Technology in News

Steve Jobs Picture Made of AppleProduct

2009-05-13T19:29:00.002-06:00

This is a picture of Steve Jobs made entirely out of Apple products. Its collage nature loosely reminds me of the Star Wars Last Supper, except that one was an awesome scene with Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, and this one is Steve Jobs. It was created for a special in Fortune magazine.

Originally made in December 2007 and corrected in February 2008 to include the latest Apple products like MacBook Air, iPod nano pink etc. Made with Synthetik Studio Artist, Adobe Photoshop and Apple QuickTime Pro with custom developed scripts and techniques.

I was so inspired by this technique that I decided to make my own collage self-portrait that really exemplifies who I am as a human. Unfortunately, I ran out of pictures of dongs and assholes before I could finish.

source: Geekologi

MIT Builds World of Warcraft Gaming Hut

2009-05-11T20:22:00.008-06:00

Some gamers at MIT went and built a World of Warcraft 'pod' that contains everything a person would need to survive about three days while constantly playing WoW. Shitter? Check.

Inside, the gamer finds him/herself comfortable seated in front of the computer screen with easy-to-reach water, pre-packaged food, and a toilet conveniently placed underneath his/her custom-built throne.

When hungry, the gamer selects a food item ('Crunchy Spider Surprise', 'Beer Basted Ribs', etc.) and a seasoning pack. By scanning in the food items, the video game physically adjusts a hot plate to cook the item for the correct amount of time. The virtual character then jubilantly announces the status of the meal to both the gamer and the other individuals playing online: "Vorcon's meal is about to be done!" "Better eat the ribs while they're hot!" etc.

As much as I want to hate this, I've got to admit: I wouldn't mind having one. Looks equally suitable for raiding villages and your own little level 4 pants elf. Which, privacy curtain, hello?

Hit the jump for another shot and a better view of the schematic. Ha, remember when you used to make a privacy tent by pulling your bedsheet down from your loft in college? No? Me neither then.

Source: geekologi

Japan's therapeutic robots

2009-03-04T18:48:00.003-07:00

If you ever needed a way to illustrate the difference between the US and Japan when it comes to technology, you need look no further than the fact that in Japan they're already well on their way to having robots take care of the elderly (we're just getting started here). The New York Times had an article about this a few weeks ago, focusing mainly on robotic machines for washing people and that sort of thing, but the AP has a story about the use of robots for more therapeutic purposes (no, not like that!). Mainly it involves helping people with memory loss by making robots that mimic cuddly animals, like the Paro, a robotic baby seal, or dressing up Sony's Aibo robotic dog in plush clothing (do we detect the beginnings of a new trend?)

see details
source: engadget

Japan develops five-fingered robotic hand

2009-03-04T18:38:00.003-07:00

While this certainly isn't the first robotic-fingered hand that we've ever seen, we're always in favor of technology improving dexterity. Those smartypants at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan (aka AIST) have developed a robotic hand about the size of a human adult male's, measuring 18cm (7.08-inches) from fingertip to wrist and 8.4cm (3.3-inches) across the palm. It also has some sort of mechanism designed to "reduce backlash," which apparently means it'll get more precise control over whatever ~~human it's throttling~~ object it's gripping. We still don't know if that means that now these robots can sew their own gloves yet, though.
see details

source:engadet

Soken shows off mostly ugly wall of e-ink in Japan

2009-03-04T18:35:00.001-07:00

Thus far, we've seen OLED rule the FDP International floor in Japan, but now we've got one more emerging display technology showing off its merits: e-ink. Soken Chemical & Engineering Company demonstrated a wall of 30- x 30-centimeter e-ink paper displays in order to showcase just what the technology was capable of. Quite honestly, we're still struggling to see just what that is. Practicality aside, it's still pretty fascinating to think that all of the colors you see above are being emitted from ultrathin displays, though the choice of pattern is questionable at best.

source:Engadget

RPM-1200 Is Cool

2009-02-06T19:33:00.001-07:00

Japanese artist Enoki Chu made this fine looking piece of art entirely out of polished metal junk, including drill bits, machine parts, and others. The whole piece looks like a futuristic cityscape and has a diameter of 15 feet and stands 11 feet tall. So it's a pretty good size. It's titled RPM-1200, but I'm renaming it Do Not Sit Here. Because it would hurt if you did. Like real bad. Serious pain. In your rear. Sit on a foam donut for two weeks and sleep face down bad. Like nightmares of a skyscraper up your ass bad.

Two more pictures after the jump, including a closer-up one.

Junk City looks straight out of The Fifth Element 2 [dvice]

source: www.geekologie.com

Motorcycle Engine USB Hub

2009-02-06T19:28:00.001-07:00

Some awesome folks in Japan have created this replica of a motorcycle engine that also happens to be a USB hub. Turn it on and the thing rumbles and makes noises like an actual motorcycle engine. And because that wouldn't be weird enough on its own, this thing is also a USB hub. So you can run your USB gadgets through it while letting it rumble on your desk. Because, you know, sure, why not?

