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Piezoelectrics installed in Tokyo railway station floors generate power, wastes it
The East Japan Railway Company has been running tests on a "power-generating floor" since the beginning of January 2007, but they've just installed the system for public testing in several areas of the Tokyo station. Using piezoelectrics similar to that we've seen before in a UK discotheque, the Japanese company says the power-generating capacity of the flooring has increased ten-fold over its initial results, and they now expect to generate 1,400kW/sec per day. With that, they plan to power the display pictured above, which shows the power generatd by the floor. Sound a little redundant? Fear not: they plan on using the juice to operate automatic ticket gates in the future. [Via Inhabitat]
Rent a free DS on the bullet train
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/travel_places/Japan_paving_the_way_for_travel_once_again'; Want to make sure you don't look like too much of a tourist in Japan? Make sure you bring a DS on the train! However, if you forget yours or need a DS for a family member, JR East is starting a new program that will serve your needs. From February 14th through March 28th, the company will make 20 systems per day available for free loan to Shinkansen (bullet train) passengers on the Hiroshima/Tokyo route.The lucky passengers will be able to select two games along with the DS, and keep them all for three days. The goal is apparently to regain some marketshare from airlines, who offer faster fares. It sounds perfect to us -- if you've got a DS to play, the extra captive time becomes a positive.
