Robot Trends in Japan: Robo Museum and Cafe to open in Nagoya

I have not been a great robot maniac before I came to Japan. But being here, experiencing the rapid development and the common sense of “robots are our friends and part of a future society”…it has become one of my favorite topics, in my job as well as in private. But robots over here are not just a show-off at exhibitons for future technolgies. They have started to be marketed, sold and put into action, even though only in limited numbers. The family robot Wakamaru for example was sold last year in a limited number to private households. Small robots that can be operated by mobile phone from anywhere and have a camera and speaker/microphone function are available at rather low cost. Enryu, the rescue robot is becoming a good helper in various catastrophic situations. Entertainment robots like the Near Me robot cat are increasing in number even though it is a tough process for the makers to enter the mass market at high quality. But this will change in no time…

Now the next real cool and must see place will open from October 2006 in Nagoya: Japan`s first robot museum. Besides the museum itself it will also feature the worlds first specialized robot shop “Robots future department”. There will be about 1000 products from real robots to accessories. The company “Gyrowalk” aims to fascinate children and adults alike with the robot dream. Walking on 2 legs robots, mobile phone controllable robots, robots with human voice interfaces…anything up to about US$ 5000 will be for sale here. But also real affordable robots for kids will be on display. Apart from this, targeting the 40 year old age group that grew up with robot anime, old style robot toys and accessories are going to be sold.
The museum will feature hero anime robots from the past as well as current technology and future concepts like partner robots. As soon as its open…a must see..at least for me

Japan Toy Marketing: Micromaster R/C Indoor Helicopter

Present it big ! This was what Taiyo thought when it wanted to launch a new marketing campaign for the latest indoor R/C toy. The micromaster, a miniature size helicopter that was developed for sole indoor use, has been launched with an extensive marketing campaign featuring the real thing. In chosen locations all over Japan a limited number of 40 people (20 couple tickets) can apply to board a real helicopter. The campaign is running from July 2006 until April 2007. Concerning the micromaster R/C: I checked it out in a store in Tokyo and declare it a 100% “Must Have”.

You can now buy the Micromaster in the Online Shop.

Tokyo Marketing: Flyer, tissue hand-outs & the coupon society

If you have ever been in Tokyo you have seen them all over the place: at stations, in crowded gathering places and shopping streets, in front of shops…our Tokyo boys and girls busy trying to fetch the attention of bypassing salarymen, OL or whoever fits the target group. Handing out campaign flyers of reknown brands, tissues of Pachinko parlours, hand fans for the summer heat and lots, lots of coupons. Japanese love coupons;-) For one of our clients I was watching the scene, finding out where is the best spot, what items are most popular for a successful campaign and last not least: how many people are actually accepting to take what you hand them. Count by yourself. The video below is 1 minute in length and shows Shimokitazawa South exit. Coming back to the coupons: McDonalds was definetely leading, at least among the young crowds in Shimokita.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX 07 - Leica Optic

From August 25th, 2006 Panasonic will finally start delivering its new Lumix FX-07 to camera stores in Tokyo. Besides 7.2 megapixel, a 3.6x optical zoom, a 30 fps VGA video recording, a 2.5 inch LED and a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 28 mm Optic., it features the Image Stabilizer MEGA OIS as well as the IIC (Intelligent ISO Control) which enables the user to take absolutely clear pictures up to 1250 ISO.
Adding a sense of individuality and fashion, it will be available in 3 colors in Japan : black, silver, red or gold.
The good news: Even the cool Japanese version features an English and Japanese menu.

New USB finger mouse - EEM-GTMS-300BK

Not yet the full virtual interface i would love to have, but a nice gadget on the way. This Mini 800dpi USB-powered optical mouse works while strapped to the index finger and the button is operated with the thumb. The mouse can work on any surface and even in very narrow spaces (such as on the cloth at the knee). Surely convenient during travelling and also to avoid a mouse-syndrome.

Specifications

Size: WxDxH 2.44 x 0.9 x 1,3 inch (62×23×33mm)
Cable length: 4 foot (1.2m)
Weight: 1.23 oz (35g)
Button: 2 buttons and scroll button
Interface: USB (A type connector)
Reading system: Optical sensor system (ball less)
Resolution: 400dpi/800dpi
Corresponding type: Windows after the XP 2000 Me 98SE 98 and the Macintosh 9

Marketing Trends: Subway motion ads in Tokyo

It is not very new anymore and I have written about it on some other blogs already…but nevertheless…i found one of the videos I took and thought its worth posting. Subway motion ads are quite stunning when you see them first time. Actually seeing that particular one in the Tokyo subway I was looking behind me because I thought these people are sitting in the train coming from the other side. The fact, however, is that on the wall
there are a number of panels which are illuminated from behind and give the passenger the illusion of watching a 15-second full-motion mini-commercial when the subway-car speeds by. The idea is based on the 19th century zoetrope, which is basically a large scale, rounded flip-book, which creates the illusion of moving images when spun around.