Source

Comments (9) Digg Reddit Del.ici.ous

source:www.geekologie.com

Robot Watches Kods while Parents Shop

2009-02-06T19:23:00.001-07:00

This scary little bastard is a robotic babysitter developed by Tmsuk and currently being utilized by a retailer in Fukuoka, Japan. It looks like a cross between a cat, the devil, a shitty digital camera, and a bumper car. The unit packs an integrated projector and can communicate with annoying little kids through the use of a special tags the rugrats have to wear. No word on how much the robots cost, but I bet they're expensive. And ridiculous. My dad didn't need a babysitter for me when we went shopping. No sir, he just lashed me to the front of the shopping cart. Plus, whenever I misbehaved he'd teach me "valuable life lessons" about how long scars take to heal by running me into displays and other people's carts. *sniffle* Love ya, dad.

Robot babysitter keeps kids occupied in Japanese store [engadget]

Source:www.geekologie.com

Nanobots to take over the World

2009-02-06T19:06:00.002-07:00

Dr. Anirban Bandyopadhyah, of the National Institute of Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan, has developed a chemical "brain" capable of controlling nanobots. This "brain", soon to be known by the few remaining humans not killed in the machine uprising as "Mother Brain" will control the bots responsible for the demise of humanity. The cave dwelling survivors of the apocalypse will regularly pray to Samus Aran that she return in all her hotness and destroy said brain to make the planet safe for humans once more.

Anyway, the two nanometer "brain" is made of 17 molecules of duroquinone, each considered a "logic device" and controlled by a center "control" molecule. By switching the control molecule in the center with a scanning tunneling microscope, the other 16 are switched based on the logical instructions received. There are over four billion combinations of outcome. At least three billion being "We're all going to die", and the other billion being "We're all going to die slowly."

Chemical brain controls nanobots [bbcnews]

source: www.geekologie.com

Cool!: The World's Smallest Writing

2009-02-06T18:57:00.002-07:00

Japanese scientists have written the world's smallest letters using only a handful of atoms.

a research team at Osaka University has "written" the letters "Si" using an atomic pen that interchanges silicon and tin atoms, enabling those who have the time, resources, and patience to manipulate said atoms one by one. The results are a diminutive 2 x 2 nm (or 40,000 times smaller than a strand of hair) which took about an hour and a half to complete.

That's impressive and all, but I once had an Asian lady write my whole name on a grain of rice at the mall. Suck on that one, scientists!

Atomic pen achieves invisible victory [engadget]

source: www.geekologie.com

World's Smallest Ramen Bowl

2009-02-06T18:51:00.003-07:00

Scientists in Japan recently made the world's smallest ramen bowl, with a diameter of only 1/25,000 of an inch. Which, in scientific terminology, makes it invisible except to superheros that got shafted in the cool powers department (unless they can also see through walls, in which case boobs, sweet). The bowl was carved entirely out of nanotubes and was entered in a recent microphotography contest. Now as someone who just recently finished a project on nanotubes and nanotechnology, I know all about these things. Some interesting facts I uncovered during my research: They're made of carbon. They're mad small. Like super-duper small. They put my junk to shame. I hate nanotubes. Nanotubes are stupid.

Microscopic ramen bowl believed to be world's smallest [cnn]

source: www.geekologie.com

Invasion Of Privacy: Scientists Aim To Extract Images/Dreams Directly From Your Brain

2009-02-06T18:36:00.002-07:00

A team of Japanese researchers believe they're well on the way to developing a technology capable of displaying whatever is on a person's mind. Including pictures, dreams, and, God willing, sex with dinosaurs.

While the team for now has managed to reproduce only simple images from the brain, they said the technology could eventually be used to figure out dreams and other secrets inside people's minds.

"It was the first time in the world that it was possible to visualize what people see directly from the brain activity," the private institute said in a statement.

"By applying this technology, it may become possible to record and replay subjective images that people perceive like dreams."

Say, this reminds me of one of my own favorite dreams: I exit my cave wearing only an animal pelt. I spot a triceratops -- it catches my gaze. I approach and begin tenderly rubbing its horns while making cooing sounds. The beast gores me. I lay in the mud, bleeding to death. With my last breath I reach out to touch its genitals and....it crushes my arm with a single stomp from one of its massive legs. i wake from the dream dripping sweat, and also, other stuff. Damn -- I should write romance novels!

Dreams may no longer be secret with Japan computer screen [yahoonews]

Thanks to austin, Derrick, Ain and Zombie Bob, who have the ability to make your dreams come true, but only if you buy their set of instructional video for three easy payments of $39.95.

source:www.geekologie.com

Japan Gets another super-fast bullet train

2009-02-06T18:31:00.002-07:00

Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains, which are said to be among the best trains in the world, get an upgrade. Major railway operator JR East has today announced a new Shinkansen version [JP, PDF] that will enter service in 2011.

The E5 series Shinkansen is not really a master piece design-wise (the colors are horrendous in my opinion) but seems to be all the more convincing from a technical perspective. JR East promises a top speed of 320km/h and a car body completely made of aluminum alloy.

