Tokyo Tech Showcases New Technologies

According to reports from foreign media on the 8th, robots that play ping-pong, paper cranes that can fly, and mirrors that display the Body Mass Index (BMI) are some of the outstanding and innovative R&D projects of this year's CEATEC. According to the report, the ping-pong robot developed by Omron, a medical device manufacturer, can accurately counterattack ping-pong balls, making it almost worthwhile. The manufacturer claims that it can even train table tennis players.

A spokesperson for Omron said: "After the players kick off the ball, the robot's return to the ball's position will be displayed on the ping-pong table to help the player master the next shot."

Playing a ping-pong robot equipped with a video camera and a series of sensors can predict the movement and position of the table tennis, so it can hit the ball almost perfectly.

Omron said that this technology can also be applied in the car to avoid accidental collisions.

Another exhibit that attracted a lot of attention was a flying paper crane. The paper crane developed by Japanese semiconductor manufacturer Rohm Electronics is about 30 cm long and weighs only 31 grams. It is equipped with an ultra-light motor so it can fly.

Romano Furukawa, a spokesperson for Roma Electronics, said: “The most difficult part of developing this paper crane is to ensure that all parts are light.”

ROHM also developed a luggage sensor that can detect whether the luggage is thrown by ground staff when it is sent in, or report its location to the owner when the luggage is lost.

Furukawa said the company hopes that luggage manufacturers are interested in commercializing this sensor.

Electronics giant Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd. showed off future housing that may occur between 2018 and 2020. This future home is equipped with various electronic devices and appliances that can communicate with each other.

For example, a mirror attached to an appliance in the home can tell the body mass index of the person sitting in front of the mirror. The mirror can also assess the health of the skin, and can also mirror the "virtual makeup" to give advice to ladies who are getting up in the morning to get to work.

The dining table and glass windows of the future house are also displays. They can understand people's conversations. For example, when people talk about their last family trip, they will show their travel photos.

Panasonic spokesman Uehara Uehara said: "There is no definitive commercialization plan, but if the customer needs, we can already achieve this technology."