G-Bound is the name of this new amphibious remote-controlled car by the Japanese company CCP, a sub-brand to the large toy manufacturer Bandai.

The G-Bound was recently revealed during the popular annual Tokyo Toy Show. Thanks to its waterproof body and and the four huge inflatable tires, the car can be driven upside down and on almost any kind of surface – even on the water.

Here’s a video clip on the G-Bound in action:

The car is powered by a rechargble battery pack and the 27MHz remote control lets you move the tires forward and backward individually, making it possible to spin around on one spot. You can also go forward, and then hit back, to flip the car around.

The exact release date for the G-Bound R/C Car has not yet been conformed, but sales will start in autumn 2009 and the car will cost 12,800 YEN (about $140 USD).

Thanks to Francesco at Hobbymedia!

This awesome little manga inspired robot has been created by a Japanese person who goes under the nickname Clockwork and who is a true fan of the manga culture and robotics.

Check out the video to see this amazing coffee making robot in action:

The robot is a reduced version of Kondo KHR-2HV and it uses 20 digial KRS-788HV servos plus one GWS-PICO-STD servo motor and they are all controlled by a PCB located in the head.

Head over to clockwork.shikisokuzekuu.net for more photos of this cool manga robot.

Thanks to Francesco over at Hobbymedia!

If you enjoy gadgets with a design inspired by a certain kind of bird, like this optical mouse, this radio and these earbuds, then this USB memory should be right up your alley.

Kyoto USB duck is a handmade USB memory made of Genuine Chirimen material. Chirimen is a traditional Japanese heavy crepe cloth for kimono.

Capacity options: 2GB, 4GB or 8GB.

The Kyoto USB Duck is available from the Geek Stuff 4 U website for ¥ 7,980 YEN (about $83 USD) for the 2GB model. They also offer a frog version of this storage device.

The Japanese toy manufacturer Sega, who has brought us home planetariums like the Pure Mini and the Spa, has now released a second edition of the popular HomeStar Pro model.

It is the ultimate version of the previous HomeStar and HomeStar PRO, you can have more stars, ultra bright and a sharp starry sky in your home.

Also, it comes with full moon disk for your project in the ceiling.

Product Features

• SEGATOYS HOMESTAR PRO 2nd contains 6 Lens while HOMESTAR only contain 4 lens. The sharpness of HOMESTAR PRO is improved.
• SEGATOYS HOMESTAR PRO 2nd utilize 3W White LED while HOMESTAR use 1W White LED for projection. HOMESTAR PRO is 3 times brighter than the project of HOMESTAR
• SEGATOYS HOMESTAR PRO 2nd comes with new FULL MOON and EARTH Projection Disk
• Number of Stars: 10,000
• Projection Distance: 10 ft (around 2m-2m30cm)
• Projection Angle & Focus: Freely Adjustable on shooting angle 0-90 degree.
• Diurnal Motion Function: Revolve Counterclockwise(imitate the movement of the stars in the Northern Hemisphere)
• Shooting Star Function: Projects Shooting Stars at random intervals.
• Starry Software Tray: Changeable for different Starry disks.
• Light Resource: High brightness White LED to avoid heat and provide clear and sharp image.
• Timer Function: Allows you to program the planetarium before you go to bed to switch off automatically once a certain time has elapsed.
• Power Source: AC(100~240V, 50/60Hz)
• Colors: MAT SILVER or MAT BLACK
• Light Weight Design
• HxWxD(approx.): 15.9cm x 14.3cm x 15.1cm

The Sega Toys HomeStar PRO 2nd Edition (21st Century Home Planetarium) is available over at the Toys Brando website for $224.90.

Say hello to the latest member in the cool looking Tokyflash watch family: Hanko – “a time piece that combines a simple design concept with completely original looks”.

Sharp black acrylic lenses reminiscent of a Japanese signature stamp give this watch its name and a newly designed stainless steel case with custom curves provide an additional design edge.