Also in 2005 our client BMW launched a cool marketing campaign in Tokyo using subway motion ads on the Ginza line. Check it out:

If you want to read more about it please also check the article on our CScout TrendBlog

Tenga Onacups target modern men

Onacups have been around for decades, but have recently taken on new life in Tenga’s “future of masturbation” onacups. Old-style onacups are plastic tubes (usually with a cute anime girl on the front) that enclose masturbation sleeves and lubricant. Basically, you pop open the top, put “it” in, think about Koda Kumi, let loose, and toss the cup. Easy, right?

Tenga has taken the onacup idea much further by changing the design of the onacup to make it stylish and modern. In fact, it would blend right in on a shelf next to some hairgel and toothpaste. However, they really put their heart and soul into making the inside much more pleasurable by designing them to recreate various sexual positions and acts…complete with sucking sounds via a special valve on some models.

Once again Japan proved how you can turn a kind of sleazy and unattractive looking product into something “you gotta have” just by changing design and adding some good marketing. Tenga claims to use special technology for maximum pleasure, and markets several types of experiences such as blowjob, deep hole, double hole, soft, etc. The message is: Come on, admit it! Masturbating is fun, and we all do it, but from now we do it with style !

At Tokyo’s 2006 Gay and Lesbian festival, Tenga actually set up a mobile shop (see above) where they were introducing the onacup line and passing out samples to lucky wankers. At first we thought they were selling some kind of juice drink, but we figured it out pretty quickly as we got closer. Maybe they’ll just start driving around Kabuki-cho and selling them like ice cream!

**UPDATE: NSFW** Tenga available at KanojoToys for those who are so inclined.

Tags: Sex Toys, Tenga, Tenga Onacups

Tokyo Lesbian & Gay Parade 2006

The Tokyo Lesbian & Gay Parade 2006, held at Yoyogi park, was a fun event with a lot of even more crazy costumes that you can see on the streets of Tokyo anyways. From the hard gay, the nasty nurse, the ojisans (uncles) lost in Alice in Wonderland up to the white angel…everybody was here…happy to show off or just to enjoy the vibe. It was relatively small in number compared to other events around the globe but it still shows that the gay community is not just important as trendsetters but also a strong target group that better not be left out of your marketing efforts.

Posteed by Sven Kilian

Japan Trends: Purikura evolves into Videkura

Trend Category:
Mobile, QR Codes, Japanese Teen Girl Culture, Viral Video, User Created Mobile Video Booths

Trend Description:
Print Club or “purikura�? has been a staple of Japanese teen culture (mostly girls) for the last decade. It involves taking pictures with friends in a booth, and then being able to customize every aspect of the pictures, as well as design them afterwards before printing them. The technology has evolved to the point where digital copies can be emailed to users’ phones or PCs. The next step is video booths (Videkura), which will produce, create, and edit videos made available via mobile phone or internet, and can be easily shared with friends.

Cases:
MYSQ – My Style So Qute
Created by the UTUTU Co., Ltd., MYSQ is currently being displayed at the KDDI Design Studio in Harajuku, Tokyo. Users enter a large, completely white-walled booth, and place electronic sensor bands on their hands. On the floor are sensors that, when stepped on, create different video effects. After pushing a button, music begins to play and the users can dance around and control the video effects with their feet. By using the hand sensors, it’s possible to create on-screen effects by waving them in front of the camera.
After creating a video (at this point, up to three minutes), users can scan a QR Code with their cell phones and immediately watch the video. Videos are also accessible via the web, and can easily be shared with anyone.
MYSQ is a perfect example of where the purikura culture is going, and, though simple, is well ahead of anything else out there.

Trend impact:
The possibilities are seemingly limitless when it comes to Videkura, as there are many elements that can be combined. On the surface we’re talking about short, shareable videos made with friends, but it becomes much more. Karaoke is another Japanese obsession that would segue into Videkura perfectly, with users being able to choose the soundtrack to their videos and sing/dance along. Whether transporting users to exotic locations via “green screen�?, or providing them with easy post-production editing tools, Videkura cannot be simply a “video dancing room�?, but a place to express yourself in ways that you can’t in a photograph.
Online video services such as YouTube are tearing up the internet now, and Videkura will be another major contributor to the content out there. Japanese blogs and web pages will be full of examples as well, with easy QR Codes to scan and access easily via mobile.
In the end, Videkura cannot replace Purikura because they will have different functions, but there is no doubt that Videkura will be big.

by Michael Keferl & Sven Kilian

プリクラ�?�ビデクラ�?�進化�?�る

Trend Category:
プリクラ, QRコード, ビデクラ, YOU TUBE, UTUTU, MYSQ , My Style So Qute, KDDI�?�京原宿店�?�デザインスタジオ,

Trend Description:
プリントクラブ�?「プリクラ�?�?��?日本�?�女�?高生�?�カル�?ャー�?��?��?��?�?��?�数年定�?��?��?��?�る。ブース�?�中�?��?��?��?�写真を撮り�?�?�刷�?�?�デザイン�?��?�を自分�?�?�カスタマイズ�?��??る。�?�ら�?��?�??�?�技術�?��?使用者�?��?�帯電話やパソコン�?��?信�?��??るよ�?�進化�?��?��?��?��?�る。次�?��?「ビデクラ�?�?��?�る。ビデクラ�?��??�?��??�?��?��?�?�よ�?��?�ビデオ版�?�プリクラ�?��?�る。ビデオを撮�?��?��?自分�?�?�アレンジ�?��?�?�帯電話や�?ット�?��?存�?��??る�?��?��?�る。�?��?��?��?��??�?�見�?��?��?��?��?�も�?�能�?�。

Cases:
MYSQ – My Style So Qute
UTUTU�?�よ�?��?�開発�?�れ�?�MYSQ�?�KDDI�?�京原宿店�?�デザインスタジオ�?�展示�?�れ�?��?�り�?興味�?��?�る人�?��??�?��?�試用�?�る�?��?��?��?��??る。�?��?�ユーザー�?��?大�??�??�?�真�?�白�?��?�?�ブース�?�入り�?センサー�?�出る�?ンドを手�?��?��?る。�??�?��?��?開始ボタンを押�?��?�音楽�?�スタート�?�る�?��?��?踊�?��?�り�?足�?�ビデオエフェクトをコントロール�?��?�り�?手�?��?��?�?��?ンド�?�センサーを振�?��?��?�る。�?�る�?��?スクリーン上�?�ビデオエフェクト�?��?�れる。
ビデオ�?��?��??�?��?��?��?�ら�?QRコードを�?�帯�?�読�?�込ん�?��?�?��??�?��??�?�ビデオを�?ェック�?�る�?��?��?��?��??る。�?��?�ビデオ�?�ウェブサイト�?�らもアクセス�?�る�?��?��?��?��??る�?��?��?簡�?��?��?�人ら�?�共有�?��??る。
MYSQ�?�プリクラ文化�?�進ん�?��?��??方�?�を示�?�好例�?��?��?�る。シンプル�?��?�り�?��?�ら�?他�?��?��?��?�見られ�?��?�も�?��?��?�る。

Trend Impact:
ビデクラ�?��?�能性�?�未知�?��?�り�?�??れ�?��?�?��?�?��?�?�組�?��?��?�?��?��?�?��?�よ�?��?�も利用�?��??る構�?分�?をも�?��?��?�る。�?��?��?�作る共有�?�能�?�短編ビデオ�?�市場�?�も�?��?�大�??�??�?�る�?��?�?��?�予測�?�れる。カラオケ�?��?日本�?��?�離れる�?��?��?��?��??�?��?�存在�?��?�り�?�??れ�?�ビデクラ�?�相互�?��?��?��??�?�??�?�も�?�れ�?��?�。例�?��?��?自分�?��?��?�作�?��?�ビデオをカラオケ�?�サントラ�?��?��?��?�?��?��?�。�?��?��?「緑�?�スクリーン�?を使�?��?�魅惑的�?�場所�?�スイッ�?�?��??�?�り（今�?��?��?��?�?�白�?�?�ブース�?��?��?��?�展示�?�れ�?��?��?��?�）�?簡�?��?�ビデオ編集�?��?�り�?��??るツール等を�??供�?�れ�?��?ビデクラ�?��?��?�る「ビデオダンスルーム�?�?��?�終�?ら�?��?��?��?�?�。�?��?�写真�?�中�?��?�?�る�?��?��?��?��??�?�??れ�?�れ�?�自己表�?��?�る場�?��?�り�?�る�?��?�。
YOU TUBE�?�よ�?��?�オンラインビデオサービス�?�インター�?ット�?�貢献�?��?��?�る中�?�ビデクラ�?�新�?��?�貢献�?��??るサービス�?��?�り�?�る�?��?��?�?�。日本�?�ブログやウェブサイト�?��?�多�??�?�好例�?��?�る�?��?��?ェック�?��?��?�る�?�よ�?�。
最後�?��?ビデクラ�?��?プリクラ�?��?��?��?�変�?る�?��?��?��?��??�?��?�。�?��?��?�ら機能�?��?��?��?�ら�?�。�?��?��?��?ビデクラ市場�?�大�??�??�?��?��?��?��??�?��?��?�確実�?��?�る。

by Michael Keferl, Sven Kilian and Eri Hayashi