Panasonic Cloud Analytics for Safety

Digital 'Seatbelt' combines safety data.  A clever play for this problem.  Also data for future development of safety methods and devices.   "a central nervous system for connected cars'"

Panasonic Cloud Analytics Will Give Cars a Guardian Angel
January 6, 2020

Panasonic engineers, in conjunction with the departments of Transportation in Colorado and Utah, are working on a digital seatbelt that uses technology enabling cars to send information, like speed and direction, to transportation infrastructure, which would be able to inform drivers about construction zones, traffic jams, and other impending hazards. Panasonic's cloud-based Cirrus system, which the company hopes to launch later this year, would go further by using more data and processing it centrally, regardless of where it originates. Panasonic will feed data collected from its implementations in Colorado and Utah into machine-learning programs to improve the algorithms' ability to predict changing or hazardous road and traffic conditions. The company said it will make the system available to app developers. Said Panasonic’s Chris Armstrong, "We are building a central nervous system for connected cars."  .... '

A Fridge that will Bring you a Beer

Notably a Panasonic concept device that wont be available for 'a few years'.  Points out that the complexity of navigation, even in the realm of a non-custom built smart home, is being addressed.  Also voice control is becoming a required part of advanced devices.

This robotic fridge brings the drinks to couch potatoes  in Fastcompany  (includes video in operation)

Attention couch potatoes: Prepare to lazily rejoice because some like-minded genius just invented a robotic fridge that brings the drink to you so you never, ever have to get off the couch.

Reuters reports that Panasonic just unveiled a voice-controlled robot refrigerator that responds to your grunted, “Yo, bring me a beer.” The robotic fridge is named “Ku,” and once you mutter the magic words, it will toddle over to you and bring you a cold one. You don’t have to worry about the fridge spilling your drink or getting stuck in a corner like a drunken Roomba, either, because it has embedded sensors that let it map out the room. The fridge will even be able to navigate the room if you put the leg rest up on your La-Z-Boy, because it continuously updates the map and can move around safely without bumping into anything.  .... '

Simplified Heart Rate Sensor Tech

In Engadget.   Another interesting breakthrough in health sensor technology.  Possible use for other emotion sensing applications.

Panasonic can read your heart rate by looking at your face
The sensor tech will be used to show the stress levels of golfers at an upcoming tournament. ... "

Lack of Broadband Limits Telemedicine

 In CWorld: 

A lack of broadband service is limiting the deployment of telemedicine services in some places of the U.S., and not just remote rural areas, some experts say.

Panasonic of North America, while providing Internet-based heart monitoring services for elderly residents of the New York City area, found several places were there were no wired broadband, Wi-Fi or strong mobile signals available, Todd Rytting, CTO for the company, told a U.S. Senate committee Tuesday.

The SmartCare monitoring service significantly reduced the numbers of heart patients who had to return to the hospital, but "the biggest problem we faced was the lack of broadband to some of our citizens," Rytting said. Some potential users of the service couldn't get a broadband connection in "downtown New York City," he added. .... "

Beacons and Retail Shelf Labels

We did much work with electronic shelf labels (ESL).  See the link below for much more.  Quite natural to connect them to the beacon idea as part of retail infrastructure.  Combines visual and data transmission..  In the RFID Journal:
Panasonic Adds Bluetooth Beacons to Electronic Shelf Labels
The Powershelf system, which uses inductive coupling to transmit power and data to wireless electronic labels and sensors, now includes beacons to enable stores to provide data to customers on their phone apps. ... " 

Tailored Digital Sign Experience

A long time research interest, better and more personalized interaction with the shopper via digital signage:

" ... Photon Interactive, a company that’s been focused on building mobile experiences for large brands, is teaming up with Panasonic to bring what they say will be a more personalized experience to the digital signs you see in stores.

The goal is to combine Photon’s software with Panasonic displays, so that those displays will know more about the customer. That information can be used to deliver targeted offers, as well as check in, make purchases,and more. ... "  

Appliance Makers and the Internet of Things

More on the Internet of Things consortium, connecting appliances:

" ... Home appliance makers connect with open source 'Internet of things' project
The AllSeen Alliance is working on an open source framework that it says can be used to connect almost anything to the Internet .. "  Home appliances, cars and computers could soon be talking to one another thanks to an open source framework that has the backing of consumer electronics manufacturers in a new industry alliance. The AllSeen Alliance is supported by the Linux Foundation. Its members include Cisco, D-Link, Haier, LG Electronics, Qualcomm, Panasonic and Sharp. ...  "

Hair Washing Robot

Panasonic announces a robot that washes your hair. Designed primarily for health institutional and caregiving scenarios.