The brushed face and bracelet style strap have polished, tapered edges and beneath the surface twenty-three LEDs light up to present the time.

One touch of the upper button animates the sub-surface LEDs in a clockwise direction before the time is presented. Hours are shown in the centre circle of the watch, groups of five minutes are shown in the outer circle in the same position as numbers on a clock and single minutes are shown in the areas between. For more information take a look at the diagram or download the pdf manual below.

The Hanko LED watch is available from the Tokyoflash website for $99.62.

The line of Kisai aluminum LED watches from the Japanese Tokyoflash company has just been upgraded with yet another unique timepiece with a futuristic appearance.

Sensai offers you a choice of case and strap color combinations, each featuring multicolored LEDs beneath sleek black acrylic lenses. The wrist band design has the appearance of a one-piece bracelet but is easily adjustable to fit different wrist sizes.

Sensai features an animation mode so that once every minute for 12 minutes after the time is displayed, the LEDs rotate on and off in a circular formation – a subtle effect that brings the watch to life. This function can be turned off as required.

A single touch of the upper button initiates a rotating animation before the remaining LEDs show the time. Twelve red LEDs represent hours, eleven green LEDs represent groups of five minutes and four yellow LEDs represent single minutes. The time can be shown immediately with a second touch of the button. To find out more, take a look at the interactive manual below.

Features:

• Displays the time
• Made from high grade aluminum
• LED animation mode
• Energy saving mode to ensure battery longevity
• Clasp: simple fold over clasp with push button
• Minimum wrist size: 140 mm
• Maximum wrist size: 220 mm
• Case dimensions: 36 mm x 36 mm x 0.9 mm
• Weight: 72 grams
• Water resistance: 3ATM
• Instructions: Japanese and English instructions included
• Battery: CR2032 standard watch battery
• Three year warranty

The new Kisai Sensai aluminum LED watch from Tokyoflash is yours for $260.

This new and impressive diorama speaker from the Japanese toy manufacturer Bandai has been designed to look like the Ginza district in Tokyo, Japan did back in 1955.

The 2×1W speaker comes with moving parts, sound effects and a bunch of LED lights. Only 2000 copies have been made and the price is ¥198,000 (about $2,200 USD).

Here’s a translated version of the press release for the Bandai Diorama Speaker.

(Akihabara News via CrunchGear, Gizmodo, Prylfeber and TechFresh)

This new vertical alarm clock displays the current time with bright blue LEDs behind a black steel mesh, a design that gives the timepiece somewhat of speaker feeling.

Hours, minutes and seconds are presented in digital format from top to bottom on the front of the clock and with its radio clock function the time is set automatically. The alarm clock has a snooze function for lazy mornings and with its built in dimmer function, the lights can be darkened at the touch of a button.

Complete with an AC adaptor and transformer for use in any country, this design can also be powered with 3 AA batteries. Simple Japanese design at its best, this is a beautiful clock to wake up with!

The Idea International Vertical Mesh Clock measures 16(H) x 7.5(W) centimeters and the products is available from the Tokyoflash website for $118.

Great news for those of you who have a thing for computer accessories inspired by a certain japanese cat, like this webcam, the USB fan and this small speaker. You will now be able to expand your collection with this brand new Hello Kitty keyboard.

The keyboard comes in the traditional red and white colors and features the well-known bow tie on the Shift key. Kitty’s head can be found on the Enter key and as an ornament at the very top of this playful Sanrio style keyboard.

Product Description

• Size: 44.2 x 14.8 x 2.5 cm
• PC Interface USB, PC/AT compatible
• OS: Windows XP / VISTA
• Japanese QWERTY 108 key

The Hello Kitty Keyboard is available from the Geek Stuff 4 U website for $106.

(Via Crave and Gizmodiva)

It’s not the first time this tin can astromech droid gets filled with water. Last year we could see R2-D2 as an aquarium with a built-in periscope, and now the design of the popular Star Wars robot has been used for a water bottle.

