"The method we use is sand-blasting. This is a particular kind of engraving, using special sand in high-pressure air. Our service gives customers a way to preserve cherished memories, such as special occasions and words, through engraving. The original is created on PC, and transferred to a special mask. The mask is exposed to UV to transfer the design. Here, a bottle is being engraved by sand-blasting. Bottles for sparkling wines like champagne can't be engraved very deeply, but sake and liquor bottles can be engraved as deep as 2-3 mm. There are also lots of nozzle sizes available, and the size can be freely chosen, too. Basically, fine ones are for photos, and wide ones are for designs."

After the glass has been sand-blasted, an air-brush is used to add color. Decoration is also added if needed. Recently, Swarovski crystals have been popular for decoration. At Eternal, each crystal is attached by hand.

"The price depends on whether a photo is engraved or not. With a photo, the service costs 6,000 yen ($75), and without a photo, it's 4,500 yen ($55)."

As all the steps in Eternal's service are done by hand, orders usually take 3-5 days to complete.

"This model is called the Urbano Progresso. One big feature is a capability called the Smart Sonic Receiver. This communicates the other person's voice through sound and vibration by shaking the whole display. This enables you to hear even if the handset isn't aligned with your ear. You can shut out sounds from your surroundings by covering your ear with it, so you can hear clearly even in a noisy place."

"The frame has a shiny finish, while the rear has a textured finish. So this model feels very comfortable in the hand."

"This model comes with a new widget called Daily Steps. This is an app that works with a pedometer. It also detects automatically if you're riding a bicycle, or in a car or train, so you can log your activity. This lets you understand your daily behavior pattern at a glance, such as what time of day you walked, drove, or took the train."

- ARROWS Z ISW13F

"The Arrows Z is the first Japanese model with a quad-core CPU. It gives you visuals as good as those on a home game console, and it can easily handle a high CPU load from image processing."

"On the rear, there's a smart fingerprint sensor with an On/Off switch. If you press it while the screen is off, the screen comes on, and if you stroke the fingerprint sensor, the screen unlocks. This is our original NX! Mail, and if you start up Privacy Mode using the fingerprint sensor, mail that wasn't displayed appears at the top. If you hold your finger down, this mode is released, and the mail goes back to not being displayed. The sensor can also be used as a trigger for this kind of secret capability."

"The screen is still bright, even though I haven't touched it for a while. With an ordinary smartphone, the screen fades after about 15 seconds, but this model has an On While Held feature. This keeps the screen bright as long as it judges that the user is looking at it."

"I think everyone's experienced this, but if you use your phone while lying down, the screen tends to rotate in a way you don't intend. But with this model, if you shake it quickly, it returns to vertical. This feature is called Shake Back, and it's a part of our human-centric way of thinking, you don't need to set it, because it automatically works in an optimal way."

- AQUOS PHONE SERIE ISW16SH

"This is the Aquos Phone Serie. It has a 4.6-inch screen, in a body of the size that's often used for a 4.3-inch screen. So we've achieved a design with a very thin bezel."

"This is the world's first model with both NFC and FeliCa, which are both short-range communication technologies. And because this is an Android 4.0 model, it can use Android Beam, so two NFC handsets can exchange data if you place one against the other."

"We wanted to provide a UI that's easy to understand. So this UI was co-developed by Sharp and Frog Design. One feature is, it has three sheets for apps, widgets, and shortcuts. So with this UI, you use different sheets for different purposes."

"For text entry, you can switch to the keyboard by sliding. Also, you can switch to speech entry by flicking downward. So with this model, you can change the text entry mode smoothly, in vertical and horizontal modes."

"This is a smart washstand. It has Android embedded in the mirror. Because mirrors get soiled if they're touched, this smart washstand has a sensor built in, so it can be operated without touching it. One feature of this product is, you don't notice the sensor, because it's in the mirror."

The smart washstand is connected to a camera and a scale, so users can record their facial appearance and weight every day. Seraku is looking for ways to use this capability for healthcare. Also, because mirrors catch people's eyes, this product could be used as digital signage, too.

"There's a monitor on the back, and it's connected to the Android board, which connects to the Internet. We're currently using a wired LAN, but wireless LAN is OK too, and so is 3G. Each sensor is connected to Android through Arduino (a development environment)."

This smart washstand was announced for the first time at the Expo. It hasn't been installed anywhere yet, and so far, only the demo model exists. When this product goes on sale, it's expected to be priced around 4-5 million yen. So Seraku is considering a rental business model.

"To put it simply, this is a device for wiping out magnetic data. Its strong magnetic field obliterates the data on a hard disk, so you can think of it as a "data crusher." It erases data instantly. If you have data you need to get rid of, Data Killer can do it without taking lots of time."

In addition, Data Killer can instantly obliterate data on magnetic tapes, such as miniDV. The erased tapes can also be reused.

"We have worked mainly on magnetic data deletion for over ten years. So we plan to continue focusing our business on this area. Our product line-up can handle everything from a single 3.5-inch hard disk, to 14 of them at once. With our larger models, you can also instantly obliterate the data on a notebook PC."

Platform of Japan also plans to develop its Data Killer business overseas.

"In this hybrid system the catheterization table from Maquet has been integrated with our C-arm system (angiography system). The integration that controls mutual interference has been perfected. Until now, the catheterization table and C-arm system have moved independently, but now as each component can recognize the other's position, they are finely controlled so they do not bump into each other."

This system combines a catheterization table suitable for hybrid therapy with a ceiling-mounted x-ray angiography system. So, this system can be used for stenting an aortic aneurysm.

"This system is used by endovascular surgeons and cardiovascular surgeons in the operating room. We provide this system to operating rooms specializing in vascular surgery. If in the future hybrid surgery becomes more widespread, it is possible that neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons will also use our system."

Because this system uses a ceiling-mounted C-arm, the C-arm can be moved longitudinally and latitudinally. In addition it can be positioned not only at the patient's left or right side but also obliquely at the head, allowing a lot of space to be saved.

Cocorobo features a speech recognition engine developed by Raytron, so it can be controlled by voice, as well as using its buttons or the remote control. It has also been given the ability to say simple greetings, with the idea being that a vacuum cleaner can communicate like a pet robot.

"For example, if you use Cocorobo every day, or speak to it every day, it gets in a good mood. Depending on how it feels, its words and movements vary a lot, so you can gain a feeling of closeness with it. Regarding Cocorobo's learning capability, we're planning upgrades that will make it evolve rapidly."

Cocorobo also has a 1.3-megapixel camera, an LED light, and wireless LAN connectivity. This enables the user to check the state of a room remotely, with apps available for both Android and iOS.

"By connecting to it over the internet with your smartphone, you can use the observation capabilities. Cocorobo moves 50 cm away from its charging stand, and then takes four photos at 90 degree intervals, covering 360 degrees. You can check these with your smartphone. You can also use the smartphone like a radio controller, to move Cocorobo forward or rotate it while watching the streaming video. If you set Cocorobo to automatic, you can also keep watching it move."

As a vacuum cleaner, Cocorobo has a Power Vacuum System developed by Sharp. This sweeps up dirt with side brushes, catches it with a rotating brush, and sucks it in with a turbo fan running at 14,000 rpm. In this way, Cocorobo catches minute particles of dirt trapped in flooring. This makes it especially suited to Japanese living environments, where flooring is very common.

"Cocorobo now avoids obstacles by using ultrasound sensors, in an echolocation system. There are three sensors, on the front and 45 degrees to either side. With infrared sensors, transparent glass and black furniture can't be recognized, so Cocorobo would bump into them. But with ultrasound sensors, it recognizes those items from the reflected sound waves, so it isn't prone to bumping into things."

Cocorobo uses iron phosphate lithium batteries, which don't tend to suffer from memory effects. This gives it a battery life of about three years or 1,200 charges.

Cocorobo is to be released in early June. The full featured version, the RX-V100, will be priced around US$1,600 (130,000 yen), and the basic version without a camera, the RX-V80, will be around US$1,100 (90,000 yen).

"We'd like robot appliances based on Cocoro Engine to become widespread. This robot vacuum cleaner is one aspect of that, and we're considering new developments for products in the second and third phases."

It uses QUMA technology, codeveloped by two university ventures, SoftEther from University of Tsukuba, and ViVienne from The University of Electro-Communications, which transfers pose data from sensors on the mannequin to the 3D application in real time. The mannequin features 32 sensors on 16 joints and data from each joint is transferred to the PC via USB at 120 fps, enabling the 3D model to instantly display the poses.

"Until now, handling 3D models was in some ways non-intuitive and difficult. Also, depending on the software, dragging can make movements unnatural. So we wanted to handle models more intuitively, by moving a mannequin. That's why we've made QUMARION."

"This mannequin was designed by a maker of action figures. So a big feature is, it can move much more than an artist's mannequin. For example, it can take sitting positions like this. It's hard to obtain a mannequin that can assume as many poses as this one. Additionally, I think we've made this mannequin into quite a complete tool, by embedding sensors in it."

Software for Qumarion is currently being developed by Celsys, a developer of illustration and comic production software. The plan is to release it within the next few months, as a package with the input device, for about US$750.

"Celsys provides production tools for illustrations and comics. We expect the software will be used when drawing 2D illustrations, for example. You could give the model a pose with Qumarion, and use this 3D character as a rough design, and draw by tracing over it. That was our initial motivation for developing Qumarion. But it could be used for 3D as well, as an input device for drawing key frames and creating movement. We think Qumarion could also be a tool that evolves in that direction."

"The AeroDR is equipped with an internal battery in order to support wireless operations. The battery is a next-generation battery called a lithium-ion capacitor. Ordinary lithium batteries used in cell phones and PCs inevitably degrade and must be replaced after 1 or 2 years with repeated overcharging, charging and discharging. The lifespan of this lithium-ion capacitor is significantly longer than those batteries. In fact, the extent of deterioration of the lithium-ion capacitor is so small that the lifespan of the battery is equivalent to the lifespan of the product. The battery is a deep cycle battery that can be discharged and recharged 40,000 to 50,000 times depending on how it's used. As a result, it has a lifespan of around 10 years. The battery never has to be replaced and is fully embedded in the device."

The AeroDR is a next-generation type CR device that uses a Cesium Iodide (CsI) scintillator, or fluorescent substance, developed and produced independently by Konica Minolta. As a result, high quality diagnostic images can be obtained with roughly half the amount of radiation exposure compared to conventional CR imaging.

"As you can see, the case is made of carbon. A monocoque structured cassette was created by weaving carbon strands in a matrix. As a result, the cassette is covered entirely with rugged, lightweight carbon. In addition, the area here is cap shaped and is designed to function like a car bumper. When it experiences impact from being dropped or such, this cap shaped area absorbs the impact."

Konica Minolta is examining the possibility of developing products of different sizes, including a system that is a quarter the size of the current product.

This prototype was co-developed with Panasonic. It has almost 34 million 0.417 mm square pixels, 7,860 horizontally and 4,320 vertically, and a frame rate of 60 fps.

This display uses a new drive system to stabilize the picture throughout the panel, by scanning several pixels simultaneously in the vertical direction. Even in a panel with about 4,000 scan lines, this achieves a stable picture without flickering.

"Even when viewed from 1.6 m away, this Ultra High Definition display makes you feel as if you're looking at a real scene. It doesn't use 3D technology, but the picture is so realistic, you feel truly immersed in the scene."

This is the world's first Ultra High Definition plasma display. As the pixels of a plasma display are self-emitting and the display therefore doesn't require a backlight, it has superior viewing angles, responsiveness and color reproduction.

"One major feature of this 145-inch Ultra High Definition display is that it gives a very even image at such a high resolution. Another big feature is, because it's Ultra High Definition, it efficiently shows 8K x 4K pictures, which have a huge pixel count."

"At present, we think this system will be used in commercial settings first, such as theaters, rather than in the home."

This new plasma display will be on show to the public from May 24-27, at NHK's Science & Technology Research Laboratories in Tokyo.

"The two vibrators produce a throbbing sound like a heartbeat. That pulse can get faster or stronger, depending on the volume and tone of the caller's voice. We've used several rules like that to create the pulsing sound."

"When we gave Telenoids to seniors, most people hugged them like this when they talked to the other person. The Telenoid has various capabilities, but in its simplest form, it could just consist of a cellphone and a soft, cuddly object shaped like a person. We think this could be used by families and lovers, as well as by seniors and children."

The Hugvie is available for about US$60 from Vstone. The Vstone Robot Center in Akihabara is also holding the H. Ishiguro Design Show, from today until May 27, featuring robots and other items designed by Professor Ishiguro.

"R&D is important too, but we'd like to spread the message that, for robot researchers, it's vital to think of new designs. That's the purpose of this design show."

"We'd like to develop this into a robot with an internal frame. We could build in lots of vibrators and special sensors, so that when you hug it, the other person's robot moves as well. So far, I don't think there has been a really soft robot. If we make this one a bit more complex, we could create something that really feels like a person while you're hugging it."

"We're advancing with research and development with the ultimate goal of increasing the Euglena biofuel ratio to 50%. We hope to be able to provide people with a new, safe to use biofuel that contains fifty percent imported oil and fifty percent domestically produced Euglena biofuel."

Euglena plans to conduct R&D for biofuel for jet planes until fiscal 2018 in an effort to seek feasibility for commercialization.

"Right now we're using a 5% Euglena biofuel, but it's extremely expensive compared to gasoline prices today. The reason for the high cost is that the Euglena that we're producing on Ishigaki Island is only being produced in small volumes. However, if we can use larger pools in the future to cultivate the Euglena in larger volumes, we should be able to lower the price of the biofuel to a level that is very close to that of today's oil prices. Right now the biofuel is very expensive, but by 2018 we hope to lower that price to a competitive level."

Euglena is an environmentally friendly resource, and because it is produced in pools, it does not require the use of agricultural land. The company hopes to create giant pools on abandoned farm land, in desert areas, and on other land that cannot be used for crop production and intends to lower costs through high volume production.

"When oil is extracted and biofuel is produced, what is left is normally strained residue that cannot be consumed. However, the strained residue from Euglena can all be used in feed that is consumed primarily by livestock, fish, cows, pigs, and birds rather than as food for human consumption. We've already started tests to determine whether or not this animal feed is safe, and we believe that in the near future we'll be able to use Euglena to realize a new type of domestically produced animal feed at the same time that we realize the new biofuel. As a result, we'll be able to simultaneously produce biofuel and animal feed without any waste."

