A clever cordless phone by Sanyo called the TEL-LANW60, is able to relay earthquake announcements made by Japan’s Meteorological Agency, alerting you to serious imminent quakes and helping you through the aftermath by transforming into a flashlight.

The handset looks like a fairly regular cordless phone and utilizes a standard telephone line and Internet-connected WLAN to receive emergency alerts. It delivers these alerts to you in the form of a loud announcement, combined with blinking lights and a bright red warning on its 1.7-inch LCD display.

If disaster strikes, the top edge of the phone is equipped with a “simple light machine” which acts as a torch to help you navigate your way out of the building/debris when the power’s down. It isn’t clear how long the battery will last though.

Sounds like a great little device, but one which comes at a cost. It requires an IPV6 Internet connection and a ¥525 ($6.00) monthly charge for the warning service. On top of that, the kit will cost you anywhere from ¥20,000 ($223) -¥40,000 ($446) depending on how many handsets you’re after.

Sources:
Sanyo Product Page (Translated) and Sanyo Press Release (Translated)
Via: Lets Japan