You simply tilt R2-D2’s head back to take a sip from your plastic science fiction inspired bottle, or to fill it up with water – or anything else you would like to drink.

The Star Wars R2-D2 Water Bottle will be available in April 2009 from the Japanese company Tanomi for ¥3,300 yen (about $37 USD).

(Via Technabob)

Fans of the Transformers robots will soon be able to get their hands on a new edition of Takara Tomy’s classic Transformers wristwatch that was first released in the 80s.

The LCD on the watch features 170 LEDs to display rudimentary graphics which depict a smiley face, sleepy face, or the Autobots symbol. The watch also displays the time and various letters on the LCD.

Here’s a video of the original watch from 1983:

Two versions of the Chrono Label will be released – a Cybertron Autoceptor version and a Destron Time Limit watch which displays the same dot graphics.

The Transformers Chrono Label watch can be pre-ordered from the NCSX shop. The product will ship in mid-late August 2009 and the price is set to $290.90.

Keisan, an aluminum LED watch, is the latest beauty in the Kisai line of timepieces that the Japanese watch importer Tokyoflash is offering through their online shop.

Keisan combines a raised convex bubble lens with optical technology precisely engineered to diffuse the advanced low energy Japanese LEDs, creating a bright, magnified lighting effect.

A streamlined, one motion design, Keisan is made from high grade aluminum to ensure a lightweight, comfortable feel on your wrist and is finished with a pristine polished alumite coating that has a smooth, bright appearance, unlike any other material.

An animation has been programmed into the LED module so that once every minute for 12 minutes after the time is displayed, the LEDs light up and move in a sweeping formation from side to side. A stylish effect that brings the watch to life.

Features:

• Displays the time and date
• Made from high grade aluminum
• LED animation mode
• Energy saving mode to ensure battery longevity
• Clasp: simple fold over clasp with push button
• Minimum wrist size: 150 mm
• Maximum wrist size: 220 mm
• Case dimensions: 30 mm x 45 mm x 12 mm
• Water resistance: 3ATM
• Instructions: Japanese and English instructions included
• Battery: CR2032 standard watch battery
• Weight: 80 grams
• Three year warranty

Calculate the time with Keisan. Simply touch the button and digits will appear in four vertical lines. Add the digits in each vertical line to read the time.

The date is displayed in the same way after the time. The time and date can be accelerated by pressing button A again. To find out more, see the manual:

The Kisai Keisan watch is available from Tokyoflash in black, with red or green LEDs and silver with orange or yellow LEDs. The price has been set to $255.

This cool fountain timepiece can be seen at the Kanazawa Station in Japan.

The computer controlled creation uses small jet streams of water to create the set of digits that will display the current time. Here’s a video showing the clock in action:

Visit CraziestGadgets.com for more info about the digital fountain clock.

Yes, those popular Transformers robots sure come in all shapes and sizes.

We’ve recently seen these fictional alien robots as iPod speaker docks, learning laptops and a 4-port USB hub. Now you can add Mickey Mouse to that never ending list.

The Mickey Mouse Transformer Robot is sold by Amazon Japan for about $33.

(Rinkya via Technabob)

The talented Japanese 3D artist Kazushi Kobayashi has created the Chubu 01 – a line of beautiful mecha robot models described as something from “a parallel 50s where the robots are the most popular transport system”.

These pasel colored creations are considered so unique that the famous Tokyo Cultuart design shop in Tokyo selected them to be displayed in their Harajuku showroom.

Head over to the Hobbymedia.it for more photos of the Chubu 01 robots.

Thanks to Francesco!

Honda has tested a 49-foot replica of their ASIMO humanoid robot, that’s 12 times the height of the original. The animated replica will be a guest of honor at the 120th Rose Parade as well as kick off Honda’s 50th anniversary of U.S. operations.

