TechToys Video Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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!

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.