Apr 27, 2021

Panasonic Launches New Services Using Walk Training Robot forCare Facilities

- AI analyzes gait and enables walking training suitable for each user

Walk Training Robot KY-WTR502S

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation has developed a mass production model of its Walk Training Robot that is designed to provide safe and efficient walk training for elderly citizens with apprehensions about walking because of physical depression and experience of falling. The company will begin offering a service using this robot to care facilities, hospitals, and other institutions this month.

In an aging society, walking is considered as a first step to preventive care. And more emphasis is put on initiatives that focus on preventing elderly people from requiring nursing care. Panasonic has engaged in the development and demonstration of AI-equipped walking training robots since 2015 to enable the elderly with walking anxiety to regain the walking ability and extend healthy life.

With a mass-production technology for this robot established, Panasonic will now offer a service using the robot for care facilities, hospitals, and other institutions to support consistent walking training for the elderly.

This service will facilitate safe and efficient training for users—simply by pushing the robot when walking—helping to maintain and even improve their walking ability. Further, training results are automatically measured and recorded to simplify the management of user's data for facility staff.

Using AI to analyze gait, the robot employs a visualization technology that shows changes in physical function in an easy-to-understand manner to alleviate concerns of elderly people about facing training and not being able to see the effects. In addition, it is easy to use and designed to encourage users actively walk, making training a fun experience to keep them motivated.

In the future, Panasonic will work to further expand this service that supports the desire of elderly people to walk on their own, and reinforce its efforts to help them enjoy an active lifestyle.

Walk training support service (image)

[Video] Panasonic Walk Training Robot KY-WTR502S
https://channel.panasonic.com/jp/contents/32095/ (Japanese only)

Features of the Walk Training Robot

1. Smart design that stimulates the desire to walk

- The robot itself does not look like a walking support tool, and features a slim exterior design. It has a thick handle that is easy to grip, and users can place their elbows on the handle to safely support their bodyweight.
- Users can follow the voice guidance and easily control the robot using the touch-panel screen.

* The Walk Training Robot was selected among the Good Design Best 100*¹ at the 2018 Good Design Awards, and received the Gold Award at the IAUD International Design Award 2018.*²

2. Technology to fit any user

- Exercise loads can be set depending on the user for safe, efficient training.
- AI automatically analyzes progress on a daily basis and proposes the optimal exercise load for each user.
- Handle height can be adjusted automatically*³ based on the user's height and grip, enabling training that places little burden on the body.

3. Simple recording of data

- Distance, time, speed, and left-right balance is displayed on-screen in real-time during training and automatically saved to the cloud.
- Training results can be seen on a computer through a web browser and easily printed as a report or saved as a PDF file.
- Software provides document creation support for various application procedures, helping to reduce the burden on facility staff.

Printed training results (Image)

4. Safe and secure

The Walk Training Robot has acquired ISO13482,*⁴ an international safety standard for personal care robots.

* This standard was acquired through the Japan Quality Assurance (JQA) Organization who evaluated the safety of the Walk Training Robot based on ISO13482.

The JQA's ISO13482 certification

Notes:

*1: Panasonic Walk Training Robot, Good Design Best 100, 2018 Good Design Awards
https://www.g-mark.org/award/describe/47124?locale=en
*2: Panasonic Walk Training Robot, Gold Award, IAUD International Design Award 2018
https://www.iaud.net/global/award/9681/#go-02
*3: Requires advance set-up
*4: Acquired on February 25, 2021

Walk Training Robot Main Specifications

Product no.	KY-WTR502S
Weight	20 kg
Power supply	Rechargeable Li-ion batteries
Continuous running time	Approx. 4 hours (on a full charge)
Actual running time	Approx. 6 hours (on a full charge)
Charging time	Approx. 4 hours
LCD/Touch panel	LCD size 10V
Card reader	NFC
Speaker	Internal

Robot dimensions

Inquiries Regarding This Service

Active Aging Design Project, Technology Division, Panasonic Corporation
Email: wtr_sales@gg.jp.panasonic.com
Website: https://tech.panasonic.com/jp/walk_training (Japanese only)

Media Contact:

Panasonic Corporation　Brand Strategy Division　Corporate PR Department
https://news.panasonic.com/global/contacts/

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. The company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018, has expanded globally and now operates 528 subsidiaries and 72 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.49 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2020. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global.

Walk Training Robot Logo

Walk Training Robot photo

Target setting screen (Image), Training screen (Image)

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