7 Japanese Hardware Startups at CES 2018 to Watch for
From personal robot assistants to bladder-monitoring apps, these startups are pushing the boundaries of technology at CES 2018. Check out seven Japanese companies you should keep an eye on this year.
This January tech enthusiasts from around the globe landed in Las Vegas for the largest trade show in the world CES 2018. It’s a great opportunity for companies to boost their business and showcase newest tech to consumers and other exhibitors alike. A handful of Japanese startups made a showing this year and we’ve highlighted the most prominent seven from Nintendo land you should watch for.
QD Laser, Monozukuri Hardware Cup 2017 winner, addresses the problem of visually handicapped people with impaired vision. Although many can read by using a magnifying glass, cloudy eyesight is considered to create a disability in everyday life and work. Lightweight wearable glasses with a camera in the front projects images directly onto wearer’s retina from the built-in laser projector. With an original optical technology, laser eyewear is able to project clear images regardless of quality of an individual’s eyesight and in-focus position. With the number of people with low vision growing in Japan and oversees, this winning technology can enhance people’s vision and dramatically improve their quality of life.
If you love WALL-E and R2D2, then Plen Robotics has a gadget for you. Osaka-based startup develops an adorable palm-sized personal assistant robot that can take pictures, play music, keep you updated about the latest news, weather and appointments throughout a day. It stands out in every detail starting from a special UI/UX approach and unique sensors to cutting-edge software. Oh, and it’s very kawaii.
PLEN Robotics won the 2nd place at Monozukuri Hardware Cup 2017 and has been around Asia, American and European startups quite often.
Virtual reality startups have taken a mass market by storm. From full-body tracking to touching sensation, a number of players in the hardware industry hope to cash in on the boom. Tokyo-based company VAQSO heightens the magic of virtual reality by tackling one the most difficult issues to simulate: smells.CEO Kentaro Kawaguchi previously worked in a company promoting odors for restaurants and realized there was a huge opportunity for startups. The scent generation device attachable to head-mount display is able to shoot out various realistic odors and enhance the VR experience.
A running shoe that advices on your health status — sounds very space age. Actually, it’s been already developed. no new folks, empowered by MBC Shisaku Fund, produces smart footwear for the next generation. The sensors incorporated into the shoes precisely track every movement and analyze customer’s walking and running habits. AI stores data about daily movements and shares it with your insurance companies or fitness coach. Each sole is equipped by a high-density LED lamp that respond to your movements with lights and colors.
Triple W. (DFree)
A urinary incontinence is a huge problem, not least because of the social stigma attached. DFree is focused on solving this delicate issue that many conventional companies fail to address. They develop a wearable medical device that aims to ‘bring dignity back to every human’ by using ultrasound technology. It monitors condition of a bladder and sends a discreet notification to the wearer’s smartphone when it’s time to visit a lavatory. An application of the technology lies beyond incontinence and could be used for predicting everything, from appetites and menstrual cycles to aging and even one’s lifespan.
Japanese company Xenoma took advantage of the CES 2018 trade show to present a smart clothing with a focus on health and monitoring. Moreover, it took the “Best Accessibility Tech Winner’ award by Engadget Best of CES 2018 thanks to its innovative fabric sensors that can withstand a washing machine and stretch up to 50% for 10,000 times. The smart apparel e-skin that looks like a sophisticated T-shirt is dotted with electric circuits. When the user moves, the built-in sensors detect the motion and send the data from the chest-mounted receiver to a cloud for further analyze. Smart clothing might be used not only for sports and entertainment, but also to prevent diseases such as dementia and Parkinson disease.
For those moving through life in pursuit of adrenaline, communication during outdoor activities can be a challenge. It is difficult even to push a button when your hands are too busy holding a board, poles or handle. Established by Takahiro Miyasaka, an avid snowboarder and outdoor enthusiast, Bonx helps users to remain in a constant contact with their friends and teammates with a Bluetooth earphone connected to a dedicated smartphone app. A wearable transceiver is optimized for outdoor environment with unstable cellular reception while microphones with noise reduction technology ensure crystal-clear speech.