The company ordered a total of 590 cars and will use 10 per train set.

source:www.crunchgear.com

New Paint Stops Wi-Fi Stealing Neighbors

2009-02-06T18:23:00.002-07:00

You may soon be able stop your packet sniffing, WEP cracking neighbors from stealing your precious internet with Wi-Fi blocking paint. Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed an aluminum-iron oxide that resonates around the frequencies used by Wi-Fi. This means that it will absorb electromagnetic waves in that frequency.

So you ask, “why hasn’t this been developed already?” Well, until now most wave absorbing materials have only been able to block frequencies up to 50Ghz, while modern wireless communication uses frequencies above 100GHz. The structure of this new material distorts the bonds between oxygen and iron, allowing for absorption for frequencies up to four times higher than before.

Sounds like some fantastic stuff. So save the trouble of turning your house into a bunker equipped with Faraday cages and just paint your walls with a fresh coat of paint.

[PCWorld via Gizmodo]

source: www.crunchgear.com

BEEP BOOP BEEP: Ultra Rare R2-D2 Fridge

2009-02-04T19:20:00.002-07:00

This R2-D2 fridge, one of only 1,000 given away at Japanese 7-11's back in 2002 as a promotional prize for when Attack of the Bones came out, is now for sale by ToyEast. The trashcanny droid can both cool and heat your meat, but asking price is a staggering $1,070. So yeah, a little out of my price range. But I did just call up a Jawa buddy of mine and told him I'd pay upwards of $40 for one in good condition. Then I threatened to gouge those glowing eyes right out of his freaking head if he doesn't make it happen. Shifty little bastard stole my toaster once.

Hit the jump for one more picture of the handsome devil.

rare r2-d2 fridge for sale: one cool droid [technabob]

source: www.geekologie.com

Amazing mini 3D display Cube developed in Japan

2009-02-04T19:12:00.002-07:00

Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) today unveiled a nice little invention: a 3D LCD display box that fits in the palm of your hand.

The so-called gCubik makes it possible to visualize objects in three dimensions via integrated imaging technology. It is just 10 cm small.

The NICT wants to significantly improve the display quality within 3 years. A wireless version is in the works as well. The institute aims at commercializing the gCubik for use in business and science. They say their invention could be used by video game companies, too, for example.

The gCubik will be presented to the general public during an exhibition next month in Tokyo. Americans will be able to see the cube in action at the Siggraph 2008 which takes place in August.

Via TechOn [JP, registration required]

source:www.crunchgear.com

New Space Invanders Game Coming to Wii

2009-02-04T19:06:00.002-07:00

A new Space Invaders game (Space Invaders Get Even) is coming out for the Wii later this year. Instead of trying to fend off the pesky bastards, you actually control them in an attempt to dominate the planet.

Using the Nunchuck, you direct a UFO to drop hundreds of aliens on forest, city and military targets, destroying everything in their path. You'll be able to command the invaders to swarm and group in a variety of attack formations.

Well hot damn, it's been awhile since I've done any serious invading. Mostly because the last time I tried making an invasion it didn't go so well. It was the women's locker room, and some buff chick wet-towel whipped me in the eyes before I even saw a tit.

One more screen shot after the jump.

space invaders get even on nintendo wii [technabob]

source: www.geekologie.com

Toyota iReal is a Wheelchair on Steroids

2009-02-04T18:53:00.002-07:00

Is it an armchair? Is it a Hover-round? What the hell is it? It's Toyota's new mobility concept, the i-Real.
The seat moves from an upright position to a lying down one depending on your speed. The thing tops out at about 18 mph, which is the max legal speed for 50cc type vehicles in Japan. If these thing makes production and come to the US, you better believe it'll need to go at least 30 mph. I'd be taking this thing to the liquor store and back all the time. In style. So what if I've already amassed a collection of DUIs on bicycles, golf carts, and ride-on mowers. I'll get one on this thing too. 'Cause I real. Real stupid. And real horrible at driving.

Toyota Pwns Segway with the i-Real [uberreview]

source: www.geekologie.com

IKEA Turns Japanese Monorail Into Showroom

2009-02-04T18:45:00.002-07:00

IKEA, best known for their sweet coffee table that I bought, has turned the Kobe Portliner Monorail of Port Island, Japan into a traveling showroom. As you can see it looks like someone threw up all over the place. It will remain that way until May 6th, so if you're in the area go check it out. While the bright colors and nutty patterns make me a little queasy, I still think it's a great idea. They should totally pimp out the D.C. Metro like this. That way when the guy sitting behind me pulls his thingy out and starts beating it against the back of my seat I can at least pretend I'm in a furniture store.

A bunch more pictures of the pimped out trains after the jump.

IKEA decks out Kobe train [pinktentacle]

source: ww.geekologie.com

Honda's Puyo is soft

2009-02-04T18:36:00.001-07:00

Not to be outdone by Nissan and their cute little Pivo 2 Honda showed off the Puyo (which I thought was Spanish for a woman's genitals) concept van/box thing in Tokyo this week. It has a gel-like outer shell instead of sheet metal that's supposed to be a lot more resilient and safe in collisions. The wheels are from a go-cart (okay, maybe not) and are pushed all the way out to the corners, so the car can do 360s in place. To jack up its coolness factor from 0 to 1, it has scissor-wing doors. Nice try Honda, but I wouldn't be caught dead in it. I would be caught having sex with a prostitute in it though. Because that's how I roll.

