Background: Achieving “Gentle Care” with Technology
Japan’s care sector continues to face a serious labor shortage. The current demand is not merely for efficiency, but for reducing the time staff spend on routine tasks, allowing them more time for direct “care” with residents. Additionally, there is a need to provide residents with the “freedom” to live independently without constant assistance.
SwitchBot addresses this challenge by offering a range of devices that can be easily installed post-hoc. Through its participation in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Living Lab (Comprehensive Consultation Center for Improving Care Productivity, etc.)” program, SwitchBot aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of smart home technology in actual care settings and its contribution to improving the Quality of Life (QOL) of residents, following this model room pilot.
Introduced Devices and Future Realizations (Usage Examples)
The experiment integrates various in-room functions to provide a comfortable living experience without residents needing to consciously interact with devices.
Natural Awakening Through “Light Production”
SwitchBot Curtain 3 automatically opens and closes at set times. By allowing residents to wake up to natural sunlight, it helps regulate their daily rhythms and supports their physical and mental well-being.
Barrier-Free Environment Where “Voice” Becomes the Switch
With SwitchBot Hub Mini, residents can operate home appliances using only their voice, for example, by saying “Turn on the TV.” This reduces the effort of searching for remote controls or moving around. (A smart speaker is required separately.)
24/7 Automatic Optimal Air Environment
A thermo-hygrometer sensor detects the room’s temperature, humidity, and air quality, automatically activating air conditioners, air purifiers, and evaporative humidifiers as needed. This helps prevent heatstroke and infectious diseases while maintaining a comfortable living environment.
Reducing Staff Cleaning Burden
The SwitchBot Robot Vacuum Cleaner K11+ is designed for Japan’s unique living environments, featuring a compact design that allows it to smoothly navigate rooms with many furniture items or narrow spaces. It automates cleaning tasks, maintaining a consistently clean environment and alleviating staff workload.
Expected Effects
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Improvement in Residents’ QOL (Quality of Life): By increasing what residents can do independently, the system supports their confidence in self-reliant living. Voice control and automation compensate for physical limitations.
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Reduction in Facility Staff Workload: Routine ancillary tasks such as cleaning and environmental adjustments are automated. The time saved can be redirected towards providing personalized emotional care and specialized services for each resident.
Future Outlook
This introduction to the model room is a crucial step for determining optimal settings and identifying the specific needs of care environments in real-world applications. Moving forward, based on the insights gained from this verification, SwitchBot will collaborate with FCL to aim for the full-scale implementation of a “next-generation care model” where technology subtly supports the lives of the elderly.
About SwitchBot
SwitchBot is a smart home brand operating in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. With a mission to “popularize smart homes,” the company offers a wide range of products, from devices that can easily smarten existing home appliances to innovative robot vacuums.
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