A toy helicopter created from cannibalised smartphones was among the main attractions at a huge toy show in Tokyo on Friday, where producers were targeting the young and the young-at-heart.
The motor that makes a telephone vibrate provides the power for the rotor blades on the Nano-Falcon, which its makers say is the world's smallest radio-controlled helicopter.
The 6.5-centimetre (2.4-inch) machine weighs just 11 grammes (0.385 ounces), has a range of just five metres (15 feet) and can fly for five minutes, but its makers say they are feeding the fantasies of adults who never really grew up.
"Japan's ageing population made us think of developing a toy targeting adults," said Naoki Nakagawa, head of sales at maker CCP.
"Ten or twenty years ago, helicopter-toys could cost a lot of money. Those who couldn't afford it at the time can now make their childhood dream come true at a reasonable price."
The mini machine retails at around 4,700 yen ($50), a price company spokeswoman Kiyoko Hayasaki said came from its use of bits of mobile phones.
"We were able to set the price at this relatively cheap level because we took some key parts from stocks that are widely available in the market for smartphones," she said.
Elsewhere at the exhibition, toymakers were showcasing tablet computers specifically for small children.
"Children like to emulate what adults do, and a survey said 90 percent of tablet computer users let their children use their tablets," said Yuki Itagaki, a spokeswoman for MegaHouse, a subsidiary of major Japanese toy maker Bandai Namco Holdings.
MegaHouse's "tap me" is a tablet specifically developed for use by children aged between four and eight, with built-in parental controls, including a timer that limits use.
"When the timer reaches the set time, the tablet shows a sleeping face instead of turning off," Itagaki said. "Children can't bring tablets to their parents and say 'hey, the power is off. Turn it on please.'"
Despite its price tag of 20,790 yen ($219), MegaHouse aims to sell 100,000 "tap me" in the coming 12 months.
US toy maker Mattel was showing off its Apptivity Monkey, a fluffy monkey designed to hold Apple's iPhone -- and protect it from over-enthusiastic toddlers, who can press buttons on the creature's limbs to create music.
Japan's Takara Tomy has a stand for the iPhone that dances along to the music it is playing.
"We hope adults with a sense of fun like this product," said Tsubasa Tominaga of the company's new products team.
The International Tokyo Toy Show runs until Sunday at Tokyo Big Sight in the Japanese capital's bay area, with Saturday and Sunday open to the public.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Sun Jun 16 2013
Peniaga wanita ditahan jual beg tiruan dalam talian
Seorang peniaga wanita ditahan selepas dikesan menjalankan aktiviti menjual beg tiruan dalam talian menggunakan cap dagangan secara salah.
Fahmi kesal Universiti Malaya jemput penceramah cetus kontroversi berkaitan Palestin
Beliau kesal terhadap Universiti Malaya kerana menjemput seorang penceramah warga asing yang mengeluarkan kenyataan mencetuskan kontroversi berkaitan Palestin.
Nahas helikopter Lumut: Mendiang Joanna Felicia disemadi dengan istiadat ketenteraan
Keranda mendiang diturunkan sekitar jam 11.20 pagi selepas upacara keagamaan berakhir, diikuti kawad hormat bersenjata disempurnakan oleh 12 pegawai dan anggota TLDM yang berpangkalan di Kuching.
DNB umum ahli lembaga pengarah baharu merangkumi lima pengendali rangkaian mudah alih
DNB melantik ahli lembaga pengarah baharu, yang terdiri daripada pemimpin-pemimpin kanan industri telekomunikasi dan teknologi.
Warga emas maut langgar penghadang besi di Gua Musang
Seorang lelaki warga emas maut selepas kenderaan dipandunya terlanggar penghadang besi di Jalan Persiaran Raya susur Taman Damar, Gua Musang.
Tun Abdullah dimasukkan ke IJN, dalam keadaan stabil - Keluarga
Keadaan Abdullah dilaporkan stabil dan masih dirawat di Unit Penjagaan Koronari (Coronary Care Unit).
[TERKINI] Tun Abdullah dimasukkan ke IJN, keadaan stabil
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi telah dimasukkan ke Institut Jantung Negara pada Rabu kerana mengalami Small Spontaneous Pneumothorax.
[TERKINI] UM mohon maaf, ambil tindakan segera tangani situasi
Universiti Malaya kesal dengan kenyataan kontroversi penceramah jemputan warga asing yang tidak menghormati sentimen masyarakat seperti tular dalam laman media sosial.
Malaysia-Jepun tekad perkukuh kerjasama dalam sektor pembinaan
Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi berkata perjanjian persefahaman dapat membuka peluang kepada pemain sektor pembinaan Malaysia meneroka pasaran Jepun selaras dengan pelaksanaan Perjanjian Komprehensif dan Progresif bagi Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (CPTPP) dengan kedua-dua negara adalah ahlinya.
Hati-hati akaun fleksibel, guna sewaktu persaraan - Pakar
Pencarum seharusnya lebih berhati-hati dan merancangan kewangan dengan lebih baik susulan pengenalan akuan fleksibel Kwsp yang baharu.