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Elfoid: The Human-Shaped Mobile Phone
9Mar2011 Filed under: Gadgets Author: Rebekah
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Pretty much everyone has a mobile phone today, in all shapes and sizes and different capabilities. There are smartphones with touchscreens and then there are some pretty cool concept phones out there.
The Elfoid certainly fits the category of strange, and I’ll admit it, rather creepy. This Japanese invention, developed in Osaka University with the help of NTT DoCoMo, is a human-shaped mobile phone that is supposed to make you to feel closer to the person on the other end.
It has a skin-like outer layer and wiggles when it ‘talks’ to you. It also tickles you to let you know that there is an incoming call. You talk into its belly and it speaks to you in response, complete with gestures. There is also a LED in its chest that turns blue when in use, and red when in standby mode.
This is actually the mini-version of a previous invention known as the Telenoid R1, a robotic answering machine developed by the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR).
They are hoping that the Elfoid will be put into commercial production within five years, with the addition of image and voice recognition functions.
Personally I think this is a novel concept for a phone. I wonder why did the designers choose such a strange design though. It looks like a limbless torso with a head and I can’t help but wonder why not use something that resembles more a full-bodied doll instead? The featureless face also doesn’t help. This falls into the uncanny valley for me.
Cavity Free
March 10th, 2011 at 12:39 am
It looks like a doll that witches use to curse a person. It is indeed creepy.
Adino
March 10th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Looks really weird, not something I would use. Imagine getting a call in the middle of the night and the thing starts glowing. Eeeee…
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March 11th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Not sure I would like to use that phone but I think that this can lead to better and cooler phones in the future, and that makes me excited to see what they come up with!
-Jean
Beard Trimmer
March 11th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
well it looks strange, i am sure its cool technology but a bit strange to put some human body on head and talk to
will see what will come from this technology maybe just strange start and can produce some really cool gadgets
Cavity Free
March 12th, 2011 at 12:04 am
It looks like it can only accommodate an answer and reject button. Is there a screen for that phone? I can only think of two words to describe that Elfoid – cool yet creepy. LOL
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March 12th, 2011 at 1:10 am
This is neat but weird as you said at the same time.
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March 12th, 2011 at 6:59 am
Whoa! thats creepy, don’t think i would be able to talk into one of those comfortably.
Komodo Dragon
March 12th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
That is definitely one weird invention but I would for sure like to use it once atleast! Just the whole idea of it sounds so funny. One for the novelty category.
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March 13th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
i am sure its cool technology but a bit strange to put some human body on head
Phil
March 16th, 2011 at 8:11 am
That is so wiered… i couldnt use one…! Loll..
Sourish @ Iphone 4 Jailbreak
March 23rd, 2011 at 4:56 am
holding a human toy on your ear may not look very cool
Sourish @ Iphone 4 Jailbreak
March 23rd, 2011 at 4:57 am
nice innovative idea though ,
Masterinformation
March 26th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
The Japanese can come up with some really weird inventions, not sure how talking into a miniature mannequin can bring you closer to the person on the other end unless it’s some weird fetish.
Fazal Mayar
March 30th, 2011 at 1:12 am
human shaped mobile? haha! what’s next ? lion shaped tv?
p90x
April 2nd, 2011 at 1:43 am
Yea I don’t think I like the idea of a human like phone, but it is very interesting. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
sell textbooks
April 11th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
I still think this thing is creepy every time i see ti I think about when i got a Furby and thought it was watching me and possessed. (on a side note the batteries did explode in the furby and made him sound possessed) but it still took 3 months for me to touch the thing after it went nuts.
Computer Tips and Tricks
April 18th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
I wonder where will all the 10+ buttons be! haha
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May 19th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
This is weird for sure. A very bad mobile design I ever thought…people are crazy
Design Your Own Room
June 3rd, 2011 at 6:10 pm
This invention for me is kinda weird.. I don’t think people will like it as much compare to others..
Dmitry @ Easy ways to make money online
June 15th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
I wouldn’t buy this thing; you would definitely look weird talking using this phone on the street. I think they should made it in a form of penis that wiggles when someone is calling you, such device would have more applications in real life
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June 16th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
It Thinks human shaped designs are not much good because people like to carry slim and square shaped phones
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June 23rd, 2011 at 6:59 pm
I can’t understand what designers had on their mind when they thought of such concept. It’s not even fun. Just children could use something like that.
Property Marbella
October 17th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Telenoid R1 a robot answering machine could be called the Terminator instead.
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March 30th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
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April 3rd, 2012 at 9:33 pm
i think i would be scared of anyone that had one of these creepy looking devices