Japanese company develops world's smallest and lightest battery chargers for electric vehicles

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers associated with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

One of the key elements for the success of electric vehicles, go ahead is charging technology, but we're getting there. On the basis of Kyoto Nichicon has now what they say, the lowest in the world and Chargers for these vehicles, the NQC-A202 and NQC-A302.

Both Chargers sized at just 150x35x60cm, about 50% smaller than existing devices. NQC-A202 with 20kW output capacity weighs 150 kg, while the NQC-A302 (30kW) weighs more than 20 kg. Nichicon said that new models are 66% lighter than existing, "dramatically reducing installation effort" for their clients.

Devices take from 35 to 60 minutes for charging, compatible with CHAdeMO standard for electric vehicles (Mitsubishi i-MiEV, leaves, etc.) and will cost from $ 24,600 and $27,200 when they become available in October. One key element for the success of electric vehicles, go ahead is charging technology, but we're getting there. On the basis of Kyoto Nichicon has now what they say, the lowest in the world and Chargers for these vehicles, the NQC-A202 and NQC-A302.

Both Chargers sized at just 150x35x60cm, about 50% smaller than existing devices. NQC-A202 with 20kW output capacity weighs 150 kg, while the NQC-A302 (30kW) weighs more than 20 kg. Nichicon said that new models are 66% lighter than existing, "dramatically reducing installation effort" for their clients.

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Handroid: Japanese company shows advanced robot hand (video)

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers associated with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

Japan-based technology startup ITK has brought us one step closer to Robocalypse. Roboticists in the world are working on the production of sensitive hands of robots suitable for touching people or breakable objects, a problem that is extremely difficult to solve.

ITK now throwing their hat into the ring with Handroid, new model, which is one of the most advanced robot hands there. Five sport fully movable fingers Handroid looks a lot like the hands, used by Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator 2.

Operators can remotely control each finger (you can simulate motion Handroid operator), for example, in environments where it is too dangerous for use by human hands. 740 g Handroid is very light, prompting ITK to explore possibilities for the development of the prosthetic hand that can be controlled by brain waves or cerebral nerves.

ITK plans to commercialize the Handroid in about two years for about $ 6500 per unit – a very low price for such a device.

Here's the promo video:

Via Robonable [JP]

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Apple Adds an earthquake warning Japanese iOS

Biggs is the editor of TechCrunch gadgets. Biggs wrote for the New York Times, InSync, United States at the weekend, popular mechanics, popular science, money, and a number of other outlets for technology and watches. He is the former editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo.com and lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. You can Tweet it here and G + it here. ? Read More

The Japanese version of iOS 5 will have specific notification Widget: setting, enable instant messages from Japan earthquake early warning system. This system is so sensitive that it can reduce your battery life, as it queries the Server alert constantly.

New notification system iOS 5 's uses the iPhone's old notifications but places it in the terms of the lock screen based easy to read, which stores the last few posts form a variety of applications. Presumably this early warning system will be much more visible than the screen lock icon or a notification. Apple's Steve Jobs wrote a note and help during a strong earthquake in March offering "time or resources to visit or care for your family, please see. HR and we will help you. "

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Imec: Japanese company makes plants grow on thin films instead of soil (video)

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

Here are some amazing tech from Japan: Tokyo-based Mebiol works on plant cultivation technology of membrane-based, Imec, which makes it possible to give the plants grow on the thin film instead of soil. The film is made of water absorbent material called Hydrogel and just "tens of microns thick.

Mebiol said that tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, melons, etc. have up to 80% less water to grow compared with conventional crops, and that 1 g SkyGel (this is a brand name of Hydrogel) absorbs and holds 100 ml of water. Unlike soil bacteria or viruses have no chance to cause harm to plants. Another advantage is that the SkyGel can be used on various surfaces, including sand, concrete or ice (see this PDF for examples of recent years).

The film can be used for plant growth for 2-3 years before it needs to be replaced, according to the company.

This video was shot in Tokyo provides Diginfonews deeper (advantages and disadvantages of Imec):

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Japanese company develops sound absorption blinds (video)

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

If you are sensitive to noise and looking for discreet way to solve this problem in your apartment or office building, for example, the so-called Feltone [JP] could do the trick for you. Based on the Japan Tokyo blinds, Jalousie, which is Feltone can absorb sound and push down the power of noise up to 60%.

Feltone, which as the name suggests is made of felt, looks like a normal blind and can be used on windows or walls – just like normal blinds without any special modifications. Tokyo blinds said that installation takes about two hours with their decision, worth up to 90% less than the acoustic panels, for example.

The company explains:

This sound absorbing the blind works because the sound is very good, if there is a layer of air back 50-200 mm thick, between blind slats and the wall when the blind is attached in the normal way. We used this phenomenon in order to achieve the effect as absorbs sound group, by adding the sound absorption of felt.

Feltone (which is only available in Japan at this time), not cheap: 2mx2m blind is worth $ 1500. In 2009, Tokyo has put blind blinds for the owners of the home theater company (conference rooms, server rooms, etc.), families with children, etc.

This video was shot in Tokyo provides Diginfonews deeper, (English):

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