http://www.diginfo.tv/ Daily Video News from Japan en Copyright 2006-2010 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:35 +0900 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
The eneloop Mobile Booster KBC-L2BS, with a built-in lithium ion battery, is a mobile power source for heavy users, with a high power output of up to one amp, which is twice the output of previous models. By controlling the current on the charger side, it's possible to stably charge devices like the iPad, which need a high current to charge. This model has two USB sockets, and when the output is 500 mA, it can charge two mobile phones at once.

The eneloop Stick Booster, which uses two eneloop AA batteries, is designed to be easy to carry. It's slim and light, weighing just 76 g including the batteries. This model makes charging mobile games and other devices easy.

The suggested retail prices for these products are 6,000 yen for the eneloop Mobile Booster, 2,980 yen for the eneloop Stick Booster, and 3,500 yen for the Nintendo DS eneloop Stick Booster, which is licensed by Nintendo.

Related Links :
- Press Release
- SANYO eneloop Global Site
]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/09/01/10-0151-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/09/01/10-0151-r-en.php consumer Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:35 +0900
This system consists of the terminals, a printer in the kitchen, and a controller box. The booklet terminals used for ordering enable the staff to turn the menu pages and select items easily. The system is linked to a network cash register, so tallying of the bill is also a simple process.

"The handy terminal can be used by turning pages, like a book. A big feature of this system is that it can be used intuitively, even by people who haven't used this kind of system before. Also, new items can be added to the menu, by replacing pages like this. Up to eight booklets can be interchanged. For example, if the lunch menu is different from the evening menu, the two can be switched very quickly. This system is designed so that people can use it at a glance, intuitively, like a paper menu."

Up to 384 items can be stored on the device and even staff who aren't familiar with such systems can learn to operate this one naturally and quickly.

"Our main suggestion is that restaurants boost their revenue by using this network cash register service, which records revenue statistics. And along with that service, we suggest using this order entry system to reduce costs."

This system was released in July 2010. As the system is easy to use and priced competitively, Casio plans to promote it to restaurants that haven't installed order entry systems before.

Related Links :
- Press Release
- INTER-FOOD JAPAN]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/30/10-0148-a-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/30/10-0148-a-en.php industrial Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:24:49 +0900
The iPad can be used as both an ordering device and as an interface for the cash register. This enables stores to introduce FLAVIUS at minimal cost.

The system consists of iPads, a wireless router, and a special-purpose counter.

As well as ordering and cash register capabilities, FLAVIUS features reporting and attendance management capabilities as standard. Attendance and revenue statistics are collected automatically for each store, so they can be checked in real time on the Internet.

The special-purpose counter designed to house all the point of sale equipment, removes the register from view and creates a clean counter space.

This system has been available in Okinawa since last year. Its low installation costs, user-friendliness, and smart design have been highly rated by users. Consequently, FLAVIUS was also released in the Kanto and Tokai areas of Japan in March.



Related Links :
- INTER-FOOD JAPAN]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/30/10-0149-a-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/30/10-0149-a-en.php industrial Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:16:22 +0900
Instead of the mirror box used in conventional SLRs, these cameras use a unique mirror box with a transparent mirror. This enables them to achieve super-fast continuous shooting, at 10 frames per second, and continuous focusing, which were previously only possible with bulky, expensive SLRs for professional use. These cameras are also the world's first to feature TTL phase-difference detection in video mode.

"By using a transparent mirror, we've enabled the light coming in through the lens to continually reach the autofocus sensor and the image sensor simultaneously. As a result, the autofocus operates continuously."

The Alpha 55 features the newly developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with effective resolution of 16.2 megapixels, while the Alpha 33 has the 14.2 megapixel sensor. The CMOS sensor in the Alpha 55 achieves faster read-out, and due to advances in image processing, it has 20% higher sensitivity and noise levels have been reduced by 30%.

