Building the Unbelievable: A Street-Legal Drivable Kotatsu!

Get ready for a truly unique story! This episode features a conversation about an incredible creation: a drivable kotatsu (Japanese heated table) mobility device, built by one of our hosts.Discover the journey behind this amazing DIY project, conceived for a company idea contest, where it impressively won second place and a 100,000 yen prize. Learn about the fascinating process of making it fully street legal, including navigating the requirements to obtain a specific small vehicle license plate allowing operation on public roads.We dive into the technical details of the build, exploring the use of components like M5 Stack and Wago CC-Link for the control system, and why incorporating a bar handle was crucial for legal compliance.The discussion also covers the challenges faced during construction, such as ensuring a robust power supply and dealing with the ride comfort (or lack thereof) without any suspension. Plus, hear about future plans to exhibit the drivable kotatsu at events and a surprising observation about modern children's familiarity (or lack thereof) with traditional kotatsu tables.Tune in for a fun and inspiring look at creative engineering, perseverance, and bringing a wonderfully quirky idea to life!#DrivableKotatsu #Kotatsu #DIY #Maker #EngineeringProject #MobilityDevice #StreetLegal #M5Stack #Wago #CCLink #IdeaContest #UniqueVehicle #Podcast #Japan #Tech