Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Murata Manufacturing shows off self-balancing electric walking aid]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/murata-manufacturing-shows-off-self-balancing-electric-walking-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/murata-manufacturing-shows-off-self-balancing-electric-walking-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/murata-manufacturing-shows-off-self-balancing-electric-walking-a/#comments
Walking assistants of the future come in all shapes and sizes -- from exoskeletons to high-tech walkers -- and you can now also this electric walking aid from Murata Manufacturing to the list of possibilities. It's inspired by some of the standalone robots that the company has built and, much like the Segway, it's able to maintain its balance and stand upright on its own (with an extra set of wheels for some added security). Unlike traditional walkers, however, it requires virtually no effort to push, with built-in sensors able to detect how much the person's body is tilted, and how fast or slow it should move to keep up with them -- it's also apparently powerful to carry a person's luggage or groceries. As you might have suspected, however, it's still just a prototype, and the company isn't ready to say when it might become an actual product. Head on past the break for the company's recent demonstration at CEATEC.

Continue reading Murata Manufacturing shows off self-balancing electric walking aid

Murata Manufacturing shows off self-balancing electric walking aid originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011muratamurata manufacturingMurataManufacturingvideowalkerwalkingwalking aidwalking assistantWalkingAidWalkingAssistantFri, 28 Oct 2011 00:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/#comments Wireless power demos abound at CEATEC, and Rohm Semiconductor had their own variant on hand with a complete mix of direct-draw gadgets, along with the omnipresent charging iPhone 4 (or was it a 4S?). Like Murata's prototype, the Rohm flavor uses square electrodes instead of the coils that you'll find in traditional wireless power solutions, like Qi. But unlike that seemingly identical solution from Murata, this version supports much greater power efficiency -- something in the 92 to 93 percent range (compared to the competing pad's 70-percent efficiency rating). That means that the prototype that we're looking at here loses just seven to eight percent of power during transmission -- which is still unacceptably high, mind you, but far more tolerable. Rohm's Wireless Power Transmission system also allows you to charge or power devices by placing them anywhere on the pad, rather than directly over charging positions, and it supports much greater transmission, with one prototype outputting up to 100 watts.

Since power efficiency isn't something we could verify visually, what we could see at the company's demo did appear to work quite well. Powering a gadget is as simple as dropping it on the pad. Well, resting it gently -- this is a prototype we're talking about, after all. The 50-watt pad was able to power a fan, LED light, and a couple of charging smartphones without issue. The light and fan jumped to full power as soon as they made contact. A second pad got the juices flowing to a large OLED light panel, which was plenty bright when positioned on its own pad, but glowed quite dim when joining other devices. There weren't any charging laptops on hand, like we saw over at Murata, but with power output at 50 and 100 watts, either pad could theoretically support it. Like many of the prototypes we've seen at CEATEC, there aren't any plans to actually bring the system to market, but the technology could be used in other devices. We go hands-on after the break.

Gallery: Rohm Wireless Power Supply System hands-on

Continue reading Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)

Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chargerchargingchibachiba japanChibaJapanelectricityhands-oninductiveinductive chargingInductiveChargingmobilepostcrossMuratapowerpowermatqirohmrohm powerrohm semiconductorrohm wireless powerRohmPowerRohmSemiconductorRohmWirelessPowertokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideowireless chargerwireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerThu, 06 Oct 2011 09:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-tactile-controller-tv-remote-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-tactile-controller-tv-remote-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-tactile-controller-tv-remote-hands-on-video/#comments What's that, you're not into changing the channel with that boring old remote, or even with your voice? Murata's ground-up Tactile Controller brings a real twist to every couch potato's favorite gadget. Quite literally. The company's prototype remote uses touch-pressure pads and pyroelectricity to analyze the position of a piezoelectric film. In English: a plastic film produces tiny amounts of electricity at various voltages (output as data) when it's forced into a variety of positions, letting you change the channel simply by twisting the controller in either direction, or flexing to adjust volume. The model we saw was a plastic sandwich of sorts, and also included four solar cells, capable of producing one milliwatt of electricity -- just enough to power the device.