These are the first cameras in the Alpha series to feature the Tru-Finder, a newly developed electronic viewfinder. The 3 inch 920,000 dot high resolution Xtra Fine LCD enables smooth display at 60 frames per second. The display uses vari-angle tilt, through 180 degrees in the vertical direction and 270 degrees in the horizontal, allowing the camera to be used from a wide range of angles.

The translucent mirror is also used in video shooting, to capture continuously focused video in AVCHD Full High Definition format. and the autofocus feature can be used with all lenses except full manual ones.

Recommended retail prices for these SLR bodies are 90,000 yen for the Alpha 55 and 75,000 yen for the Alpha 33.

Related Links :
- Press Release
]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/25/10-0150-d-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/25/10-0150-d-en.php consumer Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:41:49 +0900
The beer provided in bars is usually at a temperature of 4 to 8 degrees C. But the special-purpose Extra Cold server delivers Asahi Super Dry at minus 2 to zero degrees C, greatly enhancing the dryness and bite that are features of Super Dry.

"It's said that people drink less beer these days. But Extra Cold is especially highly rated by young people. We'd like to suggest it as a new way to drink beer."

The Extra Cold server is made of very safe materials, and uses a special coolant with high cooling efficiency. Also, the stirring blades have a carefully designed shape, to ensure that cooling efficiency inside the server is as high as possible. In addition, two-stage cooling using two draft tanks enables a continuous, stable supply of beer below zero degrees. The special-purpose draft tower that dispenses the beer also uses a special coolant to increase efficiency, so the entire tower is frozen over.

"As you can see, there are three servers connected in this system, and they take up some space, so not all bars can install the system. Currently, 300 bars nationwide have decided to install it, and we plan to increase that number quickly."

To install the Extra Cold server, bars must meet 10 conditions ensuring high quality, called the Extra Spirit 10. These conditions include "Selling at least 19 liters of Super Dry within two days of opening a keg", "Using Super Dry Extra Cold tumblers pre-cooled with ice water", and "Checking the serving temperature if five or more beers are poured continuously".

Related Links :
- ASAHI BREWERIES
- INTER-FOOD JAPAN]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/24/10-0146-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/24/10-0146-r-en.php consumer Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:41:57 +0900
"In izakaya restaurants, customers usually have to open a converntional hardcopy menu to choose their order. But with this system, customers can look at the menu on an iPad, and touch an item to place their order. The numbers of items ordered are also entered by touch."

With this system, the pictures shown on the iPad can be exactly the same as those on the conventional menu. The system makes intuitive use of the iPad's user interface; for example, pictures can also be enlarged by pinching.

"Here, we're using the iPad, but Sharp also plans to release an e-book reader. If people's reaction to the iPad system is good, we'll commercialize it. Meanwhile, we're thinking of selling a system with the same application on the Sharp e-book reader."

When this is commercialized, it'll be used as part of a Sharp ordering system. By using a general-purpose device like the iPad as the ordering tablet, the system's entry barrier will be lowered. This will also make it easier for customers to place additional orders, so restaurants can increase their revenue as well.

Related Links :
- INTER-FOOD JAPAN]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/24/10-0147-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/24/10-0147-r-en.php concept Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:30:06 +0900
This model has a lithium ion battery as well as a USB connector, so it can be used in the office and while traveling.

Plasmacluster technology, which is unique to Sharp, breaks down and removes the proteins on the surface of allergens, viruses, and molds. The first product using this technology was released in 2000. Now a decade has passed, and this year's compact model weighs just 150 g, making it easy to carry around.

"When we surveyed working women, we found that people in their 30s were greatly bothered by the dryness of offices. Some women said that by five o'clock, their face felt really de-moisturized and taut. As dry air leads to dry skin, we think that Plasmacluster technology, which keeps the skin moist and beautiful, can be a big help to working women."

This product emits Plasmacluster ions at a density of 25,000 per cubic centimeter, up to about 80 cm in front of the nozzle. The angle of the stand can be varied to suit different locations, ensuring that the ions reach the user effectively.

