Abstract
A bed has important functions in daily living environment since recorded history. Recently, beds are continue evolving, such as to prevent from fall accident and to detect vital information of a patient. Welfare equipment around a bed has also been developed. Transfer and movement assist equipment for daily living environment enables to connect between daily living activities. Thus, the equipment contributes greatly to maintain and to improve activity of daily living of elderly persons. Conventionally, family members or care workers support elderly as care-givers. As a practical measure against Japanese rapidly aging and workforce shortage, it is important that welfare equipment based on robot technology and ergonomics to be urgently developed. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry / Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry support developing such technologies and spreading welfare equipment as a national strategy. Japan, as a preceding country in aging, is expected to contribute for this universal problem.