We put the controller through its paces at the company's CEATEC booth, adjusting a TV's volume and channel up and down, and, well, up and down, since that's just about all you can do with the thing. The model we saw only supported five twist positions and four bending positions in each direction, so it could theoretically adjust those two basic settings more quickly based on how much pressure you put on the film, but realistically can't do much beyond that. The Tactile Controller on display here is more of a proof of concept of sorts -- with the concept being the plastic film technology itself, and not the battery-free remote control, which the company decided would be the most visual application for testing its new film, though not necessarily the most practical. Understandably, Murata doesn't have any plans to release the remote that we saw today, but you can jump past this to see us do the twist.

Gallery: Murata Tactile Controller hands-on

Continue reading Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video)

Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chibachiba japanChibaJapanflexiblehands-onjapanLeaf Grip Remote ControllerLeafGripRemoteControllerMurataphotovoltaicpiezoelectricpiezoelectricitypiezoelectricsprototyperemote controlRemoteControlsolar powerSolarPowertelevisiontokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideoWed, 05 Oct 2011 11:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/#comments Do we really need another wireless charging system that's incompatible with industry standards? Murata seems to think that we do. The company's prototype uses neither conductive nor inductive transmission, instead bringing its new capacitive coupling technology to the cordless charging mix. Capacitive coupling uses square transmitter and receiver electrodes, instead of the coils used with Qi devices. It also doesn't require a physical connection like near-obsolete conductive tech, which dictates that both the charging pad and receiving device use metal connectors that must be joined to transfer current. The Murata system is far from being production-ready, with only 70 percent efficiency (30 percent of electricity is lost during transmission). The sample the company had on hand can support 16 watts of output with a maximum of 2.1 amps, making each pad capable of charging several small gadgets, or one larger device, like a laptop.

Murata seemed more interested in demonstrating the concept behind capacitive coupling than actually proving that it works -- the laptop we saw "charging" was a plastic mockup, though the base did glow red when the laptop's charging pad came into contact (though it also glowed blue at times, as you can see in the image above). We did take a close look at an iPhone case, however, which appeared to be remarkably thin -- much thinner than models from Powermat, for example, though the case does extend below the dock connector. Another advantage of the square electrodes is that you don't need to place devices in a certain position on the mat in order for them to charge -- they simply need to be positioned within the general charging area. We take a closer look in the video after the break.

Gallery: Murata Wireless Power Transmission System

Continue reading Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)

Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chargerchargingchibachiba japanChibaJapanelectricityhands-oninductiveinductive chargingInductiveChargingmobilepostcrossMuratapowerpowermatqitokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideowireless chargerwireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerWed, 05 Oct 2011 07:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata wants to take couch potatoes by the hand and do the remote control twist]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/25/murata-wants-to-take-couch-potatoes-by-the-hand-and-do-the-remot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/25/murata-wants-to-take-couch-potatoes-by-the-hand-and-do-the-remot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/25/murata-wants-to-take-couch-potatoes-by-the-hand-and-do-the-remot/#comments We've seen Murata's marketing future, and it involves either Chubby Checker or that '90s Helen Hunt movie. The Japanese electronics maker's cooked up a flexible sensor device that'll let you twist and shout bend your way to remote television control. Dubbed the Leaf Grip Remote Controller, the prototype UI design makes use of a special pyroelectric effect-free piezoelectric film that translates twisting into channel changing, rapid twisting to swap video inputs, bending for volume control and rapid bending to power the set on / off. The company's also outfitted the non-clicker (which we'll henceforth refer to as "the Twister") with a photovoltaic cell, giving it the ability to charge -- from your man cave? Kinks in its planning aside, sample shipments are expected to be delivered sometime next spring. But, before they rush this product out to market, may we suggest the inclusion of a sports-induced rage-proof mode?