One more of the doors open after the jump.

Soft Squishy Honda PUYO [electroplankton]

source: www.geekologie.com

Tokyoplastic

2009-02-04T18:25:00.002-07:00

Rather than opting for mass production, Tokyoplastic cleverly chose to promote the exclusivity of their work by producing their toy range as limited edition pieces, making the purchase of one of their toys a very special one. Since teaming with Flying Cat, they have produced 3 different varieties of their Geisha doll, all of which have completely sold out, in white, red (as pictured above), and my personal favourite which comes in black and is accompanied by the drum kit as featured in their award winning animation, the 'Drum Machine'.

Following on from the success of the Tokyoplastic website and the sell out of their geisha doll series, Tokyoplastic went on to produce, among other things, yet another stunning piece of flash animation, this time for Aiwa (click to view).

It was this latest animation for Aiwa called 'Music Box', which included a variety of obscure and original characters that spawned the creation of yet another fantastic toy from Tokyoplastic, the Opera Dude.

It is safe to say that we are, as many others, completely smitten for their work and waiting with baited breath to see what they come up with next. We will undoubtedly be bringing you news on all their latest ventures, so be sure to watch this space!

source: www.tokyocube.com

Tokyoplastic Inspirations

2009-02-04T18:10:00.003-07:00

Among many other incredibly cool ventures, the talented duo that make up Tokyoplastic, Sam Lanyon Jones and Drew Cope, have been responsible for bringing to us a stunning range of stylised Japanese inspired toys that have since proved an incredible success selling out soon after release.

It all started with the creation of their flash animated masterpiece that is the Tokyoplastic website, which managed to push all boundaries of what was conceived visually possible through the web. Inspired by the work of Japanese artist Takeshi Murakami, as well as the clean, highly stylistic design adopted in Japan, Tokyoplastic created their trademark iconic Geisha character for the online audience.

It was on the back of the huge success that followed the launch of the Tokyoplastic website, which at its peak was receiving 140,000 hits a day, that Tokyoplastic teamed up with toy manufacturer, Flying Cat, to put their wonderful creations into the mould for a select few of us to own and enjoy.

source:www.tokyocube.com

Flowerpot- Shaped USB Speaker

2009-01-14T18:51:00.004-07:00

It's USB. It's a flowerpot. It's a speaker. Enough said, really.

Thanko will release the flowerpot-shaped "USB FlowerPot Speaker" via their "Rare Mono Shop" direct sales website on 29 November. It will be priced at 2,980 yen.

The flowerpot speaker unit connects to a computer via USB and contains a stereo speaker (1W x 2ch output). It is USB bus-powered so an AC adapter is not necssary.

Supported operating systems are Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and MacOS 9 or later (including MacOS X). External dimensions are W120 x D120 x H400 mm and weight is 620 grams.

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20041126/thanko.htm

Product information:
http://www.thanko.jp/flower_speaker.html

source: http://www.techjapan.com/Article707.html

Bird Electron Speaker Cube

2009-01-14T18:48:00.002-07:00

Here's a rather bizarre passive speaker from Bird Electron. It's basically just a cube with a 3.5mm audio plug sticking out.

Bird Electron announced the "Dice Speaker," a small ampless speaker, and began selling it on the same day. It costs 3,000 yen, and is available in black and white colors.

At 45mm high, wide, and deep, it features independent left and right channels. It has a 3.5mm stereo pin jack, and is used by inserting it directly into the audio player. The base has ruber stoppers so that it won't be unsteady when set with an iPod shuffle, Walkman, or other audio player.

Because it has no amplifier, the volume is about the same as a music box, so the company recommends it be used for light background music.

Inspired by:
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0601/17/news078.html

Product Information:
http://www.bird-electron.co.jp/item.html?code=EZ9WB

source: http://www.techjapan.com/Article1221.html

Tamagotchi Plus

2009-01-14T18:36:00.001-07:00

Bandai has announced that more than 10,000,000 "Tamagotchi Plus" will have been sold by the end of July. Are these things really that popular still? Guess so...

Bandai announced on the 21st that they worldwide sales of the portable digital pet game, "Tamagotchi Plus," to break 10 million before the end of July.

The figure represents combined sales from the "They're back! Tamagotchi Plus" released in March of last year, and "Yuwai Keitai Kaitsu-! Tamagotchi Plus," released in November of last year.

Of these, 6 million units have been sold overseas. English versions of Tamagotchi Plus were introduced in 44 countries throughout Europe and Asia in May of last year.

The company indicates the reason for the device's popularity is its ability to use an infrared communication function. They stated that in a recent survey of 500 elementary school children, it was found that what they enjoy the most is communication games and exchanging gifts with their friends.

