CEATEC: Connected technology from 8K receiver to in-eye LASER Display and robots

[donaldk]

CEATEC or Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies, the Japanese consumer electronics show that presents technology and its contribution to society, is taking place in Chiba, Japan this week. Always the place to first see new products but also research trends. The main trend and theme is the internet of things, how technology is connected and integrated in people's lifes.

In UHD there is Sharps new 4K/8K satellite receiver for the SHV test broadcast on the BS 17 satellite. The advanced wideband satellite digital broadcast receiver received Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Award at CEATEC.



Sharp's award-winning broadcast receiver was developed as the world's first dedicated equipment for receiving 8K test broadcasting, which started in August 2016. For the Olympic demo's NHK used what appears to be the same large prototype box. When connected to Sharp's LV-85001 8K monitor, 33-megapixel ultra-high-definition images with 16 times the resolution of full HD can be displayed. The receiver can also receive 4K multichannel broadcasts, in which multiple programs are broadcast at the same time. It also supports 22.2-channel surround sound, though that requires outboard amplification, the 22.2 immersive/3D audio has been an integral part of the NHK led SHV (Super Hi-Vision) programme for 8K broadcasts.

Sharp said it will continue the development of equipment for next-generation 8K broadcasting, in anticipation of the launch of full-scale 8K broadcasts slated to begin in 2018. At the show it will also show an 8K monitor that will show computer-generated 8K-resolution video that will give visitors a chance to experience the next generation of finely detailed ultra-high-definition images. And Sharp's unique Free-Form Display (FFDs) incorporating its IGZO LCD technology.



Fujitsu Limited and its ten year old spin-off, QD Laser, Inc.'s Retinal Imaging Laser Eyewear was also awarded by the CEATEC AWARD Review Panel. The Retinal Imaging Laser Eyewear Technology offers an array of advantages not available with conventional head mounted displays (HMD), including a focus-free feature that eliminates the need for the user to adjust eye focus, and its pursuit of universal design for a natural external appearance, with no protruding parts. It also holds the potential of becoming an alternative technology, with support for low vision eyesight, augmented and virtual reality and other sophisticated functions.

Retinal Imaging Laser Eyewear uses laser technology to directly project images onto the retina from a miniature projector. The user can view images from an embedded camera or digital data from external input. The independently developed optical system has little impact on visual acuity or eye focus, and with a design that has the projector mounted inside the frame, there are no protruding parts.

As a transparent-type HMD, in addition to augmented reality and smart glasses applications, it is mainly being developed as a medical device for the purpose of supporting the visual function of people with low vision (visually impaired but not completely blind), who have irregularities in the anterior part of their eyes.

The in-eye display was developed with the support of two goverment grant programmes. And though the laser beam is considered to be safe under reasonably foreseeable use according to Class 1 in the IEC60825-1 standard, its application in supporting visual function has not yet received approval under Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, so it cannot be sold or distributed. A proper show item promoting the state-of-the-art.



Sharp is also joining the IoT wave at CEATEC, under the theme of "IoT by Sharp - A New Way of Living," Sharp will present its AIoT Smart Home. Sharp says it is in the process of applying AIoT - a fusion of AI (artificial intelligence) and IoT - to its consumer electronics. By having AI learn about a user's preferences and lifestyle, AIoT consumer electronics can not only optimize existing functions, but also autonomously suggest various other functions and services according to the usage situation. This will make users' lives even more comfortable and convenient. Sharp will introduce the world of its AIoT Smart Home through presentations and hands-on demonstrations through wich visitors will get a sense of the futuristic lifestyles made possible by an AIoT Smart Home fitted with AIoT consumer electronics. The Artificial Intelligences of these cloud-connected smart appliances evolve day by day to match user preferences and lifestyles, thereby making users' lives more comfortable and convenient, Sharp claims.

Mitsubishi Electric said it will introduce its latest products and technologies that support the society of the future, with a focus on IoT technology deployed in areas such as residence, manufacturing plants, transportation and other aspects of society. Individual demonstrations will include a user interface for voice-activated drawing, the hands-on demonstration shows spoken words displayed along where a finger is traced on a tablet screen.aimed at helping people transcend hearing impairment or communicate in foreign languages.

Also on show a high-precision air-quality sensor that alerts to the presence of PM2.5 microscopic air pollutants.