Euglena also plans to begin full-scale production overseas sometime after 2018.

"This product is the TRB9020H, a portable X-ray machine. It is Japan's first battery-powered portable X-ray machine. It does not require AC power and is capable of taking X-rays anywhere with its completely wireless setup. The most unique aspect of this device is that it is battery powered, yet despite running on batteries it is lightweight at 7 kg."

The device is capable of approximately 300 consecutive X-rays on a single charge, so it can be used in remote areas or in emergency circumstances when the power supply has been cut. The control panel also features a bright LED display that can be read easily outdoors.

"This unit has a list price of 1.8 million yen and has already received regulatory approval. We have shipped quite a number of these overseas. In Japan we have scheduled several demonstrations. We plan to market this primarily for at-home healthcare, disasters, and emergency medicine."

"The Vantage Titan has a magnetic field strength of 1.5 tesla. It was developed to improve patient comfort by greatly enlarging the inner diameter, and design innovations were also added including illumination so that patients can relax without feeling claustrophobic while inside the examination tube."

The MRI system utilizes Toshiba's proprietary technology which eliminates the need for gadolinium contrast agent, reducing patient discomfort and making the imaging process less expensive.

"The biggest change in this MRI equipment is that it was developed with primary focus on eco-friendliness. First, for standby electricity, we reduced the amount of power that is consumed when the equipment is not in use to the minimum possible level, by 25% compared to conventional models. When the table is lowered even slightly, the equipment automatically recognizes that imaging is not being implemented, and standby electricity is turned off. In order to provide as comfortable an examination experience as possible, the MRI system was designed with a patient-friendly large open bore and with delicate coils for a much quieter examination. The Vantage Titan is also easy to use. It features a new system for swiftly and automatically aligning to the correct position even when positioning is difficult."

The Vantage Titan also features a noise reduction of over 90%.

The system consists of two elements, the first sprays water from high-volume nozzles, which hinder the pirates from boarding the ship, as well as filling up the pirate's vessels with water, and the second are hoses which whip around violently, with the purpose of intimidating pirates from a distance.

"If a pirate boat approaches, with this system, the first line of defense is to threaten to capsize the pirate boat, by filling it with water at the rate of over 1 cm per minute. Another tactic is our patented hose, which is a new idea. By spraying water from the nozzle tip, the hose is made to move around unpredictably, using a very small amount of water. We've made the hose snake around near the bottom of the boat, without rising too high, by attaching a sinker to the end."

The high-volume nozzle was developed to work effectively with the fire pumps on small boats, which are especially vulnerable to piracy. It sprays enough water to prevent a ladder being raised, maintaining a rate of two tons of per hour at a pressure of 0.2MPa. Also, the hose deters pirates from climbing aboard, through its irregular motion and impact force of around 700 N.

"Ordinary anti-piracy systems use water cannons to spray high-pressure jets at pirates. But our system deters intruders by sending water downward like a waterfall, and it is also very easy to see from a distance."

The hose has been certified for its non-igniting and antistatic performance. Damage to hull paint is also prevented by using a cover, and the system has been confirmed to operate continuously for two weeks.

The Anti-Piracy Curtain is virtually complete, so MTI and Yokoi plan to test it at sea, while making improvements for the commercial version.

"Using today's technology, it's possible to make big sails, and to control them automatically. Also, navigation technology includes networked maritime information and weather forecasting, so ships like this can travel safely. Using wind energy, as in old-fashioned sailing ships, is actually feasible."

The angle of each sail is controlled individually, to obtain the maximum propulsive force. Also, each telescoping sail consists of five parts, so the sail can be contracted when the ship is at anchor or during rough weather conditions.

"The sails have a curved surface, and they need to be hollow, so they can expand and contract. So they don't use canvas, like conventional sails. Instead, they use aluminum and Fibre-reinforced plastic, which makes them rigid. In other words, with this concept, a ship has wings, like an aircraft."

Computer simulations and wind-tunnel tests using scale models show that this method is especially effective at saving energy if there's a crosswind. In other words, rather than taking the shortest route, this method makes it possible to travel faster and consume less fuel, by choosing an optimal route that takes account of wind strength and direction and the weather.

"These sails cost about US$2.5 million each, but they can reduce fuel consumption by over 25%. In that case, the cost of these sails can be recovered in 5-10 years. We've finished our basic research, so over the next two years, we'd like to build a half-size prototype, to check that this structure is practical. Ultimately, we're aiming for a sea voyage from 2016 onward."

"This is a protector used in medical settings in hospitals to protect the wearer from radiation. Windpia 2 provides the added value of revolutionary coolness never before available. Until now protectors have had poor ventilation causing the wearer to become sweaty. The Windpia 2's installed fan causes evaporation within the protector, so it keeps the wearer from becoming sweaty even after many hours of wear."

The use of lead-free sheets keeps the protector lightweight, and it also features a plastic back frame which helps transfer the bulk of the weight from the shoulders to the waist, enabling it to be worn for many hours.

"The price is still somewhat expensive at about 180,000 yen for the apron version and 230,000 yen for the coat version, but we will work to bring the price down moving forward."

"Unlike usual disaster reduction products, the concept behind this is that you can carry it with you at all times."

"Grappa is about the size of an umbrella when it's folded, so it can be carried in a bag. If an earthquake happens, you can use this bag to protect your head, by putting it on your head and closing the snap fastener."

"The helmet part contains a foam material called EPS. It's the same material as that used to absorb impact in ordinary hard hats. We measured its impact resistance in a test, along with 16 types of store-bought emergency hoods. Both types of bag absorbed impact better than the hoods."

"We think these products could be developed in various ways. For example, they could be sold in stores with a brand logo on them. Businesses could also donate them, and malls could keep lots of them for handing out to customers in an emergency."

"To make these affordable, we're now using the cheapest available materials to make low-cost versions. The retail prices are 1,280 yen for the drawstring type and 980 yen for the tote type. So these can be purchased for about 1,000 yen."

"These products were just released in March. We'd like to develop them further, based on ideas and purposes that customers suggest. We want to think more about their color, shape, design, size, and function, so we can improve their safety features in various ways. These are mainly intended for people to carry with them, rather than for keeping at home or school, so we'd like to do a variety of trials. We hope that everyone will carry one of these, especially children."

"The opening here is 74cm, which is extremely wide for an MRI device. But, we were still able to maintain a compact design, so the device is suited for use in a broad range of facilities from large hospitals to private practice clinics. "

By adopting an oval bore with a width of 74cm, Hitachi Medical successfully expanded the examination space by approximately 40% compared to conventional models. Until now, it was difficult to obtain images of the shoulders and other parts of the body that are in off-center regions with the magnetic field in the center. However, by expanding the examination space, Hitachi Medical made it possible to move the patient's body sideways on the table, and as a result, these typically off-center regions can be imaged at the center of the magnetic field where the highest quality images are obtained.

"We're going to first expand the ECHELON OVAL MRI system in Japan and the US, but from there we want to expand into Europe, Asia and other markets around the world."

Developed through joint research by Fuyo and the Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, the life size plastic body contains a blood vessel system that runs from the groin to the cerebral artery, as well as a circulation pump and pressure control circuit used to realistically simulate blood flow and pressure in the body.

"Inexperienced doctors cannot be allowed to treat a patient with an actual brain issue such as a brain aneurysm or blood vessel tumor. But, this device allows them to easily practice those types of medical procedures and thereby gain valuable experience."

The small pump unit embedded in the body is automatically controlled based on information transmitted from the blood pressure sensor, and the blood pressure and heart rate can be set through the touch panel. The maximum and minimum blood pressures and heart rate are constantly displayed in real time during operations.

"We want the industry to become aware of this device and hope that it will be used by university hospitals, educational institutions, catheter manufacturers, and manufacturers of angiography equipment."

As the body of the Cybram 001 is basically transparent, it can be used in university lectures and for testing equipment, as well as in conjunction with angiography equipment on a radiographic table.

This coating enables circuit boards to be protected against water and moisture, simply by dipping them in this fluorinated solvent. The coating dries in just one minute at room temperature, so it takes effect right away.

"This product isn't intended for full waterproofing, but for raising the baseline in waterproofing to everyday standards. So we're suggesting this coating as a way to reduce the risk of phones malfunctioning if they happen to get dropped in water."

"This product is made by dissolving a fluoropolymer in a fluorinated solvent. The fluoropolymer is nonflammable and has low toxicity. By using this solvent, which isn't subject to any particular regulations, we've achieved a coating that's environmentally friendly."

This kind of waterproof coating is achieved using a film just 0.1 micron to 1 micron thick. This is much thinner than with previous products, and the coating is effective even when used on a mesh, such as on speaker grills.

"For example, even if the phone has an earphone jack or connector, there's no problem with connection after coating, because this coating is such a thin film. It can be used for protection against water and moisture in applications where, until now, a thicker coating was needed."

"We're working to release this commercially around December this year. Meanwhile, by showing people samples like these, we'd like to find an even wider range of uses for this coating."

"Broadly speaking, the series now includes the base grade and F SPORT versions. This is the F SPORT. We've given the front end a partial redesign."

"We've done this partial redesign to appeal to global young male customers especially. We think adding a sports package will definitely make this series even more attractive."

LEXUS will emphasize the partial redesign in sales promotion. A notable feature is the signature spindle grille from the GS series.

"Our RX series of SUVs are very popular worldwide. With this upgrade, the emphasis is on the design and the ride. Regarding the design, we've given LEXUS a new look, by using the spindle grille from the GS series. That makes these models much more impressive. Regarding the ride, by offering the new option of an F SPORT package, we'd like to meet the needs of our more demanding customers."

LEXUS sells 500,000 cars annually worldwide. The new line-up boasts an upgraded navigation system, Dedicated Short Range Communication, or DSRC, and a Driving Safety Support System, or DSSS. Another feature is a second-generation remote touch system, for mouse-like control of navigation and audio settings. Some grades also include a rear-seat entertainment system as an option.

"In Japan, we aim to sell 600 of these (monthly), but our main market is the US. In Japan, hybrids account for a very high percentage of our sales. In the RX series too, hybrids probably account for about 70%. But in the US, that figure is only 15%, so you can see there's quite a variation among countries."

The new line-up was released on April 12. LEXUS aims for monthly sales of 600 vehicles, with the F SPORT versions accounting for nearly 200.

The tower-type Slim Ion Fan has a triple sensor for temperature, humidity, and sunlight. This is used to optimize the fan's automatic operation. This stylish model, which also has a touch sensor, is for release on May 15. It'll be priced around 40,000 yen.

"The Slim Fan is designed to be gentle on your body, even if you're in its breeze for a long time. By putting the fan at the bottom of the tower and giving the air a long route to the vent, we've made this model able to send a breeze a long way, by varying the force while reducing the air speed gradually."

"This fan uses a DC motor, so it can be finely adjusted. It has 32 settings, from barely perceptible to very strong, and these are freely adjustable. In this model, adjustment is done with a touch sensor, so it only needs a very light touch."

"This model can be used as an ion generator as well as a fan. For example, if you set it to Purification Mode, you can send ions throughout the room to purify the air."

The 3D Fan can move through 90 degrees left to right, 10 degrees downward, and 90 degrees upward, so it can send air containing ions through a large space. This model will be priced around 22,000 yen; it'll be released on May 18.

"This model provides a very compact means of sending a strongly directed breeze a long way. It can also be used together with an air-conditioner, as a circulating fan."

"We've given the vanes a special shape, like the wings of an albatross, which can fly a very long way. These vanes are narrow and very pointed. So, although this fan is only 18 cm across, it can send a breeze for ten meters."

"When you wear this robot on your hand, it forms a medium for communication using the hand. So the robot serves as a device for enhancing the animal-like, imitative ways that people use their hands."

"The robot has electromagnetic motors in the eyes, which are controlled electrically. This bottom part contains a microcontroller to move the eyes, and a battery."

"Until now, robots have usually communicated with people from a distance. That's also true of pet robots like AIBO, and androids. Until now, robots haven't been attached to the human body. We've designed this ring-shaped robot as an entertaining communication device, like an accessory that's fun to wear, to help wearable robots progress beyond the research stage."

At present, the robot is controlled using a special-purpose microcontroller and a PC. But future improvements should enable it to sense motion by the wearer and people nearby, so it can move automatically.

"First of all, this device resembles a toy. So we want to make it more like a character, like when children or their parents play finger games. That would enable a new form of interactive play. We'd also like to incorporate this robot into the way children use their hands to communicate with each other."

The Nihon Automobile College (NATS) introduced Think3 CAD software and was crowned the winner of the "PDP Award Andrea Pininfarina" design competition sponsored by Think3 in Italy. The NATS team then worked tirelessly so that students from the following school year could actually drive the vehicle with the award winning design, and the team exhibited the completed vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The concept of this project was an eco-friendly, compact, 2-passenger electric sports car. Recognizing that a significant amount of time and money is needed to produce this type of vehicle from scratch, the NATS team fabricated the vehicle based on the Honda Insight.

Q"We designed this model using CAD software and fabricated the original aluminum frame while implementing a certain amount of power analysis. We decided to use an aluminum frame because we had fabricated a lot of vehicles thus far with steel frames but had not fabricated an aluminum frame. We thought that this would be a good opportunity to gain more experience and to challenge the students with something new, so we decided to fabricate an aluminum frame."

Going forward, the team will conduct actual driving tests to check the vehicle's cruising distance and maximum speed.

"This system is called ClippingLight and it combines a camera and a projector. The area shown by the white frame is the area that will be photographed. It's basically like having a laser pointer attached to the camera, and what's more, when you twist the camera to the right, the frame becomes smaller, and when you twist left, it becomes bigger. We've used a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor to make zooming in and out easy like this. Another feature of this system is that you can take photos while looking at the actual scene."

With this system, the emphasis is on taking photos quickly and intuitively, rather than on making the photos lifelike. So ClippingLight is intended for things like reading visual markers and taking photos as an alternative to making notes. Also, because the user can track objects while looking at the overall scene, this system makes it easy to aim at the subject very quickly.

With this system, the emphasis is on taking photos quickly and intuitively, so it is intended for tasks such as reading QR codes and taking notes, as opposed to photographing scenery or people. Also, because the user can track objects while looking at the overall area, this system makes it easy to aim at the subject very quickly.

