For four decades, Doraemon, a blue robot cat from the 22nd century, has been an icon of Japan's comic world - but now some of its coolest sci-fi gadgets exist in the real world.

Invisibility cloaks, micro-robots and brain scanners reminiscent of the cat's "Dream TV" are just some of the Doraemon-style inventions on display at Tokyo's Miraikan Museum until September 27.

One piece of gear that could be straight from the cat's gadget pouch is a "retro-reflective fabric" that makes the wearer essentially appear invisible using a movie screen that shows the image behind the wearer.

The real-time image transmission gives the illusion that the person wearing the coat is see-through - an innovation that has not yet been commercialized but could have a variety of applications in the future.

Another new gizmo on display could be inspired by Doraemon's "small light," which, when beamed at someone, shrinks them to miniature size - a prototype "medical micro robot" that measures just three centimeters long.

The brain-wave sensor, organizers say, is reminiscent of Doraemon's "Dream TV," which helps the manga kitty glimpse other people's dreams on a screen.

Despite the wonders of science on display, those who are waiting for a real-life Dorae-mon will have to wait a little longer, said Shinichi Hirose, science communicator at the museum.

AFP