Hot Gadgets

Bandai - buy a portable toy and see your future

Bandai , a leader in toy makers has introduced a portable toy gadget that can predict the future of the player.

The gadget can register data for up to 20 people, such as friends. Players can enjoy future games by ranking each other in terms of "who will be most popular" or "who will be most successful."

According to their product research, Bandai has concluded that both men and women in their late 20s are most interested in predicting aspects of their future, such as "Will I succeed?" or "Can we get married?" So Bandai is targeting people in that age bracket.

Launched on March 29th, The Mirai Scope is available for 2,980 yen, or 30.00 US dollars, in Japan.

I have seen and even participated in some of such personality questionnaires online but this is the first time I have come across a personality gadget. Any takers here ?

Sony's futuristic Organic TV

Of the numerous symbols from Japan, Sony is arguably the most known brand in the world. And they have indeed kept up to that name. Sony has developed a sexy new emerging TV technology called the OLED or organic light emitting diode TV. It is small. It can fit into your hand. And it is sexy. This is an amazing new technology that will enable extremely thin TV's with a contrast ratio that is about 100 times greater than the best consumer LCD's or Plasma TV.

Sony launched their emerging technology at the CES last year. The video here showcases in details the fascinating experience of the organic TV that could within a few year land in shelves across Japan and the world.

Giant Robot Dinosaurs from Japan

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan has created some incredible new robot/animatronic dinosaurs that can actually walk around, stare at people and kinda threaten them (atleast the kids visiting there) and make loud scary noises.

Check out this just under 2 minute video.

Well to me after all those Jurassic Park effect these dinosaurs look a wee little bit less realistic. But I'm sure a lot of research and work has gone into this. Now what could be the utility factor here ?

World's coolest mobile phone store

Japan is the mecca of mobile phones (among other things:). So it is no surprise that the world's coolest mobile phone store is right here in Japan. I havent been there personally yet and so I felt lucky to come across this really cool Youtube video from Wireless Watch Japan. Right from the KDDI designing studio, this shop features the latest in cool mobile gizmos.

Well check out the video to get the real deal. Enjoy :)

Japanese Maglev

It can be safely said that the world is divided into two sets of people - those who have ridden on the Maglev and those who haven't.  Sinkasen or the bullet trains are the fastest passenger trains on earth travelling at the rate of 350 kmph which is twice the speed of the fastest trains in US or Europe. But apparently, the Japanese aren't satisfied with that and are already on their way to build a superior rail system based on magnetic technology called the Maglev.

Check out this (slightly dated) video to understand what the fantastic Maglev trains are all about.

Public e-paper displays in Tokyo

                            

Imagine walking down a street and being alerted just in time by an electronic display about a disaster that occurred a few blocks away ? And that too in real time. Well that is possible now with the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications  posting e-paper signage in and around Toshima Life and Industry Plaza area. A wireless network in the area will update the e-paper displays with relevant

There are currently two signs: one in the lobby of the post office measures over three meters across and sports 240 x 768 resolution (the paper has 4mm pixels), and holds down power consumption at about 24W. Stationed at the Higashi-Ikebukuro bus stop, the second sign is 60 x 40 centimeters with 144 x 96 resolution, and power consumption here is about 9W.

Right now they are under test and once the testing of the displays is completed the resultant information should give us some idea of how successful they would be on the public market. Well, I for one do hope that it is a roaring success.

Human washing machine

If you are an elderly Japanese and not able to easily perform daily activities like bathing for instance then there is nothing to despair. You can either employ nurses or go for a human washing machine.

           

Several years ago,  Sanyo unveiled the $50,000 HIRB (”Human In Roll-lo Bathing”) system, a compact version designed for use in elderly homes. This is an ultrasonic Bath, a pod-like human washing machine that cleans, massages and dries the user in a fully automated 15-minute process.

Elderly patients who have used this say that it is really good because they warm their whole body, they can take the bath on their own, they can protect their privacy.

It does seem surreal to see people getting washed, rinsed and dried in a row of washing machines but then they could soon be a reality atleast in Japan.

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Mr. Robot Rubik

I bought a Rubik's Cube last week and have since spent hours trying to solve at least half the puzzle without much success I might add. It became a rage throughout the world some 2 decades back and used to be a wonderful gift item too. Even today it, or rather solving it completely, is a sign of intelligence and genius. 

Well, I was looking for more information about this on the web while trying to get some mathematical insights on how to solve the cube and I came across this wonderful and absolutely astounding video. A Japanese company has invented a robot that can solve the Rubik's Cube !!!

Nothing short of stunning that, eh. Anybody  of my readers solved the Rubik's Cube ? If so,  how long you took to do that. Please do let me know in the comments below. I'm dying to hear from you. And I don't mind tips from any of the geniuses here too.

Here's a link that beginners might be interested in. (it's technical, but hey sometimes it is cool to be a geek! Ask the Japanese ;-))