good design!

Is this a coffee cup, an automatic weapon, or the space shuttle? Gorgeous design, but way too complicated for the average "on-the-go" coffee drinker. and will it provoke a change in habits? i don't think so. but the design is well presented!

Nicely rendered!

I'm not in love with those handles, though - holding 12-24oz of liquid by small metal handles isn't going to be a pleasant experience, the weight and their distance from the body of the cup will cause it to dig into the tops of the fingers. And what about those who drink in the car?

How does the integrated stir stick work?

great rendering...but too complicated and too has many pieces...looks like it could cut you if it falls on you...

I think this idea has great potential... well aluminium as a choice material for a replacement. I think this idea is an overstyalized version of something that could be really good.

Having something that is very similar to what we have now - a cup, lid and heat protector and putting them into aluminium format would make a lot of sense.

The cup - similar to hear with, produced using the same techniques that create coke cans - cost would be roughly 5 cents - similar to paper cups. The top would be rolled to make it safe and also add in the screw element for the lid. Stackable.

The lid - the same as what we have above but without the lip seal - keep is simple - i love the screw on element - would make it really sturdy! Stackable.

The heat protector - different to what we have here - it would slide on from below but be shaped to provide an air gap and added just before pouring coffee. Stackable too.

The material - Aluminium is 100% recyclable - for ever. Therefore if we got recycling rates up it would never leave the stream therefore there would be no direct material input. (obviously this is impossible but aluminium is a very abundand resource! - 7% of earths crust)

Recycling - currently the US recycles ~60% of all aluminium, however, with the right regulation this jumps to 90% in certain states. In countries like sweden and switzerland they also achieve 90% recycling rates. At these levels the energy it takes to produce a new cup would be less than that of prouding a cup from paper and PE. If aluminium does go to landfill - minimal ecological side effects unlike with paper which produces greanhouses gasses for years.

Cost - similar to paper cups. it costs 5cents for a coke can. this might increase to 8 cents.

Possibility - Capital investment, design and manufacutre in new dies and new manufacturing lines would be needed but this could be achieved within a year or two.

Change of mindsets - there would still be a need to change mindsets of the take away coffee cup drinker to put the can into the aluminium recycling chain. A change in regulation may be necessary in some states.

branding and user interaction - There would be a change in the perception of the drinker by drinking out a metal cup but this must be surmountable!

Sorry about the blurb, but I think an aluminium coffee cup can be done today, for the same price as paper cups and make a real environmental impact!

@texastee -- HA! I thought the same thing about the terminator-like style. Let's hope these coffee cups don't become self-aware!

I like the design and idea - good line of thinking:)

Great presentation....though, it's a little intimidating at first... looks like the cup is going to transform into a car and drive off of the counter or something.
It's pretty though... as IceQueen said... "sexy"! hahaha. Good luck!

Cool design, I want one! have you made any models or prototypes yet?

This idea is growing on me I have too say, great that you use aluminum as it is recyclable and also very light. I don't agree with sweetmelissa, my first reaction was: Awesome :-) I'm giving you a *You hit the nail on the head.*

/Katarina Cuptokeep