• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

  • Photowalks
  • Portfolio
  • Book and Prints
  • Newsletter
  • About/Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • RSS

Technology Stuff

Mar 27 2007 1 Comment

Mechanical man Friday

“A human being may be faster, but you have to say ‘Thank you.’ That’s the best part about a robot. You don’t have to feel bad about asking it to do things.”

University of Tokyo Professor Tomomasa Sato on the merits of mechanical friends after he and other researchers revealed a robot that poured tea into a cup and then delivered it to a person.

Quite right indeed. A breakthrough that possibly paves the way to a life lived without the pain of having to be polite to people. And maybe even the eradication of irksome social interaction altogether.

japanese robot emiew

How splendid…

Categorized: Technology Stuff

Mar 13 2007 8 Comments

Tokyo terminal

Are you currently fed up of constantly coming across dead bodies that are both an inconvenience and an eyesore? Or alternatively, do you have to look after a friend who is not only fat but also is forever falling over?

If so, then you need look no further than the picking people up who are dead or dormant robot.

japanese robot

The only possible problem is that if the person is only the latter, they may not remain that way after the machine has mangled and manhandled them.

japanese robot

Yet such minor issues aside, it is undoubtedly a fine addition to Japan’s growing number of mechanical helpers; however, rumours that the robot is able to ‘digest’ those who don’t make it and has been bought in bulk by a certain fast food restaurant chain have yet to be confirmed.

Categorized: Technology Stuff

Feb 19 2007 6 Comments

iPod preservation

Japan may well be one of the biggest importers of timber, diligently decimating the world’s remaining rainforests, but in this more ecologically aware era, it’s nice to know that efforts are being made to at least use the wood more sensibly — these rather unusual iPod cases produced by Japanese company Asuka Koubou attempting to savvily save the environment by using up the scraps.

Cleverly combining ecological concern and cool.

wood ipod case japan


Or at least the former, as covering the iPod’s sleek contours with a piece of wood makes it look not too dissimilar to grandma’s old transistor radio — albeit a bit smaller.

wood ipod cover japan

Although that said, they are apparently very popular, so it just goes to show how much I know.

Categorized: Music, Technology Stuff

Feb 02 2007 3 Comments

Perky PCs

For up-to-date PC users wanting to complement their new Vista purchase with a veritable feast of busty and big-eyed Japanese schoolgirls in salaciously short skirts and bulging bikinis, custom computer maker DECORE would appear to the perfect one-stop shop; the japanese company’s eye-catching designs guaranteed to wow even the most ardent of anime fans.

schoolgirl manga pc

Plus as well as the obligatory schoolgirls, there are plenty of other designs featuring all manner of characters and cuteness.

manga pc

No tentacle porn though.

(via the jam packed JapanSugoi)

Categorized: Technology Stuff

Dec 13 2006 1 Comment

Tokyo tact

Still no idea what to buy a particularly hard to please loved one this Christmas? Well, you just might be in luck, because if that certain someone likes nothing better than whiling away the hours surfing the internet and smoking like there’s no tomorrow, then look no further than this USB powered ashtray from Japanese company, Green House.

usb ashtray

The dinky little device apparently sucks away the smoke through a filter of some kind, and whilst smoking isn’t all that cool anymore, who says it can’t be cute?

Because look: between cigarettes it doubles as a dainty little car.

japanese usb ashtray

Making it an ideal plaything for kids too — especially those with a burgeoning nicotine habit. Plus, for any female relatives, the extra purchase of two packets of cigarettes will provide the added bonus of a tobacco-based novelty bra.

Categorized: Technology Stuff

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Footer

Copyright © 2026 · Tokyo Times