A new search engine is sweeping Japan from Evolution Robotics Inc. called ER Search. The engine is a visual search engine and is available on KDDI Corporations au line of camera phones for spring 2008. The visual search engine allows consumers to find information on products by simply taking a photo of them with their camera phone.

The system is operated by Bandai Networks and powered by the ViPR visual recognition system from Evolution Robotics. The ability to search with images alone means that searchers can find detailed info on items in the database without having to type anything. Hopefully, similar technology will make it to America at some point.

"ER Search is an entirely new way for connecting consumers with content and companies," said Satoshi Oshita, CEO of Bandai Networks. "Because ER Search runs on mobile phones, searches happen when and where the customer is, as soon as they see something that they're interested in. Additionally, the fact that a customer simply has to click a picture of a product or advertisement makes the search process far easier and immediate than anything that has been available before."

Via Evolution Robotics