I've gotten pretty used to reporting o­n bizarre products and services since starting TechJapan, but nothing could prepare me for what you are about to read about. If you o­nly read o­ne TechJapan article this week (which means you need to visit more often), make it this o­ne. I will never look at flowers the same way.

They look like flowers.
They smell like flowers.
Wait, that's because they ARE flowers.
Sound? Music? Where's the sound coming from?
That would be the flowers.

Let's Corporation has developed technology to make sound come out of flower arrangements. A demonstration model of the "FLOWER SPEAKER . "Ka-on" was presented to members of the press o­n the 16th, by Music Bird Corporation. Let's Corporation is in charge of development of the product. Sale of the device will be handled by Chuuai Corporation of Music Bird, and E-Lets of Lets Corporation.

"Ka-ons" use flowers instead of cone-shaped paper boards as oscillation boards of speakers. The device is arranged in the following manner: the magnet and coil of the oscilatting part are contained in an acrylic tube, which in turn vibrates when the oscillation section does. Flowers touching this tube will also vibrate. Since sound is emitted from the petals and leaves, the setup functions as a directionless speaker.

Lets Corporation has explained this technology by saying "we have added the fifth and final sense, 'sound,' to the four senses already expressed by flowers - 'color (sight),' 'scent (smell),' 'honey (taste),' and 'feeling (touch).' By using all five of these, we have raised the the healing effects." The company has said it plans sale of 36,000 sets in a year.

Although specific data such as sound pressure level and efficiency have not been presented as a result of the device still being experimental, the volume and sound quality change depending o­n the size and type of flowers used. The device is intended to be used as a BGM speaker at a store - it was presented to be aimed at business uses.  The demonstration was held using Music Bird's "MDR-2000" tuner. Furthermore, Lets has also said that they plan o­n consumer-level product development.

An "experimental sale" will be conducted beginning in the back part of July, where o­nly 3,000 sets will be sold. Various shapes of products will be added into the lineup, and prices will range from about 5,000 yen to 50,000 yen.

The most basic type consists of a vase containing the oscillation section and acrylic cylinder; it operates off an exclusive amplifier with circuitry specifically aimed at effective presentation of "flower speaker" characteristics. Other models to be made available include an internal amplifier version, an FM tuner and amplifier version, and an interal power source version.

Continuing, other types of this product have been developed - this includes a planter with an embedded waterproof oscillation section that is fixed (glued) to the plant to cause it to vibrate, as well as a downsized version of this model in a small bowl. Also planned is a ceramic vase without a bottom and an internal oscillation unit.

A concern raised is what effect vibration will have o­n vegetation. According to Lets, "we do not have exact data, but vibration activates plants, and appears to extend their life span." This technology will be o­n display at the "Hamana Lake Flower Fair" being held from April 8th until October 11th, as well as the "Aichi World Fair" to be held in March 2005.



Inspired by (many more, better images):
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040716/mbird.htm

Press Release:
http://www.lets-co.co.jp/fsp/fsp.htm