image: First verification of concentration improvement during driving using nanoe(TM) (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology

Dec 15, 2025

Company / Press Releases

First verification of concentration improvement during driving using nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology

EEG results confirm effects under conditions with a high risk of accidents^{*1, *2}

Tokyo, Japan, December 15, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation (https://holdings.panasonic/global/) (Panasonic) today announced that, under the supervision of professors from the Transportation Systems Engineering of Civil Engineering department at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), it has scientifically verified the effects of its nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology on drivers and demonstrated its potential to help enhance driving concentration. This is the first study to run an integrated analysis of how nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology affects driver cognition, judgment, and operation in driving environments where hazards are anticipated.

Human error resulting from failures in recognition, judgment, or vehicle operation accounts for the majority of traffic accidents.^{*3, *4, *5} According to statistics from the National Police Agency of Japan, inattentive driving—a state in which attention drifts and drivers fail to fully recognize their surroundings—is the leading cause of fatal accidents.^*6 Until now, Panasonic has primarily verified the cleanliness (such as sterilization and deodorization) and beauty-related benefits of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology. In this study, the company explored new possibilities by using a driving simulator to scientifically analyze its physiological effects in driving environments.

In the verification, physiological data including electroencephalography (EEG) and eye-tracking were analyzed together with operational data such as accelerator and brake inputs. The results confirmed the following points.

EEG patterns indicating higher levels of concentration under hazardous driving conditions
More stable gaze on necessary points of attention and reduced unnecessary eye movement

These findings suggest that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology may help support driver concentration and contribute to improved driving performance. This study was conducted under test conditions that differ from those of actual driving and involved participants residing in India. Further research in Japan will therefore be necessary. Nevertheless, nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology is expected to evolve into a solution that supports human concentration in tasks requiring advanced information processing and operational execution, such as driving.

Panasonic will continue to advance the development and potential applications of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology and contribute to society by providing safe and secure environments.

Comments from IITB Transportation Systems Engineering Professors*

(Center) Professor Tom V. Matthew
(Right) Professor Nagendra R. Velaga
(Left) Assistant Professor Archak Mittal

In our roles as professors at IITB, we worked with Panasonic to scientifically examine the effects of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology on drivers. Using a driving simulator and integrating EEG, eye-tracking, and operational data, this interdisciplinary study demonstrated the technology's potential to enhance concentration and driving performance. Through this research, we believe that driver support technologies such as nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) have promising prospects for future applications in traffic safety measures, warranting further investigation.

*The above comments were requested by Panasonic and have been edited for publication.

Key Findings of the Verification

Under the supervision of professors from the Transportation Systems Engineering Group of Civil Engineering department of IITB, the study verified the potential of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology to enhance driver concentration during vehicle operation.
By integrating physiological data (EEG and eye-tracking) with driving operation data (accelerator, brake, etc.), the study scientifically analyzed the full sequence of driving tasks: recognition, judgment, and operation.
The results confirmed that nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology may support improved driving performance by increasing concentration levels and stabilizing gaze behavior.

Overview of the Verification Test

Test supervisors: Professors of IITB's Transportation Systems Engineering of Civil Engineering department
Test environment: Chamber inside an IITB laboratory
Participants: 20 male and female residents of India, aged 21–42
Test equipment: nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generation device and a driving simulator (DS)
Test conditions: A. Without nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology (airflow only)
B. With nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology

nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) concentration at participant position: Approx. 250 x 10⁸ particles/cc

Test method: Participants drove a course incorporating five commonly encountered hazardous scenarios; each test lasted 25 minutes.

Figure 3: Course layout image

(1) Sudden pedestrian intrusion, (2) right turn at an intersection, (3) one-lane road blockage, (4) following a slow-moving vehicle, and (5) distraction caused by roadside signage.

Measurement items: EEG (alpha waves), eye-tracking (fixation count, fixation duration), vehicle speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, and brake force.

*The test was conducted using a double-blind method (neither participants nor analysts knew whether nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology was active).

*The test was conducted with the collaboration of Tata Elxsi Ltd.

Test Results and Discussion

■Right Turn at an Intersection

Figure 4: Alpha-wavepower: changes during driving (significant difference)

Compared with airflow only, nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology showed a significant decrease in alpha-wave levels in power spectrum analysis of EEG data. This suggests an improvement in concentration during driving.

■Sudden Pedestrian Intrusion

Figure 5: Number of gaze fixations

Compared with airflow only, nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology showed a tendency to reduce the number of gaze fixations. This indicates reduced cognitive load and more efficient visual processing, suggesting improved attentiveness.

Generation mechanism of nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water)

Figure 6: nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generation device

The atomizing electrode is cooled by a Peltier element, causing moisture in the air to condense into water. When a high voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode and the opposing electrode, nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) particles containing hydroxyl radicals, approximately 5–20 nanometers in size, are generated. (Figure 6)

*1 Reference: Summary of the FY2025 Traffic Safety White Paper (Cabinet Office)
https://www8.cao.go.jp/koutu/taisaku/r07kou_haku/pdf/gaiyo.pdf

*2 Reference: FY2025 Traffic Safety White Paper—Full Text (Cabinet Office)
https://www8.cao.go.jp/koutu/taisaku/r07kou_haku/zenbun/index.html

*3 Reference: Analysis of Factors Behind Traffic Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles
(Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/anzen/03analysis/purpose.html

*4 Reference: N. Takubo (2006). "An Analysis of Traffic Accident Data for Mental Workload and Human Error by Drivers." Journal of the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences, 30 (3), 63–71.
https://www.iatss.or.jp/entry_img/30-3-07.pdf

*5 National Police Agency, "Traffic Accident Statistics for 2023"
https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/bunseki/nenkan/060307R05nenkan.pdf

*6 National Police Agency, "Trends in Fatal Accidents by Type of Violation among Class-1 Moped and Automobile Drivers (Primary At-Fault Party) in 2024"
https://www.npa.go.jp/publications/statistics/koutsuu/toukeihyo.html

*7 Reference: Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 (WHO)
https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/safety-and-mobility/global-status-report-on-road-safety-2023

*8 Reference: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market Report (SDKI)
https://www.sdki.jp/reports/advanced-driver-assistance-systems-adas-market/111492

■Summary of this press release:
https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/nanoe/ja/topics/250306.html

■Previous research findings on nanoe™ (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology:
https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/clean/hydroxyl.html

Customer Contact:

Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic Corporation
Devices Products Business Unit, Beauty and Personal Care Business Division
Telephone: +81-(0)749-27-0485 (available 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)

About Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic Corporation offers products and services for a variety of living environments, ranging from homes to stores to offices and cities. There are five businesses at the core of Panasonic Corporation: Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Cold Chain Solutions Company, Electric Works Company and China and Northeast Asia Company. The operating company reported consolidated net sales of 3,584.2 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2025. Panasonic Corporation is committed to fulfilling the mission of Life Tech & Ideas: For the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, and embraces the vision of becoming the best partner of your life with human-centric technology and innovation. Learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about.html

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