The first generation of Tamagotchi was released in November of 1996. Sales of this unit broke 40 million worldwide, to the point that counterfeit units started appearing. After the boom, Bandai's management faced pressure because of gross overstocking of the product. To bring about the revival of the Tamagotchi, the company elected a CTO ("Chief Tamagotchi Officer"), in charge unifying a development and sales strategy. The company thus was able to product another hit.

Inspired by:
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0507/21/news045.html

Press Release:
http://www.bandai.co.jp/group/news/2005072101.html

source: http://www.techjapan.com/Article1082.html

Silent Mouse

2009-01-14T18:13:00.000-07:00

Click. Click. Click. The sound of your mouse is probably one you don't even notice anymore. But what if someone is trying to sleep in the same room? What if you need to click on something with your mouse, but need to be clandestine about it?

Then, Thanko's new "Silent Mouse" is for you.

Thanko Corporation has released the "Silent Mouse," a mouse that is setup so that it makes no clicking sound. The price is 2,480 yen.

Silicone is used on the click part of the mouse, so the click sound and wheel sound have been reduced. It also is designed with a soundproof shape that prevents resonance of the buttons, making the noise level about 1/5th that of a conventional mouse -- the mouse operates at about 4.9dB.

The interface is USB. Supported operating systems are Windows 2000, XP, and Mac OS X. The optical sensor has a resolution of 800dpi. The body size is 60 x 105 x 35mm (W x D x H), and the weight 90g.

Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/0315/sanko.htm

Press Release:
http://www.thanko.jp/silent_mouse/

source: http://www.techjapan.com/Article1289.html

JVC HA-FX34 and HA-F140 Headphones Match iPod Colors

2009-01-14T18:05:00.001-07:00

JVC presents the HA-FX34 Marshmallow in-ear headphones and HA-F140 Gumy earbuds that comes in iPod-matching colors. Both HA-FX34 Marshmallow and HA-F140 Gumy come in white (Gumy), silver (Marshmallow), black, blue, purple, green, yellow, orange, red and pink.

JVC’s HA-FX34 features super-soft inner-earpieces and a tangle-resistant 3.28-foot (1.0 m) cord minimizing friction-noise that can occur when the cord is brushed against clothing. It will be available in January for $19.95.

On the other hand, JVC’s HA-F140 Gumy earbuds have a soft rubber body and a tangle-resistant 3.28-foot (1.0 m) cord. HA-F140 will be available in February for a price of $9.95.

source: IT Tech News

Twendy one Japanese Maid Nurse Robot

2009-01-14T18:04:00.001-07:00

Twendy One, is a Japanese maid nurse robot developed by the engineers last year at Tokyo’s Waseda University. Though it doesn’t look like the sexy nurses or maids that we’ve featured on our site, the impressive robot can actions such as picking up small item, assisting old or disable people getting in and out of bed or a wheel chair and delivering food on a tray.

Twendy One took seven years to create, has 241 pressure sensors on each robotic hand and is expected to ready commercially by 2015, for $200,000.

For the commercial release, we hope the otaku engineers find a way to feminize Twendy One like with the Simroid (dental robot).

Source: Japan Sugoi

Plusgain VOLX Palette U-MP3

2008-12-24T22:58:00.001-07:00

Plusgain, from Japan, announced the new VOLX Palette U-MP3 music player with 4GB internal memory. Available in 7 colors, the VOLX Palette U-MP3 supports both MP3 and WMA audio files. It uses USB interface and works with Windows. The integrated rechargeable battery offers up to three hours of play time.

PURASUGEIN Inc., capacity 4GB audio player with built-in flash memory "VOLX Palette U-MP3 Player 4GB" the 12 to start the sale from late Monday. Two shipments in 2009 and since mid-October. Direct selling price is 2,980 yen.

Weight 7g, dimensions 46 × 15.5 × 9 (vertical × side × thickness) and lightweight, 4GB flash memory built-in audio player. Black, blue, candy red, pink, TAKOIZUBURU, white, green apple for a seven-color variations. Supported OS is Windows Me/2000/XP/Vista.

Playback Formats MP3 (8 ~ 320kbps) and WMA (32 ~ 384kbps) support. The cap of the unit features USB 2.0 connectors, and can charge and transfer music directly to a PC slot. USB mass storage class support, transfer of music is performed in drag and drop. Charging time is approximately three hours and can play up to three hours.

Resume function. Earphone lanyard type of accessories is that you can use a player put on his neck.

[impress]

Source: http://www.itechnews.net/2008/12/23/plusgain-volx-palette-u-mp3-player/

Bula Stereohead

2008-12-24T22:29:00.009-07:00

BULA presents the STEREOHEAD earphone and hat combos. There are three models available, the Sound Master, the Power Up and the Intro. They have different styles of hats such as beanie, lex cap, and Peruvian.

The Sound Master has a max input of 150MW, 20Hz frequency response, 32ohm and 40mm driver diameter. The Power Up and the Intro both accpet max input of 100MW. The Intro has a 30mm driver.

Warm head, top shredding tunes and well tasty headwear, what more could you want? (Apart from endless days of champagne powder and bluebird skies, but money can't buy the weather). Bula Stereo head hats are an all-in-one package for music-filled days on the hill.

