

Mima Design Lab Stroller Auction

Mima has opened up the eBay auction of the Design Lab strollers. The four one of a kind strollers are being auctioned to benefit UNICEF's Schools for Africa program. Bidding begins at 1500Euros.

Links for 8 October 2010

I moved my blog to here, but a lot of readers are still turning up here. So here are links to the posts I wrote this week.

• Chanel for Children -Lagerfeld sent a tiny boucle jacket down the runway.
• J.Crew Free Coloring Pages- coloring pages on shoes from JCrew's Fall kids' collection
• Price of Mima Strollers- prices for the new high end stroller brand, and where you can order them.
• The Wee Tyrant- I love this photo.
• Foppapedretti Myo Tronic- An electronic stroller shown at this year's Kind + Jugend that will push itself

Bugaboo Double Stroller Coming (Finally)

There is more news on the convertible double front. After years of parents wishing for a double Bugaboo, it looks like one will be hitting the market next spring. But unlike most strollers of the genre that stack babies one on top of the other, the Donkey (what a horrid name) will have the seats side by side. And those two seats will be just 29 inches wide, one of  the narrowest side by side on the luxury stroller market.
And if you don't want two seats you can have a cargo basket for hauling things around.

The Stroller Reimagined

Toren Orzeck has designed a stroller that can be used long after your baby has outgrown it. The Go-Go Transporter is a finalist in the 2010 IDEA awards. It is designed to be used as a stroller, then convert to a wagon, a piece of luggage, or a dolly. It's just a concept now and it will probably never get made, but innovation usually starts as a strange concept.

See more here.

WIP Metro Stroller

I was starting to think that the WIP Metro was just another concept stroller that would never see a sales floor. But after four years in development, I just received word from the company's PR department that the stroller will soon be available. It will feature a stunning retro design rendered in thoroughly  modern materials.

If you saw a list of just the materials used you would assume that it was a racing bicycle or another piece of sporting equipment. The frame is made of lightweight ERGAL aluminum alloy tubing. While the components that compose the patented folding mechanism are made of IXEF fiberglass reinforced techno-polymer.  And there are three magnesium alloy wheels with centralized brakes. I wasn't joking when I said high tech.

Read more here.

Silver Cross Surf

In the United States Silver Cross is primarily known for it's traditional prams, but they also make modern stylish stroller systems. Their newest stroller is the lightweight Surf. Silver Cross made the stroller 1/3 lighter by using magnesium alloys normally used in aerospace manufacturing. The stroller can be used from birth when used with the included Babynest. The Babynest allows the stroller seat to be used in a fully reclined position. It can also be used with the Ventura S infant seat. The seat can reversed, has an air ride suspension, and a compact single hand fold.

Phil & Teds Smart Stroller Nearing Release

before
It is always interesting to see how a stroller changes from a prototype to a production "vehicle".  I mention this because the Phil &Teds Smart stroller is nearing it's release date. And that weird "Croc"-looking seat has been replaced with a more conventional looking seat. The seat is still being made of the Aero Core material, it just looks like almost every other stroller seat. But it will still weigh in at under 13lbs.

after


$249.99

Curio Avventura Stroller

Here is another stroller that will probably never see America's shores. Designed for a densely populated urban country, the Curio Avventura is narrow enough to fit through a Japanese subway ticket gate. And it is a stroller designed for parents who aren't driving huge SUVs, it can fit in the back of a small car.

There is a normal version of the stroller, the A and a sports version, the R. By replacing the front wheels the Avventura R can be used off road, as a jogger, or as a bicycle trailer.

 

The stroller comes in four different frame colors: black, yellow, orange, and olive green with a choice of a black or grey seat. Sooner or later you will be able to purchase the seats in additional covers. It is rather unusual that a stroller has more color options for the frame than the seat, but the yellow and black reminds me of Bumblebee from Transformers.

 

I think the stroller is perfect, but others may find a few problems with it. The seat doesn't seem to recline, so it can only be used after the baby can sit well on its own. Curio is recommending it for kids 6months to 3 years. And the handle seems fixed at 940mm (about 37inches). Not so great if you are tall. And there is no cupholder. But the tubing is a lightweight 22mm alluminum bicycle pipe, so you can use bicycle accessories. So add your own cupholder, lights, or even one of those cute bicycle bells.

