To cope with the accelerated aging of the nation’s population, Nagoya University is working to develop futuristic vehicles.

At the Institute of Innovation for Future Society the school’s researchers are collaborating with engineers from private companies to create new products.

A prototype Smartchair, a computer-controlled chair jointly developed by the university and Panasonic Corp., was unveiled in August at a trade show hosted by the government-funded Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

“You seem to be slightly lacking concentration today. Please be careful when you walk.” As an electronic voice comes from a machine attached to the chair, it slowly tilts forward to make it easier for the user to stand up.

The developers say the concept of the Smartchair is to support users inconspicuously while constantly monitoring them. Ultra-sensitive sensors are embedded in the back and armrest that measure the user’s brain waves, pulse and breathing. It can also detect changes in blood flow from the user’s fingertips and determine the level of tiredness by calculating the concentration of oxygen in the blood.

bbabo.Net