Electronic Sleep Mask Allows You To Nap On The Train

Noriko-san is a prototype electronic sleep mask designed by Pyocotan. The design is still in the early prototype stage, but the concept is interesting. Essentially what it boils down to is when you catch a train and want to take a nap, place the Noriko San over your eyes. A scrolling LED will flash your destination stop and the hope is that while you are sleeping, someone else on the train will wake you up once you get to your stop. This will allow you to take a nice nap, get refreshed and have no worries of missing your stop.

Great concept but this gadget relies solely on the kindness of other commuter passengers. In a packed train, there’s probably going to be one nice person who’ll take the time to wake you but if the train is not very busy, there is always that chance that someone may not.

Pyocotan did do a test run with his device and experienced what was detailed above, namely no one woke him up at his destination. The designer does acknowledge that this is not 100% effective but perhaps as the unit becomes more widespread, passengers will be more aware of what needs to be done when they see someone wearing one of these gadgets.

Source: TechChee and Pink Tentacle

Tagged as: concept, gadgets, Noriko San, prototype, Pyocotan, train