Asahi Kasei unveils singing Rain Sensor flower

We've got flowers that have seen fire, and now we're seeing ones that brave the rain, as Asahi Kasei's plainly-named Rain Sensor spends (quite literally) half its time perched outdoors awaiting those sprinkles. As you might expect, this two-part device consists of a mountable rain sensor that resides outside and connects wirelessly to the indoor monitor in order to alert you when it begins to drizzle. Presumably aimed at those who frequently leave their car windows down or wet clothes on the line, this little fella belts out a friendly jingle whenever its drop-sensing partner feels the water. Although there's always the "look out the window" approach, this device does indeed save you from focusing intently on what's happening outside in order to determine precisely when the first drop falls, but even if it doesn't seem worth the ¥3,980 ($33) asking price to you, be sure to click on through for a live demonstration anyway.

[Via Plastic Bamboo]

[Chris @ Feb 16th 2007 11:36PM]

you can make something like this with about $2 worth of stuff from radiosnak, though it probably won't look as pretty

however, it seems like it could be used as a wireless non-boring doorbell too, which makes $30 seem not so high

[Dood77 @ Feb 17th 2007 1:29AM]

heh, i wonder how hard it would be to be able to hack one up to be able to set others off within close range, on a perfectly dry day...

[Vince @ Feb 17th 2007 3:37AM]

"IHI". (^_-) I don't don't think Asahi Kasei is much of a brain trust, but for less than 4000 yen, it's hard to criticize this product. I imagine that it most part of Japan, it'll last lest than 20 minutes with the maniacal crows that are everywhere. Ahh, but whatever. Rain or snow, it should work, and since it has a 15 m range, you should be able to hear the bloody alarm screaming as the sensor is carted off by one of those birds. Now, can you please show me someone in Tokyo who leaves the windows in his car down when he goes home...

[Roberto Iza Valdez @ Feb 17th 2007 9:10AM]

Such a useful gadget. This is great fun.