TechToys Video Podcast

Toy Boy 2

2006-11-22T10:57:00.000+09:00

More footage from the Tokyo Toy Show, featuring toy cats, dogs, dolphins, grand pianos and pigs (actually an inoshishi or boar, 2007 is year of the boar).

Set to the song "Shoes of a Beast" by Peter Toh, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

This video also shows some product from Cube Works, a supplier to the TechToys online store.

If you want any of the products you see in the video as gifts for Christmas, check out the store or email japantechtoys@gmail.com and we will try to get it to you from Japan.

Enon, Emiew, Asimo & Trumpet Guy

2006-11-09T12:06:00.000+09:00

Fujitsu's enon, Hitachi's EMIEW, Honda's ASIMO and the Toyota Partner Robot, set to "When The World Forgets Me" by Jesushairdo, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

The Enon robot was displayed at CEATEC Japan in Chiba, while the other three robots were demonstrated at the FISITA World Automative Forum held in Yokohama October 23-26.

Tokyo Pride

2006-09-05T10:50:00.000+09:00

Highlights from the Tokyo Lesbian and Gay Parade 2006, set to the song "Boy Seventeen" by Delphinium Blue, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

Around 3000 people participated in the parade, divided into 12 floats of around 250-300 people in each block, with many more spectators on the streets of Harajuku and Shibuya.

It rained on the day, but cleared up just in time, and everyone was very happy. It was fun.

Kawasaki Robot Battle

2006-08-30T19:03:00.000+09:00

Robots battle it out at the Kawasaki Battle Robot Tournament, set to the music "Sorry Matt" by djDavidj, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

The 13th annual Kawasaki Battle Robot Tournament was held August 25-27 in Kawasaki City, and featured 32 teams of high school students, university students and employees competing with remote control battle robots.

Tokyo Toy Show Boy

2006-07-28T14:05:00.000+09:00

First video from the recent Tokyo Toy Show, set to "Shine on Me" by Hellozero, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

The Tokyo Toy Show was held at Tokyo Big Sight on July 13-16 and was open to the public that weekend.

The large Japanese toy companies Takara-Tomy, Bandai, SegaToys and Konami were out in force, as well as smaller Japanese toy companies and overseas companies. Plus an army of kids.

Robot Bingo

2006-07-04T10:07:00.000+09:00

Watch highlights from a bingo battle between robots designed and constructed by students from universities in Tokyo, Nagano and other parts of Japan at the Japan Printed Circuits Association Expo.

Set to "Independence Day" by Jesta, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

The bingo battle tournament is in its second year at the JPCA Expo, and was very entertaining. I took about an hour of HD footage and had a lot of laughs watching the robots and their creators strut their stuff.

Paro the Seal

2006-06-14T11:42:00.000+09:00

We meet Paro the Seal, the world's most therapeutic robot, at a TEPIA robot exhibition, set to the song "If You Love Her" by Zeeche, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

Paro (Personal Robot) is a "mental commitment robot for psychological enrichment" designed by Dr Takanori Shibata of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.

You can meet Paro at the 18th TEPIA Exhibition (Most Advanced Technology Exhibition) until July 21 at the TEPIA Plaza in Aoyama, Tokyo (between the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium and Gaienmae Station).

Linux World Japan

2006-06-07T11:05:00.000+09:00

We have a look round a recent LinuxWorld event held in Tokyo and meet a blue penguin. Set to the song "Emo Girl" by Testosterone, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

The Japan version of the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo was held at Tokyo Big Sight, May 31 - June 2, and featured a range of US and Japanese tech companies promoting Linux-based services, systems and applications.

If you like penguins, check out the sound-responsive walking penguin toys in the TechToys store (techtoys.jp). Popular with both young kids and web developers.

KHR-2HV Robot

2006-05-31T19:08:00.000+09:00

A demonstration of the KHR-2HV Humanoid Robot, set to the song "This Is A Way" by Loveless, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

The KHR-2HV is the latest humanoid robot from iXs Research Corp (ixs.co.jp), released in Japan on May 26, 2006.

