Mugen Idea - Infinite Crowdsourcing

Written by: Michael Keferl on June 25, 2009 at 9:43 pm | In MARKETING IDEAS, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS | No Comments

Crowdsourcing has been one of the more relevant trends for innovation in recent years, helping companies create and improve products by engaging the public. From cosmetics to Calpis, Japanese consumers have been engaged through social networks to give their own ideas to the innovation process.

Anyone who has a Japanese gadget fetish is surely aware of the “Mugen” (infinite) series of toys by Bandai Asovision that all started with the PuchiPuchi Infinite Bubblewrap. After going through various incarnations from soybeans to beer, they decided to enlist the help of the infinite imaginations of consumers with Mugen Idea.

The result, as you can see, is Mugen Chocolate. Not quite sure what form this will take, but I think it’s a pretty good guess that it will involve infinitely cracking off a block of chocolate that you can’t actually eat. Kind of sounds like torture actually.

Tags: Bandai, gadgets
Category: MARKETING IDEAS, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS
Other categories: DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION

A.i.R. Project from Bandai brings “Art in the Room”

Written by: Michael Keferl on April 10, 2009 at 4:02 am | In LIFESTYLE / FASHION | 2 Comments

We’ve been covering the growing market of home lifestyle products being put out by companies that, for many years, focused entirely on toys for children. Sega Toys, U-Mate, Bandai, Takara Tomy, and more have been slowly growing product lines that appeal to the 30+ generation that grew up with gadgets and has cash to spend.

The new A.i.R. Project (Art in the Room) from Bandai is a perfect example of how lifestyle and wellness goods are growing in quality as well. Costing over $600, the ambiance-creating light system is digital art for the consumer, and was created by artist Taro Suzuki who has done many similar large-scale projects in the past.

The A.i.R. Project is more complicated than it looks. Inside each LED-lit square is a mini fan that, when triggered in combination with light patterns, starts blowing air to physically move the cloth cover. The result is a light sculpture that moves both with light and wind, and can be manipulated with internal sensors that detect touch on each side and moves the lights in that direction.

Tags: Bandai, Lifestyle, Wellness
Category: LIFESTYLE / FASHION
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Aqua Dance from Bandai nanotech coating for fun

Written by: Michael Keferl on February 24, 2009 at 3:44 pm | In PRODUCT INNOVATIONS | No Comments

Using nanotech coating, Bandai has created Aqua Dance, a self-perpetuating interior product that generates endless balls (yes, balls) of water endlessly cascading down its surface.

With the Adesso WR coating developed by Nikka Kagaku Co. Ltd., water beads up and behaves more like mercury than H2O. Aqua Dance uses this technology to put a new spin on the old “home mini-fountain” idea by constantly feeding new water in through the top to watch it slide, bounce off of obstacles, drop into holes, and break into tiny little pieces as it makes its way down the tray.

Aqua Dance uses the same coating as the Aqua Drop (shop link) handheld maze that came out last year (videos below).

While the case design could stand to be sleeker and more stylish, it’s a great way to show off otherwise boring technology in consumer-friendly and fun ways. As a lifestyle product, the focus is to promote relaxation by controlling the drops and watching the water move. When released in March, the Aqua Dance will be available in “Moon Night” and “Rainy Day” colors.

Tags: Bandai, gadgets, Home Decor, Toys
Category: PRODUCT INNOVATIONS
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION

Digital Living Gallery digitizes art for us all

Written by: Michael Keferl on January 28, 2009 at 10:28 pm | In DIGITAL LIFE | No Comments

Bandai, typically a toy and game company, is using technology to appeal to the adult market’s more sophisticated senses. The new Digital Living Gallery (shop link) forgoes the standard sleek and shiny for a traditional wood frame appropriate for paintings. What’s interesting is that Bandai is also selling content for the frame.

Starting with two artists, Renoir and van Gogh, each SD-card loaded collection comes with high quality digital renderings that can look permanent on the wall despite being easily changeable. Plus, the features go well beyond that of the originals.

TREND POTENTIAL
Digital content is manifesting itself in ways beyond audio and video. We cover this example, plus scores of related trends, in our Trendpool database designed to help businesses innovate in new ways. Get the rest of the story HERE.

Tags: Bandai, Digital Lifestyle
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Showa Ginza Diorama recreates postwar Japan in tiny size

Written by: Michael Keferl on January 26, 2009 at 10:53 am | In DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS | No Comments

We just talked about Sega Toys’ efforts in the market for lifestyle toys for adults, but Bandai has been in this market for years as well, and at significantly higher price point in the Little Jammer series.

New in the works is the “Time Trip Series,” of which the first release will be the Showa Ginza Diorama. This table top (30 x 40cm) display recreates the posh shopping district Ginza’s iconic 4-chome crossing, circa the year Showa 30 (1955).

In addition to authentic details, down to the Toshiba signboard, this monument to nostalgia includes LED light displays, an assortment of retro melodies, a running streetcar, and other moving elements. The whole thing is mounted on top of a set of speakers, with a control panel for animating the display. There is also the modern addition of an outlet for connecting your iPod, so owners can contribute their own soundtrack of classic Misora Hibari.

The target market for the retro Diorama is nostalgic baby boomers who are most able to afford the device at over $2,000. Depending on success, Bandai plans to release other pieces recreating classic Tokyo scenes in its “Time Travel Series” .

Press release

Tags: Bandai, Lifestyle, Retro
Category: DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS