Trends in Japan » Wireless Japan Expo

Cyber Figure Alice with VIDEO

Written by: Michael Keferl on July 22, 2008 at 8:45 pm | In Technology & Gadget Trends | 10 Comments

Today CScout Japan made a trip to the Wireless Japan Expo to check out what’s going on in the mobile world…but mostly we were on the lookout for shiny toys and fun gadgets. We weren’t let down!

Although we still have the Frepar Networks Communication Pod in our hearts (exclusive video coming soon!), there’s a new interactive computer girl on the block. Today we had a chance to play with this nifty little augmented reality toy/software from Geisha Tokyo called Cyber Figure Alice (covered recently by Asiajin).

cyber figure alice 1

Included with the package will be software, cubes, and sticks printed with cyber codes. While running the software, if you point your webcam at the cube Alice will then make that her centerpoint for entertaining oh-so-geeky you. She changes costumes, stands on the cube, walks around, and even sweeps up a little!

cyber figure alice 2

All is well until you start pestering her with your cyber sticks, each with varying patterns on each side that represent a different tool, such as a big grabber hand or a poking finger, that you can use to to flirt with your new digital girlfriend. Or, if you’re mean, torment her endlessly.

cyber figure alice

There are still a few kinks to be worked out before the Fall 2008 debut, but in general the experience was quite smooth and fun. We especially loved how the floor opens up with stairs and Alice walks down to change costumes. Using the cubes as frame of reference, there are many opportunities for adding more characters and interactive options. After all, since two cubes are included that could just well mean that we can have two characters at once. Girl fight!

Below is a quick video of Cyber Figure Alice in action. Enjoy.