Cutting-edge products showcased at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai are beginning to find practical applications in the welfare sector. Among them is a bathing device adapted from the Mirai Human Washing Machine, which was featured at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion.
Developed by Osaka-based shower head manufacturer Science Co, the technology has been adapted for nursing care settings as the Mirable Assist Bath. The device was introduced in June at an assisted-living facility in Osaka’s Chuo Ward.
Care robots and AI-powered monitoring systems are also gaining attention as potential solutions to Japan’s shortage of caregivers and as drivers of growth in the healthcare industry.
Easing the Burden on Caregivers
The company says users can clean themselves simply by soaking in the bath. The device generates microscopic bubbles inside the tub that attach to and remove waste products deep within pores, which are believed to contribute to body odor.
A door on the side of the tub allows elderly users to enter without having to step over the edge, enabling them to bathe safely while seated.
Staff at the facility said bathing assistance had placed a heavy physical and mental burden on caregivers.
A woman in her 40s who works there said, “I often had to assist several people a day, and it was physically demanding. The need to scrub residents has been greatly reduced, and there are fewer occasions when I need to help them move or support their posture. It has made the work much easier, both physically and mentally.”
Residents have also responded positively, with some saying, “I now look forward to taking a bath.” With demand for home-based care expected to increase, Science plans to expand the product for use in private homes as well.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Keiko Tamura, The Sankei Shimbun
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AloJapan.com