We went to visit the company near Yokohama last week and they gave us permission to use these clips and sell the robot through the TechToys store. Read more in store at http://techtoys.jp/store.php.

Update (June 19): The manufacturer has currently run out of stock due to the popularity of this product, but you can place orders for the next batch due around September, 2006 by emailing japantechtoys@gmail.com.

Rolling Along

2006-05-24T15:13:00.000+09:00

A rolling wooden mouse wheel, big bubbles and weird white dancing creatures at Design Festa 23, held at Tokyo Big Sight May 20-21.

This video is set to the song "Perfect" by MiGGs, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com). Check out their album "Insomnia" on iTunes or on their website at www.miggsband.com.

Design Festa 23 had 6,000 exhibitors and was attended by around 51,000 people over the weekend. It is open to artists, designers and performers of all kinds. Register now for Design Festa 24, December 2-3, 2006 at www.designfesta.com.

Solar Eco Africa

2006-05-16T15:46:00.000+09:00

A quick but kinda relaxing look at the latest solar powered toys in Japan, the Animal Planet African zebra, giraffe and elephant by TakaraTomy, set to the song "Johnny Clegg Medley" by Navi Redd, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

I first saw these at the Tokyo International Gift Show back in February (the next one is September 5-8 at Tokyo Big Sight) and have been waiting for them to come out. Their head, neck, tail and legs move, powered by a solar panel that works in both artificial and natural light.

Great gift or desk ornament, or just to relax with when you get stressed. If you want one or the set you can hunt for them and place an order at the TechToys Store (http://techtoys.jp/store.php).

Random Robots

2006-05-08T09:53:00.000+09:00

Some leftover robot footage from the International Robot Exhibition held back in December last year, set to the song "Wrong Way Home" by Starewell, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

This video also features a short commercial from ITV (Independent TV) Video Podcasts, which looks at art, business and culture in the US' Pacific Northwest. Check them out at www.itvnw.com.

If you would like to advertise your podcast, product or business at the start or end of the videos, contact us at japantechtoys@gmail.com.

Silicon Soul Robots

2006-05-01T15:32:00.000+09:00

This is the latest video from The Silicon Soul Show from Soho, New York City, featuring lots of robot footage, including some from TechToys.

It is cool seeing people mash up footage in different ways and sharing through Creative Commons. Subscribe to their show in iTunes or visit http://somestrange.com.

If you have a video podcast or video blog you want to promote, send a promo, mashup or episode link to japantechtoys@gmail.com and if we like it we will mix it in a video or drop it in the feed.

Earth Day Tokyo 4

2006-04-24T17:44:00.000+09:00

Fourth of four videos from Earth Day Tokyo, featuring jar harps, pigs, a tank, a rabbit, drums, dancing and the Sloth Club.

All these videos were taken on the new Sony HDR-HC3, one of the smallest 1080i HDV camcorders available in Japan (but compressed in low res).

Until recently I have just been using a still camera, so now I have a lot more zoom to play with. I just have to learn how to use it properly and edit better!

Earth Day Tokyo 3

2006-04-24T16:52:00.000+09:00

Third video from Earth Day Tokyo.

We check out some bands playing and people enjoying the atmosphere.

Earth Day Tokyo was held near Yoyogi Park in between Shibuya and Harajuku on Saturday and Sunday April 23-24 2006.

Earth Day Tokyo 2

2006-04-24T15:10:00.000+09:00

Earth Day Tokyo footage from Saturday, April 23 near Yoyogi Park.

Check out Bee Japan at www.beejapan.org. They are doing a bike ride from the top to the bottom of Japan to raise awareness of environmental issues.

They are also raising money for Henoko to protect the dugong (like manatees) and coral reefs in Okinawa.

Earth Day Tokyo 1

2006-04-24T14:55:00.000+09:00

First of many videos from Earth Day Tokyo, taken using the Sony HDR-HC3 High Def camcorder.

