consumer

Panasonic has developed a prototype dry head spa robot, which in the future could be attached to a desk or bath. It uses robot hand technology previously developed for use in their hair washing robot.

“For kneadin…

Tokai Rubber Industries has developed the world’s first all-rubber speaker. This speaker utilizes Smart Rubber, which conducts electricity and can freely expand or contract, to generate sound.

Previously, the company developed flexible, all-rubber touch sensors using Smart Rubber. This all-rubber speaker arose from the company’s new line of development: materials for artificial muscles.
 
Q. “Until now, thin speakers have been piezoelectric and film types, as used in smartphones and tablets. But those don’t produce low-frequency sounds. By contrast, the rubber speaker we’ve developed does produce low frequencies. It’s the first speaker of this kind in the world.”

This speaker consists of a piece of non-conductive rubber sandwiched between two rubber electrodes. When a voltage is applied between the rubber electrodes, static electricity is generated, causing the sheet to expand. Sound waves are generated by the repeated expansion and restorative force of the rubber sheet.

“Of course, technology is needed to make rubber conduct electricity. What our technology does is give the rubber a uniform surface charge. Another thing needed is insulating rubber between the pieces of conductive rubber. Each type of rubber has to be flexible, and the insulating rubber mustn’t change its resistance when it expands. That’s a key technology in this speaker.”

“Wearing headphones is a bit of a hassle, so we’d like to use the flexibility of this speaker to build it into chairs and the like. That way, people could enjoy audio in open settings.”

“Currently, we don’t have a specific product roadmap. We’d like to think about needs and applications together with potential customers, including those at CEATEC. Then, we’d like to turn this speaker into a commercial product.”

Alps Electric has developed a next-generation vehicle interface, created using its own sensors and input devices. The interface consists of a Multi-Modal Commander, allowing for direct and gesture based input, as w…

Fujitsu Laboratories has developed a new technology for sending information via video. The company aims to make this technology practical in 2013, as an easy means of transmitting information between smartphones an…

Yamaha Motor has developed an electrical assist unit for wheelchairs, called the JWX-2.

The JWX-2 applies PAS technology from assisted bicycles to wheelchairs. The electric assist works in line with the load on th…

i beam, which allows users to navigate their tablet by sight alone, is currently under development by NTT docomo. This could be used on crowded public transport or when carrying heavy luggage, where touch input may…

On October 11, NTT Docomo will start the Utsushite Honyaku service, which instantly translates foreign-language restaurant menus when you point a smartphone’s camera at them.

Utsushite Honyaku is a commercial vers…

NTT Docomo has developed Grip UI, to make it easier to use smartphones in situations such as on crowded trains, where space and mobility is restricted.

“There are touch sensors on the sides of the phone, and they…

Toyota has developed the Partner Robot, to provide everyday assistance for people with disabilities.

This robot has a compact, cylindrical body, so it can turn round in small spaces, as well as folding arms, which…

Rohm, together with Aqua Fairy and Kyoto University, has developed a compact, high-output hydrogen fuel cell.

This fuel cell generates electricity by producing hydrogen on the spot. This is achieved through a chem…