Minority Report it is not, but Masatoshi Ishikawa – namesake of Tokyo University’s renowned Ishikawa Lab – brought us one step closer to the future when he recently invited Japanese press to witness the lab’s newest creation: a projection system that can track and display an image on a moving object.
The implied uses for this technology are endless, and include the ability to someday interact with a Smartphone interface projected onto your own hand, or watch Three’s Company reruns on your ceiling fan or something.
As it stands, the system can currently project an image onto any moving object, as well as produce tactile sensation through a companion device that shoots ultrasonic waves onto the moving surface. In layman’s terms, it punches things with sound lasers.
There’s only one catch: right now, the system requires a massive ceiling-mounted unit that houses the necessary equipment, which, in the Yomiuri Shimbun video here, clicks and whirs disturbingly like an MRI machine gone rogue, drowning out reporters’ voices and possibly irradiating everyone in the room.
Ishikawa Labs says the technology as is could be used commercially to display batch information on products moving through an assembly line.
Here’s a video demonstration (with the sound cleaned up) from Ishikawa Labs’ Youtube channel:
Source: Yomiuri Online
Images/video via YouTube IshikawaLabs
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Akiba Dental Clinic: The Akihabara dentist where a moe maid in cosplay cleans your teeth
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Akiba Dental Clinic: The Akihabara dentist where a moe maid in cosplay cleans your teeth
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Daiso’s Standard Products store — what’s worth buying and what’s not? Our expert weighs in
New sushi restaurant hidden inside Tokyo Station is a secret gem
Japanese jam jar lids close on their own, as if by magic
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
Japan Travel: Explore a hidden cave on a tiny monorail roller coaster thrill ride in Nara
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
New rules allow Japanese adult film actresses to stop the sale of their videos after five years
Pizza Hut’s new Oreo pizza is like nothing we’ve ever eaten before