The USB Electrical Muscle Stimulation mouse

Cancel your gym membership (or at least pretend you had one in the first place), because Rare Mono has solved all of your problems with the Kinniku Mouse, a USB mouse that promises a workout while you work. You just connect the electrodes to the mouse, attach them to the muscle group you want worked, and kick back and watch the twitchy wonder that is Electrical Muscle Stimulation do its business.

P.S. - Japan is now officially freaking us out.

[Via Akihabara News]

[Daniel Wright @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

This looks just like a recent invention patented in Taiwan which claims to heal by "applying the Chinese ancient principles of acupuncture":
http://www.patentlysilly.com/patent.php?patID=6847846

[irshliquor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

...and i thought Americans were lazy.

thanks Japan!

(btw...1st post!)

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

That better not be a cup...

[K @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

re: #2
Yeah... that'd be sketchy.

However, if I'm reading their site right, it's a case for the pads.

[Chaz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

This is just a geek version of "Dr. Ho's Muscle therapy System" http://www.drhonow.com/cgi-bin/dy04/dhindex.htm

My brother had one and basically you electrocute yourself. Word to the wise...use as directed and with some semblance of common sense. Putting these on your face, thighs, genitals, and/or setting them on full power just about anywhere is, although amusing for everyone else, apparently not a pleasant experience.

[Woolly Mittens @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

They should sell desk-chairs based on that table they put Neo on in the Matrix.

Also it'd be fun as force-feedback in computer games. You get fragged... you feel fragged. =D

[uclatommy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Cool! I want one!

[Junkmail @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

This is just like those electrothings sold on shopping channels. The company that sold these in Australia was sued and had to straighten out his fake claims. There's no way they're going to build any muscles or 'equal to 5000 push-ups or sit-ups'.

Only thing they do is just stimulate the muscles a little, like in physiotherapy after severe accident. At the best these things just keep your muscles from dying completely.

While the above seems obvious to most of us, remember that these items have been sold in millions to lazy people around the globe.

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I've seen these things before...and have been tempted by them. But ultimately they don't build muscle mass...they can barely even TONE it.

It's funny how they usually advertise these things as letting you exercise without getting tired or sore. Which just indicates that it basically does NOTHING. You get sore from working out because of tiny often microscopic tears in your muscles and the build up of acid in your muscles from metabolizing ATP (basically fat). Clearing the acid out and repairing those tears with new/more tissue is what makes you stronger. So if you're not getting tired and sore...NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

No short cuts in fitness/body building. Even with Steroids and Creatine you still gotta work out if you want significant results (though Creatine makes your muscles retain more water...so you at least LOOK bigger).

I will say these things do work the kinks out of a muscle rather nicely...not as nice as swedish/shiatsu massage, but better than a wall and that idiotic little spikey ball...

Oh yeah, I've heard these things can cause nerve damage with prolonged use too. Buyer beware...

[Henrik @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Just wondering. Why would you connect something like this to the mouse instead of directly to the pc? Is it "click-a-shock"?

[CrystalGeyser @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I don't think this device is intended for any muscle building at all.
Its just a novelty item like the USB humidifier or the USB fan. Its just for fun, not for any real practical purpose. Heck, I'd buy one just to see how it works not because I want a 6 pack :).

[Bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Are you sure it's meant to be a "work out"?? It looks to me more like its meant to just ease the blood circulation in your shoulder area while sitting long hours in front of a PC, minimizing pain and stiffness.

I would've thought it's a translation error to interpret it as a gym replacement.

[Br0 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I think the biofeedback for games is a great Idea. just adds a little more realism to the game. Anyone know if these things exsist? or how easy it would be to make one? i really want one :P

[Neverending @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

You know there has to be some questions that come to your mind with this wild mouse. Computers are so sensitive to electricity that if anything went wrong what my happen? You might spill coffee on the thing and be turned into a human light bulb or melt your laptop.
What is your boss going to do while looking at you and your flinching like you have some muscle disorder? I don't know, but for me, my mouse is difficult enough without getting stimulated from it... Ahh, sounds weird even saying it.