SHOJI to detect the mood of a room for about $3,000

If you're someone who can easily read other people's emotions, then you probably won't be getting a SHOJI (Symbiotic Hosting Online Jog Instrument) anytime soon. For the rest of us, we'll have to rely on this latest invention from our friends at the University of Tokyo and GS Yuasa. The SHOJI apparently can sense the "mood" of a room by monitoring light levels, temperature, humidity, infrared, ultrasonic waves, the "presence and movement of people," (not unlike that Mitsubishi air conditioner we saw recently) body temperature, and "the nature of activity in the room," whatever that is. All of that data is then compiled and computed to output to an LED flask sort of thing which displays red for anger, blue for sadness, yellow for happiness and green for peace. Apparently Japanese managers and hospitals are willing to pay a hefty price for this privilege, given that it'll cost between ¥300,000 and ¥400,000 ($2,500 to $3,300) when its released in April 2007. Still, the SHOJI is no KotoHana flower, that's for sure.

[Deluxe @ Nov 8th 2006 6:55AM]

It would be easier if we all just carried around cardboard flash cards to display our emotions.


.. or better yet, looked at eachother.

[NHAnimator @ Nov 8th 2006 8:47AM]

I'm sorry... what were you saying? You were being blocked by my PDA/Laptop/iPod/PSP/cell phone.

[Dae @ Nov 8th 2006 8:49AM]

I'm going to say it first on Engadget. How about a mood read-out display that you can pin on your clothing. it can directly read all of those levels and display it in plain english. or what ever your language maybe.

[telepheedian @ Nov 8th 2006 8:53AM]

This room has a WARM mood to it.

[Chris @ Nov 8th 2006 9:06AM]

The room inside my pants is blue.