Gadgets.CoolerThanThou.net - Cool Gadgets From Japan and China

Is it an Ironman? Is it a Terminator?

Following on from Honda's Humanoid, HAL takes it one step further bringing the notion of an  Ironman into the realm of society.  Thanks to Cyberdyne - yes this is getting very Hollywood isn't it? - HAL which stands for Hybrid Assistive Limb, is a cyborg-type Robot capable of expanding and improving physical capabilties. 

I wonder if John Connor is aware of this?

 

The Cyberdyne website describes the way in which HAL operates as follows: "When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneuron, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. At this moment, very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. "HAL" catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint unitedly with the wearer's muscle movement, enabling to support the wearer's daily activities. This is what we call a 'voluntary control system' that provides movement interpreting the wearer's intention from the biosignals in advance of the actual movement. Not only a 'voluntary control system' "HAL" has, but also a 'robotic autonomous control system' that provides human-like movement based on a robotic system which integrally work together with the 'autonomous control system'. "HAL" is the world's first cyborg-type robot controlled by this unique Hybrid System."

I remember when Terminator seemed like such a thing of the future.  This ironman may be no T1000 but that doesn't seem to far off now does it?

All Aboard The Q-Train

Everbody's favourite Japan Rail line - the Yamanote Line, home to the beloved station Shinjuku -  has been immortalized again, this time as a tiny, electric train.

Note: I placed my pen there so you can appreciate how tiny these train cars are - 3 centimetres each in fact!

The Q-Train, made by Takara Tomy, is a part of Tomy's Q-toys series and each set comes with 3 carriages. There are also other train-related products available such as a crossing, signposts, a station, and traffic lights.

Available in Japan only, there is a wireless remote control available to control the carriages.  The Yamanote Line cars retail for ¥4410 and the generic cars retail for a little less at ¥2730.  

Once again thanks to Idea Digital Code who never question me about the many photos I take in their store!

Plug Into...

What a nifty powerboard!  I found this in Ideas Digital Code last week.

There are 5 plug points in it, and the head actually rotates.  As the photo shows, it is selling for ¥3150 and looks much slicker than your average rectangular, white powerboard that usually sticks out from underneath the curtains!

Back to Ideas, Digital Code, a cool gadget shop in MidTown Roppongi, this fitness program was on the shelves.


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I am not sure I can take a cartoon character telling me I need to get fit. Then again, that's Japan baby!

Robotic Public Servants

Introducing RoboCop RoboPost Post Man, a new Kyosho development.

This cute little robot retails at the Kyosho shop in Akihabara for ¥315,000.  His nick name is ポストくん or Post-kun.  I am not sure if he actually will deliver mail, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he did as this little man is something of a collector's item - only 10 units have been produced.

This may be your only glimpse at him.  I am sure he won't be hanging around the shop window for long!

My Kind of Shop

Introducing Kyosho in Akihabara, the electronics capital of Tokyo - such a cool shop, even if you are not into model or remote control cars/anything!  I mean it has a bar...

 

Could be dangerous. I mean you go into to do a few laps, then decide to sink some beers and before you know it, you have bought a bunch of model cars ranging from a couple of thousand yen (a couple of hundred USD) to a few million yen (a few thousand USD), all to be carried around in the carbon case that is on sale, a steal at ¥350,000! (USD$3,500).

What a hangover that would be.

Mickey Gets Toasted

I practically live next door to Tokyo Disneyland (Dizuneerando for the Japanese!) so Mickey Mouse is a part of my everyday life - and usually makes for some amusing stuff.  The Disney brand is obviously one of the most licensed names in the history of mankind.  I should know, I used to work in the licensing industry in direct competition with Disney.  So I am used to getting on the train and seeing Disney bags, Mickey ears, Minnie Tees, Donald Duck plush heads, Goofy costumes etc.  I did not expect to see Mickey in the kitchen electrical appliance department of my local supermarket.

   

Is nothing sacred?

More Toilet Trauma

It isn't just the flushing issues you have to contend with in this country.  In the northern hemisphere we are coming out of winter and heading into summer.  Time to turn off the electric seat, well time to disengage the contraption that heats the toilet seat up in those colder months (it really does make toilet time more enjoyable!).

So how might one go about turning that off?  The on/off button?  No.  The on/off swtich? No.  The on/off anything?  I thought I would give it a burl today.

That's my answer to just about everything in Japan.  If you can, unplug it.  Peace of mind seems to follow!

On Yer Bike #5

In Japan, it is a big no-no taking your bicycles on the train.  The only way through this is to then get yourself a foldable bike so that it can be put out of harms way when on the train.  So we are looking for a foldable bike to suit my former-rugby playing boyfriend's 110kg frame.  This search lead us into the shop Velo-Style Ticket, in Ginza, a shop specialising in foldable bikes from all over the world. 

So we asked the question "Which bike will hold a 110kg person such as him?"  This was our answer:

Watch the footage.  

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Upon seeing Ben ride the bike, the shopkeeper then said this particular bike was probably only good for up to 105 kilos.  All in all though, a pretty strong bike by Mobiky, a French company.  The bike itself weighed about 14 kilograms and could fold up very easily to the size in the pic above, by the pull of one handle.  It cost approximately ¥89,000.

 

Life in a Cup

I have a very grey and dreary balcony I intend on making fit for summer.  Firstly, I am putting in a kiddies swimming pool from Costco and secondly, I will green it up with a variety of plants.

Since the kiddies pool will take up most of the space, the following plants from Tokyu Hands make absolute sense.

Going for ¥1260, there are a variety of plants available including tomato and various herbs.  Particularly in Japan where space is a commodity, this style of gardening is absolutely perfect and you don't need a green thumb to make it work.

I will make sure I get some before and after shots!