"Regarding the ion density, we've always expressed that as the number present in an enclosed space. With this product, the goal is to achieve a high ion density of 25,000 just where the user is. So it's used entirely in a one-point fashion. But as this device can be carried anywhere, it can provide a high ion density around you wherever you are."

Sharp aims to manufacture 30,000 units per month. The IG-CM1 is expected to retail for 13,000 yen.

Related Links :
- Plasmacluster | SHARP
]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/18/10-0145-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/18/10-0145-r-en.php consumer Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:22:29 +0900
This robot moves by twisting its body mimicking an actual snake. The motion is almost the same on land and in water.

One feature of this robot is its joints, which combine bellows with universal joints. In this structure, the bellows prevent water from penetrating the universal joints.

Another feature is that the robot's body is covered by passive wheels and paddles. To obtain the propulsive force to twist the body, the robot must slide easily in the direction tangential to the body, but not in the perpendicular direction. The wheels and paddles enable this to be achieved on land and in water.

Each joint unit has a CPU, battery, and motor. Each unit exchanges signals independently, and automatically recognizes how far behind the head it is and how many joints there are in the body. This makes it possible to add and replace joints freely.

This robot can be seen at the Bio-Mimicry in Robots exhibition at the Science Museum in Tokyo, until August 22.

Related Links :
- Amphibious snake-like robot "ACM-R5" | Hirose Fukushima Lab
]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/17/10-0144-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/17/10-0144-r-en.php research Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:10:47 +0900
Phasma was produced by takram design engineering, a design and development company that features a multifaceted approach from both design and engineering perspectives. Phasma is based on a robot called iSprawl, developed at Stanford University.

Phasma has six legs, which move in sets of three with two on one side and one on the other side, so the six legs move in a tripod gait. As the robot always has three legs on the ground, it can move around fast in a stable state, mimicking an insect.

This robot can be seen at the "Bio-Mimicry in Robots" exhibition at the Science Museum in Tokyo, until August 22.

Related Links :
- takram design engineering - Phasma
- iSprawl
]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/17/10-0143-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/17/10-0143-r-en.php concept Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:01:37 +0900
G-Dog can be assembled in about two hours, like a plastic model. Users can easily generate original movements, by using the motion editor provided.

This robot has nine special-purpose command servos, so it can execute a wide range of motions, including "Sit" and "Roll Over." In the command system, each servo uses a separate ID. The command-controlled servos themselves contain a CPU, and determine and execute commands for motion time and target position. This reduces the load on the main processor.

G-Dog can be seen at the "Bio-Mimicry in Robots" exhibition at the Science Museum in Tokyo, until August 22.

G-Dog is available as an assembly kit and a finished product, and they're priced at 69,500 yen and 70,500 yen.

Related Links :
- G-Dog -G-ROBOTS-
]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/17/10-0142-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/17/10-0142-r-en.php consumer Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:58:39 +0900
This wheelchair, developed by the Center, is a standard wheelchair with a camera and laser sensor attached. It has been designed to automatically track and follow the person next to it.

"The wheelchair uses this distance sensor to check the position of the person. With position checking alone, the wheelchair can follow behind someone. But when the wheelchair is moving alongside someone, it needs to be able to detect which direction that person wants to go. For this reason, the wheelchair uses a distance sensor to check which way the person's shoulders are facing. That tells the wheelchair which direction the person wants to go, and it automatically adjusts its own position, so it keeps to the left of the person."

The wheelchair can move together with a companion while automatically making decisions, such as moving in single file in narrow corridors and when passing people coming the other way.

"This wheelchair is currently being field-tested in care facilities. Such facilities sometimes don't have enough staff, so a single helper has to push two wheelchairs. In that case, with wheelchairs like this, which can follow automatically, you can have two, three, or four moving together. And because wheelchairs can move alongside helpers, it's easy for people to talk. So we aim to use this type of wheelchair in practical applications."

