Tokyo Times

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Technology Stuff

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Equestrian electronics

Whilst a quick stroll or a relaxing bike ride is my decidedly low-tech approach to keeping fit, it appears that some people prefer to include a bit of electronic engineering with their exercising.

The Joba produced by Matsushita Electrical Works does just this. The indoor horseback-riding machine moves about (like a horse presumably) and allows users to strengthen their dorsal and abdominal muscles.

But despite the benefits, the Matsushita employee below skillfully shows that it’s not the most flattering of devices to use in public.

joba

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Fake fish

Why bother with real fish that require feeding and cleaning when you can install their equally colourful yet much easier to maintain electronic cousins?

electronic fish

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A sweeping success?

If you thought the Segway was a little bit silly (or those of you from Britain and of a certain age, the Sinclair C5), take a look at the Sweeper.

sweeper japan

This preposterous contraption was developed by Hokkaido University associate professor Takayuki Tanaka, and is supposedly inspired by a witch’s broom. A piece of information which presumably tells us all we need to know about the Sweeper. And indeed Mr. Tanaka.

The device is equipped with a 300-watt electric motor, and can manage a measly half-hour 10 kph cruise after its battery is recharged for 2 hours. Which unfortunately is probably not long (or fast) enough to escape the taunts and ridicule of fellow pedestrians.

To see the machine in all its sweeping glory, click here for an exciting bit of video footage. And for all you thrill seekers out there, this clip was filmed at night. Which considering the Sweeper’s lack of lights and blistering top speed, makes for a gripping spectacle.

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Balladeering bowl

Whilst the Japanese style toilet remains a rather primitive contraption, the new Western style thrones are packed with more gadgets than you can shake a stick at.

A washing and drying service is now almost standard, and some of the flashier designs come with movement masking sound effects. And the heated seat option is a much sought after luxury in the cold winter months.

But Toto Limited has raised the bar even higher with their “New Neorest” series. The company claims that it’s the first toilet in the world to release an aroma and play soothing music. Plus of course the usual washing and drying facilities.

high-tech musical toilet

So for those having a bit of a tough time on the toilet, they can now happily mask their efforts with both music and smell. Then finish proceedings off with a nice wash and dry. Leaving the bathroom fumigated, fresh, and free from embarrassment.

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Pod-like pooch

From students to salary men, the iPod is the current gadget of choice. Those distinctive white ear buds are everywhere, and the queues in Ginza’s Apple Store are reminiscent of those once seen in Russian supermarkets. So with this in mind, who can blame Sega for trying to cadge a lift on the iPod express with its new robotic pet?

Ok, so the idog isn’t a music player (as such), and as the name suggests it’s a dog. But take a look at the picture. It’s white and it starts with a little i.

idog

Like its far more advanced (and expensive) robotic cousin Aibo, the idog responds emotionally when touched. Well, different coloured lights come on dependent upon which sensors you stroke. But the main selling point is its musical ability. The idog contains 720 internal musical phrases, and has the ability to improvise tunes when you wave your hand over the phototransistor on its head. However what kind of tunes and how much ability we are talking here I don’t know. It can dance as well though, so that should make up for any musical deficiencies for at least 5 minutes I would have thought.

And whilst all this is not very iPod-like, little robotic rover has an audio jack for an external player. And I don’t need to tell you which is the player of choice…

ipod and idog