Japan Harnessing Foot Energy In Train Stations

via Huffingtonpost.com

Experiments have started this week at two of the Japanese capitals’ busiest stations, with special flooring tiles installed in front of ticket turnstiles. Every time a passenger steps on the mats, they trigger a small vibration that can be stored as energy.

Multiplied many times over by the 400,000 people who use Tokyo Station on an average day, according to East Japan Railway, and there is sufficient energy to light up electronic signboards.

Read the whole story here

I can hear the complaints now:

    Passenger: “Oh, I missed my train because I could not find the platform.”

    Conductor: “You have shamed Japan Rail by not expressing enough kinetic energy.”

3 Responses to “Japan Harnessing Foot Energy In Train Stations”

  1. Michiko Tanaka says:

    Refreshing to see that we here in Canada can help celebrate Japan’s advances on behalf of the global green movement by reinforcing vaguely Bond-esque WWII stereotypes about their society. Way to stick it to those Japs, old boy!

  2. sieber says:

    Having spent time there, I’d say it’s pretty accurate. Same as we Canadians saying sorry for everything. Even when it’s our fault.

  3. Bella says:

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