Imagine being stuck in a downpour, your destination still miles away - and you have nothing other than an umbrella to protect yourself. You resign to a dull, wet journey, right? Not if the umbrella happens to be the Pileus WiFi Camera umbrella.

The Pileus umbrella seems like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie – it has a built-in camera that you can use to shoot pictures in the rain, plus other add-ons too. That includes a GPS system (wow) and in the future, a video camera as well. Though I choose to be skeptical about the picture quality you'l get out of the camera under such weather conditions, I have to concede that the concept is definitely unique. The Pileus also has integration with Flickr! With a wireless Internet connection in place, the photos you click can be uploaded to Flickr at the touch of a button on the handle! Or you can browse photos from Flickr on the umbrella’s webbed innards just by “a snap of your wrist.”

I think the reasons behind the creation of this umbrella would be as interesting as the features themselves. There's no word yet on the release or detailed specs, but expect to see it selling soon on Sharp Edge.

Via Shiny Shiny.

More on innovative umbrellas:
Self Standing Umbrella
Weather forecasting umbrella, plan for puddles
Almost unbreakable umbrella: Senz
Music in the Rain
NanoNuno umbrella featured in Time's Best Inventions 2006