"Lately, some digital cameras and smartphones have a built-in projector. If ClippingLight is provided as one mode in models like that, we think users could take photos very quickly. One thing that I'd like to emphasize especially is that right now, the UFO is appearing and disappearing, and when it appears, you can snap a photo of it really fast, like this. We'd like to promote our system's ability to take photos quickly and easily."

"The purpose of this system is to make living plants seem even more alive, and give them a greater presence. To do this, we're attaching actuators to plants, so they have a more physical aspect, which could encourage communication between plants and people."

"This plant is moved by pulling cords from two stepping motors. To time the movements, there are two sensors attached to the plants, a microphone and a motion sensor. The movements of the plants are based on what the sensors detect."

The researchers have developed a wide range of movements to convey emotions. These movement patterns are based on data attained from getting people to operate the actuators, and suggesting appropriate motions.

"Previous research has indicated that if plants are stroked once a day, their growth is suppressed. But we've been doing this moving plant project for nearly a year, and none of the plants have wilted."

"We'd like to have plants moving freely in places where people go about their lives. So, we'd like to make actuators that can handle plants of many kinds, with varying size and strength. We'd also like to research how plants could be utilized as content."

This interface is intended mainly for training the oral muscles, which include the tongue, for people who have oral motor function disorders affecting their ability to speak or swallow. The research group suggests this as a hygienic detection method, which doesn't require attaching a device to the tongue.

"First of all, the face and eyes are detected using Kinect. When both eyes are recognized, the system can estimate the position of the nose, and based on the position of the nose, movement values are obtained. The minimum movement value indicates the tip of the nose. Based on that position, the system determines the mouth area. Based on the mouth area, movement values are obtained, like before. So finally, the position of the tongue is obtained."

"One way of training the tongue is to move it left and right. We've created a shooting game based on that motion."

"When you stick your tongue out, a bullet is shot from the player in the middle. The bullet's trajectory depends on which way the tongue is pointing. That's how you aim at the targets in this game."

"The first problem is that detection isn't very precise, the system isn't very robust. So we're considering how to improve the precision. Also, we'd like to develop an interface that uses the motion of the lips as well as the tongue, so training can include a combination of mouth motions."

This system records the faces and voices of users from the spaces where they're talking, and transmits them to spaces where the conversation is recreated. A recreation space has several projectors, see-through screens, actuators, and speakers, positioned in accordance with the users.

To make users feel as if the conversation is happening seamlessly in the real world, the system removes the background from each user, and projects a life-size image on the see-through screen.

In an actual face-to-face conversation, nonverbal information, such as looking people in the eye, shaking your head, and nodding, plays a vital role in smooth communication. So in this system, users' head movements are reflected as physical movements of the screen, using face tracking.

This makes it easy for users to see who is looking at whom, and whether people are looking at them. It has been confirmed that this helps users to look in the right direction, which has been shown to be a particular problem with videoconferencing systems so far.

Currently, NTT is working to make the system function in real time. The company plans to do more thorough tests, as well as considering optimal camera positioning and issues involved in real-time communication.

"I'm a big fan of pop idols, and I have posters of them in my room. It bugged me that the posters didn't move at all. We built this system because we thought, if a poster could move to match people's movements, that would be interactive and fun."

"This system is very simple. There's an ultrasound sensor here, to detect how far away your head is. As you approach the sensor, the picture changes. When you get closer, the picture becomes a kissing face, and when you move away, it becomes a blushing face."

"The current system only produces visual changes, but we could also include the scent of shampoo from the person's hair, or a lemon-flavored film on the lips, or a speaker that whispers "I love you." People who've tried this system advised us to do those things, so we think there's still plenty to be done. We've learned a lot from talking to users."

From now on, the researchers plan to develop an iPad application. For this, they're considering other sensing methods, such as using image recognition via the camera, or using a light sensor that reacts to the shadows created when the user approaches.

"We think we could get pop idols to actually pose for this, and sell it as an application, or it could be used in digital signage. I think people would be really attracted by a face that gives a kiss as they walk past."

"The way this system works is very simple. There are small markers in this elastic device and the markers are detected by this built-in front-facing mobile phone camera. By tracking how the markers move as the elastic device deforms, this system enables a variety of inputs."

"The camera is detecting the markers right now. When you press the device, like this, the markers move further apart, or they move horizontally or vertically, or they get skewed. So you can give the system a variety of inputs."

Using this input method on a touchscreen device enables games to be played with a joystick without obstructing a part of the screen. It also compensates for other disadvantages of touchscreen gaming such as the lack of tactile feedback and the screen getting oily.

"For example, if the rear camera is used with this elastic device, there's no need to block the screen with your fingers. So we think this could be used to browse maps with the view kept wide."

"Basically, the system's precision depends on hardware factors, like the camera resolution and refresh rate. The measurement method used is GelForce, which was developed by Professor Tachi's group at Keio in 2003. We already know the precision of GelForce is quite high. So we think the measurement precision could be similarly high."

"We've developed this system to make exercise less intimidating for people who aren't used to it. Exercising on a trampoline has less impact on the legs and back than exercising on the floor, and it can be very effective. We thought that combining exercise on a trampoline with a virtual space might be a way to make exercise fun. And that's how we've developed this system."

To reflect the motion of the toes and heels of both feet, there are four infrared range sensors beneath the trampoline. They are used to detect changes in the trampoline surface.

"The sensors detect the position of the user's center of gravity, showing whether the person is leaning left or right. If the center of gravity moves continuously left then right, that's detected as "walking forward," and if the body weight is to the left for a certain time, that's a "balancing motion." If the trampoline surface is depressed, that's detected as a "jump"."

As well as changes in the trampoline surface, the system now uses sensors to detect the user's foot positions. In this demo, the direction of movement changes depending on which way the feet are pointing, and walking in place with the feet spread apart constitutes backward motion.

"As the purpose of this system is to help people exercise, we'd like to take it into the homes of people who don't usually exercise, such as seniors. That way, we could do field tests, to see whether exercising like this is sustainable over the long term."

"When you draw a picture or take a photo, you sometimes form a rectangle with your hands to decide the composition. With this camera, you can take a photo using the exact same motion. You attach this device to your index finger, and form a rectangle with your finger like this. You take the photo by using the rectangle as the viewfinder, like this. When you push hard with your thumb, the shutter is pressed."

The camera contains a range sensor, and the framing is determined by the distance between the camera and the photographers face. With the current system, which is still in development, the lens has a fixed focal length, and zooming is done digitally on a PC.

"When you take a photo with your face close to the camera, you get a wide-angle shot like this, and if you move it further away, you can take a close up shot."

With this method of photography, viewfinders and displays are unnecessary. So even with a miniature camera, you can take photos intuitively, while looking at the actual scene.

"Here, the camera has a wired connection to a PC, but we'd like to make a stand-alone camera that can be freely used outside. Also, the range sensor currently uses infrared, so it sometimes doesn't detect your face properly, or it can be affected by light from the surroundings. So we'd like to use the camera to measure the distance as well, through face recognition. That would enable the system to be used more precisely."

"Until now, I think users had to have an image in their head of which part of the building was being monitored, based on footage from the cameras combined with written information. But this system makes it very easy to understand which part is being monitored, by putting it in a 3D context. So the user can select a camera, and manage alarm information."

A touch panel is used to change the viewpoint in the graphics and to operate the cameras. So when you pan a camera, the motion of the camera is also shown in 3D, enabling you to see where you're looking and from what angle. Mobile monitoring of several buildings or floors can also be done smoothly via the touchpanel.

"This software requires a Windows 7 PC and the sort of GPU that can handle 3D rendering. And the user needs to install the VN-V685 IP camera. If you need a recorder, you can use JVC-Kenwood's NVR recorder to monitor recorded pictures as well."

"The 3D model is handled by JVC-Kenwood designers. If we can get the design data, such as building plans, we can produce a 3D model based on that data."

The release date for this system hasn't yet been decided, but JVC-Kenwood plans to handle requests as they come in.

"In ordinary video-conferencing systems, it's difficult even to see life-sized pictures of other people. But by attaching this robot hand, you can shake hands with people at a distance. Shaking hands like this gives a greater sense of other people's presence than you get with regular video-conferencing systems."

Results from preliminary trials showed that to reproduce a real person's hand, the three most important aspects were texture, temperature and a sufficient grip force. Here, silicone rubber and sponge are used to simulate the elasticity of human skin and the underlying muscle structure, with an appropriate temperature achieved through the use of a film heater.

"In fact, we did tests with the temperature set at human skin temperature. But people have the preconceived idea that a robot hand will feel cold, so we give it a temperature slightly higher than skin temperature. A person's skin temperature is about 32 degrees C, but we set the robot hand's temperature at 37 degrees C, so people feel it's about as warm as they are. This makes people feel the robot hand is as warm as a real person."

"Due to space constraints here, the hand is set to grip with one degree of freedom when a button is pressed. But we've already started to reproduce grip strength interactively, by installing a pressure sensor in the robot hand."

"We're thinking of applying this to tele-presence robots. Previous tele-presence robots simply have a display on a mobile platform. But once people know that with a hand, the robot can shake hands and have a greater level of presence, we think we can suggest our system as a new design for tele-presence robots, based on the results of tests like this."

"This system produces a sensation like when you hit an object, enabling you to understand where the object is. With vibration alone, you know you've hit an object, but just touching an object doesn't enable you to understand where it is. You will know if you look at it, but the information you can sense by touch is insufficient."

"In this demo, when you touch the ball, if it's rolling toward you slowly, the force you feel is weak, and if it hits you quickly, you feel a strong force from it. So in that regard as well, this system differs from a tactile display using vibration."

This prototype has optical touch sensors in the bezel, and all the components that produce the force, including the wires and motors, are housed inside the display. So this system can be used like a regular touch panel, without needing to attach any extra devices to the fingers.

"Because you can feel the direction of the force, this system could be used for navigation, for example, to let people know which way they're going just by touching the display. Also, when you're entering text by flicking, with no sensation, it's hard to know which side you're on, but with this system, you know which way you've flicked. So we think this system could be useful in applications like that."

"Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of demand for our data. One involves risk management services, which we provide to banks and insurance companies, by detecting and checking out harmful rumors spreading on the Internet. The other type of demand involves using data for marketing purposes, by advertising agencies, manufacturers, and so on. Nowadays, most business promotions and campaigns are cross-media, rather than using only the mass media. There's growing demand for influence through various media. Suppose a commercial is aired on TV. Looking at TV ratings and purchasing data together with people's reactions - whether they do an online search or tweet a few seconds later, or post to a blog or Facebook in a few hours - shows the effect of the promotion in three dimensions. Recently, there's been growth in the use of marketing applications like that, which are based primarily on measuring the effects of promotions."

A growing number of businesses use Twitter and blogs as records of consumers' lifestyles, enabling them to collect lots of opinions that can't be obtained through ordinary surveys. Those businesses use the information to help develop new products. So Datasection also intend to expand its business in that direction, too.

"The first thing we'd like to do now is develop our business globally. We started a Chinese-language service recently. Until now, we've targeted the Japanese market, but now we have Asia in our sights, especially China. We'd like to take our business worldwide from 2012 onward."

Currently, Datasection is looking for ways to make services it provides as monitoring tools useful in workflows within businesses.

"We began developing this vehicle in April 2009 and achieved a completed vehicle in May of 2010. At that point the vehicle was issued a license and we began conducting demonstration testing on public roads. As for the reason we developed this car, if you carefully consider how a vehicle is operated by battery power, then you must also consider the difference between the energy available in existing gasoline powered vehicles and the amount of energy that can be stored by batteries. If we compare the two and set the energy volume of gasoline powered vehicles at 100, then the energy volume of lithium-ion batteries is only around 1. Therefore, there is a difference of about 100 times in the amount of energy that can be stored, and if we focus our attention on that area, then it's obvious that advancements must be made with transmission parts. However, in addition to that, we must also consider measures that will enable the vehicle itself to travel faster with less power. When we thought about the vehicle from that point of view, we recognized the need to develop a vehicle that is as lightweight as possible while also minimizing air resistance. To achieve this, we decided to develop a prototype vehicle using the knowledge and experienced that we had gained from participating in solar car races."

The vehicle can be charged in 4 hours and can travel 90km on a single charge. The top speed is 75 kilometers per hour, but because the vehicle falls within the category of a Class 1 Motorized Bicycle or Small Motor Mini Car, the maximum speed when traveling on public roads in Japan is limited to 60 kilometers per hour.

"The only parts that are used in this vehicle are parts that can be purchased individually by ordinary consumers. This includes key parts, parts for the body, the motor, and all other parts. In fact, one of our key focuses of design was the ability to easily gather together all of the necessary parts for assembly. We believe that once people around the world understand this, then there will be an increase in the number of people who recognize that they too can build a similar vehicle. We believe there is potential in this area. For example, if someone wants to make a business out of this type of vehicle, they can use this vehicle as a reference and develop an even better vehicle. That would make us very happy."

The search results are displayed immediately, showing thumbnail images of potential candidates. When a thumbnail is selected, the associated recorded surveillance footage can be viewed, so users can quickly review the persons actions before and after the image was taken.

"This high speed is achieved by detecting faces through image recognition when the footage from the camera is recorded, and also by grouping similar faces."

With this system, it's assumed that faces are turning within around 30 degrees in the horizontal and vertical directions from the camera, and the faces are at least 40 x 40 pixels in size.

"We think this system is suitable for customers that have a relatively large-scale surveillance system, such as railways, power companies, law enforcement, and large stores."

"We plan to release this system next fiscal year. We'll be handling each project individually, so if you're interested, please contact us."

This keyboard is optimized for entering Japanese characters with one hand. It has 16 buttons, for consonants, vowels, and the two types of voicing marks. The user enters those with the left hard, while playing the keys with the right. This makes it possible to synthesize singing using the hardware alone.

"Until now, with Vocaloid, you made up tunes on a PC, by entering each note separately. But with this new version, you can perform in real time. Firstly, you decide on the sound, which is pronounced using consonants and vowels. For example, if you want to pronounce the syllable "ga," you press K and the dakuten voicing mark. This method differs from entering Japanese using the Roman alphabet. To reduce the number of buttons needed, there are buttons for the two types of voicing marks."

The entered text and the pronounced text are shown in katakana on the LED display, so you can check that the content played is correct. There are also three parameter knobs, which you can use to adjust the vocal sound.