Murata wants to take couch potatoes by the hand and do the remote control twist originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flexibleLeaf Grip Remote ControllerLeafGripRemoteControllerMurataphotovoltaicpiezoelectricpiezoelectricsremote controlRemoteControlsolar powerSolarPowertelevisionSun, 25 Sep 2011 16:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Mosaid gets into WiFi patent game, sues 17 companies including Dell, Canon, Asus, and RIM]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/mosaid-gets-into-wifi-patent-game-sues-17-companies-including-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/mosaid-gets-into-wifi-patent-game-sues-17-companies-including-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/mosaid-gets-into-wifi-patent-game-sues-17-companies-including-d/#commentsMOSAID Files Wireless Patent Infringement Litigation OTTAWA, Ontario - March 17, 2011 - MOSAID Technologies Inc. (TSX:MSD) today announced that it has initiated wireless patent infringement litigation against the following companies: AsusTek Computer Inc.; Atheros Communications, Inc.; Canon U.S.A., Inc.; CSR plc; Dell, Inc.; Digi International Inc.; Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; Intel Corporation; Lexmark International, Inc.; Marvell Semiconductor, Inc.; Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.; Ralink Technology Corporation; Realtek Semiconductor; Research in Motion Corporation; Wasp Barcode Technologies, Ltd.; Wistron Corporation; and Venture Research, Inc. The suit was filed on March 16, 2011 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. MOSAID believes that the companies have infringed and continue to infringe MOSAID's patents by making and selling products that comply with or implement the IEEE 802.11 family of communications standards, known as Wi-Fi. The standards-essential patents in suit are MOSAID's U.S. Patent Nos. 5,131,006; 5,151,920; 5,422,887; 5,706,428; 6,563,786 B1; and 6,992,972. Whether or not you agree with their tactics, lots of companies are finding it quite lucrative business to spend more time in the courts than in the research labs. CSIRO got some tasty settlements back in 2009, while just a few months ago Wi-LAN received "a significant amount" in a settlement from Intel. Now it's Mosaid's turn, a Kanata, Ontario-based company that bills itself as "one of the world's leading intellectual property (IP) companies, focused on the licensing and development of semiconductor and communications technologies." Indeed it just licensed some of those properties to LG on the 15th, but the very next day it filed suit against a 17 defendants for infringing on six of the company's patents, relating to network discovery, multiplexing, and other wireless techniques. Among those companies is RIM; which has its Torch, Style, Curve, Pearl, Bold, Storm handsets called out; and Asus, which has a long line of motherboards, routers, and other products said to be in jeopardy. As ever it's hard to draw the line between the patent trolls and the legitimately infringed, but that the lawsuit was filed in litigation-friendly Marshall, Texas doesn't leave us with a particularly good feeling.

Continue reading Mosaid gets into WiFi patent game, sues 17 companies including Dell, Canon, Asus, and RIM

Mosaid gets into WiFi patent game, sues 17 companies including Dell, Canon, Asus, and RIM originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AsusAtherosCanonCSRDellDigiHuaweiIntellawsuitLexmarkmarshallMarvellmosaidMuratapatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementRalinkRealtekResearch in MotionResearchInMotionrimtexasVenture ResearchVentureResearchWaspwifiWistronFri, 18 Mar 2011 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata's fatigue sensor demoed, coming soon to mobiles and handhelds near you]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/muratas-fatigue-sensor-demoed-coming-soon-to-mobiles-and-handh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/muratas-fatigue-sensor-demoed-coming-soon-to-mobiles-and-handh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/muratas-fatigue-sensor-demoed-coming-soon-to-mobiles-and-handh/#commentsNeed further confirmation that an IV drip of 5-Hour Energy is what your body really needs? Look no further than Murata's newfangled fatigue sensor. Demonstrated at CEATEC in front of thousands of jetlagged Americans, Europeans, Easter Islanders and Samoans, this compact device is built by "integrating a photoplethysmographic sensor, which measures a pulse and a blood oxygen saturation level, and electrodes that measure electrocardiogram (ECG)." We're told that the unit measures a fatigue degree (reported on a 1 to 100 scale) based on the "pulse, blood oxygen saturation level and electrocardiogram measured by the sensing parts," and while we're guessing the prototype will have to shrink significantly before it happens, the company seems focused on cramming this thing into cellphones and portable game consoles of the future.You know -- so Nintendo actually can know when you need to lay down the gaming and step outside for a bit.

