Toss, catch and snap

Leonard Goh | Apr 07, 2008

Researchers Izumi Yagi and Mitsuyoshi Kimura at Okude Laboratory were probably playing a game of catch when the inspiration to develop the Tospom struck.

This ball-shaped camera takes a picture of the receiver when he catches the ball. The rationale, according to its inventors, is to engage the photographer and his subject while snapping a picture and also to "draw out a more natural and relaxed expression from the subject".

While its Web site gave a demonstration of how to use it, it didn't state how it worked. All we can figure out about the Tospom (besides taking pictures of the receiver) is that you can also hold a special bracelet over the ball to view old images. There is also no mention of image resolution or memory expansion slots.

The Tospom is currently being demonstrated at several research forum and international conferences. While it is not commercially available yet, we're sure it's going to take some really wacky shots (not of us) if it lands in our hands.

Don't mind us as we clear a section of the wall to pin up the pictures of unsuspecting passersby who're going to get a Tospom hurled at them.

Click for larger images:

Filed under: Digital Cameras
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edvarcl

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edvarcl says...
ball cameras must take a real long time to develop.

the concept was mentioned on cnetasia in 2006, too ;p

asia.cnet.com...

Apr 08, 2008 17:54