Story highlights
Japan’s progressive wearable units consists of Archelis, a “standing” chair designed for surgeons.
Tokyo’s first Wearable Expo debuted in 2015 and was largest on this planet.
Japan’s wearable tech market is predicted to develop from 530,000 in 2013 to 13.1 million items in 2017.
CNN
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What do Discman, Tamagotchi, and Game Boy have in frequent?
They’re all landmark Japanese innovations from the 80s and 90s, symbols of an period when the Asian nation was a world chief in tech innovation.
But with the rise of Silicon Valley, and American tech giants akin to Google and Apple, has seen Japan produce much less era-defining tech over the previous twenty years.
That, says Professor Masahiko Tsukamoto, of Kobe University’s Graduate School of Engineering, is about to vary due to a brand new technology of younger entrepreneurs, an uptick in worldwide collaborations, and new partnerships with college scientists.
Japan’s focus this time round will not be on sensible telephones or gaming, however wearable chairs, sensible glasses and canine communication units.
In quick, wacky wearable tech.
In 2013, Japan bought 530,000 items of wearable tech units, in keeping with Yano Research Institute.
That determine is predicted to leapfrog to 13.1 million items in 2017.
Perhaps the perfect indication of the growth on this trade was the introduction of Tokyo’s first Wearable Expo in 2015 – at launch, it was the most important wearable tech honest on this planet with 103 exhibitors.
It has featured digital kimonos, cat communication units, and digital gloves to document a pianist’s finger work.
At the following present, from January 18 to twenty, 2017, the organizers anticipate greater than 200 exhibitors and 19,000 guests.
“With better functionality, lighter components and smaller designs, wearing devices is now no longer a fantasy,” says present director Yuhi Maezono. “Wearables are gathering attention as the next big growth market.”
Inupathy is a canine harness slated to launch on the finish of this yr that may enable pet homeowners to speak with their canines.
As properly as a coronary heart monitor, the harness options noise-canceling expertise which may isolate the animal’s heartbeat and monitor its reactions to stimulus, akin to meals, video games, folks and toys.
With this information, the harness assesses a canine’s temper and adjustments coloration to tell the homeowners.
Equipped with six LED lights, the collar glows blue to indicate calm, pink for pleasure, and shows a rainbow theme for happiness.
Joji Yamaguchi, CEO of Inupathy, was impressed by his Corgi, Akane, who was a nervous pet. To higher perceive the canine’s nervousness, the biologist developed Inupathy to watch his coronary heart price.
“I always felt like I couldn’t understand Akane very well and I wanted to get be closer to him,” says Yamaguchi.
“Buddhism and old Japanese religion says every animals, plants, and even rocks have spirit inside. It’s stressful when you can’t solve problems that are upsetting them.”
Yamaguchi expects wearable wellness monitoring can have purposes for people, too.
“Personalization, of artificial intelligence will be a game-changer,” says Yamaguchi.
“For instance, if you show a certain behavior before you start feeling depressed, predicting your depression from that behavior is extremely valuable for an individual. An AI that works personally for you will eventually make this possible.”
Archelis – a wearable chair launched in Japan this yr – can be making a buzz internationally.
A collaboration between Nitto mould manufacturing facility, Chiba University, Japan Polymer Technology and Hiroaki Nishimura Design, in Japan, it was initially meant for surgeons, who must relaxation their legs throughout lengthy operations.
The chair permits its wearer to successfully sit down and get up on the similar time.
Archelis
The Archelis chair.
“The Archelis concept is very simple, like the simplicity of Columbus’ egg,” says Dr Hiroshi Kawahira, the surgeon behind the idea. “Long surgeries can result in back pain, neck pain, and knee pain – especially for surgeons who are older.”
Made of 3D-printed panels, Archelis doesn’t require any electrical parts or batteries.
The innovation is within the efficient design: versatile carbon panels wrap across the buttocks, legs and toes to offer assist and reduce strain on joints.
The system stabilizes the ankles and knees, so the strain from being upright is unfold evenly throughout the shins and thighs.
Though the wearer seems to be standing, in reality, they’re resting their again and legs whereas engaged on their toes.
Other wearables are on the smaller aspect.
Measuring about 3 inches lengthy, BIRD is actually a contemporary thimble that turns your fingertip right into a magic wand.
MUV Interactive
BIRD can management as much as 10 units at a time.
Using algorithms to decode a consumer’s intent, the machine additionally options exact sensors that monitor path, pace, and gestures.
The expertise permits customers to show any floor into a sensible display, in addition to work together with different sensible units.
Walking round at house, customers can undertaking a laptop computer display onto a wall, swap on a espresso machine, learn on any floor, and make on-line purchases with the purpose or swipe of a finger.
The builders – Israel-based MUV Interactive and Japan-based Silicon Technology – anticipate BIRD to be embraced by the training and company sectors, due to its means to create collaborative displays.