Tsukuba University Archive

  • Puyocon: Ball-shaped, squeezable input interface (videos)

    Puyocon: Ball-shaped, squeezable input interface (videos)

    Posted on January 12, 2010 | No Comments
    The Puyocon wants to be for PCs what the Wiimote became for game consoles: An alternative input interface that doesn't require pressing buttons but arm movements from users in order to control what's going on on the screen. The small device is the brainchild of the so-called Entertainment Computing Laboratory [JP] at Japan's Tsukuba University. The Puyocon is a ball-shaped, soft and wireless controller that users can roll, throw, squeeze or move with both hands in order to trigger an action on the screen (for example, moving a cursor around). It features a total of 14 pressure sensors, a three-way acceleration sensor and Bluetooth.

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  • The “Motorized Knee” makes your runnning 30% more efficient

    The “Motorized Knee” makes your runnning 30% more efficient

    Posted on December 16, 2009 | No Comments
    The researchers at Japan's Tsukuba University seem to be particularly active when it comes to enhancing human body functions. This is the institution where the famous robot suit HAL-5 was developed and now we have another invention that can help boost the efficiency of our bodies - if that's what we want and need, that is. A research team at said university has constructed a "motorized knee", which is actually a kit that - once it's attached to a person's body - supports the flexing of the knee. As a result, the runner may use 30% less of the muscle power that is needed to run unassisted. In experiments, runners could jog at 7.5km per hour wearing the kit, which is about 5kg heavy. So in other words, this isn't an elegant solution (yet).

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