"People who compose using the Vocaloid can't give live Vocaloid performances yet. I think they have to simply replay sounds. But with this system, users can perform live in real time. Also, we know from interviews that some users have bought DAW software, but find it hard to use. Lots of those people are able to play a keyboard, though. So, we'd like to offer such people an easier way of using Vocaloid, where you can produce sounds just by pressing keys."

When several keyboard players evaluated this system, they could enter content in Japanese easily after about three hours' practice, and they became able to perform simple nursery rhymes smoothly.

"For now, we don't plan to release this product commercially. But the sound chip inside can be removed, so we could provide it to other companies if they are interested."

It uses Bluetooth to stream music from the phone to the speaker, and the same app can also be used to control various aspects of the lighting, such as brightness and color temperature. It's also possible to create effects with synchronized sound and light.

"Light fittings are in the middle of rooms, and we've used that fact to design this revolutionary, totally new product. This system enables light and sound to spread from the center of a room to the entire space. It also enables the user to control the effects with a smartphone."

This demo system has three preset modes, which combine light and sound effects. Users can choose Active, Natural, or Relaxed mode to match their mood.

"We're still developing this system, with the aim of releasing it this year. Here, the light has a wooden frame to match the interior atmosphere. But we're also considering other versions, including ultra-modern acrylic panels, traditional Japanese designs, and simple globes."

Q: It turns on as soon as you open it so you can immediately write a memo. It is ready to take a memo 2 seconds after you open it. It runs on batteries, and right now it has Eneloop AAA batteries. It can run on AAA alkaline batteries or AAA Eneloop batteries. It is not powered with an AC adapter. An SD card can be inserted here to store documents you have created.

The Pomera DM100 is 24.5 mm at its thickest point and 11.6 mm at its thinnest. The screen is a 5.7-inch TFT monochrome LCD with backlight that is capable of detailed display with its SVGA resolution.

Q: The DM100 is loaded with the Meikyo Japanese dictionary MX, Genius English-Japanese dictionary MX, and Genius Japanese-English dictionary MX. When creating a document, to reference the Japanese dictionary simply press this button and the dictionary search screen immediately appears to allow you to do a search. To use it as a keyboard, press the keyboard button and this will enable you to use it as an iPhone or iPad keyboard. By selecting file transfer, you can send data created on the Pomera to a Bluetooth-enabled PC. As with the DM-20, a QR code conversion feature is now included on the DM-100. By pressing this button, a previously created document is instantly converted to QR code. This can then be read by a mobile phone or iPhone with the proper app so that it is immediately imported as text, which can be attached to an email and sent.

In addition the DM100 has a calendar function, can display text vertically, and can create tables. It can also have two files open simultaneously so that you can copy and paste from file to file. The DM100 has a suggested retail price of 37,800 yen and is currently on sale.

It uses the FeliCa contactless smart card technology, with a reader/writer capability built into the power outlet side, and a FeliCa Lite chip on the plug side.

"For example, this dryer is used in the same way as you've always used it. This dryer's data is written to the chip built into the plug. When you set the dryer like this, it works just as if it had a chip built in from the start. When you plug the dryer into the outlet, the reader/writer recognizes it."

In this system, the chip and the reader/writer communicate through a wireless antenna. But Sony is also developing a version where they communicate through the power cable, without using an antenna. With this version, a chip can be built into equipment in advance.

"One feature of this system is, the reader/writer capability is located in the distribution board, which is the overall source for the power supply, so existing power outlets can be used without modifying them. Data in the chips in the equipment plugged in is authenticated via the power cables."

The authenticated equipment can be managed via the cloud, and its power supply can also be controlled. So for example, if demand is about to exceed supply, blackouts can be avoided by switching off non-vital devices, while keeping other more essential devices such as healthcare equipment and refrigerators on.

This system can also identify users and supply them with power for a specific amount of time. So in the future, it could be used for power outlets in public places and billing for electric vehicle charging.

"We haven't decided when to release this system commercially. We don't think this kind of thing can be realized if only Sony is involved. So we'd like to talk with other manufacturers, companies that want to use the system in business, and companies involved with power supply infrastructure. In that way, we'd like to create solutions using this system."

These holograms use a special material to detect red, green, and blue laser light, and full-color holograms are achieved by combining these three primary colors of light. Because they're easy to design and provide high security, these holograms will be utilized for product authenticity labels and the protection of brand-name goods.

"This card has a hologram embedded in it. Ordinarily, most holograms you see are the silver embossed type, like those on money and credit cards. By contrast, these holograms are an original type developed by DNP called Lippmann holograms. One feature is that they're fully three-dimensional so they appear in 3D whichever way you look at them."

The advantage of these latest Lippmann holograms over regular holograms is that you can see a bright, full color, full parallax, 3D image in both the horizontal and vertical directions, with a realistic sense of depth. They are very difficult to counterfeit because they use special materials and manufacturing processes.

"Worldwide, there are only a few companies that can make Lippmann holograms. So they're very difficult to counterfeit. They also create a very strong 3D effect, so they provide security that's understood at a glance."

Monochrome Lippmann holograms are currently used by over 50 companies, in Japan and worldwide. DNP has succeeded in halving the manufacturing cost for full-color Lippmann holograms, by using more efficient production equipment.

This card, developed by NXP Semiconductors, stores handwritten information from the touch sensor, so not only are the individual characters stored, but the characteristics of the strokes are also taken into account, adding an extra layer of security to the authentication process.

"We possess a technology called cold lamination, for embedding electronic components in cards. One possibility that can be achieved using this technology is a new type of card processing technology, which puts a touch sensor on the card surface. We're now considering this possibility, so our goal at NFC & Smart WORLD 2012 is to obtain feedback from various potential markets."

Until now, personal authentication systems have generally used two elements, a physical card and a PIN number, but by adding handwritten information, even stronger security can be achieved. It's also hoped that this technology will prevent unauthorized use of PIN numbers recorded using key loggers, and reduce the cost of introducing authentication devices that use handwriting.

"We've heard that such systems are still being considered only at the experimental stage. So now, we'd like to get market feedback, and provide it as input from the Japanese side, as a way of giving something back to NXP Semiconductors."

"The name "Style" indicates it is a new vehicle that will become an essential part of life. The concept is to create a new genre of vehicle that will take the place of bicycles. We have developed a new form of mobility that can be ridden with ease, something more than a bicycle but less than a motorcycle."

"I basically design everything. Our team members will make fine adjustments with the vehicle concept being an extension of a bicycle. There were some technical challenges, but we emphasized functional beauty."

Charging for 90 minutes can bring it to 80% charge with a projected cruising range of 40 km and top speed of 65 kph.

"Ordinarily you see two-wheelers, but our product is a three-wheeler. It has a tilt mechanism that is designed to enable safer high-speed travel. We are planning to release it in 2012, but first need to work out some minor details regarding electrical power. In principle we plan to release it in 2012."

"We are thinking of a target price of 500,000 yen, however if we can receive a government subsidy when we release it, we'd like to offer it in the 300,000 yen range."

D Art plans to sell the product primarily in Japan, however it is also looking into the possibility of overseas sales especially in Europe.

A visible-light communication projector can add information to the projected image, by making each pixel in the image flash at high speed. Because the flashing occurs 10,000 times per second, the display appears normal to the human eye. But if you place a light-receiving device near the picture, the device can read information from the different flashing patterns made by each pixel.

"Right now, I think you can see the picture floating in space. If you move this rod, the floating picture also moves in line with the rod. The tip of the rod has a light-receiving device, which obtains information about its position within the image, and the image changes in line with that."

Embedding position data in each pixel enables interaction between the light-receiving device and the display, so an LCD touchpanel can be created. By developing this using an optical system, it's possible to show a picture in the air and operate a touchpanel on the imaging surface.

"Regarding projection, currently, big-screen displays with a touchpanel are common, but naturally, there are limits on the display size. You can't make the display larger or smaller to meet particular needs. But with our system, no matter where the projector is, you can interact with the picture, whatever the size. Regarding the pictures in the air, we think this system could be developed as a new interface, using the advantage of being able to interact even though there's nothing in the space."

This technology is being co-developed with NICT.

The printer uses a special erasable toner, and when the printed page is passed through the color erasing device, the printing disappears and the paper can be used again. This toner can only be used with compatible copiers, but any regular copy paper can be used.

"This is a special kind of toner that loses its color when heated, so this technology makes it look as if the printing has disappeared. With this system, one sheet of photocopy paper can be used at least five times, so this product combines economy with ecology."

The FriXion Ball line of erasable ball-point pens and highlighters from Pilot, are based on the same principals as used in this system. Although the ink becomes invisible, it is still there, and the imprint from the printing process is also slightly visible, so the recycling of sensitive documents is not recommended.

"With FriXion Ball, the writing disappears through the heat of friction. With this toner, the printing disappears through heating to a high temperature. When we first release this product, the toner will be blue, but we plan to develop other colors as well."

The color erasing device also has a scanning capability, so it can be used to save the data as it erases the printing. This system also automatically sorts the paper into sheets that can be reused and sheets that can't, and places them in separate trays.

"There's no need to sort the paper between usable and unusable, which is something you'd have to do if you were just printing on the reverse sides of paper. So this system minimizes the workload on customers."

Toshiba Tec is currently developing this system, with the aim of releasing it this winter. In the future, the company plans to work on a color version of this copier too.

"We haven't yet decided how to price this system. But we'd like to make sure it doesn't increase customers' printing costs much compared with the systems they currently use. Reusing paper makes the cost per sheet substantially lower, so we'd like to make this system as inexpensive as possible."

Currently, at most supermarkets, a laser scanner is used to recognize barcodes, but the newly developed Object Recognition Scanner instantly recognizes the merchandise itself, be it fresh produce or packaged goods, by identifying it directly via a camera.

"Fruit and vegetables in supermarkets don't usually have barcodes, because they're put out while they're fresh. So these items can't be read at the register using barcodes, which means staff need to input data to record them. If staff are part-time employees, they may not recognize some items, which can cause delays. We're developing this new scanner to solve that problem."

This scanner utilizes pattern recognition technology being developed by Toshiba. By recognizing the difference between merchandise and other objects and discarding the latter as noise, the scanner can operate at high speeds.

"As you can actually see in the picture, the surroundings are totally dark. Ordinarily, with a camera, the surroundings would appear as well, but here, only the subjects like apples appear. That means the noise is eliminated from the beginning, so the scanner can recognize objects very fast, even if they're moving. This technology is the key to the new system."

"In this demo, there are three kinds of apples: Fuji, Jonagold, and Mutsu. The Fuji and Jonagold originally come from the same stock, so if you're not really familiar with apples, they might look the same. But this scanner can distinguish them, by recognizing subtle differences in pattern and coloration."

As well as fruits and vegetables, the scanner can recognize printed items, such as beer cans and coupons.

"Getting the scanner to learn items in a store isn't practical, so we'll ship it with a database of agricultural produce and other items as needed. It takes a year for all vegetables to appear in their seasons, so for a machine to read them, we have to create a database. So that anyone can use the scanner without needing to practice, it has to be able to read items consistently, whether they're touching it, far away from it, or moving. Our main task in development from now on is tuning the scanner so it can do that."

"An important aspect of this research is the actuators. They can extend the rods from 15 cm up to 4 m. In the method that I devised, each actuator uses three roll-up tape measures. The tape on the three tape measures have their backs facing each other, and they're stuck together using velcro. When the tapes extend, the velcro sticks to them, and when they retract, the velcro peels off, so they can be housed in a compact space."

The Naemura group at the University of Tokyo decided to use the tetrahedron as the base shape, as it is the simplest shape that can be represented by assembling triangles, and it can also be handled like a polygon in computer graphics. In the future, they aim to make variable-sized polygons in the real world.

"On a computer, when a 3D shape is rendered, it can be reproduced as an assemblage of triangles, no matter how complicated it is. If you try that in the real world, you get 3D shapes formed from triangles like this. This is the simplest form. The idea is that if we use these as the basic units and connect them together on a large scale, we can also produce more complicated shapes, just like on a computer."

Among the four vertices, the three in contact with the ground have wheels and retractable legs, this means that they can move in a desired direction, based on which actuators are used.

"In the future, we'd like to apply this system to architecture. But there are still a lot of issues. The current version, though, can be used for applications like stage sets that require motion and shape creation. So we think it would be good if this system could be used in theatrical settings."

The system provides a visualization of the amount of power consumed by devices individually and the home as a whole, and each device can be controlled via a tablet or smartphone. Sharp plans to release the Wifi module used in this concept demonstration later in the year.

"As you can see on the wall, there's a white box plugged into the socket, which measures power consumption. For example, over there, the TV's power consumption is being measured, and the measured data is sent by wireless connection to this tablet, so you can see how many watts the TV is using. This is the system we've developed, and we're now working on a commercial version."

The commercial version of this system will include five units and a router as a set, and the system will support up to 30 units simultaneously.

"This demonstration includes not just visualization, but also control. For example, if you select "LED" like this, you can adjust the tone and brightness of the LED lighting. At the same time you can also check on the tablet how the adjustment changes the power consumption."

As a part of the concept demonstration, the devices controlled include a Sharp TV, air-conditioner and refrigerator as well as the LED lighting. To actually utilize this system, each device needs to have a built-in receiver for remote control commands.

"Thinking about this from a customers perspective, we'd definitely like this to be able to control products made by manufacturers other than Sharp. We're currently discussing the unification of control protocols with the Government. It'll take another one or two years, but we think it will become possible to use, for example, a Sharp tablet to control products from other manufacturers."

This system can also be used to manage total energy consumption in the home, by connecting it to solar generation systems and electric vehicles as well.

Bio-polyethylene is a plastic made from the waste produced when sugar is extracted from sugar-cane. The new fibers have a core-and-sheath structure, where the core is bio-polyethylene and the sheath is conventional polypropylene derived from petroleum. This structure makes the fibers resistant to wear and heat, enabling them to be used in floor mats for vehicles.

"One environmental feature of these mats is that using plant-derived material reduces CO2 emission by 15% compared to conventional polypropylene mats."

Q. "The waste produced when sugar is made from sugar-cane is called bagasse. This is used to make bio-ethanol, which is then converted to bio-ethylene."

"One feature of this technology is the use of conventional polypropylene, derived from petroleum, to compensate for the physical weakness of plant-derived bio-ethylene. Using a polypropylene sheath and a bio-ethylene core has made these new products practical."

