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Technology Stuff

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Gone to the dogs

Sony might be struggling to even give TVs away at the moment, but perhaps lovable little AIBO will be able to pull the electronics giant out of its current slump. Especially as the robotic dog now comes in hound-like Honey Brown.

honey brown aibo

As well as a fresh colour, this new model (registered pedigree name ERS-7M3) is enabled with around 1,000 phrases suited to each dog’s ‘character’. The way the toy is treated and cared for altering its, erm, personality. The little fella presumably not responding well to mutters of, “Are you ever going to leave your re-charging dock?” and, “Can you really not walk any faster than that?”

aibo

Switching the machine on for the first time is likened to birth, with the electronic pet having to learn everything from scratch. However for the less patient, these early days can be happily skipped; AIBO coming straight out of the box as a fully formed adult. Yet should he/she develop some unpleasant personality traits due to mistreatment or neglect, a quick bit of jiggery-pokery will transform the messed-up mutt into an innocent young pup again.

Oh, and it chases pink balls too. Albeit rather slowly

aibo

All that for a mere 194,250 yen (972 pound).

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More digital deviancy

Whilst it seems that most furtive photographers opt for the tried and tested upskirt shot, 31-year-old Daisuke Arikawa took a slightly different approach — surreptitiously capturing a bit of cleavage.

The newspaper employee is accused of filming a young woman at a flea market in Fukuoka, with the mammary maniac taking pictures of his unsuspecting victim as she bent down to talk to a customer.

Whilst Mr. Arikawa didn’t make a public statement, his employer, the Nishinippon Shimbun, responded by saying, “His actions are not fit for a newspaper employee. We will try hard to educate our employees to prevent a recurrence.” However what form this ‘education’ will take wasn’t elaborated on.

*Update: Whilst the source is unconfirmed, it is alleged that some data from Arikawa-san’s camera was leaked to the press. A picture that I’m loath to publish on Tokyo Times due to its sensitive nature, but as it could be an integral part of the story, I feel compelled to do so.

norika fujiwara breasts

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Elderly effigy

Not to be outdone by the new and frankly bizarre sex education dolls, the Sakamoto Model Company has manufactured a decidedly disturbing effigy of an elderly patient. The rather ghoulish object designed to help train nurses in the care of the old and infirm.

It is claimed that the dolls are so realistic that they appear almost alive. The skin quality, joint movement, and facial expressions giving them an unnerving realism. Even if they do resemble something from the infamous Roswell incident.

roswell doll

In fact the models are so convincing and anatomically correct that training in urination and excretion is possible. With space for a foraging finger should the latter prove especially troublesome.

japanese excretion doll

All these features come at a cost though. A bowel loosening 480,000 yen (2,400 pound) to be exact. But as the picture below boasts, pajamas are included.

japanese elderly doll
japanese elderly doll

Which is perhaps just as well.

naked doll

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Dance Dance (Robot) Revolution

For gentlemen lacking a date, or those unlucky enough to be left high and dry at the local dance club — help is finally at hand. The Partner Ballroom Dance Robot may not be much of a conversationalist, but it is quite a mover. Never refusing a dance, no matter how many times its feet wheels are stood on, or beer is spilt down its dress.

dancing robot japan

The robot was developed at Tohoku University, and using a variety of sensors is able to analyze its partner’s movements; figuring out how best to accompany him with its waist, shoulders, elbows, and neck. Its wheels allowing it to glide across the dance floor in any given direction.

Despite this dancing dexterity, the robot is actually part of a plan to develop a machine that can take care of the elderly. The goal being to create a robot that can make an educated guess about what a patient wants, or is about to do. Research leader Kazuhiro Kosuge explaining, “Machines or robots would be able to preempt trouble if they can find what their partners want from what is heard and seen.”

In the meantime though it’s dancing all the way. Plus for any ladies lacking a partner, there’s no need to fret: a male version is in the works. However rumours that it will be programmed to continually try and cop a drunken feel and then insist on going out for a kebab or curry have yet to be confirmed.

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iTable?

There’s no denying that it’s considerably bigger than the ubiquitous iPod, but when it comes to playing your favourite tunes, the Tasting Music table pictured below takes some beating. Both in the cool and ease of use departments.

tasting music

How the machine does what it does is beyond my meagre comprehension, but by simply placing a CD — that’s still in its case — over the sensor in the middle of the table, the album’s track list appears. Allowing songs to be easily selected and played. Plus this illuminated list can be moved around the table’s surface, making it viewable wherever people happen to be sitting.

Unfortunately such a poor explanation doesn’t do this ingenious device justice, but by clicking here you can see a video of it in action.

As for its uses and the idea behind it, the designer of the table says this of his invention:

It is almost impossible to talk about a sound of a piece of music with your friends if you can not hear the sound of the music played. This table is meant to be situated in a cafe or a music shop, where people can eat, drink and chat with friends. These are all comfortable situation, and listening to music also helps to create a comfortable situation.

All well and good, but forget cafes and music shops; how cool would it be to have one these little beauties at home?