FEPY

Honda has developed new brain-machine interface (BMI) technology that allows humans to control the Asimo humanoid robot simply by thinking certain thoughts.

The BMI system, which Honda developed along with Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation, consists of a sensor-laden helmet that measures the user’s brain activity and a computer that analyzes the thought patterns and relays them as wireless commands to the robot. (Watch video.)

When the user simply thinks about moving his or her right hand, the pre-programmed Asimo responds several seconds later by raising its right arm. Likewise, Asimo lifts its left arm when the person thinks about moving their left hand, it begins to walk when the person thinks about moving their legs, and it holds its hand up in front of its mouth when the person thinks about moving their tongue.

The high-precision BMI technology relies on three different types of brain activity measurements. EEG (electroencephalography) sensors measure the slight fluctuations in electrical potential on the scalp that occur when thinking, while NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) sensors measure changes in cerebral blood flow. Newly developed information extraction technology is used to process the complex data from these two types of sensors, resulting in a more accurate reading. The system reportedly has an accuracy rate of more than 90%.

The use of EEG and NIRS sensors makes the new system more compact than previous BMI systems that rely on bulkier fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) technology. Although the system is small enough to be transported from place to place, the developers plan to further reduce the size.

Honda, which has been conducting BMI research and development with ATR since 2005, is looking into the possibility of one day using this type of interface technology with artificial intelligence and robotics to create devices that users can operate without having to move.

[Source: Honda press release]

• No Related Post

In conjunction with the upcoming release of Terminator Salvation (T4), an exhibit featuring the cyborgs from the Terminator series is now on display at Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) in Tokyo.

T-600 endoskeleton from Terminator Salvation [+]

Entitled “Terminator Exhibition - Battle or Coexistence? Robots and Our Future,” the exhibit purportedly aims to inspire visitors to think about the relationship between humans and machines. Mostly, though, it offers a unique glimpse at the models and costumes used in the filming of the movies, along with details about the makeup and special effects.

T-800 endoskeleton [+]

In the first Terminator movie, which takes place in Los Angeles in 1984, a T-800 cyborg assassin is sent back in time from the year 2029 by Skynet, an artificially intelligent military computer system that rules the world under an army of cyborgs. Its mission is to erase the existence of John Connor, who in the future becomes the leader of the human resistance forces against the machines. To alter the course of history in Skynet’s favor, the T-800 must terminate Sarah Connor before she gives birth to her son John.

T-800 endoskeleton [+]

The T-800 cyborg — played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the first three Terminator movies — consists of a metal endoskeleton under a layer of living human tissue. The robot has excellent learning capabilities, enabling it to understand and adopt human behavior and phrases. It can also mimic voices once it hears them. A slightly improved version of the T-800 — the T-850 — appears in Terminator 2 and Terminator 3.

T-800: Hasta la vista, baby [+]

In Terminator 2, Skynet sends the latest Terminator model — the T-1000 — to Los Angeles in 1994 to eliminate the 10-year-old John Connor. At the same time, the resistance forces send a hacked T-800 from the future to protect John. The T-1000, which is much more advanced than the T-800, has no endoskeleton and consists of a shape-shifting liquid metal. The T-1000 is not displayed in this exhibit.

T-800 [+] // T-X [+]

In Terminator 3, the T-800 (T-850) is again sent from the future to protect John Connor. This time it does battle with the T-X, a super-powerful Terminator that combines the exoskeleton of the T-800 with the shape-shifting liquid metal of the T-1000.

T-X (a.k.a. Terminatrix) [+]

The T-X, also called “Terminatrix,” takes the shape of a beautiful woman and incorporates a variety of weapons into its endoskeleton. In addition to conducting DNA analysis by tasting blood, the shape-shifting assassin can remotely control other machines and Terminators.

Cameron Phillips (TOK715) [+]

Other items on display include a reproduction of Cameron Philips (TOK715), a reprogrammed Terminator from the “Sarah Conner Chronicles” TV series.

The exhibit also includes a few props and movie trailers from the forthcoming film.

T-600 endoskeleton [+]

Set in the year 2018, Terminator Salvation will prominently feature the T-600, an early Terminator prototype. Unlike the T-800 portrayed by Schwarzenegger in the previous films, the more primitive T-600 features an endoskeleton covered in synthetic skin instead of living human tissue. At 8 feet tall, it is also much bulkier.

Moto-Terminator [+]

Also on display is the Moto-Terminator, a motorcycle-based death machine, as well as the Hydrobot (not pictured here), a menacing eel-like underwater robot.

