Japan's Solution To Future Natural Disasters - A Floating Capsule
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The 9.0 Earthquake and subsequent Tsunami that rocked Japan earlier this year, was one of the worst natural disasters that the country has had to deal with. Now, an innovative Japanese firm has come up with a floatable shelter designed to reduce the number of human casualties, should something similar happen again.
Dubbed 'Noah' the bright yellow cylinder that resembles a giant tennis ball is four-feet in diameter and can fit up to four adults. The shelter features a tiny lookout window and has small breathing holes carved onto its surface. Built from fiberglass, it has undergone many tests and according to its manufacturer, Cosmo Power, can withstand not only giant shakes, but also, waves and floods.
The best part is that Noah, which retails for 300,000 Yen (about $4,000 USD), also doubles up as the perfect playhouse for young kids. So far, the company has received over 600 orders and has already delivered two of the spherical capsules . Hopefully, all they will ever be used for, is fun!
Resources: Huffingtonpost.com, syracuse.com
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363 Comments
- lollypopsalmost 13 yearsWow! I would't have thought of that. 4 grown adults? I really don't know about that. And also it would be a pretty boring playhouse.
ginger2almost 13 yearsSpacious! You could fit all of my family plus my animals in there!!! It looks comfortable too.
mazaalmost 13 yearsFibreglass is what they make surfboards out of! Awesome invention, it's pretty spacious too!
casper5almost 13 yearsI think that would be really awesome. My whole family (plus my pets) could fit in there.- Novashadowalmost 13 yearsLooks very helpful! They are quite expensive though, but it would probably be worth it when/if a tsunami struck. Why is it dubbed 'Noah'?
crookyalmost 13 yearsthey look like they could be fun, in hide and seek, to hide from your parents or someone else and the
gaultyalmost 13 yearswow i think that is a realy great idea i could save peoples lives and kids playing with in it how funny.
dogodiskalmost 13 yearsHi that is really interesting. Having a flotable capsule sounds like a good idea. But I suppose they would be a good play house. They could make lots of money with them though. Why don't we try and make one too. How heavy is it? And is used the same as our australian dollars.Wouldn't water get through the breathing holes though?
bluewave22about 13 yearsSooooo, where can I get one of these bad boys. Yeah, so I live in Las Vegas. There could be a giant tsunami that came from the lake! I'm gonna need it.- dogodiskalmost 13 yearsSeriosly they are not bad. I think it is a really good idea.
- arianneabout 13 yearsthat is awesome