Let’s Visit Tokyo! – Harajuku Station, Wednesday Night, April 17 2013, 7:05pm

Harajuku Station, Wednesday night, April 17 2013, 7:05pm at the Omotesando exit, where it connects to the Meiji-Jingumae Metro Station.

This spot is near the upscale Omotesando shopping area, Meij-Jingu shrine, Yoyogi Park, and of course, the famous Harajuku fashion district.

This station is old, very narrow, and can be very crowded, especially on weekends.

On this night, people are lingering and walking through, taxis stream past, and a lone “shamisen” musician performs…

Honda Ships 100 Walking Assist Stride Management Wearable Robot Thingys

Honda Stride Assist Device

Honda’s Walking Assist with Stride Management: Coming to a Hospital Near You!
If, that is, you’re connected to one of 50 Japanese medical institutions now testing and evaluating a pair of the semi-robotic exoskeletal assistive devices. Honda breaks down the what’s-it-do-and-how as follows:

“The [Walking Assist Device’s] control computer activates motors based on information obtained from hip angle sensors while walking to improve the symmetry of the timing of each leg lifting from the ground and extending forward, and to promote a longer stride for an easier walk.”

Honda’s worked closely with several medical institutions throughout development of the Walking Assist Device, but last week’s announcement of the 100-unit roll-out signals what is effectively their flagship field testing effort; a medical trial to collect feedback and evaluations from professionals and patients, and data from the devices themselves, of course. But it’s much sexier than your average medical trial. Because robots. Obviously.

Each rehabilitation and/or physical therapy-focused recipient medical facility gets one medium- and one large-sized device. Details on the cost and duration of the leases haven’t been disclosed, but we do have the following specs:


If successful, the devices will very likely see wider domestic trials, possibly moving beyond rehabilitation and making their way into the homes of Japan’s rapidly aging population. In addition to recovery, the Walking Assist Device could provide just the boost needed for walking to the grocery store, visiting a friend or family member, a healthy stroll around the shopping center, or, for Japan’s endangered farming population, 50% of whom are within 5-10 years of retirement, another trip out to the field.

Given sufficient demand, and should they be cheap enough to produce, the Walking Assist Devices could perhaps be enlarged for populations a bit more… uhhh, let’s be nice and say “a bit more robust.” Among other developed nations, the U.S. also has a growing population of retirees who’d definitely appreciate the extra spring in their step. But Honda, remember, you’re going to need some bigger springs. Sorry about that. It’s a problem. Sorry.

Honda’s Ongoing Assistive Robotics Commitment – Respect Due:
While Honda began specific work on walking-assist devices in 1999, the devices weren’t widely public until 2009. Differences between the current and early iterations are visible in the main image above: on the right and left are the earlier, bulkier, more metallic devices – the middle image, included in last week’s press release, shows the sleeker, current model (the middle image has actually been out in the wild for at least a year, so one assumes the 50 medium and 50 large devices now shipping are the same, possibly with some under-the-hood upgrades and/or modifications).

Unless you’re of a certain level of robo-dorkiness, you might not know that Honda’s actually been pounding away on bipedal humanoid robotics tech since the mid-1980s. You might be unaware of their proactive efforts toward addressing Japan’s aging population crisis through assistive robotics (Akihabara News coverage). And, you could have missed news that Honda’s pursuing a robotics-in-the-home partnership with Sekisui House (even more Akihabara News coverage!).*

Cars, ATVs, a lawnmower perhaps, maybe a sprinkling of ASIMO – that’s the standard mental image of Honda.

Consider upgrading?


*If you read Akihabara News you’ll know about ALL THAT STUFF!      ….just sayin.

• • •

Reno J. Tibke is the founder and operator of Anthrobotic.com and a contributor at the non-profit Robohub.org.

Via: MyNavi (Japanese/日本語); Honda
Images: Honda

Logitec – Audio cable “LHC-ACI02″ – Dual cigarette lighter/car stereo AUX terminal lightning connector cable with built-in noise filter

Logitec - Audio cable "LHC-ACI02" - Dual cigarette lighter/car stereo AUX terminal lightning connecter cable with built-in noise filter

Logitec is releasing a lightning connector audio cable “LHC-ACI02″ with dual opposite connectors that enables you to play music saved in your iPhone5/iPod touch/iPod nano on your car stereo, plugging through the cigarette lighter and car stereo AUX terminal.

