(Video Link)
Apparently there's an iPhone app that will make a kitchen island rise from the middle of your floor. Or something like that. Tim Thaler built this remarkable accessory:
A hydraulic scissor lift is at bolted to the cement, and then a small frame is built on top of the scissor lift table. On top of that is a subfloor, flooring, and then the island. The cabinet doors are on the other side, and have safety push button switches that kill the electricity from the Smart Home Insteon switches, and prevent it from moving when the doors are not fully closed.
via Make
//apparently there's plenty of apps for that//
You need a PHONE to make it rise and sink.
The floor mats (which by the way are for cars not kitchens) flop around willy nilly.
It's slow.
And in what practical scenario do you need a kitchen pedestal one moment and then you don't?
Seems like a Rube Goldberg solution to a problem that for most people doesn't exist.
Also, you will literally be eating off the floor.
But let's face it... it's mostly tech for the sake of being tech. Nothing wrong with that as long as it's a hobby and not being touted as a great innovation in kitchen design.