Panasonic Predicts Carpet Speakers
Smart homes of the future will have speakers in the carpet, mirrors that analyze your skin condition, beds that weigh you as you sleep—and a whole lot more.
Meet the Director of the Cup Noodles Museum
Yukitaka Tsutsui explains the philosophy behind Yokohama's Cup Noodles Museum, where kids can get hands-on with their food.
Sharp Launching Robot Smartphone
RoBoHoN talks, walks, gets up, dances and recognizes human faces—and it also works as a phone!
Breaking Olympic Records with Prosthetic Limbs
Ken Endo returned to Japan in 2012 after researching robotic prosthetics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He now aims to help a Paralympic sprinter shatter the Olympic speed record.
Mechanical Marvels: Japanese Tin Toys
Would you pay $50,000 for a tin can of California tomatoes?
How Japan's Satellites Aid Disaster Response
The technical capabilities of Japan's DAICHI satellites enable a number of relief operations, in any kind of weather.
Livesaving Device Embedded in Vending Machines
Next time someone on the street looks like they're suffering from cardiac arrest, run toward the nearest... vending machine?
Hot Gear from the 2014 Good Design Awards
Every year since 1957, Japan’s Good Design Awards have honored products that are designed in such a way to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
Automated Instant Ramen Is (Not) A Reality
We’ve got automated hot water dispensers, ice makers, coffee machines and soda fountains. So why not an automated instant ramen maker, complete with onions, carrots and a choice of hard- or soft-boiled egg?
Akira Fans Eat Your Heart Out
ZecOO, an electronic motorcycle company, has just come out with a smart, futuristic motorbike that will make you think you're on the set of the Akira movie.
Musical Wheelchairs Take the Stage in Tokyo
Yamaha Motorcycles and Yamaha Instruments are coming together to bring a whole new meaning to musical chairs.
57% Name Instant Ramen Japan's Top Invention
More than ECG machines, electric rice cookers and the Playstation 4, a majority of Japanese pick instant ramen as the nation's top invention.
6 Amazing Features of Japanese Toilets
Japanese high-tech toilets are awesome! If you've never used one before, you're in for a fun surprise or two.
New GPS Satellite Tech Accurate to Centimeters
Mitsubishi Electric’s new satellite array may become the best defense against wandering blue dot disorder.
Say Sayonara to Instant Ramen
Crank out your own homemade ramen noodels with this Easy-Make Ramen toy.
The Chair Umbrella is Real
Have you ever thought, "Geez, I’d really like to rest, but there’s nowhere to sit"? Well, now you can—as long as it's overcast, at least.
Programmable Idol Robots Dance to Your Design
The robot revolution is coming, and when it arrives, they’ll have an awful lot to be mad about. Like making them dance for our amusement. Thanks, DMM.
The Technology of Artificial Spider Silk
With more than 30,000 species of spider in the world—and a single spider using more than seven different kinds of silk—it became nearly impossible for Spiber researchers to define what constituted spider silk at all.
Celviano Grand Hybrid Takes the (Small) Stage
Casio is confident it's created the first digital pianos that truly emulate the sound of a grand—with the obvious advantage of taking up far less space.
Osaka Vending Machines Offer Umbrellas
DyDo offers free "rental umbrellas" at 60 vending machines in Osaka's Nishi Ward.