Release is mid-June.

Setup is easy. Simply connect the lightning connector to your Phone5/iPod touch/iPod, and the appropriate other end to the cigarette socket and AUX terminal of the car stereo system. It has noise filter function built-in, making the sounds relatively clear.

It’s linked to the car engine’s On/Off. So when the engine turns on, music will be paused. When the engine starts again, the music will start playing again.

Price: 5,765 yen (including tax)
Weight: 170g

Canon – EF-M11-22mm F4-5.6 IS STM – New interchangeable lens for mirrorless camera EOS M

Canon - EF-M11-22mm F4-5.6 IS STM - New interchangeable lens for mirrorless camera EOS M

Canon is releasing new interchangeable lens “EF-M11-22mm F4-5.6 IS STM” for mirrorless camera EOS M in late July.

“EF-M11-22mm F4-5.6 IS STM” is a wide-angle lens but at the same time it can be used for approaches to objects as little as 0.15m away. As a wide-angle lens, it features image stabilizer for the first time among the EF lens series.

Also, because it has “Dynamic IS” (effective only when video recording), you are able to shoot a stable video while walking around.

Estimated price: ¥50,000

Fujitsu – LIFEBOOK AH series – Windows 8 FMV new notebook PC – 2 models (AH45/K, AH42/K)

Fujitsu - LIFEBOOK AH series - Windows 8 FMV new notebook PC - 2 models (AH45/K, AH42/K)

Fujitsu is going to release 2 new models (AH45/K, AH42/K) of its Windows 8 notebook PC “LIFEBOOK AH series” this month.

– AH45/K
“AH45/K” has an Intel Core i3-3120M processor as its CPU. The battery life is 6.4 hours, which is twice as long as the previous model. 15.6 inch HD display.

Price: open price
Release date: June 20
Color: white, black, red
Memory: 4GB (maximum 16GB)
Storage: 750GB HDD
Size: 378 × 252 × 30.0~33.2mm
Weight: 2.4kg

– AH42/K
“AH42/K” has an Intel Pentium processor 2020M and large battery that can run for 7.9 hours built-in.  15.6 inch HD display.

Price: open price
Release date: June 14
Color: white
Memory: 4GB (maximum 16GB)
Storage: 750GB HDD
Size: 378 × 252 × 30.0~33.2mm
Weight: 2.4kg

Both models have “Hand gesture” function that enables you to control menus without touching a keyboard or mouse by waving a hand to a Web camera.

Fujitsu – ESPRIMO FH78/LD – Windows 8 Touch panel built-in new FMV desktop PC

Fujitsu - ESPRIMO FH78/LD - Windows 8 Touch panel built-in new FMV desktop PC

Fujitsu is going to release the Windows 8 desktop PC “ESPRIMO FH78/LD” on June 7.

“ESPRIMO FH78/LD” featuring 23 inch full HD LCD has high-power speakers (maximum output is 30W: 10W x 2 satellite speaker) with sub-woofer (10W sub-woofer), jointly-developed with Pioneer.

It has built-in wide-viewing angle IPS technology, making beautiful images viewable from every angle.

The HDD is 3TB and CPU is Intel Core i7-4700MQ. It has digital terrestrial broadcasting/BS/CS TV tuners and 4 USB3.0 ports for fast data transfer.

Price: open price
Release date: June 7
Color: white, black
Memory: 8GB (maximum 16GB)
Storage: 3TB HDD
Size: 571 × 201 × 431mm
Weight: 10.8kg

Fujitsu – LIFEBOOK UH90/L – Windows 8 touch panel new FMV Ultrabook

Fujitsu - LIFEBOOK UH90/L - Windows 8 touch panel new FMV Ultrabook

Fujitsu is going to release Windows 8 Ultrabook “LIFEBOOK UH90/L” on June 28.