Related Links :
- ROBOTECH]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0140-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0140-r-en.php research Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:35:10 +0900
"For example, this film can be used in sensors to detect the gripping force of robot hands as electrical signals. It enables such sensors to be made thin and flexible."

This film is just 0.5 mm thick, and it enables a force to be detected in three directions.

"Other companies make sensors using this kind of electrically conductive rubber. But the substrate underneath is thick and hard, as it's made from ordinary glass-epoxy or the like. And all those sensors can only be used when flat. But in our product, the substrate is made of PET film, and the conductive rubber is just affixed to that. So a feature of our films is that they're thin and flexible."

Related Links :
- ROBOTECH]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0139-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0139-r-en.php industrial Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:24:22 +0900
"This robot is actually used in an Osaka hospital. It can lift people from beds and carry them to other places. It can also help people take baths and change diapers. So this robot can be used for quite a lot of care tasks that require physical strength."

Fully conscious people can operate this robot themselves, without any help from a caregiver. The robot can also be used as an electric wheelchair.

The lifting hand has a conveyor belt, and it can retract and extend automatically, so moving people is easy. The hand can also be tilted freely, so people can get on and off easily as well.

In addition, special rollers have been used to enable the robot to turn smoothly in narrow spaces. This robot can run on floor mats without damaging them.

The robot can be operated by touch-screen or via voice-recognition.

"Depending on the options chosen, Yurina is priced from 3,500,000 yen to 3,700,000 yen."

Related Links :
- ROBOTECH]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0137-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0137-r-en.php consumer Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:23:48 +0900
This Museum Guide Robot explains the exhibits in an art gallery. It detects the listener's facial movements and nods, using a laser range-finding sensor and a 360° camera. In this way, the robot finds out "how interested the listener is in the exhibit," and "how much the listener understands the explanation."

"We're designing the movements of this robot, and this research is being done together with sociology professors. We're using methods from sociology to analyze the movements of human curators and guides, and building those movements into this robot."

"I think everyone is familiar with Picasso. Is there any work that comes to mind when you hear the name Picasso?"

"Guernica."

"Right. That's one of Picasso's works. This painting also includes a cow skull, like that in Guernica. So what do you think the object next to the cow skull is?"

"A flower."

"Yes, it's a white flower. This work represents life and death."

Related Links :
- ROBOTECH]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0136-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0136-r-en.php research Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:58:10 +0900
PARO, modeled on a baby harp seal, displays emotional responses to external stimuli which are input via a range of tactile, light, audio and temperature sensors. PARO is designed to have a positive psychological effect on people who interact with it.

"PARO has a value system that includes enjoying being stroked and disliking being hit. In its relationship with its owner, PARO remembers if it's been stroked. And in similar situations, this robot acts in ways that make it more likely to be stroked. In this way, PARO gradually learns to develop a personality that its owner likes."

In long-term trials by medical institutions, it's been confirmed that PARO has similar effects to animal therapy. Major results have been observed in three areas: psychological, physiological, and social effects.

"For example, elderly people with dementia, especially if their condition is severe, may get agitated and violent, and be unable to settle down. Previously, such patients were sedated, and even now, that's sometimes done in Europe and America. In Japan, such patients are sometimes physically restrained. But if such patients have contact with PARO, they settle down almost immediately, smile, and feel good. Sometimes they're able to talk. As such effects can be actually observed, there's no need to use drugs. Of course, this method doesn't work in 100% of cases. But even if it doesn't work, it has no particular side-effects, so all you need to do is stop using it. So this method has great advantages."

PARO is priced at 350,000 yen with a one-year warranty, and 420,000 yen with a three-year warranty. In Japan, 1,300 PARO robots are already in use. Care facilities in Denmark and other European countries have also started to introduce PARO. In America, PARO has been approved by the FDA, and will be introduced this year.

Related Links :
- Press Release
- paro.jp
]]> http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0138-r-en.php http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/08/12/10-0138-r-en.php consumer Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:09:43 +0900