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Posts with tag big in japan
Robot Makes Stage Debut in Japanese Play
Continuing their march toward the obliteration of mankind, robots are now learning the art of theater, the BBC reports.
These robotic thespians will take the stage for the first time, at Japan's Osaka University, for the production of 'Hataraku Watashi {I, Worker).' Acting alongside humans, the robots have been programmed to converse and interact with the human actors on stage. Two robotic actors will play the parts of two robotic workers, one of whom strangely comes to dislike work.
The Wakamaru robots, developed for house-sitting and secretarial work by Mitsubishi, were outfitted with software specially designed by the University's theater department.
The play, set in the near future and dealing with questions of technology, humanity, labor and ethics, is currently 20 minutes long. Playwright Oriza Hirata, though, hopes that 'I, Worker' will be shown as a full-length production by 2010.
Although we haven't seen them in action, we are fairly certain that the robots' acting styles are very similar to those of Keanu Reeves. Just a good bit more expressive. [From: BBC]
Gallery: Robot Makes Stage Debut
Dynamism Launches Gizmine, for Stylish Gadgets from Japan
by Tom Samiljan, posted Nov 25th 2008 at 5:26PM
Looking for something sleek and cool and design-y that can pretty much guarantee you won't find anywhere else? (That is, unless you feel like schlepping all the way to Tokyo, and then schlepping all the way back with a heavy paper shredder.) If that sounds like you, discerning gift-giver, then you'll want to head straight over the the just-launched Gizmine, an online boutique run by the same folks who brought us online Japanese-gadget--emporium Dynamism.
This is the place to come for said Red-Dot-Award-for-Good-Design-winning paper shredder, the latest curvy designs by Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa (new alarm clocks, subtle calculators, distinct watches), as well as hot red leather backpacks by venerable Tokyo luggage-maker Isaburo. You'll find everything from iPod accessories and headphones to robots and video games.
Whereas Dynamism is the place to get the latest cell phone or laptop from Japan or Europe -- a gadget nerd's favorite gift, by the way -- Gizmine caters to a more aesthetically-minded gadget lover, said CEO Douglas Krone when he called us to preview the site earlier today.
As is the case on Dyamism, if you want something, but can't find it on the site, you can probably ask the folks at Gizmine to order it for you.
We're just psyched we won't have to schlep stuff like that humidifier from retro-chic gadget label Amadana in our return-from-Tokyo luggage anymore, since it looks like we can now get home delivery of this kind of gear. [From: Gizmine]
Bras for Men an Online Bestseller in Japan
The bras are exclusively available at Rakuten's WishRoom Shop, a Japanese online retailer that sells all sorts of things but stocks an extensive selection of lingerie. In addition to the $30 bras, it also sells female-styled panties for men, catering to the Asian cross-dressing market. And quite a market it is, apparently; in just two weeks, 300 of the bras have been sold in black, pink, and white.
No word on an American release but, if you really want one, we're sure some importer out there would be happy to help. [From: Reuters]
Rough Cop Videos a Huge YouTube Hit in Japan
The most popular video shows police roughly subduing protesters, who accused the wealthy Prime Minister of "creating poverty." Three men were arrested and charged with "assembling without a permit" and "scuffling" with the cops. An official says the actions were appropriate, while the protesters claim they informed the police of their plans prior to the event.
While we're not sure how great the backlash will become in this case, the popularity of the videos is unsurprising in the age of "don't tase me, bro" moments captured on cell phones and digital cameras. And naturally, there's already a remix version of the main clip with captions, stylized effects, and techno music. [From: Reuters]
Rain Wipe Keeps Your Umbrella Dry
Not sure if this is going to be helpful or a total flop, but a new device called Rain Wipe from Japan is being marketed to stores for display at their entrances. It essentially removes rainwater from wet umbrellas by absorbing the water with a cloth, and then uses pressure to push the water to a tray toward the bottom to keep things tidy. If you're keeping score at home, each tray only needs to be replaced after the device wipes 3,000 umbrellas dry.
The company behind it, the rather anonymously-named ANNON, claims the device is environmentally friendly and will save consumers money; it does away with the need to use plastic umbrella bags, which cost 2 to 9 yen ($0.02 to $0.10) apiece in Tokyo. Not sure how well that savings is going to fly in the rest of the world, of course, where we're nowhere neat enough to bag our umbrellas.
Check out the video. And not to be haters, but the bottom tips of the umbrellas are totally going to get caught on the way out. Just sayin' is all. [From: Wired]
Keyboard Cools and Heats Hands While You Type
Keyboard comfort is something most people don't think about, but are glad to have. Ergonomic keyboards that place your hands in the proper typing position have been on the market for years. Now, temperature control is part of the program if you put this Thanko USB keyboard (equipped with built-in cooler and heater) on your desk.
It may be a little bulky, but that's to accommodate the three -- yes, three -- fans integrated into the bottom of the device. And you're not stuck with simple-minded binary on/off or hot/cold settings on this baby -- a control wheel on the side of the keyboard gives you complete control over the range of cool to warm blasting out towards your precious paws.
The keyboard costs about $50 and is available from the Thanko Web site, though we hope you read Japanese. (The cooler-only version is available on RareMonoShop.com for about $70. Why the big price difference? Shipping plus a fluctuating Yen?) [From OhGizmo!]
Chimp Rides Segway While Man Chases After Him (Video)
Why do we not learn our lesson? First, we created bionic chimps. Now, as can see in the above video, we're training chimps to ride Segways. What's next -- a motorized cavalry of android apes?
Okay, maybe we're getting all worked up over nothing. It's just a Japanese TV show, right? (One thing's for sure -- if they ever do a third remake of 'Planet of the Apes,' they'll all be riding Segways.)
Well, on the bright side, our chimpanzee friend, Pan-kun, does seem to have a little trouble steering the preferred dork transportation method, so perhaps we have a little while to prepare our defenses. [From: Neatorama]
Sega Releases Plant That Nods to Your Voice
Move over Aibo, take a seat, creepy humanoid robot doll, Pekoppa has arrived! Sega's eagerly anticipated nodding robotic plant is finally here, at least in Japan, though we expect that it will soon be turning up in children's bedrooms and on the window sills of retirement homes stateside, delighting the immature and the elderly with its fantastic capacity to acknowledge that it is listening/ Garden-variety sound sensors, presumably, enable the doodad to move its leaves as you sing or speak to it.
Only in the high pressure society of Japan, where 1 in 5 people have considered suicide, would a robotic plant that nods be billed as a good listener (we're basing this claim on a translation of the promo song in this video). In fact, we'd like to say that if you're talking to a robotic plant because that's the only thing that will listen to your problems, you might need to seek more professional help. [From OhGizmo!]
World's Weirdest New Phones
by Tom Samiljan, posted Oct 2nd 2008 at 6:31PM
