Japan’s Softbank Corp announced last Tuesday that they have developed a smartphone equipped with radiation detectors. To be released soon, this device was created to measure radiation levels in atomic hotspots that were triggered by the massive earthquake in Japan a year ago.
Some parts of northeastern Japan are still off-limits because of the high radiation level, after a nuclear plant in Fukushima was destroyed by the strong quake and the eventual Tsunami that followed in its aftermath. The catastrophe caused massive radiation leaks in the area.
Groups have been calling for constant radiation monitoring in public facilities, including schools and offices.
Softbank president and founder Masayoshi Son said, “The threat from the nuclear accident cannot be seen by the human eye and continues to be a concern for many people, especially for mothers with small children.”
The device, which is included in the Softbank’s Pantone line, will be available in different colors and features IC chips that measure radiation levels developed by Sharp Corp.
The device can also track the location the user tests for radiation levels.
Softbank is Japan’s third biggest mobile phone operator. The company has yet to release the price of their new smartphone, but Son told reporters that it will be priced affordably.
Image Source: Bloomberg.com
