#Japan #Tokyo #Healthcare Innovation #Sanyo Homes #Gentle Robot

A Seminar on the Gentle Robotic Assistants by Sanyo Homes

On November 27, 2025, the Japan Planning Institute (JPI) will host a seminar featuring Akihiro Hosoi, an executive officer at Sanyo Homes Co., Ltd. The seminar will delve into the journey of their groundbreaking gentle robotic assistants, designed not to prevent falls entirely, but to allow a slow and controlled descent. This innovative approach has garnered attention from medical and caregiving professionals not only in Japan but globally. The robots have been implemented in rehabilitation centers and daily living assessment areas in hospitals, demonstrating their versatility.

The Concept Behind Gentle Robots

The core idea behind these robotic assistants lies in accepting the possibility of falls, which presents a revolutionary shift in how care and rehabilitation are approached. While specializing in architecture, the developer of these robots has also ventured into elder care services and contributed to projects backed by the Cabinet Office, facing numerous challenges in bringing this concept to market.

Seminar Highlights

1. Origin of the Gentle Robot: The seminar begins by recounting the struggles of recreating a living environment within a day service context and the complexities of fostering companionship through robotics.
2. Interdisciplinary Solutions: The discussion will cover how architectural innovations can solve complex robotic technology challenges, highlighting collaborative efforts in design and engineering.
3. Creating Unimaginable ADL Spaces: Attendees will explore how to construct real-world risky environments safely, facilitating the development of engaging and challenging spaces for users.
4. Inclusive Design: The seminar emphasizes the potential for these robots to assist everyone—from children to those with disabilities—allowing for challenges to be met without fear of injury during falls.
5. Addressing Japan’s Vacant House Problem: A segment will be dedicated to how these robots can support solitary living arrangements amidst Japan's population decline, aiming for a community where people can genuinely support one another.
6. Q&A Session: Participants will have opportunities to engage directly with the speaker during a question and answer segment.
7. Networking Opportunity: The seminar will conclude with a networking session, offering a rare chance for attendees to exchange business cards and foster connections in the industry.

Registration and Attendance

Participants can choose from onsite attendance, live streaming, or access to archived content for two weeks, allowing them to watch at their convenience. The registration fees are set at ¥37,950 (approximately $320) for individual attendees, with discounts available for group registrations from the same organization.

For local government representatives, a special rate of ¥11,000 is available for up to two attendees under specific conditions.

Continued Engagement

Even after the seminar ends, attendees can still submit queries to the instructor and build connections with fellow participants, enhancing their professional network and business opportunities.

About JPI

The Japan Planning Institute has served as a bridge between government, private sector, and academia for over fifty years, offering exclusive access to vital information for senior executives and decision-makers involved in national policy and projects.

For more details and registration, please visit JPI Seminar.