We were trying to find the Earth Day Tokyo event, but were looking in Yoyogi Park and got a bit lost. Found it eventually. It was a really cool, chilled out event.

This footage is mainly unedited, but if you like Japan and the environment, you might like it.

Kicking, Dancing, Chopping

2006-03-17T13:05:00.000+09:00

A version of the ToinPhoenix Robot by students at the Toin University of Yokohama performs to the song "I hope" by Ether Hour at www.etherhour.com.

This work and the music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike License.

Technical Show Yokohama

2006-03-01T06:12:00.000+09:00

Wind power, hair-loss treatment and soccer robots at Technical Show Yokohama 2006, set to "Pretty Ugly" by 50FootWave.

The Technical Show is an annual event showcasing the best of Yokohama's many high tech universities and companies, such as Nissan, which has decided to relocate its head office to Yokohama in 2010 to take advantage of the infrastructure here.

This video and the song is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike License.

We have been working on a Flash-based online store the last month or so. You can check it out at http://techtoys.jp if you want to help us test it out or suggest any products from Japan.

From now on any videos related to store products will use the store logo, while videos of tech events and expos will usually be Creative Commons and use the podcast logo.

Fish & Chips

2006-02-05T22:34:00.000+09:00

A quick demo of the iFish, set to "Summertime" by Brother Love, courtesy of the Podshow Music Network.

The iFish from Sega Toys went on sale in Japan on Saturday, February 4. Like the iDog, it lights up, makes noises, responds to sound and touch, and can act as an iPod speaker.

I like its crazy spins and the design of its tail. I also think it moves better and has better sound quality than the original Japanese iDog.

"Summertime" is for all you guys back in New Zealand and other countries who are enjoying the beach and summer fun while the rest of us have to suffer in the snow.

Eco Cars

2006-01-15T19:53:00.000+09:00

Third video from the Eco-Products Expo, this time focusing on some electric, hybrid, diesel and hydrogen powered "eco" cars, set to "Drive Away" by Matthew Ebel, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).

The Expo was held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, December 15-17.

Matthew Ebel is one of the more well known podsafe music artists. You can buy his album "Beer & Coffee" from his website at www.matthewebel.com.

Eco-Products Expo 2

2006-01-09T22:44:00.000+09:00

Second video of exhibits from the Eco-Products Expo, and a puppy, set to the song "Standing On The Shoulders Of Love" by Dave McDaid. Thanks Dave!

The Expo was held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, December 15-17.

Check out Dave's music at http://www.myspace.com/mcdaidmusic.

Eco-Products Expo

2006-01-06T22:46:00.000+09:00

First video from the Eco-Products Expo, held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center December 15-17.

Set to the song "In A Long Time" by 46bliss, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

The expo was an interesting mix of big corporations, with their power-saving 65-inch LCD and Plasma TVs, oil-saving hybrid and hydrogen cars and water-saving washing machines, lined up alongside small NGOs and environmental groups, health-food eateries, organic food and goods producers, and a few oil companies thrown in for good measure.

Yokohama New Year

2006-01-01T15:19:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year from Yokohama, Japan!

Watch the lights and fireworks as we countdown to the new year in the "City of Creative Experimentation" Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 (Future Port City).

And check out the song "Anne Bancroft Is Dead" by the Blue Vagrants, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Have a great 2006!

新年あけましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします！

Classic Moments in Vlog

2005-12-30T17:03:00.000+09:00

A mashup of some classic vlog moments in 2005, set to the song "Really Really Happy" by The Muffs, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

These were some of the first video blogs I subscribed to back in April using FireANT and Juice (iPodder Lemon).

joshleo.com, thevoiz.com, insanefilms.com, michaelverdi.com and ryanedit.blogspot.com.

Happy New Year!

A TechToys Christmas

2005-12-16T22:30:00.000+09:00

Thanks for subscribing to the TechToys Video Podcast this year!

