Speaker: Yoshio Matsumoto, Chief Senior Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan

Short summary of the presentation
Due to the rapid progress of aging society in Japan, it is urgently expected to develop welfare and assistive robots to realize reduction of the burden on nursing care, and to promote the independence of the elderly people. In 2013, Japanese government determined the “prioritized areas in elderly care” in which robotic technologies should be applied including transfer assistance (wearable/non-wearable type), mobility support (outdoor/indoor) and monitoring support (institution/home). Then a national project started to promote the development and introduction of robotic devices. More than 100 prototypes of robotic devices have been developed by companies in the project, and I will mainly introduce commercialized ones among them in the talk. I will also mention recent nation-wide analysis of the utilization of welfare devices based on the long-term care insurance receipt.

Speaker: Yusuke Shikayama, COO, RT.Works Co.,Ltd, Japan

Short summary of the presentation
We will bring the latest model of “the Japanese robotic rollator RT.2” from RT.works Co.,Ltd and you can take it for a test drive in the demonstration. RT.2 is equipped with the power assist system and the safety brake system. Detecting the road condition and walking state, RT.2 will assist your safety and pleasant walk at slopes with its motor power automatically. When users push the rollator with over speed, it brakes by itself automatically to prevent from the risk of falls. Currently RT.2 is commercially available only in Japan, but we are exploring the possibilities of dissemination in European countries. Therefore, feedback and comments from you in this demonstration will be most appreciated