

Japanese telecom giant NTT DoCoMo showed off a smartphone with changeable sensor-embedded shells that can detect bad breath, vital body signs and even be used to measure background radiation levels. DoCoMo also demonstrated how population data can be obtained from mobile phone base stations, allowing urban planners or disaster relief agencies to map population movements or help identify people in specific areas. Japan's Nissan showed off its Vehicle to Home system that enables energy stored in an electric vehicle's batteries to be used in houses.

Another application of the film is as a touch panel which responds to left-right and up-down finger swipes but also senses how strongly it is being pressed, unlike conventional touchscreen glass used on smartphones.
"Currently we give commands two-dimensionally on touch panels in smartphones and tablet computers but this invention would give us another dimension -- how hard they are pressed," Murata spokesman Kazuhisa Mashita said. "This could enable users to scroll screens slowly by touching the screen lightly and move images faster by pressing it harder," he told AFP ahead of the exhibition.

Toshiba showcased what it calls "the world's thinnest and lightest" tablet computer, equipped with a 10.1-inch display that is just 7.7 millimetres (0.3 inches) thick and weighs 558 grams (19.5 ounces). It also gave a Japan debut to its glasses-free Regza 55X3 3D television.
Meanwhile car accessories firm Pioneer displayed an in-car navigation system that projects data directly on to the windscreen instead of relying on a dashboard display. Microchip maker Rohm showcased what it hails as the world's tiniest resistors -- so small that 500,000 of them can be used in an hourglass instead of sand. The Japanese firm also revealed efforts to diversify into the healthcare business, with "Technojewel" accessories such as earrings that can take the wearer's pulse. (AFP)