Meaningful Innovation 3

The Japanese government officially announced that Japan is a "full-fledged" aging society today, highlighting data that 10% of the population is at least 75 years old. With the lowest birthrate in the developed world (less than 1.3), Japan's population is not only facing a downward trend but a severe case of silveritis as well.

Enter the robots.

Japan is well-known for its robots - mostly from anime but also in factories and real-looking-hot-chick-auto-receptionists - but this may be one of the more useful applications.

Robotics for seniors. This is the aptly titled Experimental Walking Assists Device by Honda. (Assimo is finally paying off?)

And this baby is the HAL-5 developed at Tsukuba University (a Japanese University actually came up with something!). Part of the idea was to help senior and disabled caretakers move their patients around (better than putting in ramps in all those buildings I guess).

HAL-5 retails for about $15K plus maintenance.

Meaningul Innovation 2

Ever wondered what spy gear would be like now that we have digital cameras everywhere? You know like those cigarette pack cameras in old spy movies?

No? Well somebody has... A company called Hanwha (a Korean company but I found this in Japan) is now selling the Pen Camera. Not impressed? Saw that in an old episode of Get Smart? Well there's more... It's a Digital camera with a 1 mm radius lens in the ballpoint that can snap photos and take video (2GB flash memory). With sound. Data can be transferred to your pc with a USB.

It writes too.
Check out sample videos, and order one for yourself, here.
Happy spying!

Japanese Technology in the Toilet

Some of most impressive ideas I've encountered in Japan have been in the bathroom.

OK, that didn't sound right.

Still, Japanese toilets are impressive. First there was the heated seat. Then the washlet/bidet. Add temperature control on the water. Then you got 'malodor removal' (air freshener) activated by sitting down.

Here's the adjustable washlet spray explanation visual from Toto.


While Americans, typically, want more Power -as in Flushing Power? - Japanese manufacturers continually innovate on usability, comfort, convenience, and, of course, space-efficiency.

Well lately the craze is full no-touch automation. Market pioneers Toto and other household appliance brands like National (Panasonic) and Hitachi are now pushing the latest in bathroom luxury with features like:

-motion sensor activated toilet seat lifting/dropping (sorry, I don't know the lingo but you know, the seat goes up and down without you touching it.)

-automated flushing

-pre-programmed muzak with speakers, also motion-sensor activated

Here's the wall-mounted remote with all the controls you could ever dream of for the potty:

And of course, for those with the Capt. Kirk thing:

"Would you like me to wash your dick for you sir?"

Click here for a full reading on the history and etiquette of Japanese toilets.