The Sony Group was again among the exhibitors at Tokyo Big Sight when Eco-Products 2008, Japan's largest eco-exhibition, was held last December. It was an opportunity to introduce our current conservation initiatives and environmental technology.New "odo" models were shown as an example of forward-looking design concepts, and workshops gave children a chance to use their own kinetic energy to power working odo prototypes. This year, Twirl N' Take digital still cameras were joined by Push Power Play photo viewers, for viewing digital photos on memory cards. Exhibition visitors could now experience all activities from shooting photos to viewing them, all powered by their own kinetic energy.
Twirl N' Take is a working design prototype developed from Spin N' Snap, a design mock-up of a digital still camera. As before, the camera is shaped like a magnifying glass. Spinning the roller powers the camera, and users look through a round hole when taking pictures. Images are stored on Bitty memory cards in the tip of the handle. With a shape inspired by the action of peering through a viewfinder shaped like a magnifying glass, like the Twirl N' Take introduced at Eco-Products 2007, this more refined model is easier to hold and look through.
Push Power Play is a working design prototype of a photo viewer. Powered by pushing the viewer to rotate its bottom-mounted wheels as the unit is held with both hands, Push Power Play displays the digital photos stored on Bitty memory cards. The viewer can also be recharged while in use, as it continues to display images. In developing this model, the designers imagined children sharing the experience of gazing into some kind of container full of memories — in this case, photos of captured moments.
Bitty are memory cards for use with Twirl N' Take digital still cameras and Push Power Play photo viewers. Cards are kept in their own cases for easy portability. Children can choose their favorite colors and shapes for storing photos, and they can trade their cards with friends. These are the inspirations behind this colorful and playful design work.