Introducting the e-F@ctory concept, the company’s integrated factory automation solution, demonstrates the company’s new maintenance and diagnosis service targeting laser-processing machines for cutting sheet metal, utilizing IoT to demonstrate the operational status of the machines on a tablet.

Next-generation driving-assistance technologies featuring a hands-on 3D head-up display, human machine interface demonstration using a multi-bonding display, and a demonstration on driver sensing technology that enables cars to detect the status of the driver.

Sharp will also introduce new applications for RoBoHoN its Robotic Mobile Phone, targeting corporate customers in the service robot field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfiQfKf962s

And Toyota is launching the mini version of the Kiribo personal companion robot, ahead of an early 2017 commercial availability, of the 10centimeter/4 inches tall mini robot, at the equivalent of $400,-.



"Kirobo Mini could help driving become a physically and emotionally transformative experience. After all, Kirobo’s name derives from the Japanese word for ‘hope', and we believe he’s filled with exciting possibilities…", Toyota said in a statement.

[DCI forum]

CEATEC JAPAN 2016: 8K TVs, a robot invasion and VR experiences that push current tech to the max
By Marco Zangirolami a day ago 

T3's man in Japan Marco Zangirolami reports in from the Japanese version of CES
http://www.t3.com/news/ceatec-japan-2016-8k-tvs-a-robot-invasion-and-vr-experiences-that-push-current-tech-to-the-max

Even though trade show and expo 'CEATEC' is pretty unknown here in the west, in the east the fair is one of the real highlights of the year, showing off the pinnacle of today's most cutting edge technology and gadgetry, as well as pioneering future tech also.

CEATEC is held every year at the Makuhari Messe, the same place where the Tokyo Game Show is hosted and in which T3 recently brought you comprehensive coverage of this year's show, and is akin to the CES of the east.

The CES of the east?! Well, naturally T3 had to attend and report back in. What follows is our Day 1 roundup. Enjoy!

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Cutting edge tech is EVERYWHERE

CEATEC is place where the heavyweights of the Japanese tech scene (example: Fujitsu, Toyota, Nec, Sony, etc..) showcase their new technologies in advance. This is the tech that their R&Ds are working on now but we will have in our hands in say 5 to 10 years.

So it is not surprising that the show is organized, financially supported and presented by the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe himself, in person!

One of the biggest themes this year is 8K. Going around the fair 8K TVs are literally EVERYWHERE and the quality is really STUNNING (blowing 4K right out of the water). People look at these prototypes and very soon state that they can't wait to own one.. but (sadly) that won't be for quite a while yet.

Yes, because even if right now we are following the debate on social media in the west as to whether we must upgrade our Full HD TVs to upscaled 4K TVs (I say upscaled because most of the original TV programs and games are still in 1080p), in Japan the most important firms have gone directly beyond 4K to 8K already!

To be more exact, NHK (the national BBC) presented their first 100-inch 8K TV at CEATEC in 2011, when in Europe 4K TVs were only on flyers.

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Kill all humans!

But 8K doesn't seem the only (commercial) target of the manufacturers at the show this year, with lots of robots of every kind, and for any need, invading Japan.

But after observing carefully most of them, sincerly the term 'Robot' is not very accurate, as the AI is extremely sophisticated. I think a more accurate term would be 'androids'.

A clear example of what I am talking about is Toyota's amazing 'KIROBO' mini (the rival version of Sharp's 'ROBOHON' without the smartphone function inside).

Japanese companies, due to the country's rapidly ageing population, are heavily investing in androids to replace not just the elderly workers in the manufacture of goods (Amazon also is on the front line), but also to look after them!

These androids are created not just to speak or entertain as normal toys (and by the way the toy giant Takara-Tomy is also here at the fair), but can also assist and help the humans in their daily tasks.

Of course for only 39,800 yen (around 300GBP) 'Kirobo' doesn't have facial recognition, but the fact that it can read our emotions and adapt his mood to ours, technically for such a so low cost it is certainly not a joke.

We must imagine what it will be able to do in 5 years, when costs have been reduced and features expanded.

Artificial Intelligence is also big in another sector, with tech giant OMRON investing - the ping pong machine is a clear example of how their R&D is preparing what Juniper Reserach used to say: "One in ten American households will own a consumer robot by 2020".

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Bits and bobs

Now to talk about some smaller one-off pieces of tech I've seen on Day 1.

Panasonic has developed a "Motion Sensing Unit" that is really incredible, with which a robot can became an error-free waiter:

Or a professional photographer:

Of course, as at all the big tech shows of 2016, VR fever is present and kicking at CEATEC.