These floor mats will be released in summer 2012. Initially, they'll be available only in Japan, but the company is considering selling them overseas as well.

NHK currently uses this system to give instructions to news helicopters, and it was used in the aftermath of the tsunami last year to guide helicopter pilots around areas left visually unidentifiable.

"With an NHK helicopter, data on the helicopter's altitude and position, and which way the camera is pointing, is sent to the broadcasting station with the aerial pictures. Using this data, it's possible to make digital maps with the same field of view, without looking at the aerial shots. Text can be cut from these digital maps and pasted onto the aerial pictures, making it possible to show that: "This building is in this place."

Because the processing uses only the helicopter and camera positioning data, without image analysis, this system isn't suitable for applications that require extremely high levels of precision, but it can continue to be used even if a district has changed.

"We announced this system last year at a broadcasting technology show, and a month later, the Tohoku earthquake occurred. Due to the tsunami, surface features changed quite a lot, buildings were swept away, and it was hard to recognize things from images. But using data from helicopters, it's possible to tell that "There used to be a station here," and "The railway was here." So NHK's coverage was based on that."

NHK is collaborating with a map company, enabling aerial pictures of everywhere in Japan to be used. The system can also show the positions of moving objects such as broadcasting vans, so it helps enable the rapid coverage of events.

"The FX90, which we released last September, has Wi-Fi, so we've enhanced that model to create this prototype."

"You can zoom and press the shutter from the smartphone screen, like this. You can also use the smartphone to look at the pictures you've taken."

"As you can see in this demo, the communication is quite fast, so you can operate the camera with hardly any delay."

So far, no official series of cameras or applications with this capability has been planned. But Panasonic intends to develop the Android app used here, called Remote Live View, for iOS as well.

"We'd like to suggest new ways of taking photos when the camera and the means of operating it are separated. So for example, if you want to take a photo of yourself or a group, instead of having to go back and forth to the camera, you could use this system to operate the camera with a device in your hand."

"This is a medal game that up to eight people can play at once. It's totally different from previous medal games. This is a new genre, where it really feels like you're fishing."

The large display is composed of two 55-inch screens, and over 50 kinds of fish both large and small appear swimming around on the display. The new fishing rod shaped controller, with vibration and reaction forces, gives tactile feedback to the player.

"First of all, when you flick the rod controller, the float flies in the direction you intend. When you get a bite, the rod controller starts to shake, and the reel becomes heavier, depending on how big the fish is. When you reel in, you get your catch. The sensations of getting a bite and the reel feeling heavy are important keys to creating a realistic fishing game."

"In this game, it's the nearest fish that bites, so you aim for the fish's mouth. The idea is that you cast your line toward a big fish. But sometimes the fish escapes."

"This product uses conventional technology for the polyester fibers, and carbon nanotubes, a cutting-edge material, as a coating for the fibers. The fibers are woven into a textile, and when electricity is passed through them, they give off heat. So what we're exhibiting here is a fabric heater."

The nanotubes are applied using conventional dye-printing technology, with a carbon nanotube network forming on the surface of every filament in the multi-filament structure. The resulting fabric is thin, lightweight, flexible and soft, and has a high level of washing durability. It recently won an award from the Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry.

"Take a look at that panel. The left side is heated using a conventional nichrome heating element. As our product is a textile, its entire surface gives off heat. Each fiber making up the textile gives off a small amount of heat, and together, they form a large heat-radiating object. So the entire surface can be heated without loss. Right now, this is being field-tested by Hokkaido University and the data shows that it could reduce energy consumption by about 20%."

Suggested uses for this fiber so far include USB-powered tabletop heaters and heated cushions as well as heated car seats and carpets. By taking advantage of the fact that the whole surface heats up uniformly, Kuraray is also developing a waterproof snow-melting mat.

"These are live pictures from Hokkaido University. This fabric has been placed under the road by the main gate, and it's melting the snow. What Hokkaido University has found is that carbon nanotubes tend to clump together, and they can't be used unless they're made to spread out. What's currently being tested is the use of technology from Hokkaido University to prevent them from doing that."

"Carbon nanotubes themselves are still an expensive material, but nowadays, they're being mass-produced much more. So we foresee that this will be a rational option in the future."

"We've been developing this since 2007, so in that sense, this is the fifth year of the project. We're still doing repeated field tests, and we aim to make this an established technology in about another year. We'd like to start releasing products in the market from around 2013."

"In time-trial sports, the results only show that two competitors differed by a few seconds. But by actually making them race against each other at the same time, it's possible to check what the difference looked like in terms of distance, their tracks and approaches, and how they went past flags. With this system, all those things can be confirmed visually."

This system was co-developed with ViewPLUS. It combines a 4K camera, with four times the resolution of Full HD, and a platform which repeats the movements of the camera automatically.

"When the first contestant tackles the course, the camera tracks that contestant. The information about how the platform was operated is saved in the PC, so when the second and third contestants do the course, the camera can use the same movements to shoot them, based on the stored information. That means you only need to superimpose the footage of each contestant, to create images like this, which look just as if the contestants are racing each other."

Using a 4K camera means that if the pictures are broadcast in HD, they can be cut down to a quarter of their size without losing detail. Using this system, images can be taken with a wide view, and later trimmed to create the camera-work.

"For example, if there's a time difference between two contestants, it's possible that they won't appear in the same frame. But by shooting with a 4K camera and trimming later, you can minimize the amount of time contestants are out of the frame. That's the advantage of this feature."

"As an extreme example, you can shoot so wide that this whole slope is in the picture. In that case, you don't even need the cameraman there, they can adjust the frame size and do the camera work later while looking at the entire frame."

"With this system, the image processing load is quite low. In fact, synthesized pictures of the current contestant and the one before can be created with just a three-second delay. So even in live broadcasting, you can do a replay for comparison with the current contestant."

"The system won't quite be ready in time for this summer's Olympics, but we hope it'll be used for the next Winter Olympics."

"This game is very simple to play. You only need two actions, pressing the eight buttons around the main screen, and scrolling across the middle part of the screen, which is a touchscreen."

There's a camera near the top on the side of the console, which can record the player and the screen at the same time, and Sega plans to add the ability to upload videos to Japanese video site NicoNico Douga.

"According to our analysis, current rhythm games in game centers are mostly the kind where you play by yourself and have to concentrate hard, and what you're doing is relatively hidden. So we think it might be more fun to make playing more conspicuous, and show other people what you're doing. By using a vertical monitor, and showing not just players, but also a gallery on the upper screen, and by providing a camera as well, we've developed this concept of a game where you can say to everyone, "Look at me!"

With the combination of the round design, front facing display and bright, flashing LEDs, Sega expect it to gain a lot of attention in game arcades.

"On the internet people have likened the design to that of a washing machine in a laundromat, and we think that is pretty funny, but we didn't even consider that when we were working on it. We were thinking about how to make it possible for people to move their body while playing, so we made the main monitor round, and we also put a gallery on the upper display where it's easy for everyone to see. So with these features in mind that is why we chose this design."

In Japan, this game will be available in July. Sega subsequently plans to release it overseas as well.

The new film has a uniform layer of oil-repellent material, with a randomly wrinkled nanometer structure on the surface. This makes the film more resistant to fingerprints than previous technologies, while maintaining high transparency and gloss.

"Previously, there were mainly two types of fingerprint-resistant technology - oil-attracting and oil-repelling types. But there's a trade-off with those, either a lot of finger grease sticks to the film, or the marks are highly visible. By contrast, the aim of Toray's technology is to provide the ultimate option, which is that not only do fewer fingerprints stick to the film, but they're also less noticeable."

"Let me explain using this acrylic panel with film on it. If you leave an oily fingerprint, it's like applying a stamp with oil. With previous films, the oil sticks fast. With this film, the fingerprint still leaves a trace, but it's very hard to see. That's a feature of the new film."

"We'd like this film to be used where it's important to prevent fingerprints, so for example, as a protective sheet for touchscreens, or a glossy decorative material. We're still at the R&D stage, so we'd like to get feedback from all kinds of users, to make this film even more effective."

This achievement makes it possible to combine high-speed display performance with easy film fabrication, which has been an issue with organic TFT displays so far. It's hoped that this will lead to the early development of high-performance, flexible displays.

"Our new development concerns the process of printing single crystals of organic semiconductors in a simple way. By making organic semiconductor films from well-formed crystals, we've improved performance by at least an order of magnitude."

In previous organic semiconductor devices, circuits could be formed by simple methods such as printing, but high-speed components couldn't be achieved. Now, Professor Takeya's group has made it possible to fabricate one high-performance organic TFT every five minutes. This has been achieved by using a new organic semiconductor, called alkyl DNTT, with a molecular design that makes alignment easy.

"In fact, at this exhibition, we're combining LCD devices to make a display using this organic semiconductor. As several pixels need to be driven together, it's necessary to form devices together in a line. As a result of working on that, we've actually been able to display pixels effectively."

This display has 30 x 23 pixels, with a density of 17 ppi. From now on, the Group plans to combine the new process with an OLED panel, to drive a high-resolution display.

"The advantage of organic semiconductors is, they can be formed at low temperatures, close to room temperature, by simple methods like coating. For example, this material could be formed on a flexible plastic substrate to make a bendable display, or a display that folds up very thin and doesn't cost much. So we'd like to do those things. Another feature of this material is high performance. It has ten times the mobility of previous materials, so we think it could even be used to display images with lots of pixels, like this big poster."

"For this camera, we had a unified concept from development to product planning. The idea was to deliver the best pictures ever from a Canon compact camera."

"One big feature of this model is the sensor size. This camera has a 1.5 inch sensor, which is really big. Previous models used a 1/1.7 inch sensor, so this one has 6.3 times the area. The result is impressive pictures, with a great feeling of definition, and depth of focus on a par with an SLR."

By using a 14.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, almost as big as the APS-C sized sensor used in the EOS series, Canon has increased the light-gathering area per pixel by a factor of 4.5, delivering picture quality close to that of an SLR, with low noise at high sensitivity.

"For regular use, the sensitivity can go up to ISO12800. Because the sensor is so large, this camera's pictures have low noise even in the high sensitivity range. So you get really clear pictures, especially at ISO3200 and 6400. This effect is particularly noticeable in nighttime and indoor photography."

The lens features a new Canon design, and goes from a 28 mm wide-angle to 4x optical zoom. This lens is only 1.4 times bigger than before, so the camera's body is still compact even though it has a larger sensor.

"You can stop down to f16, so you get good pictures at small apertures, too."

"This model is mainly intended as a companion to an SLR for professional users, as well as for advanced amateurs. But it takes impressive pictures even on auto and regular settings, so we hope all kinds of users will give this model a try."

The camera is kept stable by a four axis camera gimbal, which is then attached to a balloon which can rise up to 300m. The motion of the camera and gimbal is controlled using a toy helicopter's remote control.

"The height actually used for a bird's-eye view is about 30-50 m because that's the most practical altitude. So we've designed this system to work stably at that height."

"The camera can pan, tilt, and zoom as usual. In addition, the gimbal works to keep the direction fixed, so even if the camera shakes, it stays facing the same direction, and the image is stable. To put it simply, four gimbal axes are controlled, and they have gyros, and the direction is kept constant using the gyro values."

The camera gimbal setup was co-developed with the Seeds Project and it weighs about 2 kg including the camera. The balloon itself can carry about 4 kg, and it has a safe landing mechanism which can bring it back down if its tether gets cut.

"This balloon can be used in winds up to 7 m/s. Its weak point is that it's vulnerable to strong winds."

"The first advantage of this system is that it reduces costs, and the second is that it can be set up anywhere. So, a big feature of this system is that it keeps costs down and makes installation easy, by eliminating the need to find a large space or get permission."

"From now on, we think we could bring viewers entirely new shots, in daytime news and sports programs, for example."

"Smartphones have become popular really fast, and lots of cases and accessories are available for them. But there aren't many smartphone accessories especially for ladies, so we wanted to offer some. So what we've done is make this plush Sheepy character into a cover."

"This really does feel like a fluffy sheep to the touch. It also feels very nice and stable when you hold it to use the screen."

"Sheepy's legs stick out, so when you place the phone on a desk or table, the legs stop the screen from touching it directly."

"The left part here isn't quite aligned with the rest. You might not notice unless you look closely. It's slightly out of alignment to avoid covering the lens. When you take a picture, you bend the neck slightly before pressing the shutter, to stop the sheep getting in the picture. This design prevents the lens from being obstructed. Sheepy looks cute with his neck slightly bent, so actually, this is a nice feature."

"This is a sample. Lots of people buy a new phone in spring, so we'll be releasing Sheepy this spring."

"Sheepy is naked right now, but as a spring and summer collection, we're thinking about offering items like a swimming float and bathing suit. Of course, we're also thinking about other animals, too. With Android phones, the lens is in the middle, so we'd like to modify the cover design to handle features like that."

NOTTV is a new terrestrial broadcasting service and its stakeholders include docomo and Dentsu, as well as private-sector broadcasters. This service will use frequencies vacated when the broadcast of analog TV ended in July 2011. In the first year, NOTTV will be available mainly in the Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka areas, and there are plans to gradually extend the coverage.

"In this service, there are two types of broadcasting. One is real-time, which you can watch just like ordinary TV. The other is clipcasting, where files are sent to the smartphone. The files can be e-books, digital magazines, games, or applications as well as TV programs."

The real-time broadcast has a resolution of 720 x 480 pixels, and there will be three channels, including a 24-hour news channel. In clipcasting, the programs that users sign up for will be downloaded to the smartphone automatically.

"The programs we broadcast will be produced together with shareholders, including SkyPerfect, or obtained from them. But that's not all, we'll also buy programs from overseas broadcasters, and from BS and CS channels, and provide simultaneous broadcasting. Naturally, we'll also collaborate with other companies on digital content."

The SH-06D has a 4.5-inch HD screen that supports 3D, as well as Sharp's latest energy-efficiency technology. The N-06D has a simple, minimal design with a 7-inch WXGA display, and it supports high-speed communication with the Docomo Xi LTE service.

Both models feature a dual-core CPU, and support the mobile wallet service, the One-Seg mobile TV standard, and infra-red data transmission. They're also waterproof, and each comes with a tabletop holder.

