On September 5, the Omron Corporation unveiled smile recognition software that promises to improve the ability of machines to read human emotions.
Built around Omron’s previous face recognition technology, the new “OKAO Vision Real-time Smile Measurement Technology” is designed to automatically identify faces in digital images and assign each corresponding smile a score of 0% […]

Kiri-origami artist Taketori cuts and folds paper to make realistic-looking insects. Each critter is crafted from a single sheet, without glue, and paint is often used to add to the realism. Check out his gallery of 60+ beasties (click the “写真の一覧” link on the right side of the page to display the thumbnail images).
Stag […]

In a development that brings space-based power generation systems a step closer to reality, researchers from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Osaka University Institute of Laser Engineering have developed groundbreaking new technology for converting sunlight into laser beams.
Relying on plates made from a special ceramic material containing chromium (which absorbs the […]

Following the success of its vending machine ramen, foodstuff producer UMAI has added two flavors of udon to its canned noodle selection — kitsune udon (udon with fried tofu) and curry udon. The canned noodles have begun to appear in vending machines and convenience stores nationwide.
Like UMAI’s ramen, the thick udon noodles are made […]

The Tokushima-Kainan Observatory took some terrific photos of Japan’s space fireworks show.