The final section of the exhibit introduces a variety of Japanese robot technology, mostly in the form of text-heavy exhibits (Japanese only). However, an Actroid — smartly dressed in a skin-tight black jumpsuit — is on hand to liven things up.

Actroid [+]

Actroid [+]

The exhibit runs until June 28, 2009.

• No Related Post

Sculptor Kenji Yanobe’s Giant Torayan robot, a 7.2-meter (24-ft) tall mechanical baby that sings, dances and spits fire, was sighted in Tokyo’s Roppongi district last night. The fire-breathing robot spent the night on center stage at “Roppongi Art Night,” an all-night event featuring installations and performances by dozens of artists at various venues in Roppongi.

[+]

[+]

[+] // [+]

[+]

[+]

• No Related Post

Japanese ladies after bigger or even better shaped breasts are currently well catered for, whereas those after beautiful bottoms have been sadly left a bit bereft. Well, until now that is, as those with a desire for a delectable derrière or even getting mauled by something mechanical can now happily rub their rump with this hand-like Hip Roller.

A device that is not only a little dodgy looking but also badly named, as the ‘hip’ being honed is patently the posterior and not part of the pelvis.

Perky Japanese posteriors?

Originally from Tokyo Times

• No Related Post

Earbuds are all well and good, but for a better sound and the ability to happily block out all the hustle and bustle, headphones arguably still have it — regardless of whether one is listening to Mozart, Morrissey,

or even Morning Musume.

Maybe.

Random Japanese people #6

Originally from Tokyo Times

• No Related Post

With their washlets and wonderful array of anus-related attributes, modern Japanese toilets are a far cry indeed from their purely functional and floor-based forefathers.

However, similarly styled ceramic slippers for one’s feet rather than faeces, and a patterned pot for peeing in, arguably offer a place where many men at least would still be happy to spend more than a few pennies in.

Or even one in which women would be prepared to put in some practice with a newly purchased Shewee.

Perhaps.

(old toilet taken from here)

Attractive Japanese toilet?

Originally from Tokyo Times

• No Related Post

With 24-hour convenience stores camped out on practically every corner, and booze-bearing vending machines almost as mainstream, those with an endless longing for lager need never be left lacking.

However, when work gets in the way of being wasted, or there are worries about one’s well-being, there’s thankfully some comforting confectionary to quieten any uncomfortable cravings, whether it be through a soothing suck,

or some manic mastication.

Sapporo-based sweets

Originally from Tokyo Times

• No Related Post

For any Japanese restaurant owner worth his salt, or perhaps more importantly is subtle with it, Kappabashi-dori in the capital’s Taito-ku is a must see sector of the city.

An area where, as well as offering the kind of welcome one could only dream of,

possesses enough promotional plastic provender to cover all kinds of cuisine,

all the way from the time-honoured,

to Italian.

With an added fondness for floating forks apparently the area’s forte.

Although that’s not to say it’s only models of menus on offer, as there’s also everything else required for readying a restaurant, including the obligatory bowls,

and blades.

Plus that all important necessity for any new eatery, and one that’s both tasteful and a talking point, a Teutonic knight,

or two.

A fake food field day

Originally from Tokyo Times

• No Related Post

It’s no secret, i love having an iPhone, it’s probably been the single best technology purchase i’ve made … and there have been a few.

It’s the applications that make your life easier that appeal to me and catching public transport as often as i do this one does just that, the Tokyo Metro iPhone application.

At the moment you can pick it up for a special price of $0.79 instead of the usual $4.99 … in the Japanese store it’s 115 yen, cheaper than the cheapest fare on the rail network.

The route planner doesn’t require a network connection so it works perfectly in the subway.

You can enter an address in Tokyo and get the closest stations to display.

It comes in English, Japanese, French, Spanish and German …. now that’s handy.

Most people have  heard of Hyperdia and that still has it’s merits but i think for the small outlay this application is a must for anyone living or visiting Tokyo.

Via Nihon-SukiSimilar Posts:

• Ustream iPhone App
• 3G iPhone In Japan On July 11
• First iPhone in Japan
• Sekai Camera Application For iPhone
• Apple iPhone Now Unlocked in Australia

Post from: Neil Duckett

Tokyo Metro iPhone App

Tokyo Metro iPhone App

Originally from Neil Duckett

• No Related Post

+ Video

The Open Reel Ensemble adds a unique twist to the old-school art of reel-to-reel tape scratching, with USB controllers that manipulate the switches inside the tape decks and with solenoids that create vibrato effects by tweaking the speed of the tape as it passes over the heads.

• No Related Post