"At NTT docomo, we plan to sell 3 million handsets in the first year. But we'd also like other carriers to release models that support NOTTV. As with One-Seg TV, this service can be watched on devices from any carrier or manufacturer, as long as they support the technology. So we'd like to make that sort of arrangement. Regarding the programs, because clipcasting is a feature of this service, we'd like to gradually reinforce that aspect."

The camera features two 12MP sensors, two 25mm lenses, a 4x optical zoom and stereo microphone, as well as four CPU's in the engine enabling it to process Full HD video. It also has a battery life equivalent to that of a regular compact camera with a single sensor and lens. Not only can this camera be used for shooting 3D photos and video, but the dual lens and sensor combination can be used in a range of unique ways.

"This camera has two lenses and sensors, so it's like having two cameras in one. Each lens and sensor can be operated separately, so you can also use this camera to take wide-angle shots with one lens and zoom up with the other."

"This large screen is an active screen, so you can zoom in and out on it. When you touch the other screen, it becomes active, so you can zoom in and out on that. This enables you to take pictures with different fields of view in each. You press the shutter after deciding on each field of view. Then, you can check that you've taken two pictures at once."

When shooting 2D video, you can also take photos at the same time using the other lens. And here again, you can change the field of view for the video and photos.

As the rear display don't support 3D content, to see the pictures in 3D, you need to use a 3D TV.

"For people who already use a 3D TV to watch movies and so on, this camera provides a way to enjoy personal content, like pictures of children and hobbies, on a big screen. In addition, we'd like to suggest not just 3D, but fun ways of using 2D as well, to make photography even more enjoyable."

"In most mirrorless cameras, the fact that there's no mirror is used to make the body slim, but we've used the mirrorless structure to increase the freedom for design. One feature I feel Marc Newson has really emphasized is the quality of materials. In this camera, precision-machined aluminum is used abundantly in all kinds of places, and serious attention has been paid to the surface finishing. The rubber components have also been given very distinctive forms."

This camera's imaging device is an APS-C size, 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, while the image processing engine is the newly developed PRIME M which offers greater movie capturing performance.

"We've used a large battery, like this. In compact cameras, battery life is often a problem. But we've enabled users to keep shooting for a long time, by using a large battery, and a sensor and image processing engine that have low power consumption. And we've achieved this while delivering the same basic performance as an SLR."

This camera uses the K-mount originally used in Pentax's 35mm film SLRs, so customers can use lenses they already own. In addition, Marc Newson has also designed the world's slimmest fixed-focal pancake lens, which was announced along with the K-01.

One other feature of this new model is HDR Mode, which takes three photos consecutively with different exposures and combines them into one photo in the camera.

"This setting was previously chosen from the menu, but now, it can be set just by turning the dial to HDR Mode. Also, on this setting screen, you can choose exposure settings like HDR Auto, which makes it easy to take photos without losing detail in white or black areas. You can also choose settings that give your photos a more dynamic touch, such as making white and black areas stand out or making the colors more intense."

"This camera is not only for people who want to take beautiful photos, but also for people who care about design."

In Japan, the K-01 will be released in mid March. It will be available in three color combinations: all black, black & yellow, and black & white.

The OM-D is a compact, lightweight Micro Four Thirds camera, similar to the current Olympus PEN series, but in this new camera the emphasis is on taking photos using the viewfinder. The newly announced model features a multipurpose digital viewfinder, as well as a 3-inch tilting OLED touch screen.

"We wanted to make a full-spec camera that was mirrorless, so we considered a variety of forms. We wanted to use a large viewfinder, directly above the lens, but without making the OLED panel smaller. We also wanted the lens to be large enough so that you can hold it firmly. So we decided to utilize the adaptability, style, and system from the old OM Series."

The viewfinder, with its 1.44 megapixel LCD, has been designed so that all settings needed to compose a photo, including brightness and color, can be adjusted while checking the results, without taking your eye from the finder.

"We've made it possible to operate this camera mainly by using two dials, to adjust the color and so on, while looking through the finder."

"We've also provided a new feature for customers who are really particular about photography, a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor. In addition, the camera body has a shake compensation mechanism. Until now, only shaking around two axes, like this, was compensated. But we've developed a system that can cope with shaking in all directions, including translational motion like this, and motion around the optical axis like this."

This world-first feature, five-axis image stabilization, is activated by pressing the shutter halfway, and because the mechanism is built into the body, it works even if the lens is changed. It can also handle camera shake while shooting video.

"This camera is water-resistant and dust-resistant, so it can be used in the rain or in sandy places. To make the body tough, it's covered in magnesium alloy. So this model is pretty strong."

"At Olympus, we offer two series of mirrorless cameras, the PEN Series and the OM-D Series. The PEN Series is for people who want to take good pictures easily for lots of purposes, such as social media and blogs. The OM-D Series is designed for people who are really into photography. We hope people who want to take truly unique photos will utilize OM-D cameras."

"These are 95% biomass, so only 5% of the material comes from other sources. We use Brazilian molasses waste, which is the residue left after bio-energy has been extracted. So we're really re-using something that no-one else needs. We think this material is excellent in terms of sustainability. Also, as a recyclable product, it can be handled in various ways, such as thermal recycling and material recycling. We think this material is also superior in that respect."

Yamato Mannequin started looking for new mannequin materials four years ago. Currently, the company uses a closed-loop production system, from local procurement to the final stage of recycling. It aims to use biomass for 50% of its Japanese products.

Q: "We're not limiting ourselves to Japan. Local production for local consumption can be done worldwide - in China, Brazil, or Russia, for example. We'd like to make materials that help to create a sustainable future everywhere."

In overseas markets, Yamato Mannequin is seeking ways to collaborate with foreign companies. As well as advancing the mannequin business by providing know-how, the company also aims to sell mannequin designs and further develop its business as a material manufacturer.

"Already, some digital microscopes, or video microscopes, are relatively easy to use, and they're becoming widespread. With the Opto-Digital Microscope DSX Series, we've combined that user-friendliness with reliable image quality and more advanced measurement capabilities. This is a new microscope system which combines features from optical and digital microscopes to deliver even higher performance."

One feature of the DSX Series is Multi-Preview. This is used to photograph the sample automatically, under various conditions, allowing you to choose the observation method which best suits your needs. This feature makes it much easier to obtain an optimal image of the sample.

"With a conventional microscope, there are various methods of making observations, and you have to remember how to use each one. But with these microscopes, you don't need to remember how to do everything because it's done automatically, and the images are shown in a gallery format. So all you need to do is choose the image that suits your purpose best. Once you've chosen it, you can keep working in line with the method used for that image."

With the electric standard model DSX500 and the electric invert model DSX500i, two indices for measurement precision are guaranteed: accuracy of XY magnification, and repeatability.

"With a microscope, image quality has always been crucial. The most important thing is that colors are reproduced naturally, and there's no distortion in the image. Here, quality at such an extremely high level has been achieved through optical technology from Olympus. Regarding measurement, our calibration is linked to Japan's traceability system, so we can absolutely guarantee the accuracy of magnification."

These microscopes are currently available in Japan and throughout Asia. Olympus also plans to release them in Europe and America.

Geminoid-F has been programmed with basic emotions and behaviors. It uses them as models to create expressions and actions based on what's happening around it.

"We're always looking for places where androids could be utilized. Show windows normally use mannequins, but ideally, that wouldn't be the case. It would be better to have actual fashion models there because that would make the clothes look great. But in reality, a model can't spend all day in a show window. Mannequins though, don't really look like people. So we think androids are a great match for the purpose of show windows."

This android was developed by Professor Ishiguro. He previously created the Android Theater, where androids and human actors perform together. Now, by using androids in show windows, he's studying how people react to them, and whether using them like this is practical.

"A theater is a closed world, with androids playing roles in front of 200 to 300 people at a time. But now, tens of thousands of people are likely to see Geminoid-F on weekends. I'd like to test how far people accept the presence of androids in an open setting."

"The foundation of this android's actions are waves of emotion. On top of these waves of emotion, 65 different actions are triggered in line with its sensor data. So even if you watch it for a long time, the story you see will always be different. Here, the android doesn't speak, but it tells a story through the movements of its eyes, head, and face. So I think some people may really come to love it."

The android moves naturally, as if it's patiently waiting for someone. So it doesn't continually react to people. But sometimes, it will return your smile.

"Think of the android as an ordinary person. Treat it as if it's a person sitting there in the usual way. If you react as you normally would to a sitting person, the android will react. But if you pester it too much, it'll ignore you. I think it would be fun to imagine what the android might be feeling while you're watching it."

"This is the F-08D, and like the P-05D, it features the magical world of Disney, but this model has lots of extra features. It supports mobile wallet and TV services, the infrared data connection, and it's also waterproof. So, for a brand collaboration model, it really gives you everything you need."

"The design features Mickey and Minnie silhouettes on the back. This phone comes with a tabletop holder, which also has a Mickey design. A big feature of this model is, Mickey Mouse appears in all kinds of places, like the menu screen, but without being too conspicuous."

"Take a look at this screen. The pattern lock shows Mickey's silhouette. M for Mickey is set, so you can unlock it like this. Having Mickey in places like that is a really big feature. I think it's great fun looking to see where Mickey is hiding."

The waterproof P-05D also features a dual-core processor and comes with one of four Disney branded jackets.

"This is the P-05D. Its main feature is that it's really slim and lightweight. This model is just 7.8 mm thick, and it only weighs 103 g. It has a 4.3-inch OLED display, so you get very vivid colors, and scrolling is also very smooth. So things like the Disneyland Electrical Parade live wallpaper look great, too."

"The Home key is designed like Mickey Mouse's head. You can also download original widgets, like an alarm clock, pedometer, and Disney weather forecast. So with this model, you can enjoy the world of Disney every day."

By using a smartphone or PC, the lights can be switched on or off individually and the brightness can also be adjusted. The ability to remotely control power consumption is expected to make LED lighting even more energy efficient.

"The standard LED lights contain a dimmer module and a WiFi module. The WiFi module takes the form of an ordinary USB dongle, so the system will always be able to use the latest wireless technology."

"Right now, we're providing this kind of application, but in the future, we aim for integration with business applications. For example, in a restaurant, you could brighten up the lighting near seats that are occupied, and dim it near the empty seats, just by embedding our control program unit, which is called an API, into a restaurant POS system. In a factory with production lines, you could light up just the lines that are moving. So, we think this system could be used in lots of different ways."

To utilize the NetLED system, the customer needs the NetLED lights, a gateway system for the WiFi communication, and a PC or smartphone. There's no ongoing server fee, and the basic features in the application are free as well.

"The lights with a built-in module will be priced at 19,800 yen (US$260). There are also lights without a module, and they'll cost 14,000 yen (US$180). The lights without a module can be controlled by connecting them up to lights which contain a module."

NetLED will also provide the modules and cloud system to other lighting equipment manufacturers on an OEM basis.

"Currently, we only offer these LED Fluorescent Tubes. Of course, there are many kinds of lighting, such as down-lights, streetlights, and spotlights. NetLED can't provide all types. But for example, if a streetlight maker builds this system into its products, then that maker can offer a system for controlling its lights via the Internet, just by incorporating our system."

"Seasonal prediction data simulated by the Earth Simulator can be used not only for our understanding mechanisms of global climate variations due to global warming but also for enhancing infrastructure in developing countries for disaster prevention such as for the adjustment of water levels in dams before torrential downpours. Moreover, seasonal prediction data from the Earth Simulator can be used for preventing infectious diseases carried by vectors like mosquitoes."

In developed countries, climate variation data can also be reflected in predictions about supply and demand for energy and food, changes in cereal yields and prices, revenue from foods and beverages, and demand for consumables such as clothing and air-conditioners.

In addition, it's been recently confirmed that climate variation phenomena are also occurring in the South Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. These include subtropical dipole-mode events, which are similar to El Niño and La Niña. To find out how such long-term variations happen, researchers need detailed field data and the Earth Simulator, which uses a supercomputer to analyze and predict variations.

"Ocean current forecast data can contribute to efficient fisheries, improvement of oil consumption of merchant vessels, maritime safety and marine security."

Predictions from the Earth Simulator are expected to be useful in many fields. Professor Yamagata would also like to use this type of data to provide information services worldwide.

Although Panasonic is still in the process of prototyping the WiGig-enabled SD card, the company demonstrated how it will be possible to transmit videos, photos and other local data from a wireless controller such as a tablet, to the displays mounted in the passenger seats of a car. At gigabit speeds, it will be possible to wirelessly transfer a full DVD video in one minute.

The tablet can also connect with the car's computer, so the user can easily see relevant information such as battery capacity and tire pressure.

Panasonic's WiGig implementation uses the 60GHz spectrum to transmit data at gigabit speed, but it is limited to a range of 1-3 meters. Due to this limited range, it will not take over from the current Wifi standard, but Panasonic is coming up with a range of situations where it can be used effectively.

Panasonic also plans to design a directional antenna, which will allow radio waves to be transmitted from the SD card slot, to effectively transmit data wirelessly. It is aiming for the commercialization of WiGig SD cards for in-vehicle use in summer 2013.

This car was presented at Japan's biggest custom car show, the Tokyo Auto Salon 2012. It's based on the Nissan Infiniti Q45, but it's customized with loud features like a red body and large rear spoiler.

The interior is full of carefully selected items that reflect the owner's unique sensibilities. All these items, which are reminiscent of surrealist art, were made by the owner.

"This is called an audio doll. It has speakers and monitors in the chest area as well as other areas, and the doll itself acts as the speaker."

The audio doll can also be removed and used on its own, which frees up the passenger seat for another person.

"These are the instrument panels. They sho the oil level, oil pressure, water temperature, and so on."

The owner, Fumihiro Takeda, has spent over a decade customizing this car, spending over US$260,000 (20 million yen) in the process.

The high quality quantum dots NICT have created are very stable, have a high optical frequency, and by using them as the light source or amplifier in optical systems, they can be tuned to operate in optical frequency bands about 70 Thz wide, approximately seven times wider than the 10 Thz of frequency bands currently in use.

"We've been conducting R&D on quantum dots itself for quite a long time. But we've now created a new technology called "Sandwiched sub-nano separator structure", which is unique to NICT. And by using that, we've finally completed this light source technology. Usually when you fabricate quantum dots, you grow crystalline quantum dot particles, in nanometer size, on the semiconductor surface. But this time, we've formed a very thin layer, less than one nanometer thick, between the surface and the dots. By adding just this nanometer layer, we've be able to form high-quality quantum dots, without aggregation structures, at very high density."