Murata's fatigue sensor demoed, coming soon to mobiles and handhelds near you originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodbodyceatecceatec 2010Ceatec2010ECGelectrodeexercisefatiguefitnesshealthmedicalmedicineMurataphotoplethysmographic sensorPhotoplethysmographicSensorsensorsensorstiredvital signVitalSignMon, 11 Oct 2010 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Seiko and her male counterpart get upgrades, we get another look at their awesome skills]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/murata-seiko-and-her-male-counterpart-get-upgrades-we-get-anoth/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/murata-seiko-and-her-male-counterpart-get-upgrades-we-get-anoth/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/murata-seiko-and-her-male-counterpart-get-upgrades-we-get-anoth/#comments
 Murata Seiko, or Murata Girl, is a pretty impressive, attractive little piece of work. The unicycling, dress-wearing robot brings smiles wherever she goes, we're sure (when we had the chance to see her in person that was certainly the case). You may or may not have known that Murata also has a bike riding male counterpart called Little Seisaku? Well, they've both just gotten their upgrades for the year, and that, of course, gives us another opportunity to admire them in all their cuteness. While there aren't any videos of their improvements yet, we know that Murata Girl's now able to traverse an S-shaped balance beam in addition to her straight one, while Little Seisaku's charging capabilities have been upgraded (he can now do so wirelessly), and he's more efficient, too. Check out another shot below.

Continue reading Murata Seiko and her male counterpart get upgrades, we get another look at their awesome skills

Murata Seiko and her male counterpart get upgrades, we get another look at their awesome skills originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>humanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotjapanmuratamurata girlmurata seikomuratagirlMurataSeikopanasonicrobotrobotsunicycleunicyclesWed, 29 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata's paper-thin waterproof speaker perfect for phones, pool parties]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/muratas-paper-thin-waterproof-speaker-perfect-for-phones-pool/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/muratas-paper-thin-waterproof-speaker-perfect-for-phones-pool/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/muratas-paper-thin-waterproof-speaker-perfect-for-phones-pool/#comments Waterproof phones are few and far between stateside, but in Japan, they're pretty common -- and hey, who wouldn't like to be able to safely take that two-hour conference call from the comfort of your bubble bath? To that end, Murata is touting its new ultra-thin piezoelectric speaker that clocks in at just 0.9mm thick while maintaining IPX7 compliance for water resistance. It's said that waterproof phones are traditionally made by covering speaker holes with a film, compromising sound quality -- but with Murata's design, no film is necessary, offering you that symphony hall-style audio you so desperately need from sixteen inches under the surface of your swirling hot tub. Party on!

Murata's paper-thin waterproof speaker perfect for phones, pool parties originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmuratapiezoelectricspeakerwaterproofThu, 10 Jun 2010 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Seiko unicycling robot stays upright, wows onlookers at CEATEC (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/murata-seiko-unicycling-robot-stays-upright-wows-onlookers-at-c/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/murata-seiko-unicycling-robot-stays-upright-wows-onlookers-at-c/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/murata-seiko-unicycling-robot-stays-upright-wows-onlookers-at-c/#comments Murata Seiko, the newly improved unicycling robot that we peeked a few weeks ago, was proudly on stage with her bicycling sibling at CEATEC, and we couldn't resist the urge to swing by and see exactly how amazing her balancing skills were. Sure enough, the bot never once teetering or tottered, and while it didn't scoot around for very long, we were still impressed to see it hold itself up with no human intervention. 'Course, we won't really be wowed until she successfully navigates down a few slops on the way to San Francisco's Pier 39, but based on what we saw in Japan, we'd say that she's well on her way. Check the vid after the break if you're scouting a performance.

