Japan: 'Chat' with chip

Pedestrians can find their way, listen to cultural and historical introductions without having to open their mouth to ask anyone - thanks to 1200 computer chips that have just been "embedded" throughout the Ginza shopping district. capital Tokyo.

You can hear the above useful information via the headset, thanks to the signal transmitted from the chip. They were "transplanted" inside light poles, subway station ceilings, and even brick walls. The whole project is funded by the government, with costs up to 8.7 million USD.

Source: AFP Professor Ken Sakamura of the University of Tokyo said that the effort draws a rather attractive prospect, since such chips become so popular that government agencies and private companies You can use them to send information to passersby.

" This project is aimed at building the infrastructure for the 21st century ," Sakamura commented at the launch of the project. During the tour in Ginza, reporters were wearing headphones and giving a portable MP3 player. The front of the device is equipped with a small video screen.

When I arrived at the door of Mitsukoshi Department Store, a soft voice spoke, explaining the lion image that the center chose as a logo. Crossing the street to the Nissan Motor booth, the device system will automatically switch to "connect" to the chip implanted inside the ceiling.

" Welcome to Nissan Ginza ", a charming girl appeared on the video screen. By pressing the button on the music player, users can read some other information such as a map or a photo of the history, capturing the space of the gallery in the early 20th century.

Professor Sakamura said many American cities have expressed interest in the technology. Japan hopes that the "chat" chip will be deployed on a large scale to support the elderly, visually impaired people and people with disabilities in the city. In addition, its potential in the field of tourism is also very large.

Currently, this chip can "speak" Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.

Trong Cam