The development and construction of this prototype was undertaken by NICT in collaboration with university students and optics companies Koshin Kogaku and Sevensix.

As well as for use in optical communication systems, this new wavelength band effectively permeates human skin, so these quantum dots are expected to be used in bioimaging and medical sensing, such as high resolution imaging and measurement of new molecules in cells.

"We're currently working with Koshin Kogaku Co., Ltd. and Sevensix Inc., which collaborated in developing the quantum dot light source, to consider market development, through samples and preliminary products. We intend to loan demonstration equipment, for experimental purposes, to universities and research institutes. Japan has extremely strong capabilities in nanotechnology and we'd like to bring those capabilities together in a way that boosts Japan's economy."

"Our aim in making this model was to offer a sporty car in the hybrid category, which is Toyota's signature strength."

"This car has an open top, so when you're running on the quiet motor, you can enjoy the sound of the wind, or the waves if you're driving along the seafront. In town, you get low fuel costs, and on the circuit, you get sporty performance. We planned, designed, and built this car with all those things in mind."

"Basically, the cockpit systems come from the MR-S, but everything else is newly designed. In particular, we've done something unusual, in that we've built an entirely new suspension for this car. The rear suspension is especially important, so we've used a new type of multi-link. We've also paid attention to braking, with new opposed brakes for both front and rear. The aluminum wheels have also been designed especially to suit this car."

"Basically, we've used the 3.5 liter hybrid system from the Lexus RX450h. In that system, there's the engine and a motor at the front, and just a motor at the rear. This car uses a 4WD system that's arranged the other way round."

"Compared with the Lexus RX450h, this car is 600 kg lighter. So it gives you plenty of speed and acceleration."

"In line with our slogan "Fun to drive, again", we hope this car will appeal to people who know the thrill of driving fast. We'd like them to enjoy that feeling again."

"You connect this device to the Internet and plug in the AC adapter. You can also connect a slave unit, so you have a wireless sensor that measures temperature, humidity, and sunshine. This sensor makes the wireless connection automatically, and sends its data each time. The connection range is about 40 m, but if you want to make measurements even further away, there's a relay unit as well. That's used by plugging it into a wall socket and it extends the range to 60 m."

If the wireless sensor is posting temperature, humidity, and sunshine data every minute, it can run for about a year on three AA batteries. The sensor can also be set to sound an alert if specific values are reached. So this product can be used to manage the temperature in locations such as wine cellars or food warehouses. It can also be connected to a radiation meter.

"This wasn't planned at first, but we've made a unit that can be connected to a commercially available radiation meter. This enables the Tweeting Sensor to post radiation data to Twitter. If lots of people post their readings, it would be possible to create a detailed radiation map."

The basic unit is priced around US$520 (40,000 yen), and UC Technology aims to sell 10,000 sets annually.

"The Toyota Engineering Society organizes group activities, and we did a project where people got together to build a car. Because the budget was much smaller than usual for developing a car, most of the work was done by hand. The idea was to develop a gullwing sports car that would excite users of the future, including today's children."

The car has a clean, white interior in line with it's futuristic exterior, and features switchless operation using touchscreens, adding a game-like element to the driving experience.

"You can use touchscreen on the steering wheel to select a meter design. When you've chosen a design, you can swipe , and jump to the big display in the middle, the design of that display changes. Our design concept here was for kids in the gaming generation to enjoy driving a car as if it was a game."

The car's motor and inverter are from the Lexus RX hybrid system, and it has a new, 15.7 kWh lithium ion battery.

"This EV has a range of over 80 km for urban driving. We actually entered it in a race, and under race conditions, it can go about 50 km. The motor output is 123 kW, and we've used a twin combination. As well as the battery, we've added a storage capacitor, to achieve regenerative turbo, like in the F1 KERS."

They have taken the CR-Z MUGEN RR Concept, first announced in the UK last July, and modified the form, materials and specs with a view to mass production.

"This car is based on that orange Honda CR-Z MUGEN RR Concept. Our aim was to get more powerful performance, so we've used a special-purpose ECU and suspension, and added a supercharger. We developed this car to compete on the Tsukuba Circuit."

"The engine itself delivers 179 ps. On the Tsukuba Circuit, we've recorded a time of 1:08.6, which is 5.6 seconds faster than normal. So I think you can see, from that alone, how well this car performs."

The aero parts utilize dry carbon and have been optimized through wind tunnel tests, minimizing weight as well as enhancing aerodynamics.

"The CR-Z has a clean, smart design in its normal version. So we've combined that design with the sharper feeling of a concept car. The body color is a special one called Spring Green Opal, and we've also made the meters green. The full bucket seats are also made of lightweight carbon material with green stitching. So another feature of this car is overall color coordination."

"As this is a pre-production model, it's entirely a concept car, so we don't plan to sell it with these specs. But we used to sell a car called the Honda Civic MUGEN RR, so our goal is to also offer the CR-Z as a complete car. We'd like you to think of this model as a step along the way."

"For cadmium taken in from sources other than food, international standards have been set. Compared with those standards, the average cadmium intake of Japanese people is known to be high. It's also been found that most of that cadmium intake comes from eating rice."

"The newly discovered gene in rice resembles one found in wheat. The similar gene found in wheat is known to carry positive ions such as cadmium and calcium. We started our research by wondering if that kind of gene was also present in rice."

In this research, it was found that when cadmium taken up through the roots made its way into the grains of rice, the transport occurred through the action of a positive ion called OsLCT1.

Once this was discovered, the researches controlled the expression of this gene in whole-grain rice through genetic modification. By doing this they succeeded in reducing the cadmium concentration by about half, without affecting the growth or yield of the rice plants.

"This technology has succeeded in reducing just the concentration of cadmium in rice plants. In other words, the important point about this technology is: it enables cadmium to be reduced without affecting other elements that are nutrients for people, such as zinc and calcium."

"Using technology for controlling the gene we've specified, we can halve the cadmium content of rice, which accounts for half of Japanese people's cadmium intake. So if this technology becomes practical, I think it may help to enhance the health of people in Japan."

"There is a solar panel on the hood and a translucent solar panel on the rear window. Solar panels still have low charging efficiency, so they need about two weeks to charge fully from zero. But we've been particular about utilizing solar panels, to power this car without using any electricity from thermal plants, or emitting any CO2."

This car was built by the Toyota Automobile Association, which includes dealers, parts suppliers, and engineers as well as Toyota itself. It incorporates both traditional Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.

This car was converted by members of the Crazy Car Project, which includes engineers from car dealers, parts suppliers, and car makers. It incorporates both traditional Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.

"We created the interior together with a company called Hayashi Telempu, which supplied parts for the original 2000GT. The idea was to revive the original features using today's technology. By using artificial leather instead of real leather, we've given the interior an even smoother finish. For the wooden finish on the instrument panel, rather than the original brown, we've used Japanese black lacquer, with gold and silver accents. This was commissioned from artisans in Kaga, to create a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Another highlight is the seven-dial meter, a characteristic feature of the original 2000GT. We've kept the original arrangement unchanged, but now it shows EV readings, like the motor rate, battery charge, and battery temperature."

This concept behind this vehicle is a solar car that can carry two people at a top speed of 200 km/h. It has a 35 kWh battery from Panasonic, and uses the motor and inverter from the Lexus LS Hybrid.

"The sound of a gasoline engine in a race is exciting, and with a quiet EV, you can add the kind of sound you like. By making the pitch and frequency vary linearly when the accelerator is pressed, we've created a sound that simulates a race car very well."

"Imagine a parking lot in summer. The parking lot here in midsummer is full of cars, and they're not doing anything useful, just getting hot in the sun. If all cars had solar panels like this, they'd make a great mega-solar plant. If that could be achieved, automobiles, which are said to be unfriendly to the environment, could become good for it. They'd be useful even when they were parked. We've built this car in the hope that, one day, the world will be like that."

"As you can see, the e-runner Mini Sport is a very sporty car that lets you feel the wind through the open canopy. We started developing it two years ago, and Tajima has done everything from die making to design and manufacture."

"This car measures 2.49 m long, 1.29 m wide, and 1.09 m high. The wheel base is 1.85 m and the tread is 1.17 m. This type of vehicle is very light, at 280 kg. Its top speed is 70 km/h. On a single charge, this car can go 30 km. Its turning circle is 4.5 m. The Mini Sport is light and fast, so it's designed to give a fun ride with the wind in your hair."

This 2011 model is supplied with a 40 Ah lithium battery, but a 120 Ah battery is also available, increasing the range to 120km.

"The price with the lithium battery, including tax, is 3,675,000 yen. That's high, but it's only a guideline; we want to bring it down as much as possible, so this car can become more accessible."

The e-runner Mini Sport is currently being tested on public roads. Once the testing phase is over, Tajima Motor plans to start selling the car, offering it overseas as well as in Japan.

"We became a company in August of 2011, and we started doing conversions from the beginning of the year. Currently there are some electric vehicles capable of a cruising range of hundreds of kilometers, but we feel that the biggest advantage offered by an electric vehicle is using it as a second car or as a commercial vehicle that is only being driven about 40 to 50 kilometers a day in city driving, because this offers great benefits in terms of costs and also increasing environmental awareness."

EV-Aichi is building electric vehicles that support 100 V or 200 V charging. The vehicle on display requires 200 V, so for use in Japan it will require an adapter, but it means that the vehicles can be charged easily from a home power outlet.

"We are receiving an extremely large number of orders. We currently have a waiting list, but starting next year we would like to be in a position to convert more of our customers' valued vehicles."

EV-Aichi has set a goal for next year of being able to do at least 50 electric vehicle conversions.

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Until now, iOS application development had to be done using a programming language called Objective-C, in a development environment called Xcode, provided by Apple. But NextScript enables iOS applications to be developed easily, even by people whose only skills are in HTML and CSS.

"We've already released Version 1 as freeware, in September. It can be downloaded from our Web site. We plan to release Version 2 by the year-end, and this will be freeware as well. So anyone can use NextScript. Writing programs in Objective-C is a very high hurdle. But creators who have something they'd like to express in the form of an application, or people who develop applications as part of their everyday work, can do development more efficiently by incorporating NextScript, without doing everything in C. So we hope NextScript will be widely used by people whose work involves application development."

Nextbook currently sells iOS illustrated story-book applications developed using NextScript. Apps developed using NextScript also support multiple languages, so they can be localized into English, Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, and Portuguese as well as Japanese.

"So far, the script manual is only in Japanese and English, but of course, the script can be used in other language environments. Naturally, you can look at the English manual and use NextScript to develop Chinese applications. So in that sense, we think NextScript is a tool that can be used in any language."

Currently, nearly 80% of NextScript downloads take place in Japan, because NextScript is used mostly for development in Japanese. But from now on, Nextbook plans to provide the manual in other languages, to increase the percentage of downloads outside Japan.

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"Our research is being done copying the formation process of living organisms in the natural world. For example, the folds of the brain or colon are made of a complex structure derived from the difference in dynamic balance between the cell surface and interior. Inspired by this formation process, we imagined a way to apply this to ordinary materials."

The research team created a wrinkle structure by driving a screw of 5mm in diameter into soft polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) rubber and applying plasma treatment. When central neuronal cells extracted from rats were cultured on this surface, neuronal differentiation was found to be greatly accelerated compared to on either a flat or typical culture substrate.

"The rubber is first stretched and a hard layer is created on top. When it is released, a very fine structure is spontaneously formed. We call this a 'wrinkle structure,' and using this structure we ultimately were successful in cultivating stem cells. During this process, for example, by placing small objects inside the wrinkles, or by directly using this structure, we were able to create an ultra-repellent film."

Typically the word "wrinkle" conjures up a negative image, but the research team regards these wrinkles as "happy wrinkles." The team aims to propose a simple and versatile manufacturing method for the wrinkle structure in order to apply this not only to cultivating transplant cells needed to treat Parkinson's Disease and spinal cord injuries, but also to a broad range of areas, including electronics for new biomaterials.

"We are currently using ordinary rubber, but by utilizing our principles, we think this is a highly versatile technology that can be applied to all high polymer materials."

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"The basic concept of the design of this vehicle is to achieve a cruising range of over 300km while maintaining a constant 100km/h speed. By operating the vehicle with a high efficiency, 65kW, 700 newton meter motor, battery load is suppressed. A drag coefficient of 0.19 has been achieved by minimizing air resistance."

To achieve a drag coefficient of 0.19, the vehicle body was designed with a long rear overhang and a rear cross-section resembling a narrowing fish, which provides the vehicle with adequate luggage room.

"The vehicle has a width of 1600mm, but by designing the door side impact beam on the outside of the vehicle, the thickness of each door has been reduced by 50mm each, so the vehicle width is effectively 1500mm. This was done to reduce the frontal projected area to minimize drag coefficient. Meanwhile the wheel base is 2.95 meters, giving the cabin interior space comparable to a full-size sedan."

The interior has a 19-inch display that provides not only navigation but also a rear view monitor. Because of the narrowing rear body, the rear view mirror reflects mostly the rear tailgate, so the large 19-inch display provides a nice rear view. The side mirrors have also been made just big enough to meet safety standards while reducing drag, so to supplement this side view cameras are displayed in the instrument panel to provide greater visibility.

"The fact that a cruising range of 300km has been achieved is due to the efficient but low load motor, low drag coefficient body, and energy being collected by in-wheel motors on each wheel during braking. The car is fitted with Bridgestone Ecopia tires that have lower rolling resistance than regular tires."

The SIM-LEI, developed jointly with 34 companies and research organizations, will be sold by companies that participated in development and have expressed interest in sales. SIM-Drive is hoping to achieve mass production levels in about two years.

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"This is an ordinary smartphone. When you place it on the charging stand, first of all, contactless charging starts. Meanwhile, the smartphone screen synchs with the car display. After it's done that, the phone can be used like an ordinary car display, via touchscreen or buttons on the steering wheel."

The contactless charging is done using Qi, an international standard already widely used for smartphones in Japan. Communication between the smartphone and display is done by Wi-Fi.

"With navigation systems using smartphones, it's sometimes dangerous to operate them while driving. But with this system, you can safely use the normal interface of a car display, while keeping the advantages of a smartphone. So we intend to provide enhanced safety for even more people, as well as the fun of a car display."

"We've actually only just made this, so we haven't decided exactly what form to release it in. By presenting it at the Motor Show, we've obtained lots of useful feedback, both within Toyota and from outside. So we'd like to implement this system as soon as possible."