Gallery: Murata Seiko unicycling robot stays upright, wows onlookers at CEATEC

Continue reading Murata Seiko unicycling robot stays upright, wows onlookers at CEATEC (video)

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Murata Seiko unicycling robot stays upright, wows onlookers at CEATEC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009demoengadget videoEngadgetVideohumanoidmuratamurata girlMurata SeikoMurataGirlMurataSeikorobotunicyclevideoThu, 08 Oct 2009 04:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Seiko unicycling robot gets an awesome upgrade]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/27/murata-seiko-unicycling-robot-gets-an-awesome-upgrade/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/27/murata-seiko-unicycling-robot-gets-an-awesome-upgrade/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/27/murata-seiko-unicycling-robot-gets-an-awesome-upgrade/#comments
It was almost exactly a year ago that our hearts were stolen by Murata Seiko (Japanese for Murata Girl), the balance-blessed, unicycling robot. Murata Seiko didn't perform surgery or serve cocktails at parties -- she was no service bot... unless you consider pure, unadulterated, awe-inspiring entertainment a service. And we must admit, we do. Well, Murata's going to be performing at CEATEC 2009, showing off her three-times increased speed, improved balance, and turning ratio. All of this culminates in her new-found ability to navigate a very thin balance beam. Check out the videos of her in action after the break.

Continue reading Murata Seiko unicycling robot gets an awesome upgrade

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Murata Seiko unicycling robot gets an awesome upgrade originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancing robotBalancingRobotceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009muratamurata girlmurata seikoMurataGirlMurataSeikorobotrobotsunicycleSun, 27 Sep 2009 01:24:00 EST<![CDATA[NEDO's Advanced Robotics project enters second phase, boasts totally sweet bots]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/nedos-advanced-robotics-project-enters-second-phase-boasts-tot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/nedos-advanced-robotics-project-enters-second-phase-boasts-tot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/nedos-advanced-robotics-project-enters-second-phase-boasts-tot/#comments
NEDO, an administrative institute in Japan, has been working on what it calls the "Project for Strategic Development of Advanced Robotics Elemental Technologies" since 2006. The project has now entered its second phase, and boasts some pretty impressive looking bots. Murata Machinery's robotic delivery system (pictured above) which is designed to help in places like hospitals, delivering medications late at night so that nurses and aids don't have to spend a lot of time on such tasks. The company plans to test it and monitor the bot in use at hospitals in order to verify its effectiveness. We don't know about you, but the idea of this guy visiting us late at night when we're feeling low in a hospital is either really awesome or terrifically creepy. Either way, we fully expect this guy to have a starring role in The Phantom of the Opera any day now. Hit the read link to check out the other participants in the project.

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NEDO's Advanced Robotics project enters second phase, boasts totally sweet bots originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanMuratamurata machineryMurataMachinerynedoProject for Strategic Development of Advanced Robotics ElementalProjectForStrategicDevelopmentOfAdvancedRoboticsElementalrobotrobotsserviceservice robotServiceRobotMon, 23 Feb 2009 21:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata's new balancing robot loses a wheel, gains a trick]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/muratas-new-balancing-robot-loses-a-wheel-gains-a-trick/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/muratas-new-balancing-robot-loses-a-wheel-gains-a-trick/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/24/muratas-new-balancing-robot-loses-a-wheel-gains-a-trick/#commentsMurata's new balancing robot loses a wheel, gains a trickRiding a bicycle isn't exactly easy, especially if you're made of circuitry, wires, and a gyroscope. That was Murata Seisaku-kun's one trick, and now he's sadly obsolete. Meet Seiko, a 20-inch tall, 11 pound unicycle riding robot. Like her, uh, "cousin" Keisaku-kun, Seiko relies on a chest-mounted gyro to stay upright and uses Bluetooth to communicate with a PC that gives instructions. (Yes, she's a PC.) Lucky robot lovers can watch the whole family of robo-carnies do its stuff at CEATEC Japan 2008, but even luckier you can check out the elder bot on his bike in motion after the break without having to leave your chair.