[BULA]

Source: http://www.itechnews.net/2008/

Maid Robot From Japan

2008-12-24T22:09:00.005-07:00

Scientists in Japan have created a maid robot that mops, does the laundry and cleans the kitchen. Officially called the ‘Assistant Robot’ or “AR”, the robot was created by Tokyo University’s Information and Robot Technology (IRT) and Japanese technology and robotics companies including Toyota Corp, Sega, Panasonic and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The maid robot is 1.5m tall and weighs 130kg. The maid robot can “see” three dimensional objects and locate them as well as recognizing when a job has not been completed properly and move to complete it. Doing laundry is said to be one the robot’s strongest assets. It can find a dirty shirt, throw it into a washing machine and push the buttons to wash and rinse and spin dry clothes.

But those who think this might be the answer to their cleaning woes can't rejoice just yet. The research centre says it will be another decade or two before the robot can be mass-produced.

The robot is being designed to assist Japan’s aging population to do main household chores.

The scientists say they are still more than 10 years away from mass producing these robots so until then, otaku can still visit Akihabara and visit their favorite maids in their cafes.

Source: http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/category/japan-technology/

LED on the walls, floor… ubiquitously!

2008-12-22T21:44:00.004-07:00

Light up your life! Light keeps on illuminating our life in surprising ways. Light emitting diodes, commonly called LEDs, are real unsung heroes in the electronics world. Illustrious designer Ingo Maurer at the Spazio Krizia 2006 in Milan presented his bright LED creations which included Wallpaper, Carpet, and Table with adjustable colored LED's. Wall and floor décor choice has never been so diverse. Identifying the need to move with the changing demands of the consumer, from lighting prospective, the future seems to be bright. Says Ingo, “New technologies and materials constantly spark my interest and imagination. We work with highly innovative technology – as well as simple materials – to give form to my aesthetical ideas, sometimes called poetic.”

Here is LED magic carpet of green circuit boards and LEDs suspended from the ceiling.

Take a close up look at this Luminous table.

Source: http://www.luxurylaunches.com/

See Details in: http://mocoloco.com/archives/002534.php

Music Mug

2008-12-17T19:01:00.003-07:00

Not a whole lot to say about the MusicMug from Idea International that you can't guess from the pictures. Or the name, for that matter.

It's a ceramic mug with an integrated (passive) speaker on the bottom. Plug the cable into your iPod or other portable audio device, put it in the cup, and you've got a portable audio system fit for even the most spartan of living environments. As for why the mug doesn't have a handle, Idea International's Chief Designer, Masato Tokuno, stated in the below interview with ITmedia that he didn't want people mistaking the MusicMug for a coffee mug, pouring coffee all over their music player. Likewise, he didn't want people to have to worry about where to grab the MusicMug when transporting it. Retails for 3,990 yen.

source:http://www.techjapan.com/

MUSIC THAT COMES WHEN YOU CALL

2008-12-17T18:28:00.001-07:00

MUSIC THAT COMES WHEN YOU CALL
Robot Takes Music Where You Want to Hear It (December 15, 2006)
source: http://web-japan.org/

There is now a robot that will come over to you and play music with just the push of a button on a remote control. ZMP Inc., a startup company that develops and sells humanoid robots, released the "miuro" in December 2006. It is the first such product capable of autonomous movement to go on sale anywhere in the world.

Mobile-Phone Controlled
The small robot "miuro," which contains a music player, is essentially a moving stereo. It measures 35 cm across and 22 cm high, it weighs 5 kg, and it moves on two wheels. Priced at an affordable ¥108,800 ($907 at ¥120 to the dollar), with the purchase of an add-on package for ¥19,800 ($165) users with a computer and wireless LAN can enjoy having the robot autonomously navigate their house using onboard cameras and sensors, finding its own way to the living room and other preprogrammed locations. For example, it could be used in place of an alarm clock, moving into your bedroom and waking you up with the song of your choice in the morning.

The miuro uses a lithium battery that allows up to four hours of use on a single two-hour charge. It is operated by means of an infrared remote control, but it is also possible to give it instructions using a mobile phone. Using the remote control, the user can select and play music taken from an mp3 player, a computer, or Internet radio. On top of that, when users are away, they can keep tabs on what is happening at home by instructing the miuro go to a preprogrammed location, take a photo, and email it to them.

An Integral Part of Life
Industrial robots account for most of Japan's robot market at present. When Sony Corp. released the dog-like robot AIBO in 1999 for home use, sales were not as good as expected, and the company later halted production. Robots that feature human-like intelligence and those that can walk on two legs are still in the development stages, and those that are available remain too expensive for ordinary consumers to purchase.

The miuro, however, is priced affordably enough for most households. A company spokesperson explains: "Robots had previously attracted attention just for being able to move. What we're trying to do is make this kind of robot a part of everyday life, showing people a new kind of lifestyle."

source: http://web-japan.org/

Sugar Powered Batteries from Sony

2008-11-20T23:08:00.003-07:00

Now Sony has developed a bio carbohydrate battery that generates power from sugar. The eco friendly battery generates electricity by mixing enzymes with a sugar solution which is capable of generating up to 50mW of power.

