Sonae Denpa: Disaster Prevention TV That Plugs Into Smartphones Now Available, Achieving 3300 Makuake Pre-registrations

What is “Sonae Denpa”?

“Sonae Denpa” is a TV tuner that automatically activates when plugged into a smartphone. It operates without Wi-Fi or mobile data consumption, making it usable even during power outages or communication failures in disasters. Its compact, palm-sized design ensures easy portability as a disaster preparedness device.

Challenges During Disasters

Major disasters often lead to unforeseen problems, such as difficulty returning home, being trapped in trains, network congestion preventing access to information, and concerns about smartphone battery life during planned power outages.

In such critical situations, information is vital for evacuation and survival. “Sonae Denpa” is designed to be highly effective in providing crucial information.

Seven Features of “Sonae Denpa”

“Sonae Denpa” offers a sense of security in emergencies that was previously unavailable through conventional disaster preparedness goods. Here are its seven key features:

1. Easy to Use Anywhere with Direct Smartphone Plug-in and Auto-start

This device automatically launches the dedicated app and allows TV viewing simply by plugging it into a smartphone after the initial app download and installation. This design ensures ease of use for people of all ages.

2. Reliable Reception of Key and Local Stations

“Sonae Denpa” automatically searches for and catches terrestrial broadcast signals in the current area.

3. Viewable Channels (in the Tokyo area):

• Nippon TV

• TV Asahi

• TBS Television

• TV Tokyo

• Fuji Television

• NHK

• TOKYO MX (local TV) *Channels may vary by region.

4. Wide-Range Channel Reception with Sony Chip

Despite its compact size, which allows it to be plugged into a smartphone, “Sonae Denpa” can reliably receive major channels due to its high-performance Sony chip. The product’s core component was selected for its world-class quality, recognizing its role as a lifeline during disasters.

The first iteration of “Sonae Denpa” supports Android. Support received through this Makuake project will accelerate the development of an iOS-compatible version for iPhones.

5. Terrestrial Digital Reception Without Power or Data Consumption

“Sonae Denpa” directly receives terrestrial broadcasts from TV towers, making it less susceptible to communication failures or data consumption during disasters. A significant advantage is its lower smartphone battery consumption compared to internet video streaming. The main unit features a battery-less design, eliminating deterioration and fire risks, allowing for semi-permanent, safe use from daily activities to long-term disaster preparedness, as long as the smartphone has power.

6. Battery-less Design Reduces Fire Risk for Disaster Preparedness

“Sonae Denpa” is a safe and secure device without an internal battery. Reports of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in mobile chargers have been frequent in recent years. By completely eliminating fire risks associated with batteries, it is effective for long-term use and storage as a preparedness item.

7. Pass-Through Charging for Simultaneous Reception and Charging

“Sonae Denpa” supports pass-through charging, allowing users to watch TV while charging their smartphone by connecting a charger to the unit. This design prevents smartphone battery depletion during extended information gathering in disasters, ensuring that vital communication capabilities are maintained.

Strengths in Disasters and Their Rationale

Lessons from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake

In the Noto Peninsula Earthquake of January 2024, the collapse of utility poles severed internet, electricity, and television services, leading to many individuals becoming isolated from information.

“Sonae Denpa” directly receives radio waves from TV towers, eliminating intermediate relay points. This design aims to prevent communication breakdowns.

In the Event of a Nankai Trough Earthquake or Tokyo Inland Earthquake

According to Cabinet Office data, a Nankai Trough Earthquake is predicted to cause power outages for approximately 29.3 million households, affecting about 90% of the Tokai, Kinki, and Shikoku regions, 30-70% of the Sanyo region, and 90% of two prefectures in Kyushu. A Tokyo Inland Earthquake is predicted to cause power outages in 50% of the area.

