Produced by
Susumu Kawashima, Fumiya Sakai

Everyone must have gone through a sudden freeze of their computer in the middle of their thesis or document preparation, even before they could save the data. This “Thesis Protector” is a great invention to stop that tragedy from occurring. It presses Ctrl and S keys (shortcut combination to save data) to save your important data. With this, you will never waste your time even if you forget to save the data!

Judges' Comments

President & CEO of Meiwa Denki
Nobumichi Tosa

Why didn’t we pay attention to such a simple thing! A simple way of using Solenoid to avoid accidental loss of your current work due to PC screen freezing. Potential smash hit all over the world. Go ahead and launch this product!

Produced by Toyama Special Education School Higher Division Mechanical Engineering Course

This is a pinball machine operated by 11 solenoids connected to a micro-computer controller. We created our own structure by trial and error. We also added colorful illumination and a score display which visitors enjoyed a lot at our presentation. This is our graduation piece so we focused on fine craftsmanship.

Judges' Comments

President & CEO of Meiwa Denki
Nobumichi Tosa

Successfully reproduces a nostalgic and classic pinball-game machine from scratch. This machine is crafted with such old technology, yet the mechanism of iron ball moving up and down appears to be fresh for modern people who are so used to playing game on smartphones. This masterpiece represents full advantage of Solenoid’ originality and capability.

Produced by Sakura Electronics

Rhythm Lock♪ locks your secret in a fun way. Only your own secret rhythm can release the lock. This video shows a “Secret notebook” that you release the lock on by playing the piano, and an advanced version “Present Box” that you clap your hands to open. Takaha solenoid is used for the lock structure. We made it with a 3D printer.

Judges' Comments

President & CEO of Meiwa Denki
Nobumichi Tosa

Key-lock opens with the rhythm only you know. How poetic it is! Security lock using Solenoid is reproduced just like the one on smartphones.

Produced by Kei Sawai

I like solenoids. These days, anybody can develop an electronic device thanks to the large number of micro-computer and embedded equipment users. As solenoids have simple operation principles and a wide range of application, they are very useful devices to realize various development ideas. I believe solenoids are a high-affinity device in the physical computing field, so I made a special device “Gomashio Separater” that displays a “salt and sesame separation” process using a solenoid. I was always curious why “Gomashio” at cafes separates before I know it. Being shook by multiple people, the separation of sesame seeds and salt slowly occurs inside of the shaker.
If possible, I want to observe the separation process. This strong wish of mine drove me to create this separator. I confirmed that it can separate oregano from crazy salt, as well as sesame from Gomashio.
For the operation mode, there is an automatic separating function and a Mokugyo separating function. The manual operation with Mokugyo provides a change in the rhythm of the solenoid’s motion.

Judges' Comments

President & CEO of Meiwa Denki
Nobumichi Tosa

Watching the sesame salt and salt gradually separating apart from each other… The spirit of appreciating such an elegant time may have some similarity to enjoying the Japanese tea ceremony. We recommend to make “sesame salt school”.

Produced by sweet electronics

This is a machine to shoot Takenoko No Sato at Kinoko No Yama.

Judges' Comments

President & CEO of Meiwa Denki
Nobumichi Tosa

Very impressive collaboration of Image-Recognition Technology and Solenoid, yet my head is occupied wondering why “Takenokono-sato,” a popular Japanese chocolate snack.  A typical waste of technology like this leaves impression that is even manly and refreshing, indeed.

Produced by TETRASTYLE

I planned to make a table that pops out the chopstick rest automatically, but due to my budget I decided to use a tray instead.

Judges' Comments

President & CEO of Meiwa Denki
Nobumichi Tosa

Definitely gotta show this product to non-Japanese audience, especially for those who would say “wow, Japanese technology is crazy but awesome!”, looking at shower spraying from toilet. It illustrates much foolishness and Japanese culture combined into a product.