Toilet Bike

Japan's (and world's) best-known toilet maker, TOTO, has just unveiled a Toilet Bike or you can translate this into 'poop-powered motorcycle'. No joke! it's as serious as their famous 'hi-tech toilet' you would find in every house in Japan. Let's make it clear, despite the look it doesn't run on human waste, nor does the real toilet used in the bike work, instead it is fueled with animal waste to travel up to 300 kilometers.

(photos courtesy of AFP)

Claimed as the world's first waste-powered vehicle, the tricycle has a toilet in place of a regular seat and huge toilet paper at the back.

Only in Japan..

(source: Tokyo Times)

Silkworm Island at World Expo 2010

Yesterday I watched the broadcast of the opening ceremony of World Expo in Shanghai, and as predicted before it was a spectacular show with Jacky Chan and Andrea Bocelli among the performers and the expo itself considered as the biggest world fair ever.

Among hundreds of spectacular pavilions, Japan pavilion at World Expo in Shanghai is one of the most famous pavilions at the expo . The Japan pavilion is the largest overseas venue ever built by Japanese government. Nicknamed as 'purple silkworm island' with the symbol mark 'smile to smile, the Japan pavilion will have an estimated 3,000,000 visitors during expo. A robot violinist will make its debut in the second section in the pavilion. Other robots capable of taking care of the old will be on the show as well. After enjoying the exhibition, visitors also can enjoy top Japanese cuisine.

An artist impression of Japan pavilion at Shanghai World Expo.

(picture courtesy of Shanghai World Expo)

Source: Shanghai World Expo, Japan pavilion

Yume Inu vs Yume Neko

Only in Japan..

A Dog Lover? If you are, you will love this news from Mainichi news.

This Yume Inu DX (Dream dog) from Sega toys is a life-size Golden Retriever robot that moves like a real dog, barks, wags its tail and you even can 'sit it down' in English as 'the dog' reacts to six English words such as 'lie down'.

This adorable Yume Inu was nominated as finalist for The High Target Toy Award at 2008 Japan Toy Association Awards. Priced at 34,650 Yen, this robo dog is perfect for those who are unable to have real pet due to allergy as well as no risk of being bitten.

(Yume Inu DX, photo courtesy of Segatoys Co.)

Or maybe you prefer a cat than a dog?

Don't worry, The Yume-Neko Venus (Dream Cat Venus) will answer you need for a cat that won't scracth your hands nor mess up your kitchen hunting down a mice.

(Photo courtessy of AFP photo/Yoshikazu Tsuno)

Or you love both dog and cat? Now you can get them both with no doubt they will get along each other.

Ramen robot

Only in Japan..

"Momozono Robot Ramen," a ramen shop in the city of Minami, Yamanashi prefecture is gaining popularity not only for its delicious ramen noodles, but for its robotic chef.

Ramen robot with Yoshihira Uchida, the owner shop (Photo courtesy of Mainichi News)

The ramen-making robot was built by 60-year-old shop owner Yoshihira Uchida, who spent about 20 million yen on its construction. Customers can place their orders on a computer in the shop, customizing various aspects such as the levels of soy sauce, salt, and richness of the soup. Uchida says there are 40 million different flavor permutations.

The noodles themselves are cooked by a human, with the robot creating a perfectly blended soup which is then delivered to the human chef via a conveyor belt, who adds the noodles and toppings. The whole process takes only about two minutes, a minute shorter than instant cup noodles. Prices of ramen per bowl are 500 yen for regular size and 300 yen for small size.

Uchida, a huge noodle lover, opened a soba noodle shop 10 years ago. He later started to make ramen -- which received mixed comments from friends, with some saying the taste was strong, and others too weak. In the end, Uchida hit upon the idea of creating a robot that can allow customers to choose the flavor they want. He is now aiming at automating the addition of noodles and toppings, and shrinking the robot itself. He is also planning to open his second ramen shop in Kofu possibly by the end of this year.

Source: Mainichi news

Okonomiyaki Robot

Only in Japan..

Interesting news from Japan Times:

Several robot showed off their unique skills during the International Food Machinery and Technology Exhibition which runs through Friday at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward. During the "Robot Food Park" demonstration, Okonomoyaki Robot, developed by Osaka-based Toyo Riki Co., boasted its prowess in cooking 'Okonomiyaki' - Osaka's trademark pancake. 

The robot, about the size of a human, skillfully uses its two arms to mix the dough, oil up a pan and flip the okonomiyaki when the time is right. It can even communicate verbally, asking the audience questions such as whether they want mayonnaise on their okonomiyaki.

Wow!.. Wish I were there to have my okonomiyaki cooked and served by that robot.

(Photo courtesy of Japan Times/Satoko Kawsaki)

Japan's first solar-powered mobile phone

only in Japan..

Moshi moshi... here is another cool gadget from Japan, a solar-powered mobile phone! I think it's gonna be a big hit in the market, wondering how much it's gonna cost our pocket to get one? I got this news from one of my fellow bloggers, Ai//Nippon, who has linked this news on her post. 

Here are the news copied from Mainichi Japan: 

"KDDI Corp., in cooperation with Okinawa Cellular Telephone Co., will release Japan's first solar-powered mobile phone as early as June, the companies said.The waterproof phone, created by Sharp Corp., can be charged through a solar panel installed on the surface of the phone. About 10 minutes of sun will power the phone for about a minute of talk time and roughly two hours of stand-by time."

An image of  KDDI’s solar-powered mobile phone (courtesy of KDDI)

Free Gadget Charger at Changi

I found this free gadget charger at Changi Airport really helps people who need to recharge their mobile phone, digital camera and even Ipod or PSP while waiting for their connecting flight at this airport.

This gadget charger is located around food court area at Terminal 2, not sure if another ones also available at Terminal 1 and 3 as well. There are some different gadget brand available, so you just pick the one you need and connect it to your gadget, place it inside that tiny locker, lock it and keep the key with you till you want to remove it and board your next flight!

Free gadget charger at Changi Airport

I would say Changi is my favorite airport and one of the best in the world.

Asimo Robot

Welcoming spring time, recalled me to find out whether Honda would have another Asimo Robot World Tour kick off this coming summer.

Last year, they had a really impressive world tour, especially in Darling Harbour, Sydney. Even we had to queue more than 1 hour to get the free ticket, it’s really worth for a shot. Long queue of people could explain the curiosity of this hi-tech gadget.

Asimo was really cool, he could interactive well with the people, brought the tray with a tea on it, nodding, running….most all the basic human response. It now could even conducts Detroit Symphony Orchestra! How awesome! Here is the link if you wanna know how it would be and especially to meet it personally in Disneyland.

Back to it's performance, it’s well designed humanoid robot, white color makes it glooming especially on the stage……while it made its first appearance showered by lights, the folk coudn't hold the applause.I thought this was the coolest innovation from Honda so far. It also has an official Australian website.

Anyway wish to have more information about Asimo World Tour 2007 could click the link here or wondering about Asimo debut on the world? Simply find out here. Lastly, if you have a technical curiosity about how it could move, etc…throw away your queries by finding out here.

Robo Cafe

Only in Japan.

Robo Cafe in Osaka, you can find any kind of Robot in this shop, pet robot, housekeeper robot, gundam robot, just any robot!

Thanks to Mr. Kohno for his effort to find this unique place for us.