“LIFEBOOK UH90/L” is a notebook PC with a 14 inch LCD touch panel. The thickest part is only 15.5 mm thick making it the thinnest Ultrabook. It was designed under the basic concept of “Katana” (Japanese sword), striving to make it both elegant and tough. It is manufactured in Japan through all steps of the manufacturing process.

The CPU is an Intel Core i5-4200U processor. It has a large capacity 500GB HDD and 2 USB3.0 ports with fast data transfer rates built-in.

Because of its 3200x1800dot IGZO LCD touch panel, the display is 2.7 times more fine than full HD and the pixel density is 262ppi. Fujitsu’s special touch panel surface treatment, called “Super glide coating” was given to the screen for smoother operational touch.

Price: open price
Release date: June 28
Colors: red, black
Memory: 4GB
Storage: 500GB Hybrid HDD
Wireless connection: Bluetooth v4.0+HS, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, Intel WiDi
Size: 329.9 × 229.9 × 9.2〜15.5mm
Weight: 1.39kg

Buffalo – Bluetooth 3.0 compliant portable keyboard “BSKBB19BK” for iPad – The attached cover can become an iPad stand or a protection cover

Buffalo - Bluetooth 3.0 compliant portable keyboard "BSKBB19BK" for iPad - The attached cover can become an iPad stand or a protection cover

Buffalo is releasing Bluetooth 3.0 compliant portable keyboard “BSKBB19BK” for iPad in late June.

When using the keyboard, you are able to use the attached cover as an iPad stand to set the iPad against and to use the iPad as if you were using a regular laptop. When not using the keyboard, the cover becomes a portable protection cover in your bag.

“BSKBB19BK” has English keyboard layout that is suitable for iPad, and has 15 kinds of functions such as copy, paste, and cut set to function keys, which increases its operation performance.

Because of its built-in lithium polymer battery, once it’s fully charged, the battery life will last for about 2 months.

Price: ¥9,765 (including tax)
Size: 277×24×195mm
Weight: 460g

Pioneer – CD audio system “X-HM51-S” and “X-HM21-S” – Gives many choices for how to play music: iPhone/iPad/iPod, CD, USB memory, AM/FM radio

Pioneer - CD audio system "X-HM51-S" and "X-HM21-S" - Gives many choices for how to play music: iPhone/iPad/iPod, CD, USB memory, AM/FM radio

Pioneer is releasing 2 new CD audio systems: “X-HM51-S” and “X-HM21-S” in late June.

They are compatible with USB connection, and can play music from iPhone/iPad/iPod, CD, USB memory, and AM/FM radio.

The “X-HM51-S” model is also Bluetooth compliant so you can play music saved in Bluetooth devices wirelessly.

Both models have 2 way speakers with a large aperture woofer (X-HM51-S: 12cm / X-HM21-S: 10cm) and a tweeter. Also, they have a high-power amp (X-HM51-S: 50W+50W / X-HM21-S: 15W+15 W) built-in for high-quality sound.

Price is open price.

X-HM51-S
Size: 215 x 100.5 x 325 mm
Weight: 2.3 kg

X-HM21-S
Size: 215 x 95 x 315 mm
Weight: 2 kg

Sharp – AQUOS Blu-ray BD-SP1000 – “Sky Perfect TV Premium” tuner built-in blu-ray disk recorder

Sharp - AQUOS Blu-ray BD-SP1000 - "Sky Perfect TV Premium" tuner built-in blu-ray disk recorder

Sharp is releasing the blu-ray disk recorder “AQUOS Blu-ray BD-SP1000″ with “Sky Perfect TV Premium” tuner built-in on June 29. Just by connecting it to a TV, you will be able to start watching and recording more than 170 channels.

“Smartphone Remote Yoyaku (timer recording)” function could be very useful. Once you install the dedicated application to your smartphone, you can set recording times when outside the home.

Recorded programming can also be wirelessly sent to smartphones for mobile viewing, and the unit can be easily controlled wirelessly through your smartphone.

Price: open price
Size: 430×236×58mm
Weight: 3.5kg
HDD capacity: 1TB