The Tospom: A camera that plays catch

(Credit: Crave Asia)

Clearly, some researchers at Japan's Okude Laboratory are having too much fun with their work.

Their latest invention, the Tospom, is a ball-shaped camera takes a picture of the receiver when he catches it. The rationale, according to its inventors, is to engage the photographer and his subject while snapping a picture and also to "draw out a more natural and relaxed expression from the subject."

While its Web site gave a demonstration of how to use the ball-cam, it didn't state how it worked. All we can figure out is that you can also hold a special bracelet over the ball to view old images. There is also no mention of image resolution or memory expansion slots.

The Tospom is being demonstrated at several research forum and international conferences. While it is not commercially available yet, we're can't wait: We're already clearing a section of the wall to pin up pictures of unsuspecting passers-by who will be on the receiving end.

(Source: Crave Asia)

[calvin.giroud]

oh man, this looks like another skymall/hamacher shlemmer and dynamism combo of Japanese goods. What comes out of this country. self cleaning toilets, smart carpets, cups that are computers (maybe not from japan) but the list goes on. Add that to the list. from the picture, all i see is an orange with a big hole int filled with grey nilon, encased in one of these plastic lunchboxes thing. No many dollars went to ergonomics or design i suppose.

[chad633]

somebody has entirely too much time on their hands. I wonder how tough this thing is. Might be a popular item for kids and pets, but doesn't seem to have much of a practical use.