The stroller will cost 69,000 yen ($755) for the type A and 78,000 yen ($854)for the type R.  The Curio Avventura will be available in Japan in early 2010.

Mama &Papas Mylo

You can now preorder the Mamas & Papas Mylo for a March delivery. The base price for the stroller and carrycot is £695. And the website has this fun interface where you build the exact color combination that you want.
Update: It seems the company has given Gwen Stefani one early. I think it was a big mistake. Because she has been seen pushing her oldest son in it, and he looks all cramped in it. Not the look you are going for with a luxury stroller.

Seed Pli Stroller

The Seed Pli kind of reminds me of strollers from the early 80s. But made with lightweight materials. The Pli is sleek and minimalist in a way that is very Danish. The pushchair converts from a carrycot to a seat. There is a collapsible frame, the wheels fold, and the handle adjusts for parent comfort.  And you have a choice of fixed or swivel wheels.

It also comes with the usual range of accessories. But if you live in a snowy area take heart. One of the Pli's accessories is a set of skis that attach to the wheels.


£799-839

Mothercare Spin

For a while all of the cool strollers were of Dutch design, but it seems that Britain is where to look if you want true stroller innovation. When I saw video of the Mothercare Spin pushchair I was really impressed. It converts to a pram like the Peg Perego Skate, fully reclines in stroller mode, and will hold a car seat. So you can actually use it from birth. And the company makes getting your baby in and out of the stroller much easier by simply allowing the bumper bar to open and close. And once you take the seat off it folds like a dream. But the coolest feature is the spinning mechanism. You press a button on the handle and you are able to rotate the seat from forward facing to parent facing with just a single hand. Video below. £420

Patron Terix 3

There is bumper crop of innovative strollers coming out of Europe in the next year. Patron will be introducing the Terix 3. It is a stroller designed for urban living, complete with a host of accessories, including covers and foot covers designed for hot and cold weather.

Features:
* full-aluminum 3-wheel chassis,
* comfort suspension,
* unique „edgeFlow” design,
* clip-A-go modular interface,
* built-in hand-operated brake system,
* height and angle adjustable handlebar,
* wheels – front 10” solid / rear 12” inflatable,
* reflexive safety marks

• detachable, reversible, tilt-in space function,
  
• adjustable footrest,
  
• ergonomic backrest with enhanced lateral fixation and headrest,
  
• removable PENTEX upholstery,
  
• removable comfort insert for smaller babies,
  
• adjustable safety bar,
  
• 5-point harness with shoulder pads,
  
• hood with summer mesh,
  
• reflexive safety marks

You know when a stroller is designed for the European market by just looking at the storage basket. They aren't designed for carrying half of your baby's belongings in. And there is no word if the stroller will be gracing the shores of North America.

Mamas and Papas Mylo Video

I found a video of the features of the Mamas and Papas Mylo. (Warning: Turn of the music, because it will quickly become annoying.) It looks amazing, and the fold reminds me a lot of the Orbit.

The stroller will weigh 12kg(26.5lbs).
Car seats that the Mylo will accept: Cybex Aton, Maxi-Cosi Cabrio and Primo Viaggio
And the price will be around £650 ($1027)

Mamas & Papas Mylo

For a while all stroller companies were only interested in making strollers that were just reproduction of Bugaboos. Now they all seem to want to make strollers that set them apart. (I guess it is because Bugaboo isn't really about innovation lately. They just change the fabric of the canopy and call it a special edition.)

Mamas and Papas will be releasing the Mylo as their top tier travel system. It is part of their £20million, 5year product development plan that they hope will make them "the world's favorite nursery brand." And it is a thing of beauty with a sleek black, matte frame. Introduced at this year's Kind+Jugend, the Mylo is said to be light weight and easy to steer. The seat can be used forward or backward facing. And it folds at the push of a button. Instead of holding the footmuff on with snaps or zippers the company used magnets. The stroller can be used with compatible car seats, a bassinet, or the seat. By purchasing the stand you can use the carrycot at home as a baby bed, or pop on the seat for use as a chair.

(My favorite part is that it looks like a ergonomic desk chair in the reclining position.)

