NIPPONIA No. 38 September 15, 2006
Graceful poses from a cyber-mannequin
Like an ordinary mannequin, Palette models the latest fashions. But when the sensor in the base detects a passerby, she begins changing her pose and faces different directions to show off the clothes. The poses were programmed with a device that captures the movements of an actual fashion model. Total height 180 cm, maximum weight 40 kg. Designed by Matsui Tatsuya.
(Photo: Okamoto Masao)
Popular performers swim like the real thing
They swim like fish and are a big hit at all kinds of events. They come in different shapes, like sea bream or carp, and they move like the real ones thanks to research studies originally intended to improve ship propulsion. The photo shows a robotic coelacanth that can swim as fast as 0.3 knots (about 15 cm per second). Length 83 cm, weight 13.5 kg. And the rental fee? For one week you would have to fork out 720,000 yen; for one month, a whopping 1,200,000 yen.
Lazy? Here's something for you
As it moves about, its operating sensors use ultrasound, light, temperature and step recognition to map out the room and update previous maps. Its job is to vacuum every part of the floor with a retractable suction device. It can get a floor area of 10 m2 clean in about 10 minutes. When the job is done it returns to the battery charging station for a recharge (top photo), and dumps out everything it vacuumed up. Diameter 25 cm, weight 4 kg.
Patrolling robot alerts human guards in case of trouble
Guard Robo D1 patrols offices, factories and warehouses, turning its camera left and right, forward and back, transmitting images to a security center staffed by humans. Its optical recognition sensor and other devices are on the alert, ready to emit an alarm if it detects an intruder, flames, or water leakage. Guard Robo can even fight a small fire, if it is equipped with the optional fire extinguisher (right photo).
Height about 110 cm, weight 80 kg.
(Above photo: Sakai Nobuhiko)
A nice smile from a cyber-receptionist
Say hello to Saya. She sits at a reception desk, welcoming visitors to the Admissions Office of the Tokyo University of Science and giving them information. She can only move the central part of her face and tilt her head to the side, but when she does tilt her head and gazes at you with an expression of joy, sadness, dislike, anger, fear, or surprise, she looks incredibly real. In the photo above left, she is showing surprise.
(Photos: Sakai Nobuhiko)
Almost miraculous precision
The MM-1 Micro Surgery Robotic System helps doctors remove brain tumors, reconnect small blood vessels and perform other operations that require precision micro-manipulation. The doctor looks at the monitor while operating the device. The surgical tip moves just 5 mm for every 100 mm of hand motion from the doctor. MM-1 has already been used for a successful bypass operation involving blood vessels only 0.8 mm in diameter at a depth of 60 mm.
