InnoUvators | The Next Wave of Strange Science & Unusual Technology

2021/05/26

  As a result of the high light pollution seen in the night sky of Tokyo, it is difficult to see many of the billions of stars in the night sky. Utilizing machine learning, this technology is able to visualize a "beautiful night sky" with very little effort of the user. As a result, the threshold for entry into astrophotography can be significantly lowered, it would also be possible to implement this technology into existing technology such as smartphones and cameras. This research hopes to improve the accuracy of the DNN (Deep Neural Network) model itself.

2021/01/01

        Using digital fabrication & open source IoT technology, "Wasted Creation" is developing "useless" products as web content. Products created up until now are sharred on social media and feedback is taken from users/followers. By using technology in humorous ways, new possibilities of use and aspects of technology can be discovered effortlessly. Rather than using rationalility to develop new ideas, these products are inspired by emotions and desires of the individual - allowing for a new perspective in technology development. The overall goal is to explore a new index that connects technology with society.

2021/01/01

      The ultimate goal is to have a large number of ultra-small sensor nodes with flying capabilities similar to dragonflies and perform global-scale multipoint environment scanning. The appearance of fully-fledged artificial muscle seems to be a long way off, so we first must use currently available technology: ultra-small motors. The aim is to make several tens of centimeter-sized flapping airplanes driven by gear and crank mechanisms (comparable to flying organisms). The milestone is to achieve motor function and develop autonomous flight technology. Finally, a vertical take-off and landing fluttering machine that can change the aerial altitude from hovering flight to level flight has been created. Therefore, in the INNO-vation program, we will target the autonomous flight of the flapper using machine learning.

2021/01/01

    In Japan, colorectal cancer ranks first and gastric cancer ranks second in national prevalence but the screening consultation rate is low. Reasons behind this include the endoscopy being painful and embarrassing. Compared to normal endoscopies, a capsule endoscopy is a swallow-only procedure with no pain or radiation exposure. However, observation of a large-volume stomach is almost impossible with conventional capsule endoscopies. Currently, colon capsule endoscopies, which are covered by insurance, are not widely used due to long examination times and large amounts of laxatives being required. To overcome this drawback, we developed a system that can efficiently observe the digestive tract from the esophagus to the anus with a single examination by guiding the capsule from outside of the body with a magnet, improving its detection ability and safety.

2021/01/01

    Even if the world stopped CO2 emissions completely, global warming can no longer be stopped. I saw these words as a junior high school student and was shocked. Although there are various theories on the issue of global warming, it is essential to change people's mindsets One at a time. Therefore, focusing on the key to climate engineering, "managing the climate of the earth through the power of science," I have been studying ways to control global warming on the individual level since junior high school. More specifically, I'm talking about the development of a device that directly contributes to CO2 reduction. Following this theme, we will first take on CO2 collection technology and then try to add some value to the collected CO2. By developing multiple prototypes using these technologies,numerically analyzing their effects and then sharing them through a network, we can raise awareness of global warming countermeasures on the individual level by representing them visually.

2021/01/01

    In this proposal, we will carry out activities to further improve and spread the 'Incontinence Experience Device', which gives the sensation of urinary incontinence to the user. Although the current Incontinence Experience Device can realistically reproduce the sensation of urination, it does not sufficiently reproduce the internal human mechanisms, such as the urge to urinate and the accompanying kinetic sensations. Therefore, we seek more effective urinary presentation methods including physical approaches such as cooling and electrical stimulation to give an immersive experience using VR technology. In addition, we will promote the miniaturization and modularization of the device in order to verify the usage and effectiveness of the device and propose examples of application in cooperation with fields such as the medical, nursing, and entertainment industries.

2021/01/01

    When people are impressed, in love, or motivated, their emotions unconsciously shine through their eyes. People are strongly attracted to these "bright eyes". Even though the current communication robots can reproduce the same attractiveness as a living creature, it cannot express pupil brightness - an innate expression of humans. Therefore, in this project, we will develop a pupil interface that effectively expresses internal movements in the eyeball when uncontrollable emotions are displayed. By introducing this pupil interface into a communication robot, we will design a new communication method of which people can find attractive.

2021/01/01

    The "Digital Shaman Project" proposes a new form of giving condolences designed for the modern age of science and technology. This program, which makes home robots possess the physical characteristics of the deceased, appears on the home robot only for 49 days after death and disappears automatically after 49 days. In this project, we will improve the quality so that people can be reproduced with high accuracy by introducing voice synthesis, integration of life data using life logs, home devices, introduction of body data, and interactive behavior. Through the development of a series of systems, we will create a system that addresses the absence of someone important.