While the world is steadily becoming more advanced in technology, Asia still dominates the world in their technological advancements and innovations. Here are some interesting advancements in technology coming out of Asia in the next coming years.
Waiting for the reality that we will one day have physical home robots to take care of our needs, a Japanese company called Gatebox has created a hologram character that automates your house and acts as a companion. Projected inside a glass tube and hooked up to your home network, the 3D character, Azuma Hikari (逢妻ヒカリ) has the capability to automate certain tasks such as turning lights on or off, interacting with you via conversation, and much more. Interaction with Azuma can be done through voice chat with a camera mounted at the top of the tube. When away from home, using your iOS or Android Gatebox app can allow you to continue chatting with Azuma. The Gatebox unit is 22 by 36 by 52 cm and weighs 5 kilograms. There is also an array of embedded sensors including a camera, microphone, motion sensor, warmth and moisture sensors, touch buttons, and much more. Currently the price is listed at 298,000 yen (approximately $2600 USD) and is not set to launch until December 2017. While a US pre-order is available, the english version release date has yet to be confirmed. Overall, this new technology will help offer companionship and help around the home to those who deem it useful.
South Korea is in construction for the first ever robot themed park. This amusement park called “Robot Land” is a $660 million dollar project that consists of four separate areas: Robot Kingdom, Kidbot Village, Robotopia, and Fun City. It will feature robot-inspired rides, roller coasters, parades, restaurants, exhibition halls, hotels, an aquarium of robotic fish, and a robot themed waterpark. Robot Land will also feature educational areas such as a robotics institute, a postgraduate robotics school, and a robot research and development center. The theme park will be surrounded by shopping districts and high rise commercial buildings. Overlooking the theme park will be a 364 foot statue of a popular Korean robot, Taekwon V. The top will be used as an observation deck, while the bottom will be part of a Taekwon V themed ride. Phase 1 of construction (all public facilities) was scheduled to finish in 2016 but appears to still be underway. Phase II of construct will include hotels and condominiums and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Through this theme park, the South Korean government hopes to raise tourist revenues and showcase the robotics industry in Korea to realize it’s final goal of having a robot in every household by 2020.
As for China, heavy population has exploded in certain parts of the country, and now inventors have created an elevated bus that straddles traffic. The solution to China’s notorious traffic may be finally answered by this new “straddling bus.” The Transit Elevated Bus has taken test runs in the northeastern city of Qinhuangdao in the Hebei province and continues to be tested. At a length of 72-feet long and 25-feet wide with a 16-feet height, the space underneath allows for about 7 feet of space for cars to travel through. This bus can carry up to 300 passengers while riding along tracks embedded in the street. Powered by electrical lamps on the side, this eco-friendly bus could be another solution to China’s pollution issue.