See some highlights of me learning to do a vlog, set to the Podsafe For Peace song "What If Every Day Were Christmas", courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network (and lots of podsafe music artists).

I hope to bring you more videos of toys, gadgets, robots and technologies I see in Japan in 2006, as well as some more great podsafe music from the Podsafe Music Network.

But I want to watch your videos too! You can all do much better than me! Get vlogging over the holidays! Merry Christmas!

Xbox at Yodobashi

2005-12-16T21:49:00.000+09:00

The Xbox 360 was launched in Japan last Saturday, so I went to the big new Yodobashi store in Yokohama to check it out.

Set to "Beggarstown" by Hollow Horse, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

There were still some left by the time I got there but only six new games to buy! Nevermind. I've had a fun week!

The Machines

2005-12-10T00:54:00.000+09:00

Industrial robots and machines from the 2005 International Robot Exhibition, set to "Machinery" by Might Could, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

These robots have been made to assemble, build, clean and polish, solder, cut, dance and demolish.

I want to see more robots that can build themselves and other robots and come up with their own things to do. So long as they all stay my friends and agree to star in my videos.

Robot Overload Part 2

2005-12-03T01:09:00.000+09:00

More robots from the 2005 International Robot Exhibition held at the Tokyo Big Sight International Convention Center, November 30 to December 3.

Set to "Suicide Song" by Team Salt, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

The Robot Exhibition is held every two years. Start making your own robot and book in now for 2007!

Robot Overload Part 1

2005-12-02T19:14:00.000+09:00

Check out a few of the robots at the 2005 International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo.

Set to the song "How Can I Be Sure?" by Douglas Kay, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

The International Robot Exhibition is the largest of its kind in the world and features some of the leading robot developers on the planet.

So many robots, so little time ...

Caving in Japan Promo

2005-12-01T21:35:00.000+09:00

Japan is more than just technology and toys!

Subscribe to the Caving in Japan vlog for videos of cool places in Japan, caving trips and other adventures, set to podsafe music.

This promo is set to samples by Camellia Flame from Havelock North, New Zealand.

Cinnamoroll & The Turtles

2005-11-26T17:32:00.000+09:00

The Prequel: See how The Turtles first met.

Cinnamoroll watches on, but can hardly stay awake.

Set to the popular song "What to do with Michael" by the Candy Butchers, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

You can buy the Candy Butchers' album "Hang on Mike" through the US iTunes Music Store.

The Turtles

2005-11-24T22:48:00.000+09:00

The Turtles crawl around and investigate the TechToys letters and each other, set to the song "10p Mix" by amplifico, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Aby, who works at Edges Art Framers in Havelock North, New Zealand, made these letters using a high-tech canvas cutter. She's clever.

I'm helping her and her friends set up a TechToys shop in the same space as her framing store and sending her stuff from Japan to sell. It just opened on Friday last week. Art, toys and technology are a fun combination!

Proud to be a Kiwi

2005-11-19T00:13:00.000+09:00

Today New Zealand won the right to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

This is my simple video celebration set to the tune of the New Zealand National Anthem.

The National Anthem is used courtesy of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Thank you!

Go the All Blacks!

The Robots: Energy Crisis

2005-11-15T21:48:00.000+09:00

Three CAM-10 mini robots learn how to get along in a world of scarce resources. Set to the tune "Peace, War and Happiness" by Rory, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

These "Mini Perpetual Humanoid Model" robots are designed by the developers of the Cube Robot Project.

There is a bigger version that can be controlled with a remote, but I think these little guys are cool.

This is Episode 1, so stay subscribed for Episode 2, coming to an iPod near you. Some day.

The Mothership

2005-11-09T22:08:00.000+09:00

Watch the Lazer Ball spin to the sounds of "Podpeople" by Munk, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Will this song become the new Podcaster's anthem? You decide. Buy the song, play it or rate it at the Podsafe Music Network.

Podpeople, vloggers, podcasters, bloggers. The grassroots media revolution has only just begun.