Continue reading Murata's new balancing robot loses a wheel, gains a trick

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Murata's new balancing robot loses a wheel, gains a trick originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BluetoothCEATECMurataSeikoSeisakuunicycleWed, 24 Sep 2008 07:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Seiko Epson, Murata team up on contactless quick charger]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/29/seiko-epson-murata-team-up-on-contactless-quick-charger/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/29/seiko-epson-murata-team-up-on-contactless-quick-charger/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/29/seiko-epson-murata-team-up-on-contactless-quick-charger/#commentsNot even a week after startup WiPower boasted about its breakthrough in wireless power, Murata and Seiko Epson have announced plans to "jointly development a non-contact quick charging system." Reportedly, the technology "leverages electromagnetic induction," and both the charging stand and a given mobile device would be "respectively equipped with coils that generate power." As for the production, it sounds like Seiko Epson will hone in on the "transmitting side, or primary side," while Murata "will be involved in the production of the rechargeable Li-ion." The overriding goal is to recharge a handset "in about 10 to 15 minutes in a non-contact manner," which would purportedly push power transmission efficiency from current levels of 30- to 50-percent to nearly 70-percent. Oh, and we've already been assured that these "will not generate heat."

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Seiko Epson, Murata team up on contactless quick charger originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Sep 2007 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargechargingenergyepsonmobilemurataothersperipheralsquick chargerquick chargingQuickChargerQuickChargingseikoseiko epsonSeikoEpsonwireless powerWirelessPowerSat, 29 Sep 2007 04:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Seiko Epson, Murata team up on contactless quick charger]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/29/seiko-epson-murata-team-up-on-contactless-quick-charger/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/29/seiko-epson-murata-team-up-on-contactless-quick-charger/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/29/seiko-epson-murata-team-up-on-contactless-quick-charger/#commentsNot even a week after startup WiPower boasted about its breakthrough in wireless power, Murata and Seiko Epson have announced plans to "jointly development a non-contact quick charging system." Reportedly, the technology "leverages electromagnetic induction," and both the charging stand and a given mobile device would be "respectively equipped with coils that generate power." As for the production, it sounds like Seiko Epson will hone in on the "transmitting side, or primary side," while Murata "will be involved in the production of the rechargeable Li-ion." The overriding goal is to recharge a handset "in about 10 to 15 minutes in a non-contact manner," which would purportedly push power transmission efficiency from current levels of 30- to 50-percent to nearly 70-percent. Oh, and we've already been assured that these "will not generate heat."

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Seiko Epson, Murata team up on contactless quick charger originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Sep 2007 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargechargingcontactlessenergyepsonjoint ventureJointVentureMuratapartnerpartnershippowerquick chargingQuickChargingseikoseiko epsonSeikoEpsonwireless powerWirelessPowerSat, 29 Sep 2007 04:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Control your Murata Boy bicycling robot via Bluetooth]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/27/control-your-murata-boy-bicycling-robot-via-bluetooth/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/27/control-your-murata-boy-bicycling-robot-via-bluetooth/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/27/control-your-murata-boy-bicycling-robot-via-bluetooth/#commentsTaken your new Segway over any sweet jumps (in reverse) lately? While it's highly improbable that you have (at least intentionally), you can satisfy your cravings for ascending inclines in a safer, less direct fashion with Murata's not-so-sheepishly named Murata Boy. The robotic bicycler has made quite a few strides in performance since last year, and thanks to improved balance, gyro, and shock sensors, can now handle slopes and even thinner balancing beams with ease. Plus, it received a whopping 9% speed increase, bringing the top-end up to a mind-numbing 1.34 miles per hour -- though apparently it feels a helmet is still a necessity at that pace (gotta be a role model for the kiddies, you know). The real thrill comes from controlling the Tour de France-trainee via your cellphone; sporting a built-in Bluetooth module in its backpack, the Murata Boy wheels wherever you direct it, so long as it can handle the terrain. Sure to be just as popular in Japan as the Tickle Me Elmo eXtreme should be in America this holiday season, the Murata Boy will be released to the masses on October 3rd for an undisclosed price.

[Via Impress]

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Control your Murata Boy bicycling robot via Bluetooth originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikeBluetoothMurataMurata boyMurataBoyrobotWed, 27 Sep 2006 17:51:00 EST