Creating the energy is similar to the process of converting food into energy in the human body. The enzyme’s action on the sugar pumps hydrogen ions and electrons into the solution. The ions pass through a membrane establishing the potential difference that drives the connected device where they combine with oxygen from the air and electrons through the circuit to form water as a by-product.

There are no plans from Sony yet on commercial development of the battery so we’ll have to use our standard non eco friendly batteries a little while longer.

source: http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/

Surfing in the Rain

2008-11-17T18:40:00.003-07:00

Science & Technology
SURFING IN THE RAIN
Internet Umbrella Lets Users Browse in Any Weather (October 4, 2007)

Gray, rainy days may be about to get more colorful thanks to a new umbrella invented by Japanese researchers. The Internet Umbrella, conceived by a team at Keio University, acts as a photo browser by displaying images from the Internet as the user walks along. The handle of the umbrella contains a projector that displays images on the underside of the umbrella.

Student Inventors
The Internet umbrella, named Pileus (meaning the head of a mushroom) was created by two young graduate students. Second-year doctoral student Matsumoto Takashi, 27, and first-year master’s student Hashimoto Sho, 22, of Keio University’s Graduate School of Media and Governance were motivated by a desire to make walking on rainy days more enjoyable. Both belong to a research lab led by Professor Okude Naohito that is renowned for its interaction design research based on the concept of ubiquitous computing.

Prompted to start this project by the everyday act of using an umbrella, Matsumoto and Hashimoto combined numerous technologies to make the Internet umbrella a reality. The handle of their creation contains a camera, a motion sensor, GPS, and a digital compass. The device is controlled by rotating the grip.

Pileus has been presented or displayed in several countries, including the United States, France, and Austria, and won the Innovation Prize at Laval Virtual 2007, Europe’s biggest virtual reality convention.

Future Vision
The Internet Umbrella has two main functions. One is browsing the online photo-sharing site Flickr. Not only can the umbrella display photos from the site; using the camera in the handle it can also take pictures and upload them to the Internet via a wireless connection. Pileus users can thus view each other’s photo streams. The umbrella can also display movies from the video-sharing site YouTube.

The other key function of the device is to help users find their way around by displaying 3D maps using Google Earth. The umbrella “knows” the user’s location (thanks to GPS) and direction (thanks to the digital compass), so it can show a bird’s-eye map of the surrounding area, enabling the user to navigate streets with ease. Both functions are easily controlled by rotating the grip of the umbrella. The team is currently working on enabling photos taken with the umbrella to be displayed on the map, along with their location.

Predicting continued growth in the quantities of tagged photos and consumer-generated media on the Internet, the developers imagine a time when Pileus users will be able to view social information generated by other users anywhere in real time. On their website they stated, “This product aims to enhance people’s everyday lives by synchronizing information on the Internet and in real places.”

source: http://web-japan.org/trends/science/sci071003.html

World's Smallest Humanoid Robot

2008-11-17T18:09:00.004-07:00

Science & Technology
WORLD'S SMALLEST HUMANOID ROBOT
i-SOBOT Can Dance and Mimic Animals (August 31, 2007)

A new humanoid robot, certified as the world's smallest, will be released this autumn by Japanese toy manufacturer Tomy Company. On October 25, 2007, the Omnibot 17µ i-SOBOT is scheduled to hit the market—as well as the 2008 edition of Guinness World Records, which will list the product as "the smallest humanoid robot in production." Robotics fans look forward to i-SOBOT as a fun toy to add to their collections, but also as a leap forward in miniaturization of the advanced parts that go into these high-tech tools.

Surprising Size and Price
i-SOBOT stands just 16.5 centimeters tall, and weighs only around 350 grams. While the robot fits in the palm of your hand, it remains a fully outfitted bipedal machine, with 17 moving joints. Used throughout the body are tiny, custom servomotors developed by Tomy. The robot's onboard gyro-sensor allows it to maintain its balance automatically as it goes smoothly through its programmed motions. i-SOBOT comes with an infrared remote-control unit, but users can also use voice commands to control it.

Tomy's i-SOBOT architecture, the control system developed to operate this new robot, makes use of 19 integrated circuit chips that work in tandem to enable the toy's complex actions.

i-SOBOT will be sold for ¥29,800 before tax ($248 at ¥120 to the dollar) in fully assembled form, complete with rechargeable batteries and its remote control, which features twin joysticks, programmable buttons, and an LCD screen. According to the manufacturer, this price is quite affordable for a robot of this complexity. In addition to its release in Japan, the robot will make its way to markets in the United States and elsewhere in Asia. In 2008 Tomy intends to extend sales to Europe as well. To reach its global sales target of 300,000 units, the company is localizing i-SOBOT's software in English and Chinese in addition to Japanese.