Shibuya Apple & Bear

2005-11-03T19:32:00.000+09:00

We visit the Apple Store in Shibuya, Tokyo and meet a friendly bear. Set to a looped sample from "Kyrie Eleison" by Fumitaka Anzai, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Shibuya is a youth city in Western Tokyo that is always packed with people and fun to visit.

An Apple Store opened there recently and that's where I bought my iPod video.

See more videos about cool places in Japan at Caving in Japan.

RoboMop Meets iSight

2005-10-29T19:35:00.000+09:00

RoboMop cleans up the apartment while iSight watches on in amazement and attracts RoboMop's curiosity. Set to the tune "Student Debt Protest" by Simon of Havelock North, New Zealand.

RoboMop is great for people who don't have time to clean their floor, but don't want to pay someone to clean it for them. Perfect for busy students or podcasters.

Pet safe (though maybe not iSight safe), RoboMop will help you clean up when things spillover.

Toko Toko Penguin

2005-09-14T15:35:00.000+09:00

The tiny pink Toko Toko Penguin finally finds a friend.

Accompanied by "I Do" by Rob Costlow, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Rob Costlow is a composer and pianist who has become one of the most frequently played artists on podcasts. Like all music featured here, you can buy his album by following the links.

Spacewarp

2005-09-11T14:43:00.000+09:00

Watch the Spacewarp 3500 roller coaster kitset in action, accompanied by "Say What You Will" by Chance, courtesy of the Podshow Podsafe Music Network.

It takes a few hours to put together and requires a lot of patience and tinkering, but once you achieve a good balance between speed, rail angles, flexibility and control, the system works well and its fun to watch.

DigiHaro Center Stage

2005-09-07T10:00:00.000+09:00

DigiHaro and PlugBeat Guitar perform to the song "Ticking Timebomb" by Demerit 7, courtesy of the Podshow Podsafe Music Network.

Beware the rolling green robot ...

TechToys Dancing

2005-09-03T00:33:00.000+09:00

The Flip Flap Plant, Singing Bird, iDog and Hidamari no Tami dance along to "On a Podcast" by Cruisebox, courtesy of the Podshow Podsafe Music Network.

To watch any of the videos posted here in iTunes, subscribe to the feed and get the episodes by clicking on the iTunes link on the sidebar.

Alternatively, click on the orange XML button and subscribe to the RSS feed in any other media aggregator. This lets you automatically receive the latest videos as they become available.

Skype Phones

2005-08-15T22:51:00.000+09:00

Here are three different Skype/Internet/USB phones I have tried out over the last few months. For all these you need to plug them into the USB port and set the them as your microphone and headphones in the Skype/MSN Messenger settings/preferences.

The first is the Buffalo BSKP-U201 Skype phone. This is the smallest of the three and is the best if travelling. The mike works fine, but the speaker is a bit weak on the one I have. Comes in black and gray, with a red design on the face. Works on Windows XP, but not Mac.

Second up is the Sanwa Supply MM-HSUSB2 USB Hand Phone. I like it because it feels like a real phone receiver! No technological intimidation here. Just plug and play. Good gift for someone who hates the "Madonna" look of a headset. Mac or Windows. I use this at home with my Mac.

Third is a Pioneer cordless phone set (TF-FS22M-R), which is both a feature-packed standard phone (in Japanese) and an Internet phone. Just press a button on the handset to switch. Even if just used for internet calls, the wireless feature is a strong pull.

This video features the song "Push" by Brother Love, provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Check it out!

iDog Demo

2005-08-15T09:53:00.000+09:00

I got this about 2 months ago.

It has a speaker and a line-in jack where you can hook it up to an MP3 player, and also has a built in mike so it can pick up sounds and react to them. It is an emotion similator like a tamagochi or an aibo, using its own sounds, lights, ears and head to express its excitement, sadness etc. It also has touch or movement sensors so it can tell if you are touching it.

The speaker is not the greatest and it makes a lot of noise when it is moving, but it looks good in the dark. Probably make a good gift.