Research activities to allow
empathy-driven manufacturing

Voice guidance is an effective method of conveying information to the widest possible range of people. To deliver voice guidance that is easy both to hear and understand, Panasonic is conducting research on acoustic quality, volume, speaking speed, content, expressions, sentence length and other factors, and is developing indicators for each. Since 2003, Panasonic has adopted these features as in-house standards.

For optimal legibility of letters, we not only researched size and contrast of the letters, but the fonts themselves. Through global research, validation by senior users, and expert interviews, we identified four elements that constitute a good font: visibility, recognizability, legibility, and good design. We collaborated with a type foundry, Iwata Co., Ltd., and developed the world's first Universal Design font in 2006. This font is used for all operation panels on Panasonic products.
In 2008, the font was used as the brand logo for Panasonic Group.
* On June 12, 2006, the Panasonic Universal Design font was established for use in Panasonic Group products (researched by Panasonic).

In a collaboration with non-profit organization, CUDO (Color Universal Design Organization), we analyzed colors that can easily be distingueished by those with difficulties differentiating between red and green hues. The results are used on VIERA and DIGA’s remote control color buttons and on program guides. We acquired the CUDO’s Color Universal Design Certification, which is only given to products that have met their standards.
Color Universal Design was implemented in 2007.

Accidents in the house involving children, such as fingers getting caught in folding doors or when closing ordinary doors, are common. To address this issue, Panasonic has developed artificial fingers modeled after children's fingers to assess the safety of various scenarios, including whether the fingers can fit in a gap, be cut, or be fractured. Based on the results, we established internal criteria by quantifying risk levels and establishing guidelines, which were then adopted in the verification process.

How does each product serve the needs of the elderly, the disabled, caregivers and assistants by providing the gentleness and ease of use they need? To inform consumers of these qualities through simple visual cues, Panasonic proposed the UD pictogram. In 2001 the pictogram was adopted as an in-house standard. To respond to globalization and technological advances, in 2016 other pictograms were added. Surveys were conducted in seven countries: Canada, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States. Based on the results of those surveys, Panasonic refined the pictograms to make them more intuitive.

Panasonic is continuing to develop products that visualize and quantify the vague sensation that is “user friendly”, using various scientific analysis such as the load on muscles and changes in the center of gravity. We have conducted digital human simulations to visualize physical strain, employing a database of body types acquired by approximately 40,000 Japanese individuals of all ages and genders. Further, based on our proprietary physical strain database measured under the supervision of the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, we can quantitatively assess the strain a person experiences through certain postures and movements.