Sega Toys’ series of planetarium projection systems for home use, the so-called Homestars, is getting another update. The company has announced [JP, PDF] the so-called Homestar Aqua for the Japanese market (everyone living outside this country can pre-order the Aqua here). This version is smaller and can, as the name suggests, be used in the bathroom (it’s water-resistant). And it’s relatively inexpensive, too.

The Homestar Aqua is battery-powered, sized at just 85 x 118 x 87mm and weighs 400g. It projects around 10,000 stars onto a circular area of 1.8m in your bathroom (projection distance: between 1.5 and 2.3m). Buyers can choose between models in pink, black, blue and beige.

Sega Toys will start selling the Homestar Aqua on January 29. It’s Japan only, but as stated above, the Japan Trend Shop lets you pre-order the device already (price: $73).

This video shows the Homestar Aqua in action:

Via Japan Trends

With the technological development of this new era, governed by gadgets of all sorts, you can be easily fooled by devices that you think wouldn’t expect to be what they are, by creatures that are able to sing and dance, to imitate an impressive number of sounds and so on.

When you take a short glance to the picture above, the first thing to come to your head is that the little cat has a very haughty attitude, while being caressed. However, you should know that the cat isn’t a cat, after all.

< -300x250 Medium Rectangle - center->

Sega Toys are those who brought the Dream Dog DX in the market and they thought it’s a very good idea to release another pet, which is called the Dream Cat Venus. You’ll be surprised to see that the robotic cat acts just like a real one, as it responds to external stimuli, both tactile and auditory. The Dream Cat Venus is the result of the efforts made by a team of researchers from the Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, which is part of the Tohoku University, Japan.

The cat is very mindful of your attitude with regard to it, and will let you know whenever it feels neglected. If you’re willing to spend 10,500 yen (which means approximately $110) on the Dream Cat Venus, then you’ll have the chance to own this soulless soul at your disposal, whenever you feel like it.

(Source: Dvice)

With the technological development of this new era, governed by gadgets of all sorts, you can be easily fooled by devices that you think wouldn’t expect to be what they are, by creatures that are able to sing and dance, to imitate an impressive number of sounds and so on.

When you take a short glance to the picture above, the first thing to come to your head is that the little cat has a very haughty attitude, while being caressed. However, you should know that the cat isn’t a cat, after all.

< -300x250 Medium Rectangle - center->

Sega Toys are those who brought the Dream Dog DX in the market and they thought it’s a very good idea to release another pet, which is called the Dream Cat Venus. You’ll be surprised to see that the robotic cat acts just like a real one, as it responds to external stimuli, both tactile and auditory. The Dream Cat Venus is the result of the efforts made by a team of researchers from the Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, which is part of the Tohoku University, Japan.

The cat is very mindful of your attitude with regard to it, and will let you know whenever it feels neglected. If you’re willing to spend 10,500 yen (which means approximately $110) on the Dream Cat Venus, then you’ll have the chance to own this soulless soul at your disposal, whenever you feel like it.

(Source: Dvice)

We take a walk on the virtual side in today’s Gadgettes: virtual reality museums, robotic kittens, and fusion in your pocket!

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EPISODE 145

Household gadgets we’d like to see

Canon launches virtual-reality dinosaur exhibit in Japan

Robo-Kitty: Sega Toys unveils the Dream Cat Venus

Handheld fusion reactor on the way?

“Design your own clock” clock

A propos (of) nothing

Vroom: Surf the Web with a Ford GT

It’s About Time

Eris Planetary Sphere watch goes anywhere but the wrist

Pink Watch

Juicy Couture goes geeky

Tool Time

Ript Fusion body-shaping undershirt (thanks, Sam!)

Reverse Gender Gap

Ostrich three in one chair for sunbathing bookworms

BlingRX

Russel Hobbs RHG2TSW crystal encrusted bling toaster (thanks, Colleen!)

Kill Me

Fantasy coach bed for the budding superiority complex

…

Originally posted at Gadgettes, the blog

Here’s something to consider for the next Fourth of July if you’re still feeling the recessionary pinch or want to avoid the holiday throngs. Sega Toys’ Uchiage Hanabi Fireworks Projector (15,540 yen; $166) brings the pyrotechnics and fiery colors right into your (preferably darkened) …

Sega Toys Japan is pretty active when it comes to developing toy robots. They are the company behind the E.M.A. (aka the kissing robot) or the A.M.P. (aka the music robot). But Sega Toys is also selling a lot of animal robots, for example a robo-hamster, baby biddies or a puppy. Their newest robotic animal is called Dream Cat Venus [JP, PDF].

Sega Toys has been selling life-like (well, almost) robo-cats in Japan for about 3 years now. And Venus (designed like a Norwegian Forest Cat) is an upgrade for an older model called “Smile”. Sega Toys says it’s the right choice for people with no time to look after a real animal.

I’ve seen the older model in action quite a few times. And these things are really pretty realistic. Venus can move around, lay down and reacts when you touch it. There is a photo sensor in the forehead and several touch sensors are installed in the body.

Sega Toys worked together with scientists from Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer in Northern Japan to make sure Venus reacts realistically when you touch or speak to it. Say “There, there” (in Japanese) and it will purr, for example.

The battery-powered robo cat is sized at 490×240×230mm and drops into Japanese stores July 30 (price: $110). And you even get a comb with it.

Ask spezialised stores Japan Trend Shop, Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya to get one shipped outside Japan if you can’t wait for Sega Toys’ international distribution plans.