One of the most notable here at the show is TE's "Hang Glider VR Experience" that lets you fly on a Hang Glider. The experience, I can tell you, is really unique and very satisfying.


Last but not least is the ' COCOROBO', i.e. the japanese version of our iRobots manifactured by Sharp but with a karaoke synthesized add-on. From what I've seen at the show, COCOROBO seems to gather a lot of interest and fans, probably due to its idol theme popularity (you know Japan is mad for idols, right?)


What does COCOROBO do more than clean your house? Sing your prefered (Japanese) songs of course.

Cleaning + singing = INSTABUY!

[DCI forum]

CEATEC Japan 2016 Day 2: a flying robot crane made out of paper, retinal sunglasses and impressive AR catch the eye
By Marco Zangirolami 6 hours ago Home Gadgets 

T3's man in Japan Marco Zangirolami reports in from the Japanese version of CES

Day 2 at CEATEC JAPAN 2016 has been crazy, but let's start from the beginning:
http://www.t3.com/news/ceatec-japan-2016-day-2-cross-collaborations-i-cloud-and-retinal-sunglasses-catch-the-eye

Yesterday in T3's Day 1 coverage I have said that CEATEC is the fair in which the biggest Japanese companies present their R&Ds' new experiments.

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Well, to be exact compared to the past, they seem now more focused on the interaction between different segments of the market (TV and smartphones, home automation and the Internet), with mobile and internet connection pivotal.

The difference compared to the past is that while previously every company used to aggressively fight each other to impose its own system - to do the same thing as the rivals (example: Sharp is displaying here at the fair some of its old products that made history) - now each company is undertaking risks and experiments to find new ways to make money.

They are even joining together their research teams and sharing knowledge (something impossible to believe until 10 years ago). This is because it seems like we are living, or we are in the middle of, a new era where there is a technological limbo, from which the new TV set or video recorder has not yet established. Or, maybe it has, with cloud computing...

Cloud-based momentum

The whole industry willing or not, is moving towards interaction and control coming from external servers, with everything that we own (our house, car, phone and our material body) will be soon (or it is supposed to be) under control by remote.

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A clear example of what I am saying can be seen in Ideaquest's OWLSIGHT, which is going to check our health conditions without touching nor inspecting us, reporting back with a general health report.

The 'Smart' mirror from Panasonic also, sooner or later, will change the way in which we'll use mirrors too, with the system checking our health and also each of our open pores. For those of us who like to keep their skin in tip top shape, this will no doubt be a must-have product.

Another example is Fujitsu' s 'Livetalk', an instant translator that's designed to help those who haven't learned a different language when travelling abroad. The ability to travel to a foreign country and be able to speak and get understood by anybody surely is a dream come true to many.

Even in this case though, the software is remotely controlled and the speed is 10 times that compared to traditional, Google-based translators. Not to mention the fact that the speed and accuracy is also massively improved. Processed remotely and delivered over the cloud at - providing your Internet connection is good enough - at lightning pace.

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Last but not least is Lapis Semiconductor's soil sensors, which have the ability to monitor soil environments in real-time to check and improve the productivity of the area.

Japanese madness

Now let's talk about some of the more flamboyant things we've seen on Day 2. The first thing that comes to mind is the 'ORIZURI', a flying robot paper crane made by ROHM semiconductors.

Don't ask me about the reason, or for what it is good for, as I really don't have a clue!

Epson, on the other hand, showcased the Moverio BT-300 and BT-2200 AR systems, which I finally have been able to try in first person.

Let me tell you that Epson has made a really good product that I really hope in the near future will hit the market, with an impressive OLED display and various functions delivering a proper augmented reality experience.

For example, you can help yourself repair your car with instant Internet searches (commanded by your voice and eyes), plus at the same time you can also talk with your best friend, who can also be helping you and checking if you are doing it right. Simply amazing!

We have to mention the recycling papers machine named 'PaperLab' too in this section of crazy, a machine that can process 6,720 sheets in an 8-hour work day! Available for the moment only in Japan but, if it is a success, expect to see them hitting western shores shortly.

Closing the article I cannot forget the Fujitsu's Retinal imaging laser eye wear that stole the show, at the point that it has been awarded by the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry an award for its proven efficency for the blind, or people with low vision thanks to its free-focus mechanism.