Panasonic today announced the development of a bed-shaped robot which can be transformable between a bed and a wheelchair with the user staying in bed or wheelchair. The Panasonic Robotic Bed is designed to help people with limited mobility maintain an independent lifestyle, reducing the need for assistance and expanding their mobility. The Robotic Bed has been developed with Panasonic’s innovative technologies including a control system that aids safe operation of the robot. The Robotic Bed automatically separates or restores certain components as it is converted into the bed or wheelchair mode. In the wheelchair mode, the robot can detect people and obstacles in its way to safely guide the user to avoid collisions. For the comfort of the user, the robot incorporates a posture support technology that enables adjusting and optimizing the mattress to contour to the body shape. The robot also helps the user turn over to prevent bedsores.
The Panasonic Robotic Bed also features Robotic Canopy, an information interface that allows for viewing television as well as operating home appliances and checking the security camera connected by home network. The display of the Canopy moves according to the user’s position and lifts automatically when the robot is converted into the wheelchair mode. Panasonic will exhibit this new robot at the 36th International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition (H.C.R. 2009) to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from September 29 to October 1, 2009.