Cell Phone Holder Inside a Human-shaped Cushion

Hiroshi Ishiguro (center), an ATR fellow and professor of robotics at Osaka University and 2 other colleagues.

The Japanese are know for their inventions and occasionally for their wacky ideas.  I think it would only be in Japan that you would find a cell phone holder shaped like a human torso. The reasoning behind this is to reduce the stress of having too many mobile phone calls, even late at night and to help people feel close to each other when talking on the phone.

According to the article written by the Japanese Kyodo Press, this is a joint project of  Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, known as ATR, a bedclothes manufacturer, Kyoto Nishikawa Co. and industrial materials maker Toyobo Co. The cushion is called, "Hugvie" and they hope to market it at nursing homes and child care facilities as well as to the general public.

According to research by Hiroshi Ishiguro, an ATR fellow and professor of robotics at Osaka University, human beings can feel the presence of others more strongly if two or more senses are engaged, such as hearing and touch.

"We found a material that makes us feel human presence more," Ishiguro told a press conference in Osaka, adding the developers are even considering creating a system to hold conversations with the cushions.   Read more here.

And what is the price for this new invention? It retails for 10,800 yen (about $87 US) and it is 80 centimeters long by 55 cm wide. Batteries and cell phones not included.