Tokyo Times

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Technology Stuff

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Decomposable duds

Textile pioneer Unitika Ltd unveiled its latest clothing line in Tokyo on Monday — the new range of raiment made of a corn-based eco-friendly fabric, allowing it to naturally decompose.

eco clothing

The likes of swimsuits and skimpy skirts however do open the product to comments along the lines of “it looks good enough to eat”; however readers can rest assured that such corn-related crassness has no place on these pages.

Such a worthy and worthwhile invention demands nothing but the utmost respect, and one can only marvel over how long it would take for the garments featured in Unitika’s upcoming November calendar to completely disappear.

unitika calendar

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Robot related rubbish

With the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) exhibition currently in full swing at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, Kyoto based Murata Manufacturing may well have hoped to wow visitors with its cycling sensation, Murata Boy.

murata boy

However despite some interest in the biking biped, much of the crowd’s attention was perhaps surprisingly drawn to Tetsuo Noguchi and his amazing neck stretching apparatus. The ingenious inventor partly pictured below (far left), his body — according to eyewitnesses — a good 2 metres further out of shot.

murata boy

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Synthetic safety

With robots and their close relatives set to eventually provide help in such diverse areas as nursing, security and cleaning, the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry has announced that strict guidelines will be required to minimise the potential risk; an example being the use of sensors to stop any man-made mates unexpectedly bumping into someone, and the use of soft materials should they still somehow manage to do so. The sensor strewn and spongy RI-MAN pictured below being a prime example, although the addition of a malleable mohawk is presumably optional.

japanese robot

Yet despite planning to complete its set of guidelines by the end of the year, METI has remained silent on what — if any — restrictions will be placed on more pleasure related pals, an omission that may lead to risky rendezvous for synthetic sex seekers. The short clip below of a sex doll showroom giving away none of the potential pitfalls awaiting would-be wooers.

sex dolls

However judging by this other video, the plastic playmates soft and supple ‘bumpers’ do at least undergo rigorous and repeated testing.

sex doll

Clips that despite being safety standards based are probably not best viewed at the work place.

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Bear blaster

Confetti throwing may still be popular, but for Japanese brides, the bouquet toss appears to be old hat, with many couples now opting to inexplicably throw a teddy bear instead; a trend that paint company Sunamiya is hoping to exploit, the Ehime Prefecture based firm coming up with a bear blaster of sorts.

bear shooter

The gun-shaped device ingeniously allows blushing brides to effortlessly launch terrified teddy bears high into the air, and so as not to injure unsuspecting guests, the bears are equipped with parachutes, allowing them to gently descend to the presumably awestruck throng below. Such technological advancements making the company confident of success, a spokesperson proclaiming, “We’re hoping to capture the hearts of couples.”

For less romantic newlyweds however, Sunamiya’s criminal catching paintball marker could be more appropriate, a few well aimed shots at interfering relatives or lecherous uncles potentially providing far more entertainment.

paintball

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Digitless digital

Digital watches have come a long way since their birth in the early 1970’s. So far in fact that it now seems they have progressed to such a level that even digits are surplus to requirements.

Yes, whilst it may not be ideal for quickly checking the time as you dash for an all-important train or meeting, Japanese manufacturer Sea Hope’s new EG design certainly looks the part.

japanese digital watch

Ok, so you may not have a clue what time of day it is, but when you finally reach your destination you’ll have the advantage of an excuse, a ready-made talking point and the EG’s undeniable coolness. All for the surprisingly reasonable price of 15,750 yen (76 pound).

japanese digital watch

But seeing as at the end of the day it is a timepiece, and therefore more than a mere fashion accessory, any idea what different times the two watches are showing? And thankfully it is only the time, the date and year having been mercifully excluded.

Answers on a postcard please, or alternatively you can click here to find out how it works.

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ifish flap

After the rather surprising success of the idog, Sega has made moves to further cement its position as the leading light in the world of MP3 player compatible plastic animals (and now aquatic vertebrates), by introducing the ifish.

ifish

As well as its much vaunted ‘touch a lot’ attributes, the little white wonder flaps its tail to music — a fishy frug of sorts — and even has the ability to glow different colours; its incredible variety of moves and hue set to have users mesmerised for seconds, even minutes at a time.

sega ifish

Yet not content with merely a flap here and a flash there, the ifish is also capable of composing tunes of its own, although whether these original ditties will match their alleged ‘healing’ properties remains to be seen.

The ifish will set you back a fairly modest 5,229 yen (25 pound), although iPod nano owners may want to hold back a while and see if the much rumoured nano-only iamoeba ever materialises.

ifish