There is no word on release date or price. But British site, Baby Expert was giving one away, so I am guessing soon. And they valued the prize (Not sure if it was just the stroller, or the stroller, the carrycot, and a car seat.) at £1000, which is around $1600. I'll post an update when there is more information.

Phil & Teds Sub4

Am I the only one who thinks that the Phil & Teds Sub4 jogging stroller looks a lot like the iStroll prototype from a few years ago.

The Sub4 is being billed as the World's Fastest Jogging Stroller. The frame features a low center of gravity to increase speed, one hand control, dual brakes, and a 3d fold. But unlike many jogging strollers the stroller is based on high performance sports equipment. The shocks are like those of a racing bike, and the seat docks onto the frame like a ski boot. The Sub4 has a similar Aerocore seat to another upcoming Phil&Teds release, the Smart Stroller. I will post more information as it becomes available.

More Information On Mima Kobi

Davy Kho, the director of Mima Kids was kind enough to send a little more information on the company's product line. He wrote:

Our products need some explanation.

In terms of design I think we have been able to innovate the stroller category. I especially wanted to get rid of the tacky look of the usual fabric stitched seat. I wanted to achieve the look of the interior of a nice car, with a sleek and clean looking seat.

Also in terms in functionality we have been able to innovate. The seat unit works like a suitcase. You simply zip it open, and inside you will find the frame, with a carrycot attached. The carrycot simply pops out, and there you go. So converting from seat to carrycot, and vice versa, is incredibly easy. After six to eight months of using the carrycot, you just put it back into the seat, without the need of storing it separately. This seat with patented "carrycot inside" system, is the same for both models: Kobi and Xari.

Kobi grows with your family, as you can also buy a second (empty) seat as an accessory when a second baby gets born.

Xari is a single, more compact stroller.

At the moment we are working hard to get the products 100% perfect. We are targeting to release both models around June/July 2010.

And there is a reason that the Kobi and Xari look so much like the Bloom highchair, Kho worked on the Bloom product line while at Ytra Design.

2010 Peg Perego Skate

Peg Perego is said to be releasing the lighter version of their Skate stroller in January 2010. Of course the stroller's release date has been pushed back several times already.

There are a couple of differences between the original Skate and the 2010 version. (I'm sure it will be released sooner or later next year.) The change that most purchasers will appreciate is the new lower price. Peg Perego probably realized that in this economy that the market for $900 strollers has dwindled. So now the Skate will only set you back $699.

The 2010 Skate weighs just 23lbs, ten pounds lighter than the original. This is a feature that you will love after lugging it in and out of your trunk a few times, or on and off a public transportation (a stroller nightmare usually).

Sadly, the seat and bassinet are now two separate pieces. But at least Peg Perego is including the bassinet with the stroller. So you don't have to buy it as a $200 optional accessory.

Phil And Teds Smart Stroller

There really hasn't been much innovation in the umbrella stroller market lately, but Phil and Teds is poised to change all that. They are introducing a new version of their Smart stroller. The stroller seat is made of Aerocore, a foam material. The benefits of aerocore are that it is:

• waterproof and can be wiped clean
• lightweight, the stroller only weighs in at 13lbs
• absorbs shocks
• and is hypoallergenic.

The seat has holes in it for ventilation, really great if you live in a hot climate. The stroller has a simple slide fold, and foam tires.

It does only recline in two positions, so it cannot be used with newborns. But you can use the Peanut bassinet, $179.99 instead of the seat. Or you can use your Graco or Maxi Cosi infant car seat by purchasing the car seat adapters. The seat can also be personalized with optional seat padding for about $29.99. But even without all the accessories this is one stylish stroller. And the best part is that all this coolness is only $249.99. It can be preordered here.

Mima Kobi

What would you get if the iCandy Pear, the Peg Perego Skate and Bloom Fresco had a threesome.? You would get the Mima Kobi, which just won an Innovation award at this year's Kind and Jugend.

• The frame will hold a single seat, a seat and a bassinet, or two seats.
• The seat converts to a carrycot by simply unzipping the seat unit
• It holds several different car seats
• Folds with or without the seat attached
• And the seats recline in three different positions

No word on pricing and availability information from this European stroller.