The creation called “Hats Off in Celebration” will be completed with natural materials like lettuce seed, rice, carnations and strawflower. The float will be joined by the Prairie View A&M University Marching Band, a past participant in the Honda Battle of the Bands featuring the music programs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

A few members of the band will ride on the float, which will be immediately followed by the entire marching band. In addition, during the parade the FCX Clarity pace car will be accompanied by the Honda Super Cub motorcycle, the first model sold in the U.S.

For more information about Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot, head on over to honda.com and make sure to check out the official Honda YouTube channel.

The Japanese R/C model car company KYOSHO is about to release the dNaNo series in USA and Europe. These micro cars are super realistic 1:43 scale replicas and they’ve got the same level of details as the Die-cast models do.

Here’s a video clip showing the Kyosho dNaNo cars in action:

What makes dNaNo really outstanding, beside its impressive performance, is the USB compatible control unit. It allows the user to setup the car via the Kyosho web server.

By registering the car and entering the special circuit, the dedicated ID assigned to the IC tag on each car during production links to the circuit and starts measuring lap times. While displaying your data on the circuit display, all circuits are networked to the dNaNo Server, which automatically gets updated with your lap times.

You can access this webpage from your PC. This amazing system made possible with the dNaNo provides you with a deeper involvement with your racing machine and its performance, bringing you closer to the racing experience than ever before.

Head on over to the kyosho.com and dnanoshop.com websites for prices and more information about the dNaNo USB R/C micro cars from Kyosho.

Thanks to Francesco at Hobbymedia.it!

Tenmetsu is the latest addition to the brand new line of Kisai timepieces that the Japanese watch importer Tokyoflash is now offering through their online shop.

Three LEDs positioned beneath each lens allow a transition between LED colors creating a look never before seen. A continuous line running between the lenses and through the wrist band provides perfect balance and a sweeping animation effect adds character to the design.

Engineered from aluminum to enable detail in design and ensure a comfortable, lightweight feel on your wrist, Tenmetsu is finished with a soft alumite coating and is available in silver or black.

How to read the time:

The time and date are shown in sequence by color. Red LEDs indicate 15 units, amber LEDs indicate 5 units and green LEDs indicate 1 unit, a combination of which present hours, minutes, months and date.

Features:

• Displays the time and date
• Made from Aluminum
• Sweeping LED animation mode
• Maximum wrist size: 220 mm (approx.)
• Case dimensions: 23 mm x 52 mm x 10 mm
• Weight: 100 grams
• Water resistance: 3ATM
• Japanese and English instructions
• Three year warranty

The Kisai Tenmetsu watch is available from the Tokyoflash website for $257.

NI, a stylish watch made entirely from stainless steel with a polished finish, is the latest timepiece from the popular Japanese-based wrist wear importer Tokyoflash.

The slimline case and strap allow this timepiece to wrap comfortably around your wrist and the simple buckle closes neatly to complete the look.

The display moves across the face in a sweeping manner, with the time progressing in the same direction. A single touch of the upper button sends the lights into a sparkling animation before the time is displayed.

Each LED on the lowest line indicates two hours, the line above indicates a single hour, a combination presenting the current hour. Groups of 10 minutes are presented on the centre line and single minutes on the upper two lines. The date can be read in a similar manner with second touch of the upper button. Subtle etched graphics on the face make reading the time easy.

The Tokyoflash NI watch is available in three color variations; all blue LED, all white LED or red and green LED. The price has been set to $144 USD.

The 2009 Hello Kitty collector edition Swarovski wristwatch has arrived in Japan. The crystal encrusted watch, available in white or pink, has been designed in Italy by Vabene and manufactured in Japan by Citizen.

Citizen’s quality is high and the Swarovski crystals shine. Cheaper than the $3000 Neiman Marcus diamond-crusted Hello Kitty watch, still very well done, and makes a great present… to yourself.

Specifications: water resistant, 4.2cm (1.68 inch) diameter.

The Hello Kitty 2009 Limited Swarovski Watch is available from Gizmine for $580.

(Via Wrist Dreams)