The Life assist robot solutions business promotion, a joint initiative between Panasonic and Matsushita Memorial Hospital, was presented with the 5th Robot Award last month in Japan. The Robot Award, sponsored by the Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Machinery Federation, recognizes robots, parts and software from those robots that are active in the market, that have made an outstanding contribution toward market creation, for the purpose of expanding the innovation and application of Japanese robotic technology, and toward stimulating demand.
This award seeks to promote the practical application of robots and robot technology, to advance research and development, develop human resources for the next generation, create service process innovation, realize new social systems based on the implementation of robots, and create new industries.

In this fifth year of the award, applications were received on 83 different themes, from which the best 10 themes were recognized, and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award presented to the most outstanding theme of all. The robot and robot system which received the award were displayed at Japan Robot Week held from October 17 to 19 at Tokyo Big Site, and attracted considerable attention from visitors.