By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
Have you ever watched Production I.G‘s hit anime series Psycho-Pass and wanted to own a Dominator? How easy would it be to analyze your friends’ crime coefficient level whenever they get too close to your anime collection? In March 2016, Cerevo, Inc. can’t help you with that, but they can give you something cool to add to your collection. Cerevo, an Internet connected consumer electronics developer and creator located in the Akihabara district, is releasing a replica of the Dominator. They are calling this their first smart toy. Advanced orders were taken by the company at Japan’s Wonder Festival. The Dominator is slated for a March, 2016 release after the original release of winter, 2015 was scrapped. Consumers who ordered the Dominator at Wonder Festival will be lucky enough to receive the smart toy before it hits store shelves.
For further details and technical aspects we refer to parts of the company’s official press release:
Two versions of DOMINATOR will be available – DOMINATOR Standard Edition and DOMINATOR Special Edition.
Japan sales price at the Cerevo Official Store (Global pricing and availability will be announced at a later date) – Standard Edition – JPY 79,800 (excluding tax), Special Edition – JPY 89,800 (excluding tax)
This product has been created under the supervision of Production I.G director Naoyoshi Shiotani and Nitroplus designer Makoto Ishiwata. DOMINATOR features characteristics identical to the devices seen in PSYCHO-PASS such as automatic transformation, voiceover and sound effects, authentic LED lighting, touch sensor activation, Crime Coefficient analysis and more.
Automatic Transformation Between Paralyzer and Eliminator Mode
Using geared motors provided by Nidec Corporation, DOMINATOR can automatically transform between Paralyzer and Eliminator modes according to a target’s Crime Coefficient score. DOMINATOR is the world’s first smart toy to commercialize an electrically‐powered deformation mechanism.
Crime Coefficient Analysis
When DOMINATOR is aimed at a target, it will automatically analyze and readout the target’s Crime Coefficient score. Connecting a smartphone will allow DOMINATOR to capture and stream an image from its built-in camera to the companion smartphone app and overlay Crime Coefficient data on the target image.
Official Voiceover by Noriko Hidaka
DOMINATOR features over 100 different voice samples from Noriko Hidaka who provides the Dominator voiceover for PSYCHO-PASS. DOMINATOR can automatically playback voiceovers depending on the situation, such as grasping the grip, detecting an authorized person and more. DOMINATOR has a built in speaker for voiceover and sound effects and can also playback sound via a connected smartphone’s speakers.
Grip Touch Sensor and over 200 LEDs
DOMINATOR has a touch sensor built into the left and right hand sides of grip, enabling detection when held in either hand. Just like in PSYCHO-PASS you can register your DOMINATOR to activate when holding the grip or lock out unauthorised users. DOMINATOR’s body has a total of 217 full color, high brightness LEDs, the LEDs have authentic lighting patterns to replicate Paralyzer, Eliminator or charging modes.
Optional products
Exclusive Protector Case: JPY 12,8002 (excluding tax) at the Cerevo Official Store
Extra Battery: JPY 1,580 (excluding tax)2 at the Cerevo Official Store
Global pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.
Dominator Special Edition
The DOMINATOR Special Edition features a grip made from natural rosewood with a polished finish. The Public Safety Bureau mark above the grip is crafted from aluminium and decorated with a synthetic ruby. Both materials add an extra air of authenticity to the device. The Special Edition will be available for JPY 89,800 (excluding tax) at the Cerevo Official Store on the same day as the Normal Edition goes on sale.
Specifications
- Wireless Connection: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
- Lighting Specifications: Total 217 full colour, high brightness LEDs
- Smartphone: Requires iOS 8.1 or later or Android 4.4 or later
- Operating Time: Parallelizer Mode 90min, Eliminator Mode 30min
- Weight: 750g (including Battery)
- Recommended Age: 15 and above
Presentation footage from mid-2015:
To purchase this item, you can visit Cerevo’s product page in Japanese or in English.
About Cerevo
Cerevo Inc. (Consumer Electronic REVOlution) is located in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan with a branch office in Redmond, WA, USA. Cerevo focuses on creating networked devices for consumer and professional users. Cerevo’s products have been recognized globally for their unique connected solutions.
Cerevo has developed and released CEREVO CAM – a digital camera with internet connectivity, the LiveShell series – devices to enable live streaming on Ustream and YouTube using only a digital camera, SmartTrigger – a Bluetooth remote to enable the release of your digital camera shutter from your smartphone, LiveWedge – a 4 input HDMI switcher with live streaming capabilities and the XON series of smart sports products. These products are sold in more than 47 countries
Source(s): AnimeLab, Danielle Sommers, Cyberpunk Science Fiction and Culture Facebook group, Moe.HQ, and Cerevo, Inc.
