14 DAY TRIAL // The lie detector, or polygraph, has been used in many investigations since its initial creation in 1921 by John Augustus Larson, a medical student at the University of California at Berkeley and police officer of the Berkeley Police Department. Now, it might finally be supplanted.
A polygraph records blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity, among other things, in order to detect deception.
The new device created by Tokyo-based company “Takara Tomy” does something similar, but in a different method. Essentially, it monitors your pulse by means of infrared rays.
Admittedly, only watching someone's pulse isn't as accurate as an actual polygraph, but it should still be indicative of emotional pressure.
Also, the Kokoro Scanner first takes the time to monitor the heart rate in order to establish a baseline, then it compares the heart rate's change to that baseline when you ask a question of the wearer.
Once the baseline and common heart rate changes have been recorded, the device is ready to inform you if the wearer is lying or not.
If the device flashes green, suggesting a normal pulse, then the person isn't lying. If it shows red, though, they are. Yellow is for when even the device doesn't know, but still suggests the possibility of a lie.
The irony
The Kokoro Scanner was created by Takara Tomy. If you don't know why this makes things funny, we'll explain: Takara Tomy is a toy company. That's right, apparently electronic polygraphs are considered toys in Japan.
Made even weirder by the fact that the company apparently took inspiration from the Japanese police force's decision to use lie detectors on new recruits, in order to filter out sex offenders.
Because that doesn't sound strange at all, apparently. And then there's the “Everyone will have a fun, exciting time together” slogan of the promo video. Moving on.
The wearers won't get to see what color the device turns. Unless the questioning is happening in a dark room anyway. Something that may or may not rob your group of the appropriate atmosphere of a Truth or Dare game.
Availability and pricing
The Takara Tomy Kokoro Scanner is selling throughout Japan for $50 / €40, complete with a set of 15 sample questions on relationships, secret fantasies and other topics. Those who've already tried it claim it's pretty accurate for a toy and lots of fun. Just don't mistake it for a one-ear headphone, as it's meant to be set on the forehead.