• Source 1: Cabinet Office Disaster Management Information “About the Damage Estimation (Second Report) for the Nankai Trough Megathrust Earthquake”: https://www.bousai.go.jp/kaigirep/chuobou/32/pdf/32_siryo1-1.pdf

• Source 2: Cabinet Office Disaster Management Information “About the Damage Estimation and Countermeasures for the Tokyo Inland Earthquake (Final Report)”: https://www.bousai.go.jp/kohou/kouhoubousai/h25/74/special_01.html

“Sonae Denpa” was created to help more people in such disasters, aiming to alleviate panic and deliver necessary information when needed.

“5m Extended Wide-Area Reception Antenna” for Worst-Case Scenarios (Optional)

During disasters, unexpected situations can arise. While “Sonae Denpa” works even if electricity and internet are down, reception may be lost if nearby transmission towers stop operating or collapse. Therefore, a powerful “5m Extended Wide-Area Reception Antenna” is available as an additional option. This antenna can be extended to a window even indoors, such as in evacuation shelters, to pick up signals from a wider area. Preparedness in emergencies can be a matter of life and death.

This antenna also helps receive signals in mountainous or forested areas, benefiting not only disaster preparedness but also camping and outdoor enthusiasts.

Usable During Commutes, Travel, and Sports Viewing

Many individuals are also increasingly looking to conserve data usage. A significant feature of “Sonae Denpa” is its ability to be used in any situation—during disasters, daily life, outdoors, or at home—without consuming any mobile data.

Product Specifications

Makuake Early Bird Offers Starting Soon!

The following are the support purchase prices (excerpt) on Makuake, which will begin on September 15, 2026 (Tuesday).

Additional options for multiple purchases and corporate plans are also available. (Discount plans may change based on sales status).

Makuake Project Page (opens September 15, 2026):
https://www.makuake.com/project/sonaedempa/

Message from Taichi Horibe, Representative Director of Magic Display Technology Inc.

Taichi Horibe, Representative Director, shared his motivation, recounting his experience overcoming a stroke at age 19 that left him paralyzed on his left side, after which he moved overseas. He spent over 20 years abroad, engaging in research and development of software like 3D conversion AI and glasses-free 3D hardware.

During this time, he witnessed major disasters firsthand: the SARS epidemic in Beijing and Hong Kong, civil unrest in Hong Kong, and the spread of COVID-19. Learning about the damage from major earthquakes in Japan, he felt the terror of “information isolation”—the inability to get news about family safety or evacuation when Wi-Fi and mobile signals disappeared.

Recognizing that information is a lifeline in disaster zones, an international team gathered with the mission to create a communication-independent information receiver using their advanced hardware development knowledge. Their goal was to contribute to society with a “last lifeline” that only they could create. “Sonae Denpa” was born from this sense of mission.

Future Development

The initial rollout will be the Makuake crowdfunding campaign starting September 15, 2026 (Tuesday). Subsequently, there are plans to collaborate with government agencies and local organizations to utilize “Sonae Denpa” for disaster preparedness. Following the first Android version, development for iOS compatibility and large monitor support is already underway, with a continued focus on product quality improvement.

Furthermore, “Sonae Denpa” is a versatile device suitable for entertainment, leisure, and sports viewing. The aim is to create an environment where users can enjoy it daily, thus ensuring they are always prepared for disasters. The product has also been successfully commercialized with an eye on international markets, with ongoing pilot projects in Taiwan, Brazil, Paraguay, India, and Southeast Asian countries and regions.

About Magic Display Technology Inc.

Magic Display Technology Inc. is a hardware and software development company that deploys its proprietary AI and products, integrating cutting-edge 3D technology. The company is unique in Japan for its dual focus on both hardware and software, offering products and services that push the boundaries of flat displays, such as glasses-free 3D displays and 3D conversion AI. The disaster prevention TV “Sonae Denpa” was brought to fruition by an international team spanning the United States, Hong Kong, mainland China, and Japan.

Contact Information

Magic Display Technology Inc.
TEL: 03-6260-4822
MAIL: info@iiidmagic.com
Official HP: https://www.iiidmagic.com