Four Modes for Action
An attractive feature of this versatile robot is its four separate modes for controlling the action. In Remote Control Mode, the user manages the robot's movements directly with the command buttons and joysticks on the wireless remote. In Programming Mode, the user has the option to easily choose commands from a list of available actions—182 in all— or to use the controller to create original actions, or use a combination of the two to program complex sequences that can be up to 240 steps long, with 80 steps stored in each of the robot's three memory slots. Special Action Mode, meanwhile, includes 18 more complex preprogrammed actions, such as "hula dance" and "air drumming." And Voice Control Mode lets the user give the robot one of 10 commands, to which the i-SOBOT can respond with a range of actions.

This robot is entertaining to the ear as well as the eye. As it goes through its actions it plays sounds from its library of nearly 100 sound effects and songs. The speaker can be turned off, too, when silent action is preferable. The toy is humanoid in form, but the designers have included playful actions in its repertoire that have it imitate the adorable movements of animals.

Tomy has taken steps to make i-SOBOT eco-friendly. The toy manufacturer is shipping the robot with three rechargeable AAA batteries from Sanyo Electric Co., whose Eneloop nickel metal hydride batteries let users keep the robot running for months without sending dead batteries to landfills. Tomy is also collaborating in Sanyo's Energy Evolution Project by making i-SOBOT part of the programs carried out at Japanese elementary schools. The companies hope to boost children's awareness of environmental issues by powering the fun robot with rechargeable cells.

source: http://web-japan.org/trends/science/index.html

Skype phone built into Keyboard

2008-11-16T19:09:00.001-07:00

Are you using Skype (the free VOIP) service? It’s a great communication service but it still drops out once in while for me when I am calling China and sometimes running video and audio together crashes the application.

Still, I cannot complain, its free! With Skype you can talk via headset connected to your pc or through a special Skype phone connected to your pc.

In Japan, IT company Buffalo will launch a Skype phone next month that is already integrated into your keyboard so you don’t need to install anything (except the application of course!). Saves a bit on space which you can always use for another computer peripheral!

source: http://japansugoi.com/wordpress

Waterproof Headphones

2008-11-16T18:53:00.001-07:00

Morito's Audio Bone Aqua Waterproof Headphones

Japanese manufacturer Morito last month introduced a cool waterproof headphone called the Audio Bone Aqua. So even when its raining or your relaxing in the pool, the Audio Bone Aqua can play your music without fear of getting your headphones wet.

The headphone uses bone conduction in which sound is transmitted to the brain through vibrations in the bones and skin tissues and not through the eardrum. The sound vibrations are sent directly to the cochlea through the skull.

Currently the Audio Bone Aqua headphone connects to your music player or mobile phone via wires though the company is working on a bluetooth edition that will allow users more freedom. Cost of the headphone is about US$80.

Source: K-tai Impress

from : http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/

Sega EMA robot

2008-11-16T18:46:00.002-07:00

Sega EMA robot, female robot appeals to Otaku

If you are an otaku who has trouble finding a cute Japanese girlfriend, then you may need to build up your confidence with Sega’s sexy E.M.A エマ female robot.

The female shaped humanoid robot was unveiled at the International Tokyo Toy Show this June. E.M.A エマ stands for Eternal, Maiden, Actualization and is 38 centimeters tall, has a curvaceous body, sings and dances and using infrared sensors the robot will kiss nearby otaku when it goes into “Love Mode”.

The target consumers are otaku guys over 20 and Sega hopes to sell 10,000 of
the adult-oriented androids within a year. EMA is expected to be in stores in Japan this month and will cost about U$175.

sumber: http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/segas-sexy-ema-female-robot-appeals-to-otaku/

High-Tech Japan

2008-11-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

by Richard Donovan, June 2003

The Matrix

Japan is like the shadow of The Matrix, stretching out elusively behind it as a kind of history, more than as a directly illuminating reference such as the obvious nods (should that be bows?) to Hong Kong action movies in the many fight scenes, and the genuflections to Christian themes such as sacrifice and redemption. Nevertheless, like a shadow, things Japanese are responsible for lending a certain depth to the proceedings.

The Matrix series' directors the Wachowski brothers have a pedigree that would perhaps find more widespread respect in Japan than the west. They began their narrative work as comic-book artists, working on Marvel Comics' Ectokid. In Japan, manga are seen as an alternate form of storytelling rather than the poor cousin of the novel, something with which the Wachowskis clearly concur. They are on record as big fans of anime, the animated version of manga, citing in particular their love of SF cult classics Akira (1988) and Ghost in the Shell (1996/98), which both began life as manga. In fact, the online Wikipedia contends that The Matrix contains direct allusions to both films:

Both a scene almost at the end of the movie, where Neo's breathing seems to buckle the fabric of reality in a corridor he is standing in, as well as the "psychic children" scene in the Oracle's waiting room, are evocative of similar scenes from the 1980s anime classic Akira. The title sequence, the rooftop chase scene where an agent breaks a concrete tile on the roof when landing after a jump, the scene late in the movie where a character hides behind a column while pieces of it are blown away by bullets, and a chase scene in a fruit market where shots hit watermelons, are practically identical to shots in another anime science fiction classic, Ghost in the Shell.

(http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix)