Here is the daily roundup from Japanese consumer tech and tech business websites for Dec. 3, 2014.

Keio University demonstrates single antenna MIMO system

Researchers at Keio University have successfully demonstrated through experiments the feasible efficiency of a customized single antenna for a MIMO antenna system.

MIMO antenna systems are technically by definition, systems that use multiple antennas to improve overall transmission speed and efficiency, hence the name (multiple-input multiple-output).  The recent experiment however, showed that it is also possible for a single antenna to achieve the efficiency of a MIMO system, through the use of a customized signal processing algorithm.

The new algorithm can be applied in a wireless transmitter, as new software that would allow one single antenna to function as an entire MIMO antenna array. Since one antenna is enough, a MIMO system could theoretically be built into smaller systems, even on wearable tech, possibly setting another standard in portable wireless transmission technologies.

JAXA’s Hayabusa 2 finally launched

Hayabusa 2, the upcoming follow-up mission that would send another satellite to a nearby asteroid, has just been launched. The rocket that carried it beyond Earth was the H-IIA no. 26, and was launched at exactly 1:22 AM JST.

Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Hayabusa 2’s primary objective is to study the Apollo asteroid (162173) 1999 JU3. Despite launch delays a few days earlier, it is now en route to its target, and is expected to arrive around 43 months after its launch in 2018. Upon its arrival, the Hayabusa 2 would then study the asteroid for a year, using its enhanced instruments to obtain better samples and provide more accurate observational data.

It is scheduled to return to Earth in the year 2020.

SEMICON Japan 2014 is now open

The SEMICON Japan 2014 event is scheduled to start today, December 3, and will end on December 5. The event will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight, where all of the world’s semiconductor pioneers and industry giants will meet.

SEMICON Japan is an annually held international event that showcases various equipments, materials, concepts and breakthroughs related to semiconductors and its industry. It is considered as a once-in-a -year hub that opens technical seminars and meetings that are led by the various semiconductor companies and corporations. For this year’s opening keynote, speakers from Accenture, STSI, Toyota, and ARM will be present.

A complete event list, as well as time tables and schedules for the event can be found at the SEMICON Japan official website.

The post Keio MIMO, Hayabusa 2, SEMICON Japan: The Headlines in Tokyo for Dec. 3 appeared first on VR World.

3D holograms may still look a bit too gimmicky, but the technology is getting better and better, as more and more new concepts for glassless 3D imaging are developed. In fact, this one particular breakthrough developed by a media design team at Keio University may be the closest to being a true hologram yet, as it introduces the idea of ‘tangible’ full-3D images.

HaptoMirage is a new display system that uses what its developers call as Active-Shuttered Real Image Autostereoscopy (ARIA). It is described as a 3D imaging technique that creates “seamless interactive multi-user mixed reality” with a full 180-degree rotatable image. Basically, it means that the 3D images made by HaptoMirage are generated with every view perspective possible, so it can be viewed in exactly the proper angle it should be when viewed in different directions.

For instance, two users positioned differently in front of the unit may view a virtual 3D car image as if it was a true holographic toy car. Instead of just imagining the object to be there, users can actually see the generated images in a more ‘tangible’ form, able to interact with them as if it was a real world object when programmed correctly.

The trick used by HaptoMirage to perfectly create rotatable 3D images is a motion tracking system that registers users that are in front of the unit. The data is then calculated to create a proper stereoscopic image, which the three Fresnel lenses in front would display to show its proper perspective and relative positioning.

The prototype shown in the video was first presented during the recently held SIGGRAPH 2014. Attendees of the event were able to see a few sample 3D images of the system, as well as using the interactive 3D pen drawer, which was also shown in the introduction video.

HaptoMirage may serve as an important tool in cooperative 3D design, where multiple users can build and create objects by simply manipulating tangible floating 3D images a la Tony Stark. Indeed, the development team expects the implementation of its concept to various mixed reality applications, where it can be used as a new expansive form of presentation and entertainment.

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