If there would be just one reason to be fond of the Japanese, then that has to be the developments in the field of robotics, and, more recently, their research into haptics and touch interfaces. The latest thing that I came across is the development of Kawasaki and Mouri Laboratory at Gifu University, that came up with one of the most interesting touch interfaces out there.

What's interesting about it is the fact that the scientists have managed to combine the touch interface with 3D displays and discovered a new way to simulate touching objects. HIRO III is the name of the haptic interface, and is, in fact, a robot that is capable of providing very realistic kinesthetic sensations to the user's hand and fingers alike.

As for the applications, there are many possibilities, including medical diagnosis training, especially for the ones that are still learning the basics. Another application would be breast cancer, which is also happens to be the a special priority for researchers.

More specifically, the engineers at the Kawasaki and Mouri Laboratory at Gifu University in Japan are focusing on tactile screening for breast cancer, simply because tactile examination is still mandatory until mammography screening will become advanced enough to be completely accurate. All in all, for the moment HIRO III remains in the laboratory. Video bellow.



We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is