Japanese Inventors Create Mechanical Telepathic Anime Cat Ears

Logan Westbrook

Transform, Roll Out, Etc
Feb 21, 2008
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Japanese Inventors Create Mechanical Telepathic Anime Cat Ears

Soon everyone will be able to be a catperson, as long as they don't mind their ears reading their mind.

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The Japanese company Neurowear has created a set of mechanical cat ears that allow anime fans to live out their catgirl - or catboy - fantasies. The ears are apparently able to sense the wearer's mood and move themselves in an appropriate manner.

The toy is called "Necomimi," which is a play on the Japanese words for "cat" and "ear." That's not the only wordplay going on though, as Neurowear says that the first two syllables also represent the words "neuro" and "communication." The Neurowear team said that there were investigating new ways to communicate and hit upon the idea of using brainwaves, and as the brainwave sensors had to be mounted on the head, the team decided to come up with something "cute and catchy."

The ears are able to prick up when the wearer is excited, and droop when he or she is calm. Tomonori Kagaya, who is part of the Neurowear team, said that the medical versions of the brainwave scanners cost millions of yen, but that falling costs have allowed people to experiment with them and come up with new ways to use them.

The Necomimi are essentially just a novelty, but they're kind of fun, and I can see them doing rather well in Japan. They could also provide the perfect finishing touch to a lot of cosplay outfits, not to mention really confuse a lot of pet cats.

Source: BBC [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13694911]


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The Philistine

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Jan 15, 2010
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I wonder how long it will be before someone makes "mood ring" sun glasses with the same type of tech. I guess animated ears could be a hot children's toy, but as an adult I'd prefer something that alternated between devil horns and a halo (no idea how that would technically work, though).
 

Pingieking

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Sep 19, 2009
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Do want.
What? I've got an Asian girlfriend. I'm sure I can convince her to wear that once in a while.
 

Gigatoast

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Apr 7, 2010
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Brought to you by wasted technology.

Wasted technology: It's what's for dinner... and perverted anime nuts.
 

Owlslayer

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Nov 26, 2009
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Science!
For the greater good of mankind!

Ah, screw it, the ears are pretty nice.
If they work more or less okay, then it'll be really popular with those crazy cosplayers!
/cosplayers aren't crazy. Well, most of them. I think. Maybe.
 

CM156_v1legacy

Revelation 9:6
Mar 23, 2011
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I wonder why people would even make this in the first place.

*Looks, sees it was made in Japan*
Ahhhh, that explains it...

Not a fan of this sort of thing, but I know someone who is.
 

Gerhardt

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May 21, 2010
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You know what, I'm going to give this credit. It's a cute idea. It's a good sign when we start using what used to be science fiction concepts for frivolous toys.
 

Lazy Kitty

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May 1, 2009
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I've known I want these for quite a while...
[sup]I want the black ones...[/sup]

EDIT:
Shia-Neko-Chan said:
I'll buy it when they make the brain microphone thing less noticable. and improve the shape a little bit. >_>
This version is just a prototype, a commercial version should be released by the end of the year.
 

ascorbius

Numberwanger
Nov 18, 2009
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YAY, Rejoice married men.. you can now know when your wife is pissed at you. :)

Actually, do they go lopsided when the wearer has had a few?
 

mattaui

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Oct 16, 2008
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Dang, I should've tried to import these to sell them at the local anime con. If they're widely available, I'll be surprised if there's not already someone there selling them.
 

Kenjitsuka

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Sep 10, 2009
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Wow, the BBC is realllly far behind on this old story.
Their connections to Japan must be not as good as they once where.
 

Erana

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Feb 28, 2008
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I think its a cute idea, in the right situation. I mean, imagine if a sweet little girl with facial paralasys were given these to be able to clearly and naturally convey emotions?
 

Kopikatsu

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May 27, 2010
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Pingieking said:
Do want.
What? I've got an Asian girlfriend. I'm sure I can convince her to wear that once in a while.
If I had a girlfriend, I would buy a pair for her. Then she would dump me. So very hard.
 

Worgen

Follower of the Glorious Sun Butt.
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Apr 1, 2009
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Whatever, just wash your hands.
Kopikatsu said:
Pingieking said:
Do want.
What? I've got an Asian girlfriend. I'm sure I can convince her to wear that once in a while.
If I had a girlfriend, I would buy a pair for her. Then she would dump me. So very hard.
if she would dump you over this then she was never your girlfriend to begin with, she was just a neighbor who didnt close her blinds
 

Kopikatsu

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May 27, 2010
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Worgen said:
Kopikatsu said:
Pingieking said:
Do want.
What? I've got an Asian girlfriend. I'm sure I can convince her to wear that once in a while.
If I had a girlfriend, I would buy a pair for her. Then she would dump me. So very hard.
if she would dump you over this then she was never your girlfriend to begin with, she was just a neighbor who didnt close her blinds
But my neighbor already has a restraining order against me.

...All of them.