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"At Toyota, we consider this car to be our main environment-friendly vehicle in the next generation after the current hybrids. It can run on electricity, and it has very wide appeal. So the idea is, this car represents a good balance between EVs and hybrids."

"We started accepting orders yesterday and we plan to release this car on January 30."

"Charging takes 1.5 hours at 200 V, and 3 hours at 100 V. In JC08 vehicle testing mode, this car can go 26.4 km on electricity alone. As an EV, its top speed is 100 km/h. So you can get around town entirely on electricity. Also, you can run the battery down without worrying. After it's run down, the car switches to hybrid mode without stopping. As a hybrid, it achieves 31.6 km per liter. So fuel consumption for EV and hybrid running combined is 61 km per liter, calculated using the Japanese standard method."

"This is the S Grade model, which will be priced at 3,200,000 yen. In Japan, there's a subsidy of 450,000 yen for low-emission vehicles. So the customer pays just 2,750,000 yen."

FT-EV III

"Our concept in developing this car was, to make a light, low-cost vehicle that uses very little battery capacity, but lets you go as far as you need to. We did all kinds of customer surveys, and we found that going 50 km a day covers 70-80% of people's needs. We currently expect this car will go 105 km on one charge. As our goal, we wanted to mount the minimum amount of battery capacity possible to be able to do this, as well as to make it cheaper and lighter. So our main focus through the development stage was conserving energy while the car is running."

"We'd like to release a production version in 2012, so this model is virtually in the final phase of development."

"As an EV, this car is definitely fun to drive. We also wanted to make it look like a fun EV. For today, we've decorated it specially, but we think we might release it with a very similar appearance. Making it a fun car was also part of the concept."

FCV-R

"We'd like to commercialize this next-generation fuel-cell car in 2015. With that in mind, the core of this fuel-cell concept is practicality. We'd also like to make this an innovative car. Toyota previously made a fuel-cell SUV, but a key aspect of this concept is, to provide a sedan model by developing a smaller fuel cell unit."

"This is currently a design concept, but it has reached the stage where we've got a car that actually runs."

"Based on last year's costs, we'll be able to price this car below 10 million yen. We're working hard to bring the price down further, by steadily reducing costs."

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This concept model has a vertical, 65-inch, Full HD transparent display. The products behind the display can be seen through the glass, and you can simultaneously see high definition text, pictures, and Flash animations on the display.

"This vending machine uses the Intel SandyBridge Core. It features Audience Impression Metric, or AIM, and can do anonymous face recognition. So this machine can recognize whether customers are male or female, or old or young."

When there aren't any customers, the machine shows a large digital clock and animations, to attract the attention of people passing by. If a customer stands in front of the machine, it estimates their attributes from anonymous video analysis, and shows advertising content to match the customers demographic.

"In this demo, we're suggesting that vending machines could be used to purchase luxury items, such as cosmetics and wine. The machine also has a public safety mode in times of emergency, which shows information such as evacuation routes."

"I think this machine could be used in lots of ways, depending on customers' imagination. It has a great many possibilities, so we'd like to get ideas from everyone, rather than just using it as a regular vending machine."

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"We originally obtained design hints from animals. So we've made this kind of robot based on the principle that two pairs of three legs are stable."

"A feature of the moving parts is that, as well as normal walking motion, they can handle some degree of height difference. So this robot can get over elevations. Another big feature is, it can also get through narrow places, by lowering its body."

The six legs of this robot each have four joints. The legs are arranged around the center at 60 degree intervals, giving the robot the same working range in all directions. There is also no distinction between the top and bottom of the robot. So if it falls over, it can get up easily by turning its legs the other way.

"Although we haven't installed them on this unit, the robot can also have touch sensors on the ends of it's limbs. So it can detect whether it's picked up an object properly."

A version of this robot appeared at the 2005 World Expo held in Aichi, Japan, but the robot is constantly undergoing improvements and given more features, increasing it's versatility.

"This is one of our latest versions. It can climb by hooking its legs onto something like the net on this wall. We're also developing a robot that can move more dynamically, by cartwheeling."

"One of our original aims was to use this robot in rescue work. We'd also like it to help with things like building maintenance. Anyway, we hope to develop it further, so it could be used in situations like the recent earthquake."

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- Arai Laboratory - OSAKA University
- International Robot Exhibition 2011

The Tomica Dream Motors exhibition has been held every year since 2001. For 2011, the theme was "The Future," and three concept cars were on show.

"The first concept car is called the Aquaray. It uses a solar system, so it runs on energy from light and water. This is a kind of racing car for the future. Our second car is a future means of transportation for children. It's cute, with a cat motif, and the idea here is like a girl riding a skateboard. Finally, we have a concept car that suggests the future of construction vehicles. It's modeled like a powerful bull that can push its way through rubble."

This year's exhibit is designed like a garage. It also includes the Tomicas released so far, a corner featuring collaboration with characters, and a giant diorama showing the Tomica worldview.

In addition, there's a hands-on attraction, where visitors can assemble their favorite Tomica and take it home.

"As a toy company taking part in Tokyo Motor Show, we want to express our ideas for toys in the form of cars. So we started with the idea that a toy company could think of unique concepts for future cars. Our dream is that in the future, automakers will say, we'd like to try making and selling actual vehicles based on concepts from Tomica Dream Motors."

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"The engine and main frame are based on our TRICKER and SEROW 250 models, and the rest of the bike includes a lot of custom designs."

"One feature of this model is, it can carry a big tank or camping equipment. We also propose using it as a 100 V power supply. We think it would be fun to use 100 V appliances at a camp site. So the idea is, this bike can be used as a generator while it's parked. That's why it has this fan, similar to that of an air-cooled engine. We've also provided a big rear carrier. This is for touring with camping equipment. A lot of different combinations are possible, for example, if you remove the tandem seat, you can attach a large carrier. Another fun thing about this bike is, it has an engine guard for off-roading, and when you reach your destination, the engine guard converts into the head of a shovel. You can take the guard off, attach the handle, and use it as a shovel. This bike has all kinds of interesting features like that."

"Our intention with this model is to suggest even more ways of enjoying motorcycles. A bike can be more than just a means of getting somewhere, but also a way to have fun when you arrive."

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"As you can see, this bike has a distinctive appearance, the sort of design you'd expect from Yamaha. What we call the Yamaha design originated with Yamaha's first motorcycle, the YA-1, and it still continues with models like the SR400. The Yamaha design makes the most of the functional beauty of motorcycle parts. One characteristic is harmony between rider and machine, with styling expressed through curves. The Yamaha theme also has a human-friendly, environment-friendly aspect. This bike weighs 80 kg, so it's easy to handle, and it has a new engine, designed to achieve 80 km/L."

"We intend this bike to be used for city commuting, rather like a bicycle, as you might expect from its looks. We hope it'll be utilized by new customers, including people who've hesitated to ride a motorcycle until now."

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"This car embodies a concept for about ten years from now. Its main feature is the display. For the instrument panel in the center, which has only been a flat LCD until now, what we suggest is using rear projection, so the display surface can be freely curved, for more effective design. Another feature is that, even though this is a rear-projection display, it supports touch operation as well."

One of the more striking features of the EMIRAI interface is the shape-changing buttons on the steering wheel. Among the 18 buttons, only those that can be interacted with are raised, while the rest are retracted. So the interface can be used intuitively, without looking. The display can also be scrolled by sliding your fingers over the buttons.

"Things like the seat position can be customized for all kinds of people. This is done through personal ID, and facial temperature measurement, or heart-rate measurement using a Doppler sensor. In this way, the system senses the person's health condition on that day. The aim is to position the seat and steering to match the driver, and provide information to help with safe driving."

In addition, as the interface is proposed for use in a future EV, you can select an imitation engine noise to let people nearby know you're approaching. There's also a handwriting text entry interface for use with the navigation system, optimized for the one-handed input of Japanese characters. The rear seats feature newly developed curved glasses-free 3D touchscreen displays.

"At Mitsubishi Electric, we suggest individual technologies to all kinds of car makers. But unless we show how these technologies can actually be used, manufacturers don't have a clear image of them, or understand what level of performance they've reached. So we suggest specifically how technologies can be used, by enabling people to experience those technologies for themselves."

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"One feature of this car is that the central band can light up in different colors. This is for safety. For example, a blue light indicates that you are going up to 50 km/h on ordinary roads. The green light shows that you're in low-speed mode, which is up to up to 6 km/h. We've made it 6 km/h because that's the speed limit for senior cars."

"The FC ShoCASE is a fuel-cell powered EV. It's the size of a compact car, and it's intended as a light wagon for business use."

"The main feature of the ShoCASE is, it uses a fuel cell with a new liquid fuel. This means you can fill its small tank just like you would at a gasoline stand. The ShoCASE generates electricity through a chemical reaction, and runs as an EV. As you can see, all the mechanical parts fit under the floor, so the space above can be used freely. The ShoCASE can be used by small businesses, and as a camping car, or even for live music performances."

"The D-X is one aspect of Daihatsu's theme at this show, which is that small cars will greatly influence the environment, daily life, and the future. The D-X has a tough, aggressive exterior and a spartan interior; the idea is, it's fun to drive because small cars are really very sporty."

"The X in D-X means a cross between daily life and more exciting activities. This car is fun to own and drive, not just for commuting and shopping, but for leisure and self-expression, too. Right now, we're at the stage of considering this enjoyable concept of leisure crossover."

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- Tokyo Motor Show 2011

"The exterior features a hexagon grille, which symbolizes Subaru's design going forward, and this design concept continues to the front headlights. On the rear also, the tail lights have adopted the same symbolic styling. The interior has a solid, consistent design, which creates an impression of carefree fun. Enjoying the drive is one big feature of the Subaru brand. So we've aimed to create a space that extends out from the driver's area, to make that feature easy to understand. This show model was created to demonstrate how four adults can go on a short trip comfortably, so it includes a touch of luxury, too. The design is also intended to give a fun drive with a high-tech feel."

"There's a monitor in the center of the steering wheel, and that's for setting the navigator. It's not for looking at while you're actually driving, but it is big enough to make setting it easy."

"We'd like all kinds of discerning people to check this concept and its features out."

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"The interior theme is the fun of driving, which is one of Mazda's themes. So, the design lets the driver concentrate on driving, with a good field of view and user-friendly controls. This dynamic interior design also makes driving more exciting."

"The Takeri is based on a very powerful clean diesel, to be introduced in Japan next year. This car has idling stop technology, and i-ELOOP, a regenerative braking system, which is on show here for the first time worldwide. The energy used in braking is utilized to generate electricity, which is stored in a newly developed capacitor-based battery. This system improves fuel efficiency by 10%, because the engine doesn't generate electricity. The Takeri achieves the same fuel efficiency as a hybrid in this class, and it also covers a lot of distance. It can go 1,500 km on a single tank of diesel."

"This car has a very stylish design and a powerful engine. So we hope it'll be fun for all generations. This is the sort of stylish car we'd like to recommend for people who enjoy the open road."

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"Another feature, as you can see, is an interchangeable front mask and door panels. There's paper inside the panels, so you can customize them with pictures of your pets, for example. We think such easy customization makes this car even more fun."

"In city centers especially, people and cars feel much closer together. So we suggest using the front display for a new form of communication. Drivers could say "Hi!" to each other or "Watch out, there's a car coming!"

"The first thing we'd like to say at Honda is, cars should be "fun to drive." No matter what forms of mobility arise in the EV era, we think they could all be enjoyable to drive. In addition, this car has a loop battery, which is small and cute. It could also be used as a supplementary battery for the audio system or air-conditioner. But by using it as the main power source for a Motor Compo or Townwalker, we think we can suggest new forms of synergy, like connection between batteries, that are unique to Honda."

M-RADSHIPS is a real-time simulator developed by Toshiba Information System (Japan) Corporation to test these complex systems in a virtual environment.

When combined with vehicle models created using MATLAB/Simulink and Dymola, this can simulate a range of different situations.

The system can also create test scenarios for rare cases which can be very difficult to verify using real equipment, and convert these test scenarios to data which can then be analyzed, ultimately making the electrical systems and the vehicles they are used in safer and more reliable.

"In this display, we've integrated M-RADSHIPS with Dymola and CarSim, and used a vehicle model IP developed by Toshiba Information System (Japan) Corporation. One feature of model-based development is a much shorter verification process. But conversely, this raises the issue that models have to be created at the design stage, so design takes a little longer. What we're suggesting is the use of a model IP, to reduce the time needed for the design stage."

The system uses an interface created in Visual Basic. In this demonstration, integration with CarSim software means that the test results can be seen instantly as vehicle behavior.

"We're integrating our own model IP with other companies' IPs. We hope it'll be widely used by customers that want to start doing model-based development, and by those that already utilize model-based development. We'd like to develop a variety of model IPs and increase their integration with other companies' IPs, so they can be utilized in a wide range of fields."

Currently, Toshiba Information System (Japan) Corporation is thinking of introducing this solution for developing and testing the controllers used in a wider range of cars, as well as for industrial machinery and energy applications. From now on, the company aims to expand it's range of service lines, and to achieve further advances in model-based development.

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"The seat folds up, the wheelbase contracts, and the panels are concealed. So this concept also has security in mind. In the green Kobot β, the wheelbase goes down by about 30 cm. In the red Kobot ν, it goes down by about 40 cm."

The Kobot is developed by Kowa Tmsuk, a new company formed by Kowa, a medical instrument manufacturer, and Tmsuk, a robot manufacturer. Kowa Tmsuk isn't just developing vehicle hardware, they are also proposing new ways of using their technology for communal car sharing in urban areas.

"We don't really intend to make cars for traveling between cities. Rather, we're designing cars for city runaround purposes, like shopping or going to a clinic."

"This vehicle can be made compact, to save parking space. For car sharing, as many cars as possible need to be parked in a small space. We're also thinking about "pedestrian mode," which is another aspect we're presenting at this show. To some extent, vehicles need to coexist with pedestrians, so we've given KOBOT a low-speed mode where it's easy to maneuver. Then, there's Drive Mode, which goes up to about 30 km/h. We started designing this EV with the idea of transforming between the three modes."

"We're exhibiting at the Motor Show because we'd like to form partnerships with several other companies, since we're from different sectors ourselves. So we'd like to get feedback from potential partners, and hopefully, team up. Our aim is to release a first-phase model next fall."

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