Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

It was inevitable, really. Not even two months after jolly researchers at Kansai University developed a machine to calculate the quantity of a person’s laughter comes a new method of measuring just how hard you’re cheesing. According to Omron’s Yasushi Kawamoto, the Okao Catch technology is able to closely analyze “the curves of the lips, eye movement and other facial characteristics to decide how much a person is smiling.” In a recent demonstration, it threw up percentages as people moved in front of a camcorder and began to grin, and while a somber individual did net an astounding score of zero, it doesn’t seem that negative numbers are doled out for frowners. Besides being incredibly novel, the creators are hoping that it can be used in the medical field for accurately judging the “emotional state of patients,” in robotics for helping androids “decipher human reactions” and in dressing rooms assisting B-list celebs improve their charm.

[Via Tarakash]

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Filed under: Wearables

Considering that some digicams are emerging with built-in smile detection, we’d say whipping that grin of yours into shape might not be a half bad idea. Granted, Patakara’s latest certainly isn’t the first, but rather than just shaping your smile, this thing actually exercises the muscles around your mouth — presumably to help you cheese more intensely for even longer periods of time (you superstar, you). Heck, there’s even three models with different resistance levels for those totally committed. But let’s be honest, you won’t even give those fancy Body Trainer headphones a second glance — are you really going to dedicate time each day for this? You are? Well, then by all means, hand over your ¥5,250 ($52) and get to chompin’.

[Via popgadget]

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