Stylish products attract visitors to Design Tokyo Exhibition

As the fusion of design and technology is progressing more than ever before, it's not only the latter but the former is also increasingly becoming important in product development.

During the Design Tokyo Exhibition, products in each booth were lined up with inspirational designs as if to show us a glimpse of future generation designs.

In addition to design products, items packed with unprecedented ideas were on display.

"Our products are made with the concept that anyone in the world can eat with chopsticks easily, such as foreigners or elderly people. By embedding a magnet in the upper part of the chopsticks, it creates a mechanism so anyone can have their chopsticks aligned at the tip. Currently, people with illness and people with disabilities are using them, however, I hope more people in need to take advantage of this chopsticks to enjoy their meals. This time, I decided to join this exhibition for this specific product in hope of reaching more customers in the world," Hikaru Kaneko of Kaneko Sangyo said.

In one booth, a smart watch that can be charged with user's body heat was being introduced. Because it generates electricity by temperature difference between outside temperature and body heat of the person who wears it, the watch does not require charging process for general usage. Therefore, no charging cable or AC adapter is necessary.

"This watch powers itself with what is known as thermoelectric generator where electricity is generated by temperature gradient which causes electrons in the watch to flow, creating an electric current. On the premise that the user's body heat is warmer than outside temperature, it generates more electricity as the temperature gap between the body heat and outside becomes greater. Even if new technologies are being introduced, they won't be widespread unless it becomes a product for general consumers. So this kind of exhibition is a very valuable opportunity for us," Masaya Yano of B-Lab said.

As the concept of the word "design" is changing itself with times, Japanese companies continue to contribute to the future lifestyle by transmitting creative designs from Japan to the world.