Toyota, others to develop self-powered electronics parts

Nikkei.com, 6 September 2010, 328 words, Twenty-three Japanese companies including Toyota, Panasonic and NTT Data formed a consortium to develop and commercialize advanced electronics parts that generate power by themselves.  The companies will bring together their expertise, such as minute processing and cutting-edge materials technologies, with an aim for a market debut within two to three years.  The parts will be able to convert small amounts of energy from vibrations, body heat and dim light into electricity, eliminating the need for external power sources for sensors and switches.