I’m sure we’ve all been there: knowing that you’re bound to bump into your crush at some point during the day, you prepare a few witticisms in advance, make sure to brush your teeth extra well and pick out an outfit that strikes the perfect balance between casual and “holy crap I’m sexy”. And then, when the object of your affections comes within a few feet of you, you blurt out some nonsense about having seen a really big pigeon on the way there and manage to spit all over yourself. Oh, just me?
Thankfully, for those who find themselves completely tongue-tied when faced with their dream guy or gal, there’s a new…invention that enables the wearer to express their feelings of admiration without saying a word. And it looks wonderfully ridiculous.
Made by Niconico user Nico_Tech, the same person who brought us the Oculus Rift Hatsune Miku drink-sharing simulator, the HeartCap packs a surprising amount of technology. As well as having a pair of enormous, frog-like eyes on top, the helmet is fitted with an array of sensors which monitor the wearer’s heart-rate, know when they’re blinking, and even register when they swallow, mimicking or displaying these actions for the wearer’s crush to see.
▼ LEDs flash when the wearer’s heart-rate is up.
▼ Sensors to monitor blinking, be it nervous or otherwise.
▼ Giant helmet-mounted eyes blink when the wearer does.
▼ A sensor tells the HeartCap when the wearer is swallowing their saliva.
▼ Prompting a small sign to be unfurled, telling the world about it.
Here’s a video showing the HeartCap in action. It certainly works, and we imagine it’d prove to be something of a conversation stimulator, but whether this is going to help anyone actually get a date with their crush is another matter entirely…
Source: Niconico Video via Netorabo
Screenshots: Niconico Video
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
McDonald’s Japan hack: Make a Chicken Tatsuta in five minutes anywhere in the world
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
This train station bento boxed lunch shop has been in business for nearly 100 years
Police cracking down on outdoor seating in Tokyo’s liveliest street market neighborhood[Video]
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
McDonald’s Japan hack: Make a Chicken Tatsuta in five minutes anywhere in the world
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
This train station bento boxed lunch shop has been in business for nearly 100 years
Police cracking down on outdoor seating in Tokyo’s liveliest street market neighborhood[Video]
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Woman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
Nintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Woman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
Nintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
Final Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]
This historical Kyoto zen garden is hosting a guitar and beatbox concert
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Squeezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines