Sci-tech | Trends in Japan

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Virtuous Cycles

Eco-Bike Stations Sport Solar Panel Rooftops
Tokyo's Setagaya Ward has long been active in supporting environmental conservation. It is now garnering attention for its introduction of eco-friendly electric bicycles and two Solar Parking Lots powered by solar cells and lithium-ion batteries. The initiative is part of the city's efforts to realize a low-carbon society.

Robot Caregivers

Help for Those on the Front Line of Nursing Care
Given the aging of Japan's population, public and private institutions are working to develop robots that can assist with nursing care. In recent months robots have been unveiled that are designed to help elderly and disabled people get in and out of bed and to assist with their transportation.

What Do Sounds Look Like?

Japanese researchers have developed a revolutionary type of glass that can show visually how loud a sound is and which direction it is coming from on a transparent display. Its applications include monitoring noise at electric power plants and other facilities to check for anomalies.

Advances in Personal Mobility

Japanese carmakers are making big strides in the field of "personal mobility technology," or one-person devices for taking people from one place to another. Honda and Toyota have each unveiled machines that allow users to travel in whatever direction they choose simply by shifting their body weight.

The Power Beneath Your Feet

A Japanese startup company is tapping into a new energy source, generating both electricity and hope that it could contribute to the battle against global warming. The company's flagship product works by converting physical pressure into electricity and has a wide range of potential applications.

Ramen Robots

Among the plethora of new robots Japanese researchers have developed are some that are able to prepare foods like ramen noodles and okonomiyaki (thick, savory pancakes). These robots also boast a variety of talents including the ability to work in pairs and to entertain and communicate with customers.

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Water Purification on the Go

Water shortages are a growing problem around the world, especially in developing countries. Now a Japanese team has developed Courier Water, a mobile desalination unit that has tremendous potential for helping people in areas affected by water shortages or natural disasters.

Cuddly Robot Comforts the Elderly

A robotic baby seal born in Japan is bathing in the international spotlight, particularly in Denmark, where it is set to come into widespread use as a companion for residents of nursing homes. Paro can recognize people's names and responds with seal-like sounds when stroked or spoken to.

Toward a Solar Future

Solar cells are among the most promising power generation devices of the future. A Japanese research team has achieved success in the field of organic thin-film solar cells. Toray, a major chemical company, has achieved the world's highest conversion efficiency with an organic thin-film solar cell.

Robots Can Now Bat, Smile, and Chat

Japan possesses some of the world's most advanced robotics technology. Recently, attention has focused on robots with a high level of learning ability and robots whose human appearance and facial expressions make them more approachable.

Leave Your Chores to a Robot

Researchers at the University of Tokyo are integrating information technology and robotics to develop robots that can perform household chores. Their work on the Information and Robot Technology Research Initiative, or IRT, has already resulted in public demonstrations by some housekeeping robots.

Turning Thoughts into Pictures

A group of Japanese researchers led by the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) has developed the world's first procedure for recreating images processed by the human eye based on analysis of blood flow inside the brain.

Fibers of the Future

The world's first silks exhibiting fluorescence and other pioneering properties have been successfully developed as a result of transgenic silkworm research conducted by Japanese researchers. The functional